One is a lawyer with work experience. Because there is no foreign lawyer's license in a foreign-funded firm, it is basically impossible to be promoted from a legal assistant to an associate. The license in Britain is much more difficult than that in the United States, which requires two years of internship and +PCLL examination, so many lawyers choose to go to the United States for gold plating and obtain foreign lawyer licenses 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 fee ranges from $35,000 to $39,000, and the living expenses vary from place to place (new york and L.A. are the most expensive). The total cost is estimated to be around 500,000 RMB. LLM fees are increasing every year, with an annual growth rate of 10%.
LLM can be divided into general projects and professional projects. Most schools only offer general courses, and undergraduates who choose general courses can choose courses at will. A few schools, such as NYU providing llm for enterprises, GTU providing tax projects, international law and other projects, have certain requirements on course selection, such as how many points must be selected for related courses.
It is suggested that undergraduates choose general courses, because they have not made clear their future academic direction, and they can choose general courses freely. Secondly, it is easy to apply for a common program. Many professional projects need relevant working background, and undergraduates have no advantage in applying for these projects.
As a law major, LLM and JD are very different. The biggest difference is that applying for JD requires LSAT scores, while LLM only needs TOEFL. From the perspective of studying abroad, JD visa is difficult and the tuition is high, because it is generally a three-year system with few scholarships, while LLM is relatively better. But in terms of employment and academics, JD's gold content is much higher than LLM's.
JD degree is very valuable in America (both academically and professionally), and LLM is less and less valuable now. For China applicants, it is only a matter of time before they plan to stay in the United States all their lives. Simple LLM won't stay in America for long. If you plan to return to China, don't learn JD. LLM is more affordable and economical, and knowledge LLM is definitely enough in China. Generally speaking, only JD can take the bar exam in the United States, but in some States, LLM certified by ABA is also allowed to take the bar exam in that state, mainly CA and NY. Relatively speaking, NY Bar is more attractive than CA Bar, because NY Bar only takes two days, CA Bar takes three days, and it is said that CABAR needs a foreign lawyer's license.
LLM has three main ways out:
First, go back to China to be a lawyer. This is the choice of most LLM. Lawyers with work experience usually return to China because they have a certain economic base or family 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. However, according to LLM in the past, "finding a job is very different, especially about who will support your J- 1 visa". It is difficult for LLM to find a job in America. How difficult is it? According to the statistics of U Penn Vocational Office, only 65,438+05% of LLM classes in the past six years (before 2005) have successfully found jobs. In the worst class, only three people found jobs. Although there are differences between schools, it is basically difficult to "find a job", especially those who have no experience and go directly to LLM. Even among those who find jobs, a large part have all the work experience at home and abroad, and have an agreement with the American branch of the foreign hospital in advance to work or practice there for a period of time. Therefore, if you are an undergraduate, you should basically prepare for the worst: if you can't find a job, you may come back after taking the lawyer exam. Similarly, internships are difficult.
Third, LLM is transferred to JD. So many undergraduates go out and decide to make a bigger venture capital under pressure, that is, transfer to JD. Some schools, such as Columbia University, Cornell University and U Penn University, allow LLM with excellent grades to transfer to JD. But some schools, such as NYU, are not allowed.