Hi eveyrbody

I have received UIUC and FORDHAM LLM program admission recently and was required to make my dicision in about two weeks. Please give me some advise how to choose between this two schools.
My goal is not to get the permanent legal position in US(after reading the "current student" discussion and realize it is too difficult to get an employment for a foreign-trained LLM student) but hope to be a some kind legal associate in US' law firm or coporate for about 2~3 years to accumulate my work experience and return to my country. l know that this two schools' rankings are almost the same, but FORDHAM's location is better(NEW YORK), also more expensive. So it is really a critical choice. Maybe you guys who have attended or admitted to this two schools or are LLM graduates can advise me how to choose. Thanks a lot.

Which one is UIUC? Have you received the fordham admission by email?

UIUC is University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
I received admission via regular mail, no email.

So Melloncollie in that case, I have the exact same problem as you. I have been admitted to Boston U. and to Fordham. damn dilema.

Btw I would advise you to go to Fordham, even if it's rank is a bit lower:
- located in Manhattan
- more prestigious
- check some law firms attorneys profiles: you will find definitely more who studied at Fordham than at UIUC
- and, well, you will live in NYC for one year!!

To which program did you aplly at F.U.?, maybe we'll both be there next year

To BUB

Is FORDHAM more prestigious than UIUC? FORDHAM's rank is not always in top 30, sometimes it fell to 40s when UIUC is always in soild top30. And UIUC has a better overall rank in USNEWS and reputation in my country, which is also a concern I have to think about.

BTW, I applied for Banking, Coporate and Finance Law program. Would you really turn down BU? I am curious.

"Would you really turn down BU? I am curious."

Well...I still don't know, would you go to BU in my case?
There is also something to consider, if you plan to work for a while in NY it's maybe easier if you're there during the whole year (relationship, professors, etc).

"reputation in my country, which is also a concern"
Yes, sure, but do you think that there is a strong difference of reputation between those two univ.?
In my country, I'm not sure, but I think that Fordham, even if it hasn't a better reputation, at least it is more known.

By the way, that's only some advices I would take into consideration in your case, feel free to go to UIUC!

"I applied for Banking, Coporate and Finance Law program"
I also apply for this one

I have done last year my LL.M at UIUC and I can definitely testify it was a top choice. I have had a wonderful year there.
There are top professors in each field of study: William Davey (former WTO legal director), Tom Ulen (one of the founder of the Law and Economics analysis), Peter Maggs,Tom Ginsburg (international law), Matthew Finkin (labor law), Jacqueline Ross (penal law), cynthia Williams (corporate)... who are ALL excellent.
The student body is very diverse both geographically (asia, south america, europe, france, germany,) russia and professionnally (judges, lawyers, civil servant...).
Huge campus, lot of facilities (museum, opera arena, swmming pool, tennis...).
and an active alumni network...

definitely a top choice!

Hi igal,

I got the admission from UIUC this year. Can you tell me about curriculum of the LL.M. program. I heard that there is a required class. Are we requied to do any researched paper?

Thanks,

you can have to take a minimum number of credits. usually students take from 3 to 6 classes per semester.
you can also do an independant research study with a Professor (I did one myself with Prof Ulen) but it is not compulsory.
you can take the course you want to take: no imposed course but if you take first year class (contract, property...) where youi first need approval by the administration. introduction to US law is the only class that is mandatory for all students. the good thing at UIUC is that you are in class with JD students. so you have access to exactly the same class as if you were a JD student. discussions in class are consequently very interesting and challenging intellectually. moreover you are really part of the law students community.

the curriculum is very large and very diverse : you can even have access to MBA courses if you wish...

To BUB
Thanks for your advice. I will take it into my consideration, maybe we will meet in New York this summer if you do not choose Boston U.

Melloncollie you haven't answered my question, would you go to BU instead of Fordham in my case?

Thanx!

Yes, I will.
BU obviously has higher reputation in banking law.

Hi melloncollie,

Congratulations for your acceptance to fordham! Anyone else has received an admission package?
i'm a french student . Maybe you could share with us your credential? Grades, toefl score, experience, publications, GMAT, dess, dea CAPA ,..?
could you tell me when you send your application.
I have send my application the last day of the deadline, i don't known if they answer quickly.
thanks for your answer

Hi Zedi

I sent my application material in middle january, and received
my addmission in Feb.27.Hopefully it hopes you.

hi melloncollie,

thanks to have answered quickly
could you say to me where do you studied?what is your credential?your experience,publication?
I don't do any publications,you must have a PhD for do a publication in my country.
i have just a maitrise in bussiness law and financial law from luxembourg universty in europe.
you thinks that it is not enough?

zedi

Hi zedi

I got my LLB degree in Taiwan and did not have any publication, either. I think it is quite enough for applying LLM program. In addition, my acedmic performance is not distinguished, so I think you can get admitted to Fordham.

Hi melloncollie

how are you?
do you know when the academic year begin at fordham?
i do an application for the LLM banking,corporate and finance, like you i think.
what was your subjet for the writing sample?
have a nice day

zedi

I do not know the ewact date . You may check school's website.

My subject of writing sample is about SECURITIES FRAUD and CAUSAL RELATION.

Hi eveyrbody

I have received UIUC and FORDHAM LLM program admission recently and was required to make my dicision in about two weeks. Please give me some advise how to choose between this two schools.
My goal is not to get the permanent legal position in US(after reading the "current student" discussion and realize it is too difficult to get an employment for a foreign-trained LLM student) but hope to be a some kind legal associate in US' law firm or coporate for about 2~3 years to accumulate my work experience and return to my country. l know that this two schools' rankings are almost the same, but FORDHAM's location is better(NEW YORK), also more expensive. So it is really a critical choice. Maybe you guys who have attended or admitted to this two schools or are LLM graduates can advise me how to choose. Thanks a lot.
Hi, I have got the LLM program AD from UIUC with 25000USD and fordham. What about your advice under current context after your study? Thanks!

"Would you really turn down BU? I am curious."

Well...I still don't know, would you go to BU in my case?
There is also something to consider, if you plan to work for a while in NY it's maybe easier if you're there during the whole year (relationship, professors, etc).

"reputation in my country, which is also a concern"
Yes, sure, but do you think that there is a strong difference of reputation between those two univ.?
In my country, I'm not sure, but I think that Fordham, even if it hasn't a better reputation, at least it is more known.

By the way, that's only some advices I would take into consideration in your case, feel free to go to UIUC!

"I applied for Banking, Coporate and Finance Law program"
I also apply for this one