LL.M. Roadmap

 Academics

• Meet your LL.M. classmates at the two-day Orientation! You will hear from faculty, administrators, and alumni about tips for a successful LL.M. year, explore the Columbia campus, and have lots of fun as you officially join the Columbia Law School community.
• Begin two mandatory courses, Introduction to American Law and LL.M. Legal Research & Writing, as the kickoff to your fall semester. 
• Meet your academic advisor and discuss your academic plan for the year. 

Careers and Professional Development

• If you plan to sit for the New York Bar Exam in July, request Advance Evaluation of Eligibility, if necessary, as soon as possible (and ideally you will have already done this and received a response before arriving to Columbia!). Refer to Rule 520.6 of the Board of Law Examiners if you have questions.
• Attend introductory programs offered by the Office of Private Sector Careers (OPSC), the Office of Public Interest/Public Service Law and Careers (PI/PS Office), the public interest, government, and international human rights careers office; and the Office of Judicial Careers (OJC), the office that assists with clerkships and other court-employment positions.
• Meet with a career advisor in any (or all!) of the offices. 

Student Life

• Move into your housing and get settled in New York.
• Learn about all the exciting opportunities at CLS and the University!
• Take this time to really connect with as many LL.M. and J.D. classmates as possible.

Academics

• Begin the regular fall term classes.
• Introduction to American Law concludes. Take the exam and show how much you've learned. 
• Legal Research and Writing, which began in August, continues.

Careers and Professional Development

• Consider doing Pro Bono work.

Student Life

• Explore student organizations and attend programs, events, and lunchtime lectures.
• Vote to elect your LL.M. Student Senate Representatives (or run for a seat yourself)!
• Celebrate completing your first exam (Introduction to American Law) at CLS!

Academics

• Learn about clinics, externships and other experiential learning opportunities in the spring term.
• Begin outlining and preparing for exams and consider joining a study group and/or attending workshops on study methods.
• Visit our Writing Center for help with written work.

Careers and Professional Development

• Attend LL.M. Networking Night to meet and mingle with LL.M. alumni, and learn about their career paths.
• Participate in private sector employer breakfasts to build your network and stay current on the NYC legal market.

Student Life

• Explore programs offered by the Office of University Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Alice! Health Promotion.
• Carve pumpkins for Halloween!
• Enjoy the changing leaves in Riverside Park.

Academics

• Pre-register for the spring term – meet with your academic advisor if you wish!
• Apply to graduate – submit your degree application by the deadline. (All students graduating in May must officially apply to graduate.)

Careers and Professional Development

• If you plan to apply for a postgraduate fellowship, begin researching and reaching out to host organizations if you haven’t already. Meet with the appropriate PI/PS Office adviser to discuss fellowship hosts and funding.  

Student Life

• Enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner to-go on Thanksgiving day.
• Go see the inflation of the Macy’s Day Parade balloons on the upper west side just south of Columbia’s campus.

Academics

• Focus on your exams. Be sure to know when and where your exams are. 
• Practice self-care.  Explore programs offered by the Office of University Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Alice! Health Promotion.

Student Life

• Stop by the OGP study break for LL.M. students and grab a snack.
• After you complete exams, enjoy winter break! 

Academics

• Take a J-Term course, if interested. It’s a one-week course and a chance to explore a topic you might not otherwise enroll in.
• Finalize your spring schedule. If you would like feedback on your fall term exam performance, make appointments to meet with your professors.

Careers and Professional Development

• If you are pursuing public interest opportunities after graduation, utilize PI/PS Office's public interest career advising services as needed.
• Participate in the virtual Overseas-Trained LL.M. Interview Program in January (Private Sector)
• If you are interested in domestic clerkships, please contact OJC and learn about whether a federal or state opportunity would be available to you.  For international clerkships, please contact the Office of International Programs.
• If you are interested in a career in academia, attend the weekly Careers in Law Teaching workshop offered throughout the term.

Student Life

• Join the OGP spring kick-off gathering for LL.M.s.

Academics

• Attend class as there is a mandatory attendance policy.
• Be sure to manage your time and start on assignments earlier, especially with seminar courses.

Student Life

• Attend the LL.M. graduation information session, and vote for the LL.M. graduation speaker.
• Join the Valentine’s Day Party.

Academics

• Begin outlining and preparing for exams.

Careers and Professional Development

• If you plan to take the New York Bar Exam in July, be sure to apply by the deadline (March 31).

Student Life

• Enjoy your Spring Break, and consider participating in a Spring Break Caravan (a pro bono project).

Academics

• Continue outlining and preparing for exams, and consider joining a study group and/or attending workshops on study methods.
• Visit professor office hours if you have questions.

Student Life

• Attend the Barrister’s Ball.
• Attend the OGP graduation toast.

Academics

• Focus on your exams and take good care of yourself. Explore programs offered by the Office of University Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Alice! Health Promotion.
• Attend CLS graduation and University Commencement.

Student Life

• Stay in touch with OGP and CLS - you are always part of the CLS community!

• Celebrate your graduation.