Got into both. I'm interested in international law but i'm even more interested in finding employment in the US after the LLM. Based on your experiences, what do you recommend between GULC and UPenn?

Thanks!

No thoughts????

Upenn by far!

UPenn >>>>>>>>>> Georgetown ...Always!

In my opinion, UPenn.

I do know why this is a difficult dicision.

Thanks for the responses. Where does UPenn stand on international law vis-a-vis Georgetown?

Austen, I believe this could be properly answered by the people who have actually attended both programs. Although, here is a ranking from US News that may help:

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/grad/law/internationall

A fairly tricky one this. Really depends on where your priorities lie. Whilst obviously UPenn is a good, Ivy-league school - generally ranked higher than GT, in terms of International Law GT is the place to be, especially if you want to work in that area after completing your studies - arguably even ahead of NYU, Columbia etc (and I know those schools are ranked higher - and NY is where the UN is headquartered). DC, with its embassies, government bodies, NGO's, World Bank etc is the acknowledged centre of International Law in the US - and where most of the major firms (and certainly mine) have their international law practices headquartered. In terms of making contacts, meeting leading practitioners (many of whom will be adjunct professors at GT) it would be the place to be. GT also has the biggest range of Int Law courses of any leading school in the US.
If however, you are keen to get the best name behind you and head off into general corporate etc practice following your LLM - then sure, UPenn beats GT.

I believe it depends on what do you want to study and what do you expect from you LLM.

Despite rankings, both law schools are very well regarded and they have a similar level of prestige. Maybe UPenn is a little bit better regarded in USA while Georgetown is more regarded abroad (at least in some regions).

UPenn is better in corporate law while Georgetown is better in law and economics, tax law and international law.
In Washington you will find more funny things to do than in Philadelphia and you will have more accesses to prospective employees such as law firms and international organisms.

For some people is important to attend an Ivy League school; is that is your case, Penn is an Ivy League. Personally, I dont care if it is an Ivy league or not. That term (Ivy League) was created to denominate one of the many athletic conference within USA (like the Big Ten, the SoCon etc.), but, despite that that term is an sport denomination, for many people is important.

So I believe that it all depends in what works better for you.

The last two posts are right imo.

Thank you so much! I think I will pick GULC. I am interested in UPenn mainly for its reputation but perhaps GULC has more to offer. The current economic times are having an effect on everyone and everything including my confidence so I thought that perhaps UPenn may at the very least get me a job.

I'd choose Penn in a second. It has a MUCH better reputation (at least in the US).

UPenn forever...

Now it's a healthy discussion and I might have something to share as well.
UPenn is ivy league( athletic conference comprising eight private institutions)
Georgetown (non ivy league)
UPenn has a fantastic reputation far better than that of Georgetown and most of the people love to show off their brand, therefore the common response one would expect any day is UPenn is better, UPenn always.
Let's distinguish a little
Georgetown offers some of the best specialties in legal education i.e. #1 in clinical programs, #4 in environmental law, #5 in trial advocacy, #8 in healthcare law, #4 in international law, and #3 in tax law.
From my personal experience and in my perspective in this current market, a specialised LLM in tax has a brighter chance of finding a Job even in a depressed market for the reason that even when you restructure and downsize or cut overheads, you need tax advisers and tax specialists are hardly ever affected by any market conditions.
Even with UPenn's joint program with Wharton in Corporate law, people won't find a job currently in the US at least.
Washington is recession free and is a hub for international law, offering wider exposure to other international organizations and a home to 12 biglaw firm's headquarters as well as most firms operate their international practice from there.

Reputation, brand value is very important and does look very well on one's resume but programs must also be looked from more qualitative criteria than solely one factor.

I am all for UPenn ( it;s great to be here) but we cannot have only a reputation based approach.
Each program, geographical location, its reputation, its faculty all need to be considered and evaluated to take a well informed decision.

Wow, I'm SO relieved that I'm not the only one trying to choose between UPenn and Georgetown! Although both have a deadline of April 1st, I'm a bit concerned about housing and visa issues, so I want to choose as soon as possible...I work in a big law firm in Brazil and the subject here is very controversial, but I pretty much agree that GULC seems to have better networking and job opportunities, while UPenn has a better reputation (Ivy League and all).

As far as International Trade Law concerns Georgetown is the best-known in the world. From my time in Geneva it is clear to me that at least in WTO-matters G-Town is the leading institution, HOWEVER, bear in mind that even with a degree from GTown your statistical chances to get a job upon graduation in the field are low. Being honest.

As for UPenn, completely unknown in Geneva (WTO) or Brussels (EC Commission). But dont know about job prospects in general. BTW: Ask GULC for an extension for your deadline to accept their offer. They may grant it .

some people say: for LLM, go for the name only. Other factors may be applicable to JD, but not LLM. And this is especially the case for foreign students.

As far as International Trade Law concerns Georgetown is the best-known in the world. From my time in Geneva it is clear to me that at least in WTO-matters G-Town is the leading institution, HOWEVER, bear in mind that even with a degree from GTown your statistical chances to get a job upon graduation in the field are low. Being honest.

As for UPenn, completely unknown in Geneva (WTO) or Brussels (EC Commission). But dont know about job prospects in general. BTW: Ask GULC for an extension for your deadline to accept their offer. They may grant it .

May I ask what was your decision after all?
I am facing the same problem, and although I am interested in Corporate Law, I cannot ignore the fact that in DC you have more opportunities to network, and generally the whole atmosphere is much more ïnternational (very important for a European student)

Have you decided ascese where are ou going then?