A USA, introduction to LLM

LLM is a year of USA law classes, the equivalent of a master's degree, the full name is the Master of Law. USA national students basically read JD (Juris Doctor), can be said that LLM is specifically for international students to prepare a one-year course, strictly speaking is 9 months. Those with bachelor degree or above can apply for American LLM. But usually read LLM are mainly two types of people:

One is the experienced lawyer. These people in the capital, no foreign lawyer's license, basically not possible from legal assistant up to associate. While the UK license with respect to America license to a lot of difficulties, need 2 years of intern + PCLL exam, so many lawyers choose to American gold-plated, access to foreign law license with the most rapid, economical method.

Two has just graduated from undergraduate students. For international students, LLM basically no scholarship, so every applicant must hold at their own expense plan. LLM tuition for one year in 30000-40000 dollars, plus all the living expenses ranging (in New York and Losangeles is the most expensive). The total cost is estimated at 30-40 million yuan. LLM cost is growing every year.

LLM general program and specialized program two. Most schools offer only general program, select general program undergraduate course can be arbitrary; a few schools, such as NYU corporate LLM, GTU Taxes program, International Law program, the specialized program has certain requirements of the course, for example, must choose how many points with related courses. I suggest that undergraduates choose general program, because the undergraduate academic direction for the future is not clear positioning, general program can freely elective. Secondly, the application of general program is relatively easy, many specialized program related work background. The program has no advantage of undergraduate application.

Two, to USA read LLM professional employment prospects

In general, the prospect of LLM are mainly in the following three directions:

First, to China development. This is the most LLM selection. Experienced lawyers usually will return, because there are certain economic basis or family. But no work experience, LLM is not easy to find work in the American, so still have to come back.

Second, find work or a year in America internship. But according to the previous LLM statement is "It is extremely difficult to find a job offer." LLM to work in USA is difficult. America LLM after graduation, work sites include America (New York, Washington, San Francisco or occasionally including Losangeles), Hongkong and Chinese mainland (Beijing and Shanghai). In extreme cases, may to the europe.

Some students may have persistent USA dream, hope LLM after graduation in American settle down, settle down. However, objectively speaking, America recruitment China law firm LLM, is the value of both the legal profession, language and cultural background. If it is long in the American, lost this advantage, the anti less recruitment USA native JD is reasonable. So, LLM basically do not provide possibility in the long-term work.

Third, LLM JD. Therefore, many students go out, in under the helpless under decided to make a greater investment risk, is JD. Some schools, such as Columbia, Cornell and UPenn allow the outstanding achievements of LLM into JD. But some schools, such as the NYU is not allowed.

　Three, to American read LLM professional school choice

1, School Rankings

Currently ranked comparison is recognized US NEWS of law school rankings. The ranking as the main reference for at least Chinese student application. Comparison of the LLM project schools can be appropriate to expand the scope of acceptable ranking school introduced. The ranking is chooses the school important but not the only basis, over the years in the final set school stage requires a combination of specific judgment actual get admission.

2, professional settings

USA law school LLM has weaken the profession trend. Basically all of the schools are general studies, even if the division of professional schools are usually allow students to choose freely elective mode. Some schools even though the name for some professional consistent with international and comparative law, international commercial law, but in fact only these professional recruit foreign students LLM, and the curriculum are quite broad, so it is equivalent to defining the direction.

  But some schools do have a strong professional color items, such as NYU of the most professional, the most detailed division, but also set aside a certain space for students to cross course; two professional Stanford only company law and intellectual property law; Northwestern human rights project and project jointly with business school is famous in international economic law is Georgetown; distinctive.

  In addition, although there is no clear professional division in LLM, but from the historical origin and course setting is not difficult to find some features of the school, such as law and economics, Chicago Columbia / NYU / Virginia Harvard international law, company law. Research institutions they can be set up by the law school to analyze the professional power. Some schools to attract students to participate in the corresponding research institutions and organize many activities, the fellowship although not financially, but to enrich the experience is beneficial, such as international economic law of the Georgetown, NYU international law the LLM-JSD train project.

3, school preference

A wide range of requirements on LLM USA law school, but there are also some accepted and spread of preference. Such as Yale to develop academic talent, especially hope that those students committed to teaching and research; Columbia and Northwestern for the actual work experience students especially favored; the school Chinese method and the Asian law concerns more would be more friendly to Chinese students. Including the impact of relationship based on, some schools from the China specific college students may also have preferences.

The possibility of 4, LLM JD

The so-called LLM JD mainly to have two kind of situations, one is the test of normal LAST after the application is successful, LLM during the credits that can be included in the JD; two is the LLM period point to meet certain requirements without LSAT can apply directly to JD. Columbia, UPenn, Virginia and other schools have rules or precedent, application LLM can confirm in advance.

5, the scale of enrollment

A small number of students natural admission opportunity, but also means that students can receive more attention and training, such as Yale / Stanford / Virginia / Michigan. Enrollment will enhance the chances of admission, such as NYU maintains 400 enrollment (although according to the professional division number not much), enrollment in Harvard / Georgetown more.

6, scholarship

Read the LLM expense is not a small sum of money. Before the school tuition, top ranked schools in general between 35000 to 40000 dollars. Provide a full prize the school rarely, such as NYU ten a year Hauser (website has past winners, pku-fdu winning more), had the full prize Duke / Michigan school reports. There are scholarships ranging from the number of other schools, or full tuition relief for 1, or $20000.

　　

 

Attached: 2010 American LLM & Law School Rankings

1 Yale University (CT)

2 Stanford University (CA)

3 Harvard University (MA)

4 Columbia University (NY)

5 New York University

6 University of Chicago

7 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

University of Pennsylvania

9 University of Virginia

10 Cornell University (NY)

University of California – Berkeley

12 Duke University (NC)

Northwestern University (IL)

14 Georgetown University (DC)

15 University of Texas – Austin

16 University of California - Los Angeles

17 Vanderbilt University (TN)

18 University of Southern California

19 University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Washington and Lee University (VA)

21 University of Iowa

22 Boston College

George Washington University (DC)

University of Notre Dame (IN)

25 University of Illinois – Urbana-Champaign

Washington University in St. Louis

27 Emory University (GA)

28 Boston University

College of William and Mary (VA)

University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill

31 Brigham Young University

Fordham University (NY)

University of California – Davis

University of Georgia

University of Wisconsin – Madison

36 Wake Forest University (NC)

37 University of California (Hastings)

38 - Bloomington Indiana University

Ohio State University (Moritz)

40 George Mason University (VA)

University of Colorado – Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Utah (S.J. Quinney)

44 University of Arizona (Rogers)

45 Tulane University (LA)

University of Alabama

University of Florida (Levin)

University of Maryland

University of Washington

50 Southern Methodist University (TX)

Through the above comprehensive analysis to USA read LLM professional, I believe that for many programs to America read LLM professional students can refer to the above information well in advance to apply for America study preparation and planning students.