Study at Fordham University School of Law
An intellectual institution in vibrant New York
If you’re interested in studying law in America’s most famous city, then Fordham University’s LL.M. program could be the perfect fit for you. Students at Fordham choose from 8 possible degree specializations over their two semesters of study, gaining a unique mix of practical experience and in-depth subject mastery.
In addition to the learning students do in the classroom, Fordham offers robust externship opportunities at some of New York’s most prestigious law firms as well as close to 20 in-house clinics for LL.M. students to practice their lawyering skills even before they graduate.
Fordham’s LL.M. Degree in a Few Words
Over the course of 2 semesters (starting in either August or January), LL.M. students hone their legal skills in one of 8 different disciplines while also studying the core principles of the American legal system. Students come from all over the world—typically around 40 nationalities are represented in each LL.M. class of around 180 students—and complement their classroom learning with extensive experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for a successful legal career.
For international students, the program provides an orientation course—capped at just 15 students per section—on American legal writing and classroom methodology, as well as a series of seminars throughout each semester offering additional support. Furthermore, each of the 8 specializations prepares students (including international students) to sit the New York bar examination should they choose to practice law post-graduation.
Academics
The LL.M. degree is a full-time program over the course of 2 semesters. However, Fordham also allows students to complete the degree part-time over 2 years, a great choice for students who choose to pursue a professional career alongside their studies.
Students have a choice of 8 different degree specializations, ranging from Corporate Compliance Law to International Dispute Law and even a first-of-its-kind track in Fashion Law. It is also possible to complete a third semester in order to obtain a dual-concentration.
One of the most impressive parts of Fordham’s LL.M. program is its wide range of opportunities for students to gain first-hand legal experience. For example, each semester students may choose to volunteer at one of 18 different clinics run by the university. There, students will work side-by-side with practicing lawyers on clients’ real cases. There are clinics specializing in Criminal Defense, Entrepreneurial Law, Family Advocacy, Immigrant Rights, and many others. If that’s not enough, students can also pursue a for-credit externship at one of New York City’s many law firms, governmental organizations, nonprofit clinics, or other organizations.
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Fordham School of Law the #3 Best Part-Time Law School in the Country, as well as one of the Top 50 Law Schools overall! LL.M. Guide also named Fordham in its Top 10 list for Competition Law.
How Do I Apply?
New York City is without a doubt America’s most well-known city. It offers residents unparalleled cultural and professional opportunities, from seeing a play on Broadway to taking a stroll in Central Park to working at one of the country’s most powerful law firms.
LL.M. students take part in a wide range of student organizations. They may choose to write for one of the university’s law journals, such as the highly-regarded Fordham Law Review, or join a student organization such as the Student Bar Association or Fordham Law Women.
Each year, Fordham’s international students join their peers from other universities at the International Student Interview Program, a job fair featuring more than 150 of America’s top law firms seeking to recruit some of the most talented law students.
How Do I Apply?
Fordham’s LL.M. program uses the Law School Admission Council LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (LSAC LL.M. CAS) website for its applications. Prospective students are invited to apply on a rolling basis for the Fall Semester from September 15th until March 1st, and for the Spring Semester from June 1st until October 1st.
There are 5 required parts for Fordham’s LL.M. application. First, applicants need to submit transcripts from all of the universities they attended; note that international students must already hold a degree in law. They also must write a personal statement of 500 words or less describing their future plans and ambitions. Applicants will also submit 2 letters of recommendation, with at least one of the letters ideally coming from a law school professor. Students should also attach an up-to-date resumé or CV.
Finally, international applicants from a country in which English is not the primary language must also submit their TOEFL or IELTS scores. However, if their previous law education was entirely in English, applicants may instead opt to have an interview in order to demonstrate their English proficiency. Note that applicants who do not meet the minimum TOEFL or IELTS requirements may still be accepted to Fordham if they agree to enroll in its full-time Legal English Institute alongside their LL.M. studies.
The Application
- Transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 2 letters of recommendation
- Resumé or CV
- TOEFL or IELTS
Affording Fordham
The total cost of the LL.M. program, including tuition and health insurance, is $62,652. In addition to the cost of tuition, Fordham estimates that students will spend an additional $20,470 on room and board as well as just under $2,000 on books and other course materials. Although attending an LL.M. program like Fordham’s is a significant expense, the university does offer a variety of selective scholarships to its top students. There are 3 different merit-based scholarships that cover 100% of the program’s tuition (note that applying for these scholarships requires an additional 500-word essay), as well as several partial scholarships available to the university’s strongest applicants. Fordham’s financial aid office has also prepared a list of external scholarships that students may choose to apply for to help offset the cost of tuition.
Article Written by Ryan Buggy for Your Dream School, November 2019
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Study at Cardozo Law School
An impressive Law School that is part of Yeshiva University
Yeshiva University’s Cardozo School of Law is one of America’s most well-known law schools, where students benefit from its ideal location in downtown Manhattan.
Students interested in pursuing an LL.M. degree have a choice of 3 different specialized degrees as well as an LL.M. in General Studies that offers its own range of optional concentrations. Particularly well known for its programs in Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property, Cardozo provides its students a mix of in-class and experiential learning as well as significant administrative support as they navigate their career both as students and beyond.
Cardozo’s LL.M. Degree in a Few Words
Cardozo students have the option of completing the LL.M. degree either full-time over the course of 2 semesters or part-time over a period of up to 3 years. Its class of approximately 75 students represents over 2 dozen different countries, with graduates pursuing a range of careers from practicing attorneys to legal academics.
The school provides its students a combination of academic, professional, and social support to ensure that each one—particularly those coming from abroad—have the tools they need to succeed at an American law school. For international students, Cardozo offers both an introductory class on the American legal system as well as an intensive seminar on legal writing and research.
Academics
Cardozo has 4 different LL.M. programs: Comparative Legal Thought, Dispute Resolution and Advocacy, Intellectual Property, and General Studies. Furthermore, students in the General Studies program have the option to specialize in fields such as Corporate Law, Fashion, Arts, Media, and Entertainment (FAME) Law, Real Estate, and several other concentrations.
The LL.M. degree requires students to take a minimum of 24 credit-hours, which they complete through classes, clinics, externships, or even via writing a thesis. The program in Comparative Legal Thought prepares its students to pursue an academic legal career through a required thesis, and the degree in Dispute Resolution ensures its students complete an experiential component as part of their studies (though students in any program are welcome to pursue these opportunities as well!).
Students are invited to participate in the school’s many in-house and external clinics. These include in-house opportunities in fields such as Immigrant Justice and even a unique clinic in legal issues pertaining to Indie Film, as well as a variety of placements at public legal clinics and externships within the private sector.
One of the school’s greatest strengths is its extensive faculty advising. LL.M. students have access to a Dean who assists them with both course selection and the academic support they need throughout their time at Cardozo. Furthermore, counselors in its Career Services Office can help students navigate the countless professional opportunities that its location in New York City affords them.
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report ranked Cardozo School of Law the #6 Best Dispute Resolution Program in the Country (and #1 in New York), and LL.M. Guide includes Cardozo in its Top 10 lists for both Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property Law.
Campus Life
Located in New York’s iconic Greenwich Village, Cardozo students have access to a wide range of cultural and professional opportunities. New York is home to some of America’s most famous artistic, theatrical, and musical venues, as well as unparalleled professional opportunities.
Cardozo students enjoy a vibrant on-campus community. One of its most valuable student organizations pairs new students with more advanced students (such as those in its J.D. program), helping newcomers navigate the different resources and communities available to them. The school also hosts a variety of networking events with both professionals in New York City as well as Cardozo alumni, including an association specifically for European alumni.
How Do I Apply?
Applicants to Cardozo’s LL.M. program are encouraged to use the Law School Admission Council LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (LSAC LL.M. CAS) website, but may also apply via a physical application mailed to its admissions office. Students seeking to begin during the Fall Semester may apply from September 1st until June 15th, and for the Spring Semester from June 1st until December 1st. Note that international applicants must either already hold a degree in law or be licensed to practice in their country with prior professional experience.
There are 5 parts to Cardozo’s LL.M. application. First, applicants must submit a current resumé or CV. They also must write a personal statement (maximum 2 double-spaced pages) detailing their motivations for enrolling in Cardozo’s LL.M. program. Applicants will also submit at least 1 letter of recommendation. Additionally, applicants must send official transcripts from their previous higher education experience, ideally having been verified by the LL.M. CAS International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service.
International applicants whose prior degree was not taught primarily in English must also submit their TOEFL or IELTS
The Application
- Resumé/CV
- Personal Statement
- Minimum 1 Letter of Recommendation
- Official Transcripts
- TOEFL or IELTS
When do you have to start preparing for Cardozo?
Cardozo makes application decisions on a rolling basis. Applicants should be sure to begin preparing their materials at least 1 month before they intend to submit their application. Be sure that your personal statement clearly describes why you are pursuing an LL.M. degree at Cardozo, and that the writer of your recommendation letter can speak to your academic and legal abilities!
Affording Cardozo
The cost of tuition and fees for the LL.M. program is $62,408. In addition to the cost of tuition, Cardozo estimates that students will spend a further $28,664 on room and board as well as transportation, health insurance, and other incidental costs.
Cardozo provides multiple competitive merit-based scholarships to its top LL.M. students. Applicants interested in these scholarships do not need to submit any additional application or essay to be considered for these awards. Unfortunately, Cardozo does not offer any other forms of financial aid for its students, but does provide them with resources for seeking outside aid.
Article written by Ryan Buggy, November 2019
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Study at Boston University School of Law
A fantastic law school in one of America’s best known cities
Located in an American capital well-known for its student population, Boston University (BU) is not to be missed if you’re interested in pursuing an LL.M. degree in the U.S.
Students at BU can specialize their LL.M. degree in one of 5 different fields, including its highly-ranked programs in Tax Law and Banking & Finance Law. Although students typically complete their LL.M. degree over the course of two semesters, BU also offers a 3-semester program and a 2-year program for students who seek to increase their English proficiency while they pursue their LL.M. Furthermore, the school allows students to obtain an Executive LL.M. in International Business Law or an LL.M. in Tax Law either entirely online or via a partial-residency option.
Boston University’s LL.M. Degree in a Few Words
The roughly 330 students pursuing LL.M. degrees at BU come from all over the world to enroll in one of the university’s 5 different LL.M. programs over the course of 2 semesters. Certain students instead choose to complete the degree over 3 or 4 semesters while simultaneously taking classes through BU’s Legal English Certificate Program, a great option for international students who desire additional language support.
Through a combination of in-class and experiential learning, BU students master their subject area while also taking advantage of the university’s dynamic social and professional programming. The LLM Discovery Series, a program designed especially for international students, takes students on visits to law firms and government offices where BU alumni work, allowing them to learn more about the American legal system and expand their professional networks.
Academics
BU is home to 5 different LL.M. programs: American Law (designed for international students), Banking & Financial Law, Intellectual Property Law, International Business Law, and Taxation. Each of these programs can be completed in 2 semesters full-time or over the course of up to 2 years for students interested in taking English classes alongside their law classes. Additionally, the degrees in Taxation and International Business Law may be completed either online or in partial residency for students who are unable to live in Boston.
Something that sets BU’s LL.M. programs apart from their peers is the potential they offer students to further concentrate within a field. For example, students in the Taxation LL.M. program can choose to specialize in Financial Services, and those in the International Business program can concentration in International Environmental and Energy Law. The American Law LL.M. even includes a built-in internship opportunity, the American Law Internship Program, where they work with a group of advisors to select a placement in a legal career at a business, non-profit, or government office located in Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., or California.
To supplement their learning during the academic year, students may choose to complete one of BU’s summer programs. These include a program in Financial Services Fundamentals, specifically designed for students interested in financial law but who lack significant prior financial training; Legal English & Foundations of the US Legal System, which helps foreign students familiarize themselves with the language and foundations of the American legal system; and US Business Law for the International Lawyer, which is particularly helpful for foreign lawyers who handle international business dealings.
In 2020, U.S. News & World Report placed Boston University School of Law in its Top 25 Best Law Schools the Country! LL.M. Guide included the school in its Top 10 lists for U.S. Tax Law, Banking/Finance Law, and Online LL.M. Programs. Impressively, the National Law Journal names its Taxation program the second-best in the country!
Campus Life
Boston offers an exciting mix of historic neighborhoods and institutions as well as a vibrant student community, with many of America’s most iconic universities located within a few subway stops of one another. Students at BU benefit not only from the many professional opportunities available to them in a financial and governmental capital, but also from an impressive artistic and cultural community.
While pursuing their LL.M. degree, students may also choose to participate in one of the over 3 dozen student organizations that the School of Law has to offer. These include affinity-based groups, volunteer associations, and pre-professional organizations who host conferences and invite speakers to enrich BU’s already bustling community. BU also holds pro bono clinics for students who want to serve the community while also honing their skills as lawyers.
How Do I Apply?
To be eligible for one of BU’s LL.M. programs, international applicants usually must hold a law degree from their home country, although certain students may be able to apply if they are practicing lawyers who do not hold a degree in law. BU accepts applications via the Law Student Admissions Council (LSAC) online application system. The deadline for international students seeking to begin during the Fall Semester is April 15th, and for the Spring Semester the deadline is October 31st. BU makes its decisions on a rolling basis, with candidates generally receiving a decision 3-4 weeks after they submit their complete application.
There are 6 parts to BU’s LL.M. application. First, applicants must submit transcripts detailing their prior higher education experience. They also must submit at least 2 (maximum of 4) recommendation letters (in English, or with an official translation) from academic or professional references. Applicants will also submit a personal statement explaining why they seek to pursue an LL.M. at BU, describing their academic interests, and sharing their professional ambitions. Applicants also need to include an updated resumé or CV.
International applicants need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores unless their prior law degree was earned at an institution teaching primarily in English. Finally, students must also complete BU’S International Student Data Form, which deals with their financial situations and is necessary for immigration purposes.
The Application
- Transcripts
- 2-4 Recommendation Letters
- Personal Statement
- Resumé/CV
- TOEFL or IELTS
- International Student Data Form
Affording Boston University
The cost of tuition and fees for the LL.M. program is $56,982. In addition to the cost of tuition, BU estimates that students will spend a further $19,800 on room and board as well as transportation, health insurance, and other incidental costs.
BU provides multiple merit-based scholarships to its top LL.M. students. The majority of these scholarships do not require any additional application to be considered. Furthermore, BU has partnerships with several international universities, including Sorbonne Université and Université Paris II – Panthéon-Assas; students at these universities may be eligible for additional scholarship money.
Article Written by Ryan Buggy for Your Dream School, November 2019
When do you have to start preparing for Boston?
BU makes application decisions on a rolling basis. Given how competitive BU is, students should prepare their application no later than 1 month before they intend to submit it! It is important that an applicant’s personal statement clearly represent their motivations and ambitions, and that their recommendation letters offer a positive depiction of their capabilities as a law student.
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