1. Language test
Solve the TOEFL test as soon as possible. If it is delayed until the application period, it will be hectic and will also affect the application process. In addition, at present, major schools in Britain can use TOEFL instead when applying, and some schools only need to provide IELTS scores after admission.
gather information
Generally, each school will explain the enrollment situation of the second year at the beginning of 10 at the latest. Be sure to check the updates in time, especially the submitted documents and changes in the enrollment plan. Access to information: introduction of the school website, enrollment brochures (paper, electronic, CD-ROM), online enrollment policy briefing, China enrollment presentation. Some schools will provide students with contact information for communication and consultation.
Prepare materials
I suggest you make a detailed table after choosing a school, listing the special requirements of different schools for various materials, distinguishing between necessary, suggested, possible and prohibited, and paying special attention to time requirements. For similar multi-page materials, the page number should be indicated, and the nature of the document should be indicated at the header. Because the materials are messy, it is suggested to write a cover letter to each school, list the materials and send them together. At the same time, for the sealed data, you can print out a small piece of paper, indicate its contents, and paste it. In addition, because you often apply to several schools at the same time, don't mix up the materials of different schools, especially PS or letters of recommendation indicating that you want to send them to specific schools, so be sure to distinguish them carefully in advance!
(1) resume
There is no need to find a common resume template on the forum. The most effective way is to find the introduction of resume making on the websites of the student employment offices of major law schools in the United States. Some schools attached samples of resumes, while others described in detail how to express the unique experience of legal persons. Recommend the websites of Yale/Georgetown/Duke and other schools. In fact, this is a very good database, which also contains job introduction, interview skills and many other contents, and it is also very useful for students who have not applied to go abroad.
(2) Personal statement
Every proofreader has a requirement on the number of words, which should be observed and cannot exceed two pages. Don't repeat the information already explained in your resume. Highlight the key points and have enough examples to support them. The main answer is why you want to study LLM, what preparations you have made before, the relationship with the short-term and long-term goals in the future, and why you chose the law school of the school you applied for. For the part involving yourself, let familiar friends imagine the points of interest from the perspective of others. For the school you are applying for, you should make full use of its website to conduct in-depth and meticulous research, highlight the relevance of your own experience, and if you have any connection with the school, you should indicate it. If you know foreign friends, I suggest you let them polish them up.
Of course, when talking about your goals and the courses you want to choose, you must first show your true wishes. However, if your goal is not consistent with the characteristics of the school you are applying for, or it is just a weak link, and you don't want to give up this school, then you should still pay attention to the strengths of the school you are applying for in your statement. Otherwise, the school will feel that it can't meet your needs and reject you because the two don't match.
(3) Letter of recommendation
Mainly written by their own classroom teachers, professional teachers and tutors. If you are writing your own manuscript, you should pay attention to quoting some highlights to echo resume, PS and other materials. Pay attention to the differences in paper, font and style of different letters of recommendation. If the person in charge of the internship unit can help you write, it can make up for the lack of practical experience of freshmen. If you meet a visiting professor in class or participate in a project of a foreign scholar, you can ask him to recommend you. The recommendation letter can be decided by considering the graduate school, professional direction and similarity of the applicant's school.
(4) TOEFL scores
LLM in the United States generally requires 600 for the old TOEFL, and some are 620. A few schools have special requirements for single subject scores and composition scores. Please pay attention to find the latest requirements of IBT. This score doesn't have to be high, but if you have a fairly good score, it should be helpful for your successful application and scholarship.
Apply for mailing as soon as possible after choosing a school. It is recommended to send a fax application after 9 pm Beijing time on weekdays to ensure that the other party is watched by the fax machine during working hours. It's more troublesome to apply for a draft, but it's safer and more cost-effective to send it by express. The fastest and most expensive thing is telephone application. ETS is a department beyond our control. Every year, there are many complaints and stories emerge one after another. Be sure to send it early, inquire early, and learn to bite the bullet and negotiate with ETS after the accident.
(5) School application form
This is an important document for the school to enter information and audit. First, understand the meaning carefully and check it repeatedly after filling it out; Second, pay attention to details and keep the order and date format of all names consistent; Third, ensure the correctness of English translation methods of various mailing addresses; Fourth, if you can submit two contact emails, it is suggested that one is outside and the other is at home to prevent the network from being disconnected in the earthquake last year; Fourthly, some schools don't have a filling mode, so they need to learn to insert text boxes into PDF, which is more accurate and clear than handwriting. Fifth, don't leave out the places where you need to submit photos, supporting documents, intentional selection and handwritten signatures.
Many schools' online application systems have realized the paperless operation of application forms, but this also requires higher network requirements. I suggest you choose the through train of Education Network when there are few people at night. At the same time, pay attention to backing up the materials submitted online.
(6) Application fee
Usually the range is from 60 to 80. Some schools clearly stipulate that the application fee cannot be exempted under any circumstances, so it is best not to take risks. Some schools allow applications for exemption from application fees.
(7) China school transcripts
Undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts in Chinese and English. Graduate students should also provide undergraduate diploma materials. Don't send it by LSAC, which is time-consuming and expensive, although all schools recommend it. If there is no official GPA, you can calculate it yourself and attach it. If you are strict, you can attach your conversion method.
Many schools provide transcripts in a unified format to obtain documents. This kind of document should not only be signed by the educational administration department, but also explain the examination result evaluation system. But in fact, in domestic colleges and universities, no one will fill in the opinions and sign the performance letter issued by such foreign schools. So whether these schools submit such documents or not, we just need to do what we can after the school has processed the report form normally and sent it out. This has been done for many years and has been recognized. As for the ranking certificate, if it can provide the best, it is also good for undergraduate schools to stamp the ranking certificate drafted by students themselves. If you really want to show the top rankings, you can also attach your own rankings and write some supporting explanations. In fact, Georgetown and other schools also require individuals to submit self-explanatory scores when they cannot obtain official rankings.
(8) Others
Writing sample: LLM is not required to hand in articles in general schools, but Yale/Harvard and other schools require it, and some projects applying for scholarships also require it, such as NYU/ Michigan. If you want to apply, you need to prepare in advance and polish it carefully.
Proof of deposit: Some schools require proof of deposit that can pay tuition fees when applying. If possible, it can be provided at this time. If you don't want to hand it in, you can explain to them. After all, this is not the basis for admission or not.
Send materials
UPS/DHL/FedEx are all good, most of them choose UPS and apply for the preferential price in the peak season of going abroad: USA 1 15 yuan. However, even this kind of express delivery, there are reports of loss of mail, so we need to pay attention to tracking. In addition, we can consider China Post's global priority and 70 yuan's one. It will be cheaper if you buy discounted stamps. This mailing method is not long, but it can't be inquired. Important mail is not recommended.
The top schools have a batch as of February 1, 1 early October1,and the rest can be in February and March. It is suggested that some schools should apply for early review without affecting the quality of application materials.
Some schools require to apply for scholarships at the same time. Don't forget. Please note that Cornell and other schools have the deadline for applying for scholarships earlier than ordinary schools.
Although some schools have repeatedly claimed that they have received too many materials and do not accept inquiries about whether they have received them, they will generally inform them in some way. Upenn's system is the most complete, showing whether every necessary material has arrived. Some schools notify once after receiving the materials, and then notify them after confirming that the materials are complete. Some schools only say that the materials have been received. You can learn about the relevant policies through the introduction of the school website. But remember, sometimes you need to call to ask if you have received it, and many people do the same.
await the result
Since LLM has no tutor, it is basically unnecessary to magnetize with the professor while waiting. However, some people wrote to the professor to introduce themselves and got a response. If you like, you can choose a familiar professional teacher to communicate, but it is generally of little significance.
At the end of February, the initial evaluation of Georgetown/Columbia University and other schools will have results, and Upenn is usually in early February. March and April are the peak period, and there will be a reply whether you are admitted, rejected or waiting. Some schools will continue to issue admission after May after the students who have already accepted have withdrawn.
select a school
At this time, it is natural to consider the above-mentioned factors when choosing a school, but after all, there is a relatively clear scope, and you can make some consultations with teachers, brothers and sisters. The school has opened a website for the students who are admitted, and introduced all kinds of relevant information in detail, especially the information of students of the same nationality, which is a useful decision-making basis. They will send more brochures to attract you. Some schools will hold enrollment meetings at home or abroad.
Prepare a visa
Provide proof of funds to the school to apply for I20 form. This process usually takes at least two weeks. All certificates of deposit issued by major banks are acceptable. In the name of yourself or your parents. Either RMB or USD will do. One copy will be sent to the school and the other will be presented at the time of visa.