I don’t need to tell anyone reading this about the current state of world affairs. Whether it’s geopolitical shifts or economic fluctuations, there are plenty of reasons why an international lawyer might hesitate to head to the U.S. for an LL.M. right now.
However, if you look past the headlines at the actual admissions landscape, this is arguably the best time in a decade to apply.
The Great Divergence: J.D. vs. LL.M.
My advice here is the exact opposite of what I’m telling J.D. applicants, and that’s intentional. As I’ve noted recently, the J.D. pool is currently a shark tank—LSAT takers have doubled, and medians are through the roof.
By contrast, the international LL.M. market is moving in the other direction. Foreign applications are down. This means the admissions math has shifted in applicants’ favor. You are currently facing less competition for seats at law schools, who are also facing financial pressures that may cause them to accept more LL.M.s (who, frankly, pay higher prices than J.D.s) in the next few years.
Prestige is a Stable Asset
The global legal market still runs on the prestige of top U.S. law schools. Whether you are aiming for a partnership in Beijing, Mumbai, or Sao Paolo, a degree from a top U.S. law school is still a can’t-miss way to signal your professional bona fides.
The Bottom Line
In admissions, as in the markets, there is a benefit to being counter-cyclical. While domestic students are fighting for their lives in a hyper-competitive J.D. cycle, international practitioners have a unique window of opportunity. If you have been waiting for the right time to add a U.S. credential to your resume, the next two years represent a rare moment where the odds are actually tilted in your favor.
Don’t let the noise distract you from the numbers. If you can go, go now.
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