Outline and Boxes on a Blue Blackground

LL.M. Roadmap

  1. Community Life
  2. Student Life
  3. Roadmaps
  4. LL.M. Roadmap

A month-by-month snapshot of many of the key things to know and do during your time at Columbia Law School.

 The LL.M. Year at a Glance

 Academics

  • Prior to the start of the fall term, you will take Introduction to American Law (IAL) & Legal Research & Writing (LRW).
  • Make an appointment with your academic adviser in the Office of Graduate Programs (OGP). 

Careers and Professional Development

  • Attend introductory programs offered by the Office of Career Services and Professional Development (OCS), the private sector careers office; Social Justice Initiatives (SJI), the public interest, government, and international human rights careers office; and the Office of Judicial Clerkships (OJC), the office that assists with clerkships and other court-employment positions.

Student Life

Academics

  • As you work to finalize your schedule, take advantage of the Add/Drop period to visit classes you may be interested in taking.

Careers and Professional Development

  • If you plan to sit for the New York Bar Exam in July, request Advance Evaluation of Eligibility, if necessary, by the deadline. Refer to Rule 520.6 of the Board of Law Examiners if you have questions.
  • If you plan to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in 2021, register by the deadline.
  • If interested in the private sector, begin working with OCS on your private sector resume and application materials. Attend Presenting Yourself in Writing (OCS).
  • If you are pursuing human rights, public international law or domestic public interest opportunities after graduation, make an appointment to meet with the appropriate adviser in the Office of Social Justice Initiatives (SJI).

Student Life

Academics

  • Register your LL.M. Writing Project if you are fulfilling this requirement in the fall term.

  • Take the IAL exam.

  • Attend the Experiential Learning Application Overview to learn about clinics, externships and other experiential learning opportunities for the spring term

  • Begin outlining and preparing for exams and consider joining a study group and/or attending workshops on study methods.

Careers and Professional Development

  • If interested in the private sector, attend OCS’ Overseas-Trained LLM Interview Program Orientation to learn about the virtual LLM Job Fair (taking place Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023) and the resources and timeline to prepare your applications.

Student Life

  • Celebrate completing your first exam at CLS!

  • Practice self-care and attend university-sponsored programs on resilience, time management and other wellness topics. 

  • Take advantage of the counseling services we offer.

  • Celebrate Halloween!


     

Academics

  • Pre-register for the spring term. 
  • Contact professors to explore opportunities for serving as a Research Assistant (RA) or pursuing supervised research during the spring semester.
  • Submit your degree application by the deadline. (All students graduating in May must officially apply to graduate.)

Careers and Professional Development

  • If you are seeking a position in public interest after the LL.M., register for the Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair in the spring. 
  • Work with career advisors in OCS and SJI to prepare your application and hone your interviewing skills.
  • After submitting your applications for the virtual Overseas-Trained LLM Interview Program in early November, continue to work with OCS on your interview preparation.
  • 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 SJI adviser to discuss fellowship hosts and funding. 

Student Life

  • Celebrate Thanksgiving!
  • Watch (or run) the NYC Marathon! 

Academics

Careers and Professional Development

  • After exams, students participating in the virtual Overseas-Trained LLM Interview Program will learn the results of their job fair applications.
  • If you plan to apply for a postgraduate fellowship, begin reaching out to host organizations if you haven’t already.Meet with the appropriate SJI adviser to discuss fellowship hosts and funding. 

Student Life

  • Enjoy winter break! New York City is wonderful during December and January!

Academics

  • Take a J-Term course, if interested.

  • Add/drop to finalize your spring schedule.

  • Register for Research Assistant, Supervised Research or Independent Externship, if interested.

  • Register for the LLM Writing Project if you are fulfilling this requirement in the spring semester. 

  • 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, continue reaching out to potential host organizations and drafting fellowship applications, utilizing SJI's public interest career advising services as needed.
  • Students previously selected will participate in the virtual Overseas-Trained LLM Interview Program in January.
  • If you are interested in domestic clerkships, please contact the Office of Judicial Clerkships 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.
  • Register for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) if you plan to take in the spring.

Student Life

  • Continue enjoying winter break and NYC!

  • If you didn’t join a student organization in the fall, think about joining one in the spring term.

Academics

  • Attend the mandatory LL.M. graduation information session, vote for the LL.M. graduation speaker, and consider joining the Class Gift Committee.

Careers

Student Life

  • Attend lunchtime lectures and evening events.

Academics

  • Begin outlining and preparing for exams.

Careers

  • Continue to take advantage of career advising services offered by OCS (private sector), SJI (public interest, government, and human rights), and OJC (judicial clerkships).

Student Life

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

  • Attend the Law Revue musical comedy cabaret and support your fellow student performers.

Academics

  • Continue outlining and preparing for exams, and consider joining a study group and/or attending workshops on study methods.

Careers

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

Student Life

  • Attend a student-run conference or symposium. If you are active in a student organization, you may even be in charge of planning one!

Academics

  • Focus on your exams and take good care of yourself. The university offers wellness programs and counseling services if you need them.
  • Enjoy graduation, University Commencement, and other celebratory events. 

Careers and Professional Development

  • Continue to take advantage of career advising services offered by OCS (private sector), SJI (public interest, government, and human rights), and OJC (judicial clerkships), which are still available after you graduate. 

Student Life

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

  • Congratulations!