LLM, or Master's degree.
Law is a master's degree course in law. It is also a one-year course specially prepared for international students in the United States or Britain. Strictly speaking, it is nine months. Anyone with a bachelor of law degree or above in China can apply for LLM in the United States or Britain.
There are two main types of people who usually study LLM: one is lawyers with work experience. These people are in foreign law firms, and it is basically impossible for them to be promoted from paralegals to associate professors because they do not have a foreign lawyer's license. Therefore, many lawyers choose to go to the United States for gold plating and obtain a foreign lawyer's license in the fastest and most economical way. Second, some students who have just graduated from undergraduate courses. For international students, LLM basically has no scholarship, so every applicant must make up his mind to pay for it at his own expense. LLM's annual tuition fees range from $30,000 to $50,000, plus the difference in living expenses in different places. The total cost of * * * is estimated to be around 500,000 RMB.
LLM can be divided into general projects and professional projects. Most schools only offer general programs and choose general programs.
Undergraduate students of the program can choose courses at will; Some schools will offer programs like corporate programs, tax programs and international programs.
Law and other courses, this kind of separate project has certain requirements for course selection, such as how many points must be selected for related courses.
Tips: It is suggested that undergraduates choose the general plan, because undergraduates have not yet made clear their future academic direction, and it is general.
The program can choose courses freely. Secondly, the application of general programs is relatively easy, and many specialized programs.
Projects need relevant working background, and undergraduates have no advantage in applying for these projects.
Second, LLM's employment prospects for studying abroad
Generally speaking, LLM's prospects mainly have the following three directions. First, return to China for development. This is the choice of most LLM students. Lawyers with work experience usually return to China because they have a certain economic foundation or personal connections in China. LLM, I have no work experience and can't find a job in America, so I still have to come back. Second, find a job or a one-year internship in the United States. But according to past experience, it is very difficult for LLM graduates to find jobs in the United States. LLM graduates with persistent American dreams hope to settle in the United States for a long time. But objectively speaking, when American law firms recruit LLM graduates from China, what they value is that they have both Chinese and American legal majors and language and cultural backgrounds. If you stay in the United States for a long time, you will lose this advantage, but it is more reasonable to recruit local American J.D., so LLM basically does not provide the possibility of working in the United States for a long time. Third, LLM transfers to J.D. Many undergraduates go out and are forced to make a bigger venture capital, that is, transfer to J.D. Some schools, such as Columbia University, Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania, allow LLM students with excellent grades to transfer to J.D., but some schools, such as new york University, are not allowed.
Third, choose a school.
1. At present, the recognized school ranking is the annual ranking of law schools of USNEWS. This ranking is used as the main reference at least when China students apply. Ranking is an important but not the only basis for choosing a school. Over the years, in the final stage of school setting, it is necessary to combine the actual admission judgment.
2. Specialty Setting LLM in American law schools is showing a trend of professional desalination. Basically, all schools are general courses, and even schools with different majors usually allow students to take elective courses. Although some schools name some majors as international law, comparative law and international commercial law, in fact, only these majors recruit international students LLM, and the curriculum is quite broad, which is equivalent to unlimited direction. However, some schools do have professional programs, such as new york University, which has the largest number of majors and the smallest branch, but it also reserves some space for students to cross-select courses; Stanford University has only two majors: Company Law and Intellectual Property Law. Northwest University's human rights program and joint projects with business schools are famous. The international economic law of Georgetown University is very distinctive. In addition, although LLM does not have a clear division of majors, it is not difficult to find the characteristics of some schools from the historical origin and curriculum, such as law and economics of Chicago University and company law of Harvard University. You can analyze their professional strength through the research institutions set up by the law schools of these schools. Some schools also recruit students to participate in corresponding research institutions and organize many activities. Although there is no financial support, it is of great benefit to enrich your experience.
3. Schools prefer LLM in American law schools. The requirements are quite broad, but there are also some recognized and popular preferences. For example, Yale University takes it as its responsibility to train academic talents, and especially hopes to enroll students who are committed to teaching and research; Columbia University and Northwest University especially favor students with practical work experience. Schools that pay more attention to China law and Asian law will be more friendly to China students. Including the influence of the relationship between the two sides, some schools may have a preference for students from specific universities in China.
4.4 possibility. LLM to JD
There are two main situations for LLM to JD. First, after successfully applying for LSAT, the credits during LLM can be included in JD; Second, if the GPA meets certain requirements during LLM, you can directly apply to transfer to JD without LSAT. Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia and other schools have regulations or precedents, which can be confirmed in advance when applying for LLM.
5. Enrollment scale
A small number of students have a small chance of admission, but it also means that students can get more attention and training, such as Yale University, Stanford University, University of Virginia, University of Michigan and so on. A large number of students will inevitably enhance the chances of admission. For example, new york University maintains an enrollment scale of 400 students (although the number is small by major), and Harvard University and Georgetown University also have a large number of students.
6. scholarships
The cost of studying LLM is not a small expense. Tuition fees vary from school to school, with top schools generally ranging from 35,000 to 40,000 dollars. Living expenses vary from 65,438+05,000 to 20,000 US dollars according to geographical location. Few schools offer full prizes. For example, new york University has ten Hauser prizes every year (the website has the introduction of winners over the years, and Peking University Fudan University has won more prizes), while Duke University and University of Michigan have all reported full prizes. Other schools have a number of scholarships, or tuition fees are completely free, or the reduction 1 ranges from $20,000. The top three schools can provide better financing arrangements, even if they borrow money.
Four. LLM application process
1. Solve the TOEFL test as soon as possible. If it is delayed until the application period, it will be hectic and will also affect the application process.
2. Collect information. Generally, each school will explain the enrollment situation of the second year at the beginning of 10 at the latest. Be sure to check the updates in time, especially the submitted documents and changes in the enrollment plan. Access to information: introduction of the school website, enrollment brochure, online enrollment policy briefing, and China enrollment presentation. Some schools will provide students with contact information for communication and consultation.
Prepare materials
Resume (CV) needs to elaborate on how to express the unique experience of legal person.
Personal statement (PS) mainly answers why you want to study LLM, what preparations you have made before, the relationship with the short-term and long-term goals in the future, and why you chose the law school of the school you applied for. When talking about your goals and the courses you want to choose, you should first show your true wishes, and then pay attention to the strong aspects of applying for the school in your statement.
Recommendation letters