I would obviously advice you to, if not previously done so, seek an American Studies academic advisor/counselor. A friend of mine recently transferred smoothly to the UoC at U.C from the Uni. Nottingham. Mind you that the universities aforementioned are very hard to get into and very expensive; that however is outweighted by the benefits of studying in a prestigious institution like Harvard, Columbia and Northwestern.

To say, however, that all which drives you is obtaining a silly stamp for your business card or obtaining another 'trophy' will distance yourself from a vast majority, who approach such opportunities with greater awareness of how fortunate they are of obtaining that education. Perhaps the paradigm varies from culture to culture , but from what you've written I can only picture you as the hopeless kid from 'rushmore'

quote:

Originally posted by diggerz I would obviously advice you to, if not previously done so, seek an American Studies academic advisor/counselor. A friend of mine recently transferred smoothly to the UoC at U.C from the Uni. Nottingham. Mind you that the universities aforementioned are very hard to get into and very expensive; that however is outweighted by the benefits of studying in a prestigious institution like Harvard, Columbia and Northwestern. To say, however, that all which drives you is obtaining a silly stamp for your business card or obtaining another 'trophy' will distance yourself from a vast majority, who approach such opportunities with greater awareness of how fortunate they are of obtaining that education. Perhaps the paradigm varies from culture to culture , but from what you've written I can only picture you as the hopeless kid from 'rushmore'

That's a misunderstanding then. I never said that this is my particular motivation. However, compared with other programs, the LLM is either highly specialized (in an area which then is rarely relevant at your later workplace) or so broad and general that it lacks great substance. Just what you gotta expect from such a short education unfortunately. That's why many students, especially Austrian ones who have a "thing" for academic titles, only add this little cherry on top of their finished law degree, partly for a "fun US experience", partly for the prestige accompanied by such a degree.
In my case the US education has always been the "end goal", I even thought about going to an US College before startin Univ. but then preferred to do my "homework" at home and only then come fully prepared and with better chances of even getting admitted. I could go on for a while telling you why specifically I want to "embrace" that chance for higher education as you put it, ..the main reason simply is the fact that in Vienna Law School is an industrial mass production of lawyers with no academic depth and real contact with any of the professors or colleagues (it's you and the books), while legal education in aforementioned institutions is obviously on a much higher level. I'd also use this year for developing my Dissertation.

As for admisson, you're right, it's extremely tough BUT no remotely as improbable as admission to the respective colleges or normal 3-year Law Schools. Note that it's primarily designed for foreigners. No LSAT, no ridiculous criteria grade-wise, and also the quota for each country are in your favor. Got a neat TOEFL score and all is left is a good personal statement.

___________________
"Those are my principles, if you don't like them... well, I have others.”

UChicago is more renowned as an economics school, perhaps the best.

Stanford is a computer science school but have an excellent law program as well.

Berkeley is more known as a math/science type school, but it's got a good law program too I guess.

The best law schools would be Yale/Harvard and Princeton for Political Science but it's a given that you probably won't be able to get in these schools.

If I were you, I'd try to apply to one of the Yale/Harvard/Princeton schools and Northwestern, NYU etc.

Columbia over NYU since you said you wanted an ivy, but ivy schools aren't necessarily the best schools -- think MIT.

NYU actually has a better law program than UChicago. Sure UChicago has the prestige, but recruiters look at the degree you got in the school you're in. If you get a econs degree in UChicago, then for some wall street recruiters, that would weigh more than an econs degree in Harvard.

In short: Good choices of schools, Columbia or NYU either would be good.

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't serious about the Rushmore comparison.

Both NYU and Columbia will provide you with a great 'US College' experience and it comes along with a phenomenal nightlife agenda haha. Actually, my favorite dj Is based in NY ATM

quote:

Originally posted by TranceOwnsLol UChicago is more renowned as an economics school, perhaps the best. Stanford is a computer science school but have an excellent law program as well. Berkeley is more known as a math/science type school, but it's got a good law program too I guess. The best law schools would be Yale/Harvard and Princeton for Political Science but it's a given that you probably won't be able to get in these schools. If I were you, I'd try to apply to one of the Yale/Harvard/Princeton schools and Northwestern, NYU etc. Columbia over NYU since you said you wanted an ivy, but ivy schools aren't necessarily the best schools -- think MIT. NYU actually has a better law program than UChicago. Sure UChicago has the prestige, but recruiters look at the degree you got in the school you're in. If you get a econs degree in UChicago, then for some wall street recruiters, that would weigh more than an econs degree in Harvard. In short: Good choices of schools, Columbia or NYU either would be good.

Stanford is not really an option. It is amongst the very best but opens only 2 tiny classes of 15 students each year for specialized programs on Corporate Governance and Technology Law, which are exclusively offered to people with an already fair share of experience (minimum 2 yrs work) in these areas.

Yale is apparently the number one but totally irrelevant as it's similarly specialized and designed for Academics only. You need to be in the faculty staff at your home University or at least integrated and with a prospect of teaching Law in future. I don't fall into this category either.

Princeton is Pol. Sci. only. Very interesting but unrealistic.

As for the rest, I'd basically jump at any of these immediately, don't get me wrong. I was only curious as to what specific charcteristic/reputation each of these universities have. I really hope it's gonna be one of the New York ones.

___________________
"Those are my principles, if you don't like them... well, I have others.”

adi !
did u try to check this site & forum www.llm-guide.com/
good advices on here!i finally decided to give up the idea of a JD cuz its too expensive
i do plan to do a LLM or who knows a MBA....since it wouldnt be irrelevant considering the field im going to be into
did u apply to LLM yet?
didnt u want to pass the bar in austria first?!
im mixed up between preparing the examination to be a lawyer next year or go for a LLM.....

but i think a majority of people doingh a LLM are foreign lawyers....

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2/09/07 Zabiela @ Pacha..... -confirmed-

erik + andy + marie = united in nerdyness <3

ps :wick sucks dicks !

Admitted to Columbia and feeling like sharing.


Guess that's enough for me to know already, my top choice, no matter what the other decisions will be.

*starts infiltrating the NYC subsection on TA*

___________________
"Those are my principles, if you don't like them... well, I have others.”

congrats! you got what you wanted then.

University of Washington School of Law is very well received and their are a number of private colleges in Washington State that have good law programs.

The California programs are very good as well for the most part.

I am not sure of a lot of other systems, From people I know in both of those systems they seem to have enjoyed them and found them helpful to their careers.

My suggestion is a public law school if you actually want to make it anywhere and still have room to climb. A lot of stigma is attached to private schools, especially in the Ivy League. That is not to say that they are bad schools, far from it, but you gain a lot of credibility if you actually have some merit other than the name of your school.

Also do not succumb to the temptations of big firms when you graduate! Start small and make a name for yourself and gain experience! The public sector is a great way to do this and there are lots of opportunities in that sector (working for a public agency or a private firm that works with public agencies) to make good money if you work hard enough.

You should definitely go to University of [wherever I am from] - it's by and far the best. GO [respective intimidating sports team name typed in capital letters for emphasis]!!!

___________________
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.

I go to UM Law down here but I'm a 2L in the JD program. They have a great LLM program in Tax and International Law, if that's what you're interested in. Other than that, it's obviously a great place to spend a year!

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Last edited by miamitranceman on Dec-11-2008 at 00:19

quote:

Originally posted by TranceGiant (So) I'm about to apply to a couple of Law Schools for an LL.M program. That's like the MBA equivalent for jurists, especially for non-Americans who would like to have some fancy American University added in brackets to their business cards. The available rankings only apply to the "normal" postgradual JD degree, not the 1-year LL.M programs. I guess, however, that top 5 is top 5 no matter what specific studies. Anybody here been sutdying Law and can share his experience with his school or recommend one? If I'm going for it, it'll be for a renowned one only, not because I'm some filthy rich snob, but because it's one hell of an investment anyway, so it might as well be Ivy League in order to be worth it. I'd also rather go to cities like New York or Chicago to actually enjoy this year, and not to some far away campuses in the middle of nowhere. Would your rather recommend NYU or Columbia quality and fun wise? Is the Univ. of Chicago really that badly located? Where's Berekely exactely? Boobs? thanks.

I go to NYU law. what do you want to know?

Unless you want to do a Tax LLM (which NYU is by far the best), this would be my order of preference:

1) Harvard
2) Columbia
3) NYU

Chicago is an excellent school but it doesn't carry the same name recognition overseas. Columbia gets the nod over NYU (with respect to foreign LLMs) for several reasons, namely the name recognition and its placement services for foreign students. As previously said, NYU is located in a much better area and you are sure to have more fun in the village than in morningside heights. Other than that, Columbia and NYU are about the same. For the most part they draw from the same pool of applicants.

One important point, the legal industry (Big Law) in the US is all about prestige. If you don't go to the best school to which you are accepted you are definitely shooting yourself in the foot.

Last edited by jerZ07002 on Dec-10-2008 at 17:36