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Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
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acasan 
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 3 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
I am a little reluctan about this program because is not very well known and I know a lot of lawyers who haven't heard of the existance of this program and think is more reliable to do a 3 year J.D.
Thu Apr 24, 2008 09:18 PM |
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hannenyh   Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 220 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Dude, it is NU. I really don't think employers will care if you did 2 or 3 years, just as long as you have a JD from NU and you passed the bar exam in whatever state you want to practice in. However, employers might care if your English skills are poor or if you don't have a work visa so they have to sponsor you, but those problems will be the same with both programs. I really don't think taking on another $50k or so of debt is good advice.
Fri Apr 25, 2008 12:37 AM |
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Johana
 Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 2 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Hello everyone. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents. Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:47 PM I graduated from NU's 2-year JD program in 2005 and thought the program was excellent! As a JD candidate you are treated exactly the same as “regular” (3-year) JD students, you are seated with them in class and are by no means “set aside” because of the program. The only differences with the 3-year students are that (i) you get a 1-year credit for your LL.B (undergraduate degree in law) and (ii) are required to take some mandatory courses. The interviewing process for jobs is also a bit different (see below). The 2-year JD program also has some differences when compared to the LL.M – the most important of which are (i) you are required to take the 1L (first year) course curriculum (core courses like Constitutional Law, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, etc.) during your first year (which some firms find as a plus at the time of hiring), and (ii) you are able to participate in OCI (on campus interviewing) with dozens of the most prestigious law firms from throughout the country (which LL.M students do not have access to outside of the LL.M fair in NYC). Because NU’s interviewing system does not allow firms to preselect students, you have a great shot at interviewing with very prestigious firms and impressing them at the interview – which is something you’ll need to do given that, unlike most other candidates who will be interviewing, you will not have grades to show yet (2-year JDs interview on the outset of the program, while 3-year students interview between the 1st and 2nd years), which can be seen as a downside. Therefore, I partially agree with some of the posts before: your level of English must be up-to-par, you need to be well-versed in the US style of interviewing and will need to highlight your accomplishments and experience during the interview to offset the absence of 1L grades (which are a big factor in how firms normally recruit their Summer Associates). If you do, you should not have a problem. I got 5 offers to join Summer Associate programs by large firms, ended up accepting 2 (I split my Summer) and eventually got placement as a Corporate Associate in Sidley Austin in Chicago, which is one of the top firms in the US. (By the way, I chose not to practice international law, so even if you are foreign and have an LL.B, you are not restricted in your choice of practice. Because you become a US attorney with the JD degree + the bar, you can choose to specialize in whichever practice you prefer). I hope this helps! |
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| wangzh
Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 9 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Very very good comments on this subject. Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:53 PM Thank you very much J! |
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| Johana
Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 2 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Hi everyone, Tue Apr 29, 2008 03:27 AM Since my post earlier today, I have received several questions about NU's 2-year JD (particularly about participating in OCI or the on-campus interviewing program). Here are my thoughts for everyone's benefit: Some of you (particularly those who have already been admitted) are wondering whether you should participate in OCI and how early that should happen. As a general principle, as I tell my students at LL.M Studio (and previous 2-year JD mentees), my advice is to be a self-starter and not wait until things are handed or told to you. So they earlier you start asking questions, the better. This is particularly true of 2-year JDs. Because the 2-year JD program at NU is very small (it will likely be only 5-10 students per class), the Career Services office may not fully have 2-year JDs on its radar --in part because they will not know who the students are until they actually arrive in Chicago. That is unless you are proactive and take the lead. This is especially important because the needs of 2-year JD students are unique. 2-year JDs are able to participate in the OCI program during the fall of their first year (which is quite a perk compared to other programs). Moreover, they absolutely SHOULD, as that will be their best chance to get positions as Summer Associates and later, get permanent placement at law firms. Because 2-year JDs will only have 2 years at NU, they will be interviewing with rising 2Ls (students who will have completed their first year), as this is when interviewing for Summer Associate positions normally takes place. However, they will have to interview right off the bat. What this means is that they will be going to orientation and interviewing for jobs at the same time (or almost the same time). Therefore, they will have to be prepared and front-load the work. (No worries, from experience, I know it can be done. It takes effort and foresight but it can totally be done). So my advice to you newly admitted (or soon to be admitted) 2-year JDs is contact the Career Services as soon as you can, ask for the OCI info + account login/password and set it up (it may not be enabled yet, but definitely get on their radar - once you do, they are extraordinarily helpful). Also, start researching firms and get your CV in order (make sure it meets US standards) with enough time before you leave home to come to Chicago. A few good places to start researching firms are vault.com and NALP.org (www.nalpdirectory.com). I know this all sounds somewhat crazy, but that is the way it works (due to the 1 year credit 2-year JDs get). You still have plenty of time (so no need to freak-out), however you’ll soon have to start getting busy. Thinking ahead will put you on the right track. Being prepared is the best way to do well during your program. Cheers and good luck! Johana [Edited by link updater on 06 May 2008] |
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| richardvf Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 190 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Excellent post!
Tue Apr 29, 2008 05:43 AM |
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| okma2
Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Hi guys!!Tue Apr 29, 2008 11:25 PM Unfortunately, I was put on the waitlist. I am very sad about it. Is there anyone who know about this waitlisting in detail? How many applicants on the waitlist will get usually a final acceptance from NU? and who and how made it last year? If there is anyone who has any useful informations on this subject, please share it with me. I really appreciate it. |
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| cortlandt1
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 12 |
Northwestern Two-Year JD Program
Are there anybody out there that are waitlisted, the content of the letter. Also, want to know if anybody has been accepted from the waitlist
Sat May 03, 2008 02:04 AM |
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