
This article has been written by Upasana Pandey. She is the Founder of the International Law Box. Ms. Pandey is pursuing an LL.M. in International Business and Economic Law at Georgetown University Law Center, Washington DC.
Many law students and lawyers in India decide to pursue an LLM from the US. It is very important to make an informed decision as moving to a different country and doing an LLM is a big life decision.
I will publish 3 blogs on the topic of US LLMs. You must read all the three blogs to get a holistic idea regarding US LLMs. Enjoy Part 1!
What is the right time to do an LLM from the US?
The answer to this question depends on your career goals. An LLM in the US is typically a 9-month or 1-year course. I remember being confused in the 2nd year of B.A.LL.B. and going through tons of interviews of students who had done their LLMs from US law schools. I started following people on LinkedIn who had completed their LLMs from the US. This is the best thing you can do if you really want to get a bird’s-eye view of what lies ahead of you after the LLM. In the 4th year of law school, I started talking with people on LinkedIn and asked them about their US LLM experiences. I personally believe that one should do an LLM after gaining some work experience. Working somewhere brings clarity regarding the courses that you want to pursue during your LLM and also helps you to identify the subjects that you do not want to study. Please understand that pursuing an LLM in the US does not guarantee a job. However, it can open various professional doors if you work very hard (and network).
It is pertinent to note here that different law schools in the US have different advantages and disadvantages. From my personal experience, I can tell you one thing- Location matters. A LOT. A law school in a vibrant city would enable you to network with lawyers and allow you to grab quick coffees with them. Some law schools offer fabulous externship programs and you can take better advantage of the externship programs when you are in a city. However, in the US, ranking of the law schools matters a lot. Hence, don’t ignore that entirely.
But what about the costs?
An LLM from the US is very expensive and not everyone will be able to afford the insane living costs in the US. However, many US law schools give good scholarships and one can also secure an education loan from the Indian banks. Also, there are some organizations in India which provide scholarships to Indian students doing an LLM abroad. I secured a Merit scholarship from Georgetown University Law Center and it covered a significant part of my tuition fees. You will find the fee structure of an LLM program on the university websites. Tuition and Cost of Attendance for an LLM at Georgetown Law can be found here. Keep visiting the law school websites for updated information.
Is an LLM really worth it?
That depends on what you want out of it. Confused? It’s OK. Keep reading!
I got LLM offer letters from Cornell Law School, Georgetown University Law Center and George Washington University Law School. I chose Georgetown Law because of the following reasons:-
- It is one of the top law schools in the US (T-14).
- More than 180 international law courses are offered.
- Great international arbitration courses.
- Fabulous professors- many of them are law firm partners and work at international organizations.
- Opportunity to do an externship in the spring semester (being in Washington, DC helps!)
An LLM from the US may allow you to take the New York State Bar exam if you take the required courses during your LLM degree. However, please note that there are certain eligibility requirements for applicants who wish to qualify for the New York State Bar examination based on the study of law in a foreign country. Please go through the New York Bar Exam website for updated information. Talk to your US law school academic advisors and ask whether pursuing a particular LLM program will allow you to take the New York State Bar Exam. DO NOT assume that doing an LLM from a US law school will automatically make you eligible to appear for the New York State Bar Exam.
Pro Tip: Network with people even before you start your LLM. Networking will even help you to secure an externship during your LLM and will help you to get opportunities after you complete your LLM. Cold emailing works!
Disclaimer: Everything that has been written in this blog is based on my personal experience. I am not being paid by any institution or organization to write this blog. Nothing in this blog constitutes legal advice. Please refer to the official websites of the US universities and New York State Bar Exam to get updated information.