The LL.M. Year at a Glance
Academics
- Continue to read weekly To-Do Tuesday emails.
- Pay attention to the process and deadlines for applying to externships and clinics.
- Meet your LL.M. classmates at the two-day Orientation! You will hear from faculty, and administrators about tips for a successful LL.M. year, explore the Columbia campus, gain the essential information needed to navigate your first days of Columbia, and have lots of fun connecting with 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 at Columbia!). 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), make note of the registration deadlines.
- 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.
- If interested in the private sector, watch the OPSC Presenting Yourself in Writing Program, review materials from OPSC on preparing resumes and application materials, and submit a draft of your US-style resume for review by a counselor through the OPSC Resume Review Portal.
- Attend the Davis Polk Leadership Initiative informational session about Fellowships, Grants, and the experiential Lawyer Leadership seminar.
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.
- Prepare for and take the Introduction to American Law exam.
- Legal Research and Writing, which began in August, continues.
Careers and Professional Development
- Consider joining the CLS Connect Pro Bono Group to learn more about pro bono opportunities under the "Pro Bono Opportunities" menu item.
- Meet with a career adviser in any (or all!) of the offices.
- Create a relationship map of the people you most want to connect with during your LL.M. and create a plan for doing so.
- Use resources in Symplicity to research potential employers and practice areas.
- Develop your narrative and enhance your networking skills. Attend the Intro to OPSC and the Private Sector Legal Market and the Career Development Strategies - Building and Using Your Network Introduction to Networking Program (OPSC) programs if interested in the private sector.
- If you are pursuing human rights, public international law, or domestic public interest opportunities after graduation, make an appointment to meet with the appropriate PI/PS Office adviser.
- Apply for the Davis Polk Leadership Initiative Fellowship and/or Grant. Fellowship applications are due in mid-September and Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis starting in August until spots are filled.
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 the completion of your first exam (Introduction to American Law) at CLS with OGP!
Academics
- Attend the information session for any new experiential learning opportunities available in the spring term. (Applications will be due this month).
- 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
- If interested in the private sector, attend OPSC’s Overseas-Trained LL.M. Interview Program Orientation to learn about the virtual LL.M. Interview Program that takes place at the end of January and the resources and timeline to prepare your applications.
- Attend LL.M. Networking Night to meet and mingle with LL.M. alumni, and learn about their career paths.
- Attend the LL.M. Recent Alumni Panels hosted by OPSC.
- 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.
- If you are seeking a position in public interest after the LL.M., register for the Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair, which takes place in the spring.
- After submitting your applications for the virtual Overseas-Trained LL.M. Interview Program in early November, continue to work with OPSC on your interview preparation.
- Attend the Career Development Strategies - Law Firm Interviewing Techniques Program (OPSC) to learn more about preparing for effective private sector interviews.
Student Life
- Consider participating in a Spring Break Caravan (a pro bono project).
- 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 by consulting your course schedule in LawNet. Plan to arrive 30 minutes before the start time!
- Practice self-care. Explore programs offered by the Office of University Life, Counseling and Psychological Services, and Alice! Health Promotion.
Careers and Professional Development
- After exams, students participating in the virtual Overseas-Trained LL.M. Interview Program will learn the results of their applications for interviews being held during the program.
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.
- Seek feedback on your fall term exam performance from your professors by contacting them directly.
Careers and Professional Development
- If you are pursuing public interest opportunities, contact the PI/PS Office for advising and other support.
- The Public Interest Legal Career (PILC) Fair often includes a small number of employers seeking to hire LL.M.s for postgraduate jobs. The deadline to apply to interview at the fair is usually mid-January.
- Participate in the virtual Overseas-Trained LL.M. Interview Program in January (OPSC)
- 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.
- If you plan to take the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) in the spring, make note of the registration deadlines.
Student Life
- Think about whether you would like to be more involved with any student organizations.
Academics
- Be mindful of the mandatory attendance policy.
- Prepare a schedule of assignments – especially assignments and drafts for seminar courses – and their due dates to help with time management.
Careers and Professional Development
- Participate in private sector employer breakfasts to continue to build your network and stay current on the NYC legal market.
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.
- Watch out for communications regarding the application for the July New York State Bar, graduation requirements, and final exams.
Careers and Professional Development
- If you plan to take the New York Bar Exam in July, be sure to apply by the deadline.
- Complete the Graduate Employment Survey in Symplicity.
Student Life
- Enjoy your spring break.
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.
Careers and Professional Development
- Continue building your network and other job application efforts, and take advantage of career advising services offered by OPSC (private sector), PI/PS Office (public interest, government, and human rights), and OJC (judicial careers).
Student Life
- Attend the Barrister’s Ball.
- Attend various graduation toasts and celebrations.
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.
Careers and Professional Development
- Continue to take advantage of career advising services offered by OPSC, the PI/PS Office, and OJC, which are still available after you graduate.
- If you want to keep tabs on grad news from the PI/PS Office, sign up for their graduate newsletter.
Student Life
- Stay in touch with OGP - you will always be part of the CLS community!
Celebrate your graduation.