UPenn LLM

Hi guys,

Hope everybody has had a good Easter!!! I realise what I am about to ask has probably been asked a million times before, but I am at somewhat of a loss to find my answer - so any helpful hints would be appreciated!

I currently hold a high 2:1 (top 15% of year) degree in law from The University of Birmingham and am undertaking the BVC (Bar exams) in London - placed in the top 3 in the year at present, I have scholarship to do my bar exams, and have won University legal prizes during my degree in year.

Additionally, I have worked on vacation schemes in major law firms during my breaks and have some extra stuff on my CV i.e:

- Chairman of The Holdsworth Club (Oldest Student Law Society in UK)
- First XV Full Rugby Colours at University Level
- Several articles published in legal press

My question is thus, what are my chances of getting into an ivy league school like UPenn to study law at LLM level (I have good references sorted out) despite my 2:1? By that time I will have also spent a year working as a paralegal or related profession.

Many Thanks,

Chris x

Hi guys,

Hope everybody has had a good Easter!!! I realise what I am about to ask has probably been asked a million times before, but I am at somewhat of a loss to find my answer - so any helpful hints would be appreciated!

I currently hold a high 2:1 (top 15% of year) degree in law from The University of Birmingham and am undertaking the BVC (Bar exams) in London - placed in the top 3 in the year at present, I have scholarship to do my bar exams, and have won University legal prizes during my degree in year.

Additionally, I have worked on vacation schemes in major law firms during my breaks and have some extra stuff on my CV i.e:

- Chairman of The Holdsworth Club (Oldest Student Law Society in UK)
- First XV Full Rugby Colours at University Level
- Several articles published in legal press

My question is thus, what are my chances of getting into an ivy league school like UPenn to study law at LLM level (I have good references sorted out) despite my 2:1? By that time I will have also spent a year working as a paralegal or related profession.

Many Thanks,

Chris x

It wouldn't hurt to apply; have you taken the LSATs and, if so, what were your scores? The only thing that I can see that might hurt your chances is the lack of a specialized interest, e.g. environmental law - please correct me if I'm wrong

I do think you stand a chance though provided you receive a high enough mark on your LSATs (realistically >170).

I checked the website so the OP doesn't need to take the LSAT for the LLM program at Penn.

(wow, so sorry about that!)

Then, you've got a good chance, I would say.

Edit: I realized I used environmental law as an example of a specialization interest, but I am aware that Penn is not known for environmental - just an example

Oh no, I would have given the same advice as you until I looked on the website and saw the admissions' requirements.

Haha It is quite (pleasantly) odd that Penn doesn't require LSATs (note to future self)...

It's true but I think Penn realizes that candidates already have a firm understanding of the law and simply need to study indepth American law. I think it's an exellent idea myself. Are you interested in applying too?

Yes, I am actually - I won't be applying for another four years, though.

Have you seen my thread? http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=24179490#post24179490

Yes, I have. Very well done! (have been working on my CV for a while now, I've got some good stuff going on within MUN, Debate, Activism, Jouralism & Organizational work... hopefully interning for a member of Icelandic parliament this summer and working for a large national media provider).

Well, for now I am stoked to go to Brown

Wonderful. Congratulations, Brown is an excellent school, you will learn so much and have more opportunities than you can imagine. Good luck to you.

Thank you Have you decided in what you plan to specialize?

You're welcome - your acceptance at Brown speaks volumes. This upcoming Sept. I'm starting my master's program - MA in International Conflict Studies. If I decide I want to reapply to law school, I probably would specialize in international law.

Ah (sorry, assumed you were applying for Law ), but International Conflict studies sounds interesting! & International law is ofc interesting

I'm most interested in Constitutional, Environmental & International Law (haven't made up my mind about a specialization, but no rush right? haha).

Wow thanks guys really useful; re specialisation - I have a fair amount of specialism having studied for the Bar and worked in the profession a little :-) Thank you!