LLM GUIDE - Master of Laws (LL.M.) Programs Worldwide

LLM Discussion Board

LL.M. Discussion Board > USA > Does UVA get the edge in my case? RSS Feed

Does UVA get the edge in my case?

Author Message
hegel325

Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 27
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Wed Apr 02, 2008 04:29 AM
I am currently an undergraduate in China, and I've got admissions from several LLM programs. Based on ranking, it seems rather comfortable to choose UVA over others, but still I am not sure about it, thus I am doing pros & cons (how corny is that...) and hope you could give me some advice.

Well, as for me, I don't have much previous work experience except several internships doing civil cases, anti-dumping & countervailing, etc, so It would be extremely hard to stay in the US with an LLM degree. After the LLM, I want to apply/transfer to the JD program, accordingly those have LSAT-waiver transferring policy get the edge. I'm also going to take the LSAT this June, so It's also feasible to choose a school which requires LSAT for transferring/applying if I nail the LSAT. Apparently, the latter is more risky cause I shall have decided which one to accept by the time when I get to know my LSAT result.

Ok, here are my choices:

UVA

Pros: raking is better, allows JD transferring (LSAT is waived), relatively low expenditure, and nice weather.

Cons: location is not that good, and JD transferring is very competitive.

U Texas-Austin

Pros: ridiculously cheap, nice campus and city, looks okay in ranking.

Cons: only allows LLMs to apply for its JD (advanced standing), and its location is a problem.

Wash U in St. Louis

Pros: easy to transfer (20 out of 50 LLMs have transferred to JD this year)

Cons: apprently, its location.

George Washington U

Pros: good location and reputation

Cons: they haven't decided the transferring policy yet

Fordham U

Pros: good location and strong in cooperate law

Cons: doesn't allow transfer, and even doesn't acknowledge the credit from its own LLM when applying to its JD.

Boston College

Pros: new program, the director is extremely nice, good location, and the expenditure is lower than most of the others (they granted me $5, 000 scholarship which may increase in the coming month).

Cons: new program, ranking not that high, and they haven't decided the transferring policy yet.

Still waiting for Cornell, but I don't think I will go there anyway...

Does UVA get the edge in my case? Thanks very much for your opinion!

[Edited 02 Apr 2008 by hegel325]
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
daddycat

Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 1
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Wed Apr 02, 2008 08:07 AM
Let me say that your English is very, very good and I think you have done the research more thoroughly than anybody can suggest.

Follow your heart!
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
arabian

Joined: 29 Mar 2008
Posts: 6
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Wed Apr 02, 2008 08:50 AM
very good research!
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
ohcered

Joined: 01 Apr 2008
Posts: 2
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Wed Apr 02, 2008 07:14 PM
Looks like it's UVA vs. WUSL if your intentions are going for the JD after your LLM. Based on your research, I think I'd sort out the chances how many LLM transferred to JD at UVA the last years. If they only allow it in principle, but few people can do it, then I would reconsider, but if quite a few people did so (like in WUSL), I'd go to UVA.
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
hegel325

Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 27
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Thu Apr 03, 2008 02:49 AM
Looks like it's UVA vs. WUSL if your intentions are going for the JD after your LLM. Based on your research, I think I'd sort out the chances how many LLM transferred to JD at UVA the last years. If they only allow it in principle, but few people can do it, then I would reconsider, but if quite a few people did so (like in WUSL), I'd go to UVA.

3 out of 50 applied at UVA this year, no further result yet. 5 out of 50 applied last year and both got transferred. But there says that the majority of LLMs at UVA are practitioners who didn't intend to transfer in the first place, while I personally suppose there are more LLMs at WUSTL whose aim is to transfer to JD.

Plus, the requirement of transferring in both universities is basically the same, for UVA, LLM student is elegible to apply with a minimum GPA of B+, for WUSTL, it is 84.

[Edited 03 Apr 2008 by hegel325]
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
badkarma56

Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 57
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Thu Apr 03, 2008 02:50 AM
I'd choose UVA if I were you.
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
hegel325

Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 27
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Wed Apr 09, 2008 11:19 AM
Any more suggestions? I've alreadly turned down GWU and Fordham, and now I intend to narrow my list into BC, UVA and WUSTL
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
KingArthur

Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Thu Apr 10, 2008 08:35 AM
why not ask BC about its policy of transferring to JD?
IF BC can give you a promise, than it may have the edge with its considerable scholarship.
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
hegel325

Joined: 18 Feb 2008
Posts: 27
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Thu Apr 10, 2008 01:45 PM
why not ask BC about its policy of transferring to JD?
IF BC can give you a promise, than it may have the edge with its considerable scholarship.


I've asked, but they haven't decided cause its program is new...
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
KingArthur

Joined: 24 Mar 2006
Posts: 7
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Sun Apr 13, 2008 01:13 PM
why not ask BC about its policy of transferring to JD?
IF BC can give you a promise, than it may have the edge with its considerable scholarship.


I've asked, but they haven't decided cause its program is new...


than do not waste your time any more, just go for UVA. it won't be wrong any way.
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
nadia

Joined: 30 Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Fri May 16, 2008 06:17 PM
As to location & weather: UVA is MUCH BETTER than WUSL(WULS?), Cornell or UT Austin. UVA is the ONLY university in the United States to be designated a "World Heritage Site" by UNESCO. Charlottesville is famous for mild weather. It's the one of the most beautiful college towns in the US.

[Edited 16 May 2008 by nadia]
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote
mschuster43

Joined: 13 May 2007
Posts: 61
Does UVA get the edge in my case?
Fri May 16, 2008 06:55 PM
While I don't know much about UVA, I commonly argue that Austin is one of the best cities on Earth. The weather is great, the people friendly, and the hill country and lakes around town are fantastic. Oh yea, they've got a top 20 law school too...
However, all of that being said, UVA is a better ranked school, so that may be the tie-breaker.
Show ProfileProfile P.M. Quote

Reply to this post

Related Programs