Hoping to get some advice. I'm in a fortunate position right now but I'm not sure what to do. I was accepted to both Georgetown and NYU in late december/early january. I was recently informed that I have been awarded a 1/2 tution scholarship to Georgetown. I have two weeks to decide. I was set going to NYU before the $$$, but now I'm having second thoughts.

My thoughts: NYU is obviously the best program in the country, but Georgetown is certainly a great program as well. Taking 23000 less out as loans is also appealing, especially in this economy. So I'm trying to figure out whether being a Tax Scholar at Georgetown provides similar opportunities as a regular LL.M. student at NYU. I seriously don't know what to do, and there isn't a ton of info on the program.

So if anyone is familiar with the scholarship or was previously a student in the program it would be great to hear from you. Does the enrichment program that comes with the scholarship provide substantially greater opportunities for networking? Do you think employers at TIP would look favorably at the scholarship?

Thank in advance.

My view is if you can get a nice job, this $23000 could be easily recovered.

So the real question is how do employers view NYU and Georgetown graduates, and which location is better for job hunting.

BTW, you received 1/2 tuition of 23000, which means Georgetown's 2010-2001 tuition is 46000?

I think tuition is about 22000 this year, and it always seems to go up. So that was just a guess. Whatever the tution is it's half.

And yes, I agree with your assessment. But I also think that if there are greater networking opportunities within the tax scholars program that may also be helpful when job hunting.

FWIW,

I have been talking to people who have graduated from NYU and Gtown (some as Graduate Tax Scholars). It seems that the Graduate Tax Scholars program is great if you want to get into academia, work for a politician as a tax policy guy, or think tank. It carries more weight in the policy wonk world then it does with firms or in the private sector. Also, I was told if you want a tax court clerkship you are better off at NYU then Gtown as a graduate tax scholar because more of the judges went to NYU and the graduate tax scholar doesnt offset that.

Thats just what ive heard

Hi DMS, just curious - have you accepted GULC's grant or decided to head for NYU?

I would like to know that too...

First, congrats on getting into both schools. I am in the same position as you, however, I did not receive a scholarship.

I was recently discussing the two programs with an NYU LL.M alum last week and here are two things he told me: (1) Georgetown requires its students to write a thesis paper and NYU does not. I know at Florida this is the case as well. This often times pushes back graduation to the summer for most students because the paper takes some time to write and (2) the joint job fair that is hosted by Georgetown but includes Georgetown and NYU LL.M's heavily favors NYU students.

However, I understand that taking the scholarship is appealing. I think other things to consider are where you want to practice and what area of the law you want to practice in. If you are interested in public service and government work, Georgetown may be the way to go. You will be in D.C. and able to network easier than if at NYU.

Best of luck to you. Let me know what decision you make. I think it would be great if when everyone has made a decision to keep in touch and meet up during orientation.

- Josh
www.taxdocket.com

Georgetown requires its students to write a thesis paper ...

@smartjerry - You are correct. There is no writing requirement except for Graduate Tax Scholars and COST Fellows. The person I spoke to misspoke apparently.

Here is a link to the Georgetown LL.M Taxation curriculum if you are still interested. Sorry for the confusion.

http://www.law.georgetown.edu/graduate/documents/CurriculumGuideforTaxation20092010.pdf

- Josh
www.taxdocket.com

Thanks for the clarification, Josh.

I'm so scared of paper - it took me months to finalize my undergraduate dissertation ...

I understand. As a J.D. student at the University of Florida, I know how hard some of the LL.M Tax students work on their papers and paper presentations. Looking forward to hearing which schools everyone decides to attend next year.

- Josh
www.taxdocket.com

Haven't been on here in quite a long time. Sorry for the late response.

I decided to accept Georgetown's offer of admission and the graduate tax scholarship. I thought about it for quite a while but in the end it made the most sense (at least from my perspective) to accept the tuition reduction and head to D.C. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming academic year and hope to meet many of you in less than five months!

I had the same options, but I decided to accept NYU's offer.

The graduate tax scholarship is certainly an outstanding offer, it was really hard to pass. However, personal reasons led me to New York.

I hope it turns out the best way possible for all of us!