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2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL

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rachelb

Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 4
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Sun Jul 09, 2006 06:35 AM
My company just offered me a scholarship for LLM in the States without prior notice. I am now struggling with my TOEFL score and am worrying not being able to get 250 before this October when the application season begins. (I am still at the 220 range at the moment and really hoping things will get better soon.)

Since my company granted me with only have one chance to apply, can anybody give me any advice?

I notice a few schools such as Berkeley, Cornell, Indian, and Wake Forest do have lower requirement on TOEFL score but what are the chances of getting in? Would 220 be any good for any school at all?

Anybody who have similar experience or advice to share would be appreciated!!
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adm2006

Joined: 22 Sep 2005
Posts: 52
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Sun Jul 09, 2006 08:10 AM
Hi!
You have enough time to practice and to get better results! Try to devote all your time to practicing (I know it is difficult when you're working but you have holidays)! I'm sure you'll get much higher grades if you practice every day for 2 or more hours!
Good luck!
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graduate

Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 1
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Sun Jul 09, 2006 01:47 PM
Actually, it all depends on the quality of your resume. Unlike what most people believe, law schools do not focus solely on your TOEFL results : they want these results to check that you can make a proper sentence in English and that's about it.

Instead, they look into the quality of your resume : your academic performance, etc. It is certainly possible to get into a good school with TOEFL marks lower than 250 (some law schools mention this black on white in the FAQ).

I couldn't help noticing that you mentioned schools like Indian (never heard of) or Wake Forest - why would you be interested in these schools when you are granted a scholarship ? I couldn't even find Indian in the top 100 law schools. Why bother to go to schools with little or no prestige ? If I were you, I would target schools like Berkeley or UPenn. As I said, you do not necessarily need a TOEFL score of 250 to enter to a good school if your resume is good.
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rachelb

Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 4
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Sun Jul 09, 2006 03:06 PM
Thanks adm2006 and graduate for your encouraging words. I'm feeling more confident now.

I'm actually putting quite a bit of time on studying. I usually work till around 8 to 10 at night and spend around 2-4 hours on studying after I get home. Plus all day weekends. I surely hope things will work out at last.

I will definitely take graduate's words and go for the top schools! As that is the whole purpose of the scholarship. But at the same time I wanted to consider applying to 1 or 2 schools with lower requirement on TOEFL in case I can't get into any of the top ones. It may sound silly but since my company will not grand me this scholarship again, I really don't have a second chance and I don't want to risk this one and only opportunity if you understand what I mean.

>I couldn't help noticing that you mentioned schools like Indian (never heard of) or Wake Forest

My apologies for the misleading information. I actually meant Indiana University but mis-spelled it.

Is Wake Forest really not worth considering at all?

Thanks again for your kind advice. I really appreciate it!!

[Edited 09 Jul 2006 by rachelb]
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richardcjy

Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 57
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:33 PM
I'm actually putting quite a bit of time on studying. I usually work till around 8 to 10 at night and spend around 2-4 hours on studying after I get home. Plus all day weekends. I surely hope things will work out at last.


From your writing and your continuing efforts, I think it's definitely possible to boost your TOFEL score. It's not the only factor, but i will still suggest you to have as better score as possible.

I will definitely take graduate's words and go for the top schools! As that is the whole purpose of the scholarship. But at the same time I wanted to consider applying to 1 or 2 schools with lower requirement on TOEFL in case I can't get into any of the top ones. It may sound silly but since my company will not grand me this scholarship again, I really don't have a second chance and I don't want to risk this one and only opportunity if you understand what I mean.


Actually i think your strategy is right. i will suggest Indiana U - Bloomington, U of Washington, WUSTL, BU, UMN as your backup. They are all solid law schools, and I think you can pick one or two out of this list.

All the best to you, good luck:)
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rachelb

Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 4
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Jul 18, 2006 08:24 AM
Thank you so much for your advice Richard! I really appreciate it!!

[Edited 18 Jul 2006 by rachelb]
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prateek_m

Joined: 01 Jul 2005
Posts: 9
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Jul 25, 2006 09:59 AM
Hi~
I have some thing for you to tell~
You can mail me at prateek_m@hotmail.com.

Byee.............

Prateek

My company just offered me a scholarship for LLM in the States without prior notice. I am now struggling with my TOEFL score and am worrying not being able to get 250 before this October when the application season begins. (I am still at the 220 range at the moment and really hoping things will get better soon.)

Since my company granted me with only have one chance to apply, can anybody give me any advice?

I notice a few schools such as Berkeley, Cornell, Indian, and Wake Forest do have lower requirement on TOEFL score but what are the chances of getting in? Would 220 be any good for any school at all?

Anybody who have similar experience or advice to share would be appreciated!!
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AJ_Sin

Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 37
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Jul 25, 2006 08:52 PM
Hi:
Well I donknow abt 220 being good or not but just curious whether u took ibt or not. Anyway, u still have time to prepare (the toefl kit is a good preparation help..)
Good luck..
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AJ_Sin

Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 37
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Jul 25, 2006 09:00 PM
Dear Prateek:
Can u pls. share info wid me too regarding admission..
Thanks..
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rachelb

Joined: 08 Jul 2006
Posts: 4
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Sat Jul 29, 2006 03:45 AM
Thanks Prateek, I have emailed you earlier. Waiting for your reply.

Hi AJ_Sin, iBT just started in my area. We can still take CBT at the moment so I'm hoping I can get a good score ASAP. Thank you for your encouraging words, I really hope things will go well. Are you working on your application as well?
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Yogesh Nayyar

Joined: 23 Jul 2007
Posts: 19
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Jul 31, 2007 05:00 AM
Dear Rachel,

Will you share when you finished Law / JD? You plan to pursue LL.M from India in IPR? In such event, Pune University, Nagpur University are ome of the good Universities where from you can pursue the same. Nagpur University has got full fleged LL.M specialization in IPR. Any more queries mail me.
Regards,

Yogesh
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nriattorney

Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 225
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Tue Nov 13, 2007 02:29 PM
Hey, the score is good. in fact there are several schools where toefl is waived. Even in Columbia, U Penn, Harvard, the website tells you that toefl can be waived IF YOUR LAW SCHOOL COURSE WAS IN ENGLISH MEDIUM. There are several schools where toefl is waived. Please mention about your medium of instruction during law and thereafter.
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nriattorney

Joined: 12 Nov 2007
Posts: 225
2007 LLM applicatant in IP with Good resume but struggling with TOEFL
Wed Nov 14, 2007 08:55 AM
This information may be of some use for you :
The TOEFL requirement is waived by Benjamin Cordozo Law School. The last date for Spring admission is Dec 1. The LL.M degree qualify for New York State Bar Exam too.
nriattorney@yahoo.com
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