1. I plan to take the NY bar after completion of the LLM program. As different states have their own law, will it make much difference to study in other states other than NY?
A:It depends on which school you choose to attend. Some law schools like Vanderbilt prepare their students on a national basis. They do not train their students into a specific state law, so that their students can choose whatever state they want to practice. However, other law schools aim at training practitioners for their state. like Tennessee University School of Law who trains Tennessee lawyers. It is better to check out with your school admission dean or past alumni.
2. Will the school provide guidance to LLM students on taking the bar, like opening bar-related courses?
A:Yes, but help only, not courses. Since students all make their own decisions on what state bar to take, they buy their own courses from Kaplan or Barbri (do not buy LLM bar). As for now, make sure you send your transcripts and all other materials to NY bar committee for an eligibility screen. they should tell you whether you are eligible for NY bar next year this time. This screening is important because it gives you time to appeal, makeup your materials, or apply for another state's bar. Remember to request more than one copy of important documents from your university, and bring them to the U.S..
Vanderbilt is a big help for LL.M. students in preparing for NY bar. Ms. Cynthia is a great person to ask questions about when and how to apply. Also, Dean Pavlick offers helpful lectures on how to meet the pro bono hour requirement. Last semester, Dean Pavlick went out to speak to local firms, attorneys and institutions about the possibility of accepting us as their pro bono volunteer. Several responded positively and Tennessee Youth Court came to our school to offer judicial volunteers. This is really precious help because the burden is in fact entirely on us to prepare for bar exam and bar acceptance.
When you receive your VU ID, you can log on to https://intranet.law.vanderbilt.edu/academics/Pages/Bar-Exam.aspx for more information about bar exams.
3. Is it safe around campus?
A: Again, depends on where you live. It is safe within campus because you will find pillars with a call-police-with-one-push button on them everywhere. They may outnumber the people walking around them. I heard that police really like you to use these buttons because they can put sirens on their cars and rush like a wind.
Most part of Nashville is safe, but be ware. If you choose to live between 31st Ave. and downtown, then safety is a big issue. For other places, make sure you do not walk aimlessly at night and lock your doors, then you will probably be fine. Nashville is a bad place for pedestrians and cyclists. Do not use bike.
PS:“I heard that police really like you to use these buttons because they can put sirens on their cars and rush like a wind.”
一开始很认真严肃地看楼主的帖子,直到看到这句话笑喷了。