Hi,
I have to choose between UPenn and Boston University.
Boston University grants me a 10.000$ scholarship.
I am interested in corporate/commercial law.
Thank you for your help...
Ellelem

See U.S News. easy answer.

Of course I know that UPenn has a better ranking but is the difference in ranking enough to decide? I don't believe so...
You have many other apsects as:
- city;
- scholarship;
- work possibilities after the LLM.

Plus, do you think that coming back to Italy law firms will be much more attracted by a cv making reference to Upenn rather than BU?

HELP...

When it comes to work possibilities after the LLM if you think about trying the difficult job market in the US then ranking is enough to decide. Law firms care a lot about your school prestige and Penn has a great prestige.

I am in the same boat, with BU scholarship grant, it tilts in favor of BU over Upenn at this time. Ranking was my prior consideration, but after thorough review, BU program is not bad at all considering the high level of specialization (banking and financial law) and the program itself has been there for long time. I haven't really decided yet but unlike the others who simplistically answers the question... this is a serious concern... UPENN is well-ranked but I keep in mind also that the ranking is for JD... I need to decide at month's end...

Judge&Jury, if you're interested in the specialized program then it's indeed a different issue. And the financial concern is also an issue, but I wouldn't decide on something up to the vicinity of $20,000 personally. More so - perhaps.

However, the rankings are NOT for JD at the end of the day, since you'll be taking the same classes probably. The rankings are for the legal prestige of the school, and the fact of the matter from what I understand is that the lawyers hiring jobs are looking at these rankings all the time, whether for JD/LL.M or anything else.

True you take your classes with JD but USnEWS ranking are for JD 3 years, make no misake if you join them for 1 year believing you get the same treatment and prestige. What I am saying is that ranking is a consideration but its not the whole picture, you have the look at the versatility, prestige and quality of the program as a whole and extent of the grant. Some people go to UMiami,USC or georgetown because of the level of their and quality of their tax program and not simply because of their JD US news ranking. Besides if you care to scrutinize the ranking criteria, ie, LSAT scores, assessment scores, passng rate.. etc.. these re generally for JD. Upenn has a long history alright but BU, am still learning, is top notch as well in its banking and fiancial law program. That's why it is a difficult decision for us and simplifyng the issue to mere ranking does not help much... in fact its a no brainer..

All your points are valid, which is why there are so many other rankings out there, and also for LL.M ones... the problems are that this discussion and your arguments of pros/cons of the programs and their prestige mean NOTHING. The firms simply look at U.S NEWS. That''s the way they judge your application. They don't care if you did an LL.M or a JD. 1 year is not as good as 3 years ? True, but it's still better if you did that 1 year in a higher U.S rankings news school. That's the reality as I've been told by so many sources, and in fact nobody questioned this fact. That's the way it is. Whether this is justified or not is meaningless.

All your points are valid, which is why there are so many other rankings out there, and also for LL.M ones... the problems are that this discussion and your arguments of pros/cons of the programs and their prestige mean NOTHING. The firms simply look at U.S NEWS. That''s the way they judge your application. They don't care if you did an LL.M or a JD. 1 year is not as good as 3 years ? True, but it's still better if you did that 1 year in a higher U.S rankings news school. That's the reality as I've been told by so many sources, and in fact nobody questioned this fact. That's the way it is. Whether this is justified or not is meaningless.

Nice to read your comments guys.
I have to decide between UPenn's general program and the American Program at BU.
What should I do?
Please note that I am not an American citizen and will therefore come back to Europe after the LLM.
Really hard decision!!!

Hi alvis,

Thanks for your post. I'm in a difficult position myself. I'm practicing in the banking/financial services industry abroad and I want to learn about this specific field. I have to choose between NYU's Corporate law program and BU's banking. Unfortunately, I'm not American and I don't really know what the word on the street is on these two programs.

NYU doesn't have nearly as good a selection of courses as BU's banking.

You mentioned that the BU banking program's well respected in the east coast. Can you please tell me more about that? Would a brokerage firm regard the BU program more highly than the NYU corporate? I want an LLM that'll prepare me to work at a brokerage firm or at a regulator.

Thanks for your help!

Hi, nikiattorney

The following are for reference only. Both of BU and NYU are very good law schools ,and I have no intention to defame which one over which. I chose BU over some top 10 law schools eventually and did some research:

1). class interactions

BU's banking program is pretty traditional (the first concentrated banking program in States) and highly selective, which as for me would be better then NYU when you are considering to get more interactions with all the professors and classmates. Such interactions are really important if your future carrer needs substantial interpersonal relationship across the border.

2). Practical experiences sharing

Among the professors of BU's banking program, 90% are practitioners in the law firms of States. And about 50% of your classmates would be experienced US attorneys. The other 20% are practitioners from all over the world. This would be the hard factor I value the most because of being able to learn directly from those experienced instead of merely getting a lecture in a large class.

3). Alumni network effects

BU has a very strong network tradition. In compared with BU, NYU would be wicker for sure. NYU has a large alumni network as well, however, for the sake of its large-size, it's just hard for the students to stick tight, let alone a strong (but large) network.

Last but not least, if the broker firm in your country, or the job market in your nation is school-ranking-oriented, then choose NYU for sure. Unless you put more weight on what I said or there is a strong BU alumni network existing in your country, otherwise NYU is surely the best choice for you.

And what about the LLM in American Law?

No more news?

Almost in the same boat with some guys here. Got offer and scholarship from BU, and got offers from some other top 20 law schools including NYU. Plan to go for BU.

Hi guys,

For BU, my application has just became complete. So I am late and I hope there will be places for me...
I will probably have my phone-call next week. Could you please tell me everything I need to know about it...??
What are the questions about ? What is good to say ? What do I have to avoid ?
I have applied for the LLM in American Law.

Thank you very much !!
Hope to see you in July !

Noun

ellelem , American LLM is a General LLM, you should go by the rankings, it's what I do. Perhaps for Banking specifically, indeed BU has a prestigious program.

Thanks Alvis for that helpful information. I'm intending on practicing in the U.S., either Boston or NY.

Unfortunately, I don't know whether brokerage firms/regulators in the U.S. prefer school ranking (NYU) or specific training in banking/sec law (BU). This is my dilemma....

So have you guys decided?

Hi, guys

I chose to to go BU eventually and am gonna attend their Summer Legal English ( CELOP for 9 weeks ) from 6/10-8/15. Keep me posted when you guys made the final decisions. And maybe we can set a group on facebook for 2008-2009. Ciao !

Alvis