3L OCI or Tax LLM? Forum

[anth3]

3L in my last semester and i'm planning for after graduation.

Considering Tax LLM programs

I was an undergrad Accounting major and i'm a three credit course away from my CPA I go to a strong regional school and I was in the top 20% this Summer (okay 1L grades, awesome 2L grades, terrible semester this Fall.) I'm still in the top half but probably not the top 20% anymore. I'm on a secondary journal and have have great work experience

My school has a decent 3L Spring OCI with a few smaller firms that I may get an offer from but I can't imagine any will pay more than 75k and I don't think I want a career in any of those firms. Also considering Judicial Clerkships through the OCI but I didn't really love my time with a judge after my 1L year. My question is what are my chances at getting into the any Tax programs and are they worth it? Any Advice?

[Anonymous User]

Well what are your goals? BigLaw, or any type of employment? Tax LLM's are a bad way to get BigLaw for most people - most people who get BigLaw after a tax LLM could have gotten it without the LLM, i.e. they were median at at CCN or top third at Gtown or whatever. Also they're pretty friggin expensive.

I'd also venture to say it probably looks pretty bad that you took Partnership Tax as a Pass/Fail course. That's sort of the course that separates the tax men from the tax boys, so the fact that you took away your professor's chance to evaluate your abilities in one of the hardest (if not the hardest) tax courses seems like a bad sign. I'm not an admissions officer at NYU though, so I can't be sure.

[anth3]

Career goals: I'd love to be a tax attorney at the company where I'm currently clerking which requires an LLM and some time at a Big 4 firm. Definitely see myself at a big 4 in international tax dept or in house at a bank after the possible LLM.

[gaddockteeg]

Do both. Get a job and do tax LLM at night. NYU will let you do this.

[OutoftheWoods]

I was all prepared to come in and say don't waste your time with the LLM, but unlike most people going for it w/o plans it does seem like it would help you be one of the lucky few to get big law through it (accounting major, real tax experience, etc.). I still echo person above, get a job and do tax LLM at night, but I don't think it would hurt to apply for the LLM and still look for jobs at the same time which you would then take one, if you can get the job.

[anth3]

Not sure of my chances at NYU but sent in my Georgetown and NYU apps today as well as 2 OCI apps. Not sure biglaw is for me as I had some interviews during 2L OCI and they did not go well. I also turned down Summer Associate at regional tax/ T&E firm in favor of the in-house position.

My understanding is to do the NYU part time, you have to already have a job and be working before you apply so I selected full time for the app.

[broam]

...My understanding is to do the NYU part time, you have to already have a job and be working before you apply...

Can anyone verify this for the part-time programs at NYU and Georgetown?

[Anonymous User]

You may want to reach out to the admissions office for certainty

[Count1234]

Go get a law job first, pass the bar and practice for a couple months. Then go get your tax llm, that way your education expenses will be tax deductible.

[patrickd139]

...My understanding is to do the NYU part time, you have to already have a job and be working before you apply...

Can anyone verify this for the part-time programs at NYU and Georgetown?

I was accepted to GULC LLM part time straight out of law school. No idea whether NYU would make a similar offer.

Definitely a question for an adcomm.

[anth3]

deleted

[unlicensedpotato]

For those reading this thread in the future/ using it for reference: I selected full-time at Northwestern with an awesome scholarship.

Part-time wasn't really an option as all the employers I interviewed with did not like that I would potentially leave and would have to devote substantial time to the LLM (even an accounting firm). So, do not mention a part-time tax LLM to prospective employers.

The conventional wisdom is that you're wasting your time/money.