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What are my chances - really?

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Thirdparty

Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 4
What are my chances - really?
Sun Jul 20, 2008 09:15 PM
Hi everyone!

I guess many of you are sick and tierd of these kinds of questions, but here I go anyway..

I have just finished my third year at the five year law program at the University of Oslo, Norway. We are able to do a LLM in a foreign institution as our fifth year, to complete the standard norwegian Master of Law degee. On this basis, I am looking to try my luck this fall at schools such as HLS, CLS, Berkley, Oxford and Cambridge. Honestly, in my view, my outlook is not too optimistic. So do not be afraid to give me some honest advice – I expect nothing less. I will of course finish my fourth year in Oslo, before going abroad. At this stage, my status is as follows.

1. Ethnic Norwegian, Male, Age 24.

2. Grades
Six out of six A’s (scale A-F) after my first three years at UiO Law. (About 5 to 10 % recieve an A on each exam). Unofficially, my respons from the exam sensors has been that my exams are among the absolute top A’s given. Of course, this is not communicated in my papers, but may at least help my chances of getting good academic recommendations, which brings me to my next point.

3. Recommendations
Am currently working on getting a couple of academic recommendations. Am not really sure how these may turn out. I have excellent exam-results, sure, but the Norwegian law program gives room for little or no interaction with the faculty. Almost no one has any closer relationship with any of the professors. This part sucks really.. I hope none the less to obtain some reasonably good recommendations.

4. Work
Worked by now six months part time as a paralegal in a medium size business law firm. Worked on cases of some magnitude, which can serve as basis for some well written recommendations.

5. A trainee position at Norways second largest firm, Thommessen (Chambers Scandinavian law firm of the year in 2007).

6. A second Bachlors degree
Will by this christmas (hopefully) complete a Bachelors degree in Business and Administration at University of Agder, taken part time for the last two years (about 65 % study-load). Will by all measures graduate with a B minus average. My law classes in Oslo are used as elective courses to complete the degree.

7. A few minor student body positions. Nothing fancy.

8. No publications. Almost no students are able to get work published by the Norwegian publications.

So, now, give it to me staight. Am I just dreaming? In my view, I have some good academic results, but other than that no really impressive competative edges. The Norwegian systems do not allow too many chances for a student to obtain these either, but still.

Permission to fire at will.

Thirdparty

[Edited 20 Jul 2008 by Thirdparty]
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equity's darling

Joined: 28 Nov 2006
Posts: 268
What are my chances - really?
Mon Jul 21, 2008 02:15 AM
your grades put you inside the top 10 percent of your class. this, coupled with strong references, will make you a contender at the all the schools you mention.
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Raf2411

Joined: 20 Jul 2008
Posts: 1
What are my chances - really?
Mon Jul 21, 2008 07:13 AM
Man, my opinion doesn't mean anything - I'm looking forward to do an LLM, but I'm still not so sure I'm going to do one... but my reaction when reading your post is just: "if not you, then who can get accepted...?!" and that even for Berkeley... (but again, my opinion has no value)
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kjc647

Joined: 19 Jul 2008
Posts: 2
What are my chances - really?
Mon Jul 21, 2008 08:30 AM
I am merely starting to get interested in taking law on as a conversion course! You are someone who I would look at and think "If only I could do so well!" You have, by the sounds of things, received high academic credits! With a great recommendation and your BA, I feel sure you should apply!
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Thirdparty

Joined: 13 Mar 2008
Posts: 4
What are my chances - really?
Mon Jul 21, 2008 03:07 PM
Thank you everyone for your inputs. They are appreciated.
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beee

Joined: 29 Aug 2006
Posts: 6
What are my chances - really?
Sat Aug 09, 2008 06:27 AM
ure definately getting into all the places you applied to.

i have a question too..........my grades are nuting to boast about.........but i have got a lot a experience....almost 6 yrs.
which universities do u guys think experience is more important than grades?????
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tagotra

Joined: 07 Oct 2007
Posts: 60
What are my chances - really?
Sat Aug 09, 2008 07:17 AM
hey u'jj get in man... u may be rejected by Harvard... rest of it u should get...
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tagotra

Joined: 07 Oct 2007
Posts: 60
What are my chances - really?
Sat Aug 09, 2008 07:17 AM
All the best buddy!!
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msn

Joined: 25 Jul 2008
Posts: 2
What are my chances - really?
Sun Aug 10, 2008 04:31 PM
hey all,
I am a student in d penultimate year of study. I have an aggregate of 77% as of now n m at d top of my batch.
I also have a few internships. I am expecting to get decent recos from my professors.
I am keen on applying to OXbridge. Could anyone tell me wat all is considered while weighing applications?
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Pharrell


Joined: 02 Nov 2006
Posts: 63
What are my chances - really?
Sun Aug 10, 2008 09:10 PM
Hi,
Thirdparty- Nothing venture, nothing gain.
Best univ. seeks to admit students of outstanding intellectual ability who will bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to the classroom so......... in my opinion- just apply:)
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Bush

Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 27
What are my chances - really?
Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:19 AM
Hi Thirdparty,

I have completed the five year master of law (MA) program at the University of Oslo and will be attending the LLM program at LSE this fall.

When it comes to applying to LLM programs in UK and USA, you have to be aware that not all law schools accept your application if you don't have completed the master degree in Norway. Since we don't get a bachelor prior to the master, some schools require us to finnish the master, as LSE does.
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JohnDoe4

Joined: 11 Aug 2008
Posts: 8
What are my chances - really?
Fri Aug 15, 2008 02:49 PM
Hi Thirdparty,

I have completed the five year master of law (MA) program at the University of Oslo and will be attending the LLM program at LSE this fall.

When it comes to applying to LLM programs in UK and USA, you have to be aware that not all law schools accept your application if you don't have completed the master degree in Norway. Since we don't get a bachelor prior to the master, some schools require us to finnish the master, as LSE does.


Hello Bush!

Since you, like my self, are a norwegian and since you have been accepted at LSE I was wondering how you believe my chances are at the schools I mention in my post, with the background I have. Here's the link to the post: www.llm-guide.com/board/49885.

As you can see I am also very interested in applying to LSE. What courses are you planning to do? I am looking either at EU law/competition law or some aspects of international law. How would you rank LSE compared to HLS, CLS, Oxford, Cambridge and so on in theese subjects? Thank you very much for any inputs.

PS: I was not aware that LSE required us to finish our master, but thanks for that info as well:)
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