Are You Ready to Apply for an LL.M.?

Have you started planning well in advance, i.e., six months to a year before the deadline?

• Yes

• No

Answer explanation

While the amount of time you'll need will depend on many factors, planning well in advance is crucial for a successful LLM application. My recommended timeline would be six months to a year before the deadline. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Yes', indicating that proactive planning has been initiated.

Do you have a clear plan for what you want to use an LL.M. degree for? 'Clear' does not mean ‘unchangeable’ or set in stone, it means that you are thinking of options and planning your future.

• Yes

• No

• Sort of

Answer explanation

Choosing 'Yes' indicates you have a thoughtful approach to your LL.M. degree, considering various options and planning your future career path, which is essential for making the most of this advanced legal education.

Do you have a funding strategy for your LL.M.?

• Yes

• I'm looking for options

• No

• I'll think of it when I'm accepted

Answer explanation

Having a funding strategy for your LL.M. is crucial for financial planning and ensuring you can afford your studies. Choosing 'Yes' indicates you are proactive in securing necessary resources.

Have you selected a balanced portfolio of programs that accounts for your strengths and weaknesses?

• Yes

• No

• I find it it hard to choose programs and settle on a list

Answer explanation

Selecting a balanced portfolio that reflects your strengths and weaknesses is crucial for success. Choosing 'Yes' indicates you have thoughtfully considered your options, which is essential for effective program selection.

Have you talked to people who've done it before?

• Yes

• No

• I don't know anyone who's done it before

Answer explanation

Choosing 'Yes' indicates that you have consulted with individuals who have prior experience, which can provide valuable insights and guidance. This is crucial for making informed decisions.

For your essays such as personal statements and motivation letters, do you have a process to guide you from ideation to final editing?

• Yes

• For parts of my writing, yes

• No, I don't know what it is. I just try to write a text from scratch

Answer explanation

Having a structured process for writing essays, such as personal statements, helps in organizing thoughts and refining ideas. The correct answer, 'Yes', indicates a systematic approach from ideation to final editing, which enhances clarity and effectiveness.

For your essays, did you have a dedicated ideation session, ie, a structured process of generating ideas, before starting to write?

• Yes

• Sort of

• No, I didn't know one could do it

• No, I don't know how to do it

Answer explanation

Having a dedicated ideation session helps in generating structured ideas, making the writing process more effective. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Yes', as it indicates a proactive approach to essay writing.

Did you outline your essay, ie, did you develop a plan or a structure of your essay before starting to write your first draft?

• Yes

• No, I didn't know one could do it

• No, I don't know how to do it

• No, I write the text right away

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Yes' because it indicates a thorough and systematic approach to writing your application essays, which aligns with the question's context about planning before writing.

Have you written at least five drafts of your personal statement(s) or motivation letter(s), each focusing on a separate aspect of the essay?

• Yes

• Yes, I've been rewriting it multiple times but don't know where to stop

• No, I'm happy with the first draft

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Yes' because writing multiple drafts allows for refining ideas and focusing on different aspects of the personal statement, which is essential for a strong application.

Does your essay have a compelling reason for why LLM and why now?

• Yes

• It makes an argument but I'm not sure how convincing it is

• No, I find it difficult to enunciate my reasons for doing an LLM

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'Yes' because a compelling reason for pursuing an LLM should clearly articulate the motivations and timing, demonstrating a strong rationale that resonates with the current legal landscape.