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Transfer to JD program

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LLM2008

Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 4
Transfer to JD program
Wed Mar 12, 2008 06:13 PM
Just out of curiousity, which one of the following schools, Columbia, Chicago and Upenn, is most likely to allow an LLM student to transfer to its own JD program? Any insight would be welcome!
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badkarma56

Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 57
Transfer to JD program
Thu Mar 13, 2008 05:17 AM
Just out of curiousity, which one of the following schools, Columbia, Chicago and Upenn, is most likely to allow an LLM student to transfer to its own JD program? Any insight would be welcome!


If I may ask, why would you want to enter an American J.D. program following completion of an American LL.M.?

I presume that you're a foreign attorney and therefore already possess the equivalent of a J.D. (an LL.B.) from your native country, am I correct? If so, completion of an LL.M. from a top American law school (combined with your previous law degree) may very well allow you to sit for the bar exam in certain U.S. jurisdictions.

Conversely, if you don't currently possess the foreign equivalent of an American J.D. degree, you won't be eligible for admission to any American LL.M. program (the vast majority of American LL.M programs that I'm aware of are intended for lawyers, not laypersons). If this is the case, you'll need to first obtain an American J.D. (or the foreign equivalent) prior to matriculation into any American LL.M. program.

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mnementh

Joined: 27 May 2007
Posts: 100
Transfer to JD program
Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:17 AM
He might want the J.D program in order to be more competitive in the U.S market. This I think is the main reason. I think it's nearly impossible to do the transfer, and a waste of time... if you want to do the J.D you should begin with it instead of the LL.M.
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richardcjy

Joined: 13 Jan 2006
Posts: 57
Transfer to JD program
Thu Mar 13, 2008 04:41 PM
Hello, I know some guys successfully transfer from LLM to JD at Penn. Last year only 2 were admitted at Penn, and they both did great during their LLM year. I "heard" it's possible at Columbia/Chicago, but I don't know any recent cases. Hope this is helpful.
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invictus88

Joined: 22 Apr 2008
Posts: 43
Transfer to JD program
Fri May 23, 2008 12:41 PM
I heard Boston University allows such a transfer. This is actually an appealing idea to some foreign students as there are good chances of getting a full scholarship for a LLM, after which one will be qualified for at least some paralegal work in the US, but which still may not be enough to get one's desired position in a top US firm. With such paralegal work, however, it may be possible to finance one's self throughout the JD program. After getting the JD, one should then be able to fully compete with other candidates for positions in top firms. It's a long, convoluted process, but for many foreigners this may be the only viable option for getting into top US firms.
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