Hi there, I am a student from Taiwan (in Asia.) I have been accepted by Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California, and Washington University in St-Louis (in Missouri). To be honest, I have been deeply troubled by how to pick one from them because their difference is not that great. Since I have been offer a position in a CPA firm in Taiwan, I think I had better take both Law and Business rankings into account. Unfortunately, doing such makes me even harder to pick one from them. Vandy is ranked high in Law while ranked low in Business. USC is ranked high in both law and business but its reputation is not that good here. Washington seems to lie in between USC and Vandy but is less known than the other two in the US. SoI really need you guys suggestion. I will be grateful if anyone could give me some advice. Thank you.

Hi, I have decided to go to Wash Law...and if you decide to go there, feel free to contact me ^_^

Sophia

Sophia where are you from?

Hey, I am also admitted by vanderbilt and USC and still facing the same problem.

I'm from Thailand.

Hi Pra608, so we are facing the same situation. Though I still can't make the desicion, I tend to go to Vandy. Maybe we could exchange our information about these schools?

Though I still can't make the desicion, I tend to go to Vandy. Maybe we could exchange our information about these schools?

I agree with you about their location. But USC is in a bad neighberhood while Nashville, where Vandy is lacated, is a new and developing city with fresh looking. Also, Vandy is always considered Southern Harvard in the US though it is really less known than USC in my home country. What troubles me most is that Vandy's business school has been ranked lower and lower by US News these years. It matters to me because I will work for an accounting firm after graduation. USC is obviously ranked in progress in both law and business.

I agree with you about their location. But USC is in a bad neighberhood while Nashville, where Vandy is lacated, is a new and developing city with fresh looking. Also, Vandy is always considered Southern Harvard in the US though it is really less known than USC in my home country. What troubles me most is that Vandy's business school has been ranked lower and lower by US News these years. It matters to me because I will work for an accounting firm after graduation. USC is obviously ranked in progress in both law and business.

Hey, tweetypie, thanks for your advice. To be honest, I also take the student body into account. There are lots of Asian and Chinese studying in USC while fewer in Vandy. I guess it might help me improve my English ability since I probably won't hang out with my fellow students and speal Chinese all day long. Well, that's what I hope. :-)

Hey, tweetypie, thanks for your advice. To be honest, I also take the student body into account. There are lots of Asian and Chinese studying in USC while fewer in Vandy. I guess it might help me improve my English ability since I probably won't hang out with my fellow students and speal Chinese all day long. Well, that's what I hope. :-)

I don't know. All I know is that USC puts much emphasis on Asia-Pacific area. Since there are lots of Asian and Chinese studying at USC, you probably will have better network of Alumni when coming back to Asia. (I assume that international students have tiny chance to stay in the US.) In this regard, you could carve a niche by studying at USC. Now you know why I am so deeply troubled...

The one thing u will get from vandy, I think, is your english language improvement. The llm class in vandy,as far as I know, is pretty small (from 9-13 students),I think,.

While in USC, there are quite many Asian students especially, Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean and Thai. In this year(2005 class), there are around 7 thai students in llm class.

BTW, what is your deposit deadline?

BTW, what is your deposit deadline?

I don't know. All I know is that USC puts much emphasis on Asia-Pacific area. Since there are lots of Asian and Chinese studying at USC, you probably will have better network of Alumni when coming back to Asia. (I assume that international students have tiny chance to stay in the US.) In this regard, you could carve a niche by studying at USC. Now you know why I am so deeply troubled...

Yes, I agree with you. But in general, one can hardly know every classmate in a class, not to mention making good friends with all of them. I believe there are rare friends you will keep in contact after graduation; therefore the network of Alumni worldwide seems to be less valuable. Also, if you plan to focus your future career in Asia, then knowing people from this area may be more helpful than from other regions. In this regard USC might be a better choice.

Yes, I agree with you. But in general, one can hardly know every classmate in a class, not to mention making good friends with all of them. I believe there are rare friends you will keep in contact after graduation; therefore the network of Alumni worldwide seems to be less valuable. Also, if you plan to focus your future career in Asia, then knowing people from this area may be more helpful than from other regions. In this regard USC might be a better choice.

Dear All, I am from China and I was an LLM student at Vandy. I graduated last May. I like the school and the city-Nashville and I'm glad that I choose Vandy. I appreciate the personal attention from the faculty and the students I received when I was there. I am sure you will have the same feeling as me. There are about 15 LLM students each year and about 600 JD students total - 200 each year. The number of students in each course you take will vary depending on the course. Some classes are small and some have around 75 students.

If you want to add - "Please email me directly if you have additional quesitons.

I was also an LL.M. student at Vandy last year. I am from Thailand. In my years, other LL.M. students come from various countries such as Italy, Germany, Nicaragua, China, Japan, Korea, India, Venezuela, and Turkey.

When I conducted research at Vandy, I did get a lot of attention from my research advisor. He carefully read and provided me several thoughtful notions. Also, I learned a lot from JD students as well as other LL.M. students. I remember well that after my class, I always discussed lessons with my LL.M. friends. I also make several discussions with JD students during the final exam period, and this is helpful for my final exam preparation.

After graduation, my LL.M. friends still keep contact. I get a number of e-mails from LL.M. friends updating their work and life. Also, when I send e-mail asking opinions or help from my research advisor and other professors for my current project and studies, they quickly reply my e-mail with helpful suggestion and advice. I also get help from my English writing coach in spite of the fact that I am now not a current Vandy student.

Nashville is a growing city. Certainly, it is not like L.A., which is big and very lively in general. However, I personally like a medium-size city like Nashville, where I found a good fit between social and academic lifes. Almost every Friday evening at the school, there had a small party where students could enjoy talking and drinking after their hard studies.

Hope this help!

Dear orangesunny and Sudkhet, I would like to know whether Vandy allows LL.M. students to transfer to its J.D. program without LSAT after completion of their LL.M. credits. Also, do most Vandy's LL.M. students have much work experience? I wonder if it is strange for a College graduate to study and get along with people with much practical experience. And do you work at your home country now? I would appreciate your response.

Dear Keyif:

I personally do not know whether you can transfer to JD without LSAT. My guess is that a JD program generally requires all applicants to take LSAT, so I do not think that you can transfer without an LSAT score. To my knowledge, LSAT score is very important for JD admission even for US people.


Most of LL.M. students at Vandy in my year have work experience. Their works range from law professor, governmental officer, lawyer, legislative officer, and judge. Plus, two of them are fullbright scholars. However, some LL.M. students are just graduate students.


Despite different backgrounds, I found all of us enjoyed our law school life and always have parties together. I do not think that work experience hindered our communication and relation.