Hi guys!

I passed my bar examination in France, so I am a trainee lawyer , I planned to make an LLM on next august before coming back to France for my final internship (I also plan to sit for the nY Bar examination). I was awarded two professional masters degree, both in business and tax law and in financial and banking law; i made several internships, I have a good background, but I missed the deadline of the top 10 universities. For now, I 've been admitted to Fordham law school (LLM banking corporate finance law) and in UCLA (LLM business law). What do you advise me ?
I'm completely addicted to NYC, but I know that ucla is better ranked than Fordham (moreover, the weather is better in LA, but I am not sure to get used of the californian lifestyle, cause I live in Paris and i didn't get my drive license!) furthermore there are some problems with campus housing... I don't know what is the better location for that! Do you have some elements allowing to help me in my decision? it would be sooo great!

Thxx
Michelle.

and i spoke with two partners of international firms who told me that they didn't know UCLA (very weird) and preferred NYC cause it's the financial capital of the USA... much more serious... but I'm so hesitant, i can't take my decision for the moment! so difficult! so many factors to take into account: do you think the location, the weather has to be considered on the same way than the ranking, the reputation of the university? thxxx

anybody??? why is that?

Hey there! It's funny that there are attorneys that do not know UCLA but fordham only. I had offers from both unis and would have decided in favor of UCLA, because the campus is great, the weather as well....further, the law school is one of the best at the west coast if not in america. Last but not least, california is less expensive than fordham, because the latter is in nyc. But both are good unis...

dude, this is no contest. UCLA in a heart beat. No doubt.

sorry, I just realised you're not a "dude" - my bad! ;-)

@ trout_face : what is it with u and assuming every person is a dude ???? lol

That being said (too hard to resist commenting on that one!), UCLA would be my choice. I was admitted to Fordham and UCLA as well and I think that graduating from a top 20 law school is like an investment. Although networking might be more important than studying at a higher ranked school (living in NYC is always a plus), I believe that it all comes down to : a) which school has a better reputation in terms of your field of interest and b) which school is more well known in your country (after all, that's where you will eventually end up working). On a personal note, I believe that UCLA is just a great school in a great location (hint hint). Good luck with your choice!

i still can decide myself... are you sure that UCLA is so higher ranked than Fordham? and is the ranking so important comparing to other opportunities in NYC ? The thing is, I love NYC and i've ever dreamed to live there, but : the cost of living is very high, it's very cold during several months and it rains, but in LA, i don't have my drive license and hate driving a car, and i know LA is not the most amazing city in the us.

what do you advise me ??? i'm doing a corporate law LLM, is UCLA a so well kwown university in the rankings regarding this speciality? (plus i planned to sit for the NY bar but i know you could take it when you're in california too). struggling and impossible choice!!!!!!!! help !!

Hey there!

I have the impression that you are not that happy neither with UCLA nor with Fordham (for different reasons). And you indicate that you might have good chances to get accepted by higher ranked law schools, probably in NYC. Serious question: Why don't you defer your LLM for one year and apply to your favourite schools this fall? It doesn't make much sense to me to spend a still huge amount of money for something you are not convinced of!!!

Think about it!

Best Ralph