Tax LLM - low law school GPA, tax court clerkship Forum

[HoneyPot]

Hey! Long time lurker ... Graduated from a tier 2 law school in the NYC area, bottom 30%. I've always been a poor exam taker and it just is what it is. Meanwhile, I hustled hard and landed a tax court clerkship (there are only about a dozen spots in this state). What do you think my chances are of getting into NYU, Georgetown, BU, NYLS and Villanova's Tax LLM programs? I have a family and am already spending this academic year a few hundred miles away from my children, so I'm limited to programs in NYC and those offered online.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

[Londonbear]

Don't know about your chances of getting in. I don't think they are particularly selective, but if you took tax courses during your JD, then those will be examined. I would not go to a Tax LLM unless they are the top 3 (NYU, GT, and I think Florida?) and even then I think post-grad prospects is kind of shaky.

[asdfdfdfadfas]

Don't know about your chances of getting in. I don't think they are particularly selective, but if you took tax courses during your JD, then those will be examined. I would not go to a Tax LLM unless they are the top 3 (NYU, GT, and I think Florida?) and even then I think post-grad prospects is kind of shaky.

Why is that, isn't tax in demand?

[Londonbear]

Don't know about your chances of getting in. I don't think they are particularly selective, but if you took tax courses during your JD, then those will be examined. I would not go to a Tax LLM unless they are the top 3 (NYU, GT, and I think Florida?) and even then I think post-grad prospects is kind of shaky.

Why is that, isn't tax in demand?

It depends. Some firms have pretty small tax groups, and I think a lot of people who do Tax LLMs after JD or during JD are basically trying to get another crack at Biglaw via tax route. From what I know of GT's Tax LLM, I don't think its a given that you will land a Biglaw tax gig. There didn't seem to be that many openings. And I think GT is like #2, just below NYU.

[asdfdfdfadfas]

Don't know about your chances of getting in. I don't think they are particularly selective, but if you took tax courses during your JD, then those will be examined. I would not go to a Tax LLM unless they are the top 3 (NYU, GT, and I think Florida?) and even then I think post-grad prospects is kind of shaky.

Why is that, isn't tax in demand?

It depends. Some firms have pretty small tax groups, and I think a lot of people who do Tax LLMs after JD or during JD are basically trying to get another crack at Biglaw via tax route. From what I know of GT's Tax LLM, I don't think its a given that you will land a Biglaw tax gig. There didn't seem to be that many openings. And I think GT is like #2, just below NYU.

Gotcha. I am working on becoming a tax Accountant right now and took the LSAT thinking about going that route, so any additional perspectives I can get on Tax is a plus.

Thanks.

[Londonbear]

Don't know about your chances of getting in. I don't think they are particularly selective, but if you took tax courses during your JD, then those will be examined. I would not go to a Tax LLM unless they are the top 3 (NYU, GT, and I think Florida?) and even then I think post-grad prospects is kind of shaky.

Why is that, isn't tax in demand?

It depends. Some firms have pretty small tax groups, and I think a lot of people who do Tax LLMs after JD or during JD are basically trying to get another crack at Biglaw via tax route. From what I know of GT's Tax LLM, I don't think its a given that you will land a Biglaw tax gig. There didn't seem to be that many openings. And I think GT is like #2, just below NYU.

Gotcha. I am working on becoming a tax Accountant right now and took the LSAT thinking about going that route, so any additional perspectives I can get on Tax is a plus.

Thanks.

If you're working on being a tax accountant, you don't need a Tax LLM. Just go get your CPA. The Big4 does hire also from Tax LLM programs, but from what I gather, you make less than what Biglaw would pay, but the hours might be slightly better. I think part of the appeal of Tax is that you might have more chances of making partner than in other practice areas in Biglaw, but making partner is pretty difficult regardless.

[Aeon]

The tax LL.M. degree can be a useful credential, but in most cases it will not open doors to BigLaw if you weren't qualified for it coming out of your J.D. program. Unfortunately, after the 2008-09 recession, even NYU's program is no longer the fast-track to BigLaw that it used to be. However, the degree can help your chances of getting a job at the Big 4, and these days, the Big 4 are among the top tax LL.M. employers.

Hey! Long time lurker ... Graduated from a tier 2 law school in the NYC area, bottom 30%. I've always been a poor exam taker and it just is what it is. Meanwhile, I hustled hard and landed a tax court clerkship (there are only about a dozen spots in this state). What do you think my chances are of getting into NYU, Georgetown, BU, NYLS and Villanova's Tax LLM programs? I have a family and am already spending this academic year a few hundred miles away from my children, so I'm limited to programs in NYC and those offered online.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and advice.

Admissions at the top tax LL.M. programs (think NYU, Georgetown, and Florida) tend to focus on the relative prestige of your J.D. institution and your grades, with a particular emphasis on grades in tax courses. It may be easier to get into other programs, although in many cases those programs offer only regional reach. The state tax court clerkship may help, but it'll probably be an uphill battle to gain admittance to NYU, Georgetown, or BU.

Have you looked into each program's respective job placement numbers? What is your goal in attending a tax LL.M. program? If it's to get a job, you may be disappointed. Your best bet will be to hustle now to find a position. Some employers will pay for you to do a tax degree part-time.

[asdfdfdfadfas]

Don't know about your chances of getting in. I don't think they are particularly selective, but if you took tax courses during your JD, then those will be examined. I would not go to a Tax LLM unless they are the top 3 (NYU, GT, and I think Florida?) and even then I think post-grad prospects is kind of shaky.

Why is that, isn't tax in demand?

It depends. Some firms have pretty small tax groups, and I think a lot of people who do Tax LLMs after JD or during JD are basically trying to get another crack at Biglaw via tax route. From what I know of GT's Tax LLM, I don't think its a given that you will land a Biglaw tax gig. There didn't seem to be that many openings. And I think GT is like #2, just below NYU.

Gotcha. I am working on becoming a tax Accountant right now and took the LSAT thinking about going that route, so any additional perspectives I can get on Tax is a plus.

Thanks.

If you're working on being a tax accountant, you don't need a Tax LLM. Just go get your CPA. The Big4 does hire also from Tax LLM programs, but from what I gather, you make less than what Biglaw would pay, but the hours might be slightly better. I think part of the appeal of Tax is that you might have more chances of making partner than in other practice areas in Biglaw, but making partner is pretty difficult regardless.

Right. I will PM you. I don't want to take over Op's thread.

[Pomeranian]

The value proposition of a NYLS and Villanova Tax LLM (and their JDs lets be real) probably is not worth neither the time and certainly not the money.

[somethingElse]

The value proposition of a NYLS and Villanova Tax LLM probably is not worth neither the time and certainly not the money.

[Pomeranian]

<3 approve so hard of all the pomeranian pics

[HoneyPot]

For anyone that may be looking at this thread in the future: Got into Georgetown (on campus program, off their wait list) - future employer agreed to pay for it. I'm off to DC next month. Also of note: I was called by someone from the adcom for what amounted to an interview. They asked about my grades and work experience. I basically explained that I work very hard but have always been a poor exam-taker. We discussed that for a while, then discussed my interest in tax law. I basically told them it's my one true love, even more than my husband and children. That's an exaggeration, but you get my point. I believe they obviously have standards, but really want students that are passionate about tax law rather than students that are hoping to get a second chance at career options they didn't have before.

Before this acceptance, my best offer was BU with a full scholarship - not sure if future employer would have agreed to pay for this had I not been offered the scholly. It definitely seemed like they agreed to invest in my education because it's Georgetown.

[Pomeranian]

For anyone that may be looking at this thread in the future: Got into Georgetown (on campus program, off their wait list) - future employer agreed to pay for it. I'm off to DC next month. Also of note: I was called by someone from the adcom for what amounted to an interview. They asked about my grades and work experience. I basically explained that I work very hard but have always been a poor exam-taker. We discussed that for a while, then discussed my interest in tax law. I basically told them it's my one true love, even more than my husband and children. That's an exaggeration, but you get my point. I believe they obviously have standards, but really want students that are passionate about tax law rather than students that are hoping to get a second chance at career options they didn't have before.

Before this acceptance, my best offer was BU with a full scholarship - not sure if future employer would have agreed to pay for this had I not been offered the scholly. It definitely seemed like they agreed to invest in my education because it's Georgetown.

Congrats! Just curious: Is this a private law firm that will be paying for your LLM? How did you land this position with that you describe as "low law school GPA."

[HoneyPot]

For anyone that may be looking at this thread in the future: Got into Georgetown (on campus program, off their wait list) - future employer agreed to pay for it. I'm off to DC next month. Also of note: I was called by someone from the adcom for what amounted to an interview. They asked about my grades and work experience. I basically explained that I work very hard but have always been a poor exam-taker. We discussed that for a while, then discussed my interest in tax law. I basically told them it's my one true love, even more than my husband and children. That's an exaggeration, but you get my point. I believe they obviously have standards, but really want students that are passionate about tax law rather than students that are hoping to get a second chance at career options they didn't have before.

Before this acceptance, my best offer was BU with a full scholarship - not sure if future employer would have agreed to pay for this had I not been offered the scholly. It definitely seemed like they agreed to invest in my education because it's Georgetown.

Congrats! Just curious: Is this a private law firm that will be paying for your LLM? How did you land this position with that you describe as "low law school GPA."

Yes, it's a private law firm. 50-100 attorneys in a smaller legal market (looking through their website, it appears that almost everyone there has prior ties to the area). Met a partner at a fundraising event (he actually spent time talking to me because we have the same prep school alma mater), took his card, followed up, kept in touch and made a point of speaking with him at a few subsequent events. Then when I applied, I addressed my materials directly to him. In short, I hustled and tried to maximize networking opportunities. I did have a low GPA (not just by my description, by class rank). To clarify, when I said tier 2, I meant outside the t14. Not sure what the current way to categories law schools is, but it's far from being outside the top 100. Also, I have approximately 15 years of finance experience working for large MNCs and I'm around 40. Not sure if that helped. There's no way to know "how I landed" this position for sure. Despite the odds, things worked out in my favor.

[barkschool]

this story is neat congrats

[Pomeranian]

For anyone that may be looking at this thread in the future: Got into Georgetown (on campus program, off their wait list) - future employer agreed to pay for it. I'm off to DC next month. Also of note: I was called by someone from the adcom for what amounted to an interview. They asked about my grades and work experience. I basically explained that I work very hard but have always been a poor exam-taker. We discussed that for a while, then discussed my interest in tax law. I basically told them it's my one true love, even more than my husband and children. That's an exaggeration, but you get my point. I believe they obviously have standards, but really want students that are passionate about tax law rather than students that are hoping to get a second chance at career options they didn't have before.

Before this acceptance, my best offer was BU with a full scholarship - not sure if future employer would have agreed to pay for this had I not been offered the scholly. It definitely seemed like they agreed to invest in my education because it's Georgetown.

Congrats! Just curious: Is this a private law firm that will be paying for your LLM? How did you land this position with that you describe as "low law school GPA."

Yes, it's a private law firm. 50-100 attorneys in a smaller legal market (looking through their website, it appears that almost everyone there has prior ties to the area). Met a partner at a fundraising event (he actually spent time talking to me because we have the same prep school alma mater), took his card, followed up, kept in touch and made a point of speaking with him at a few subsequent events. Then when I applied, I addressed my materials directly to him. In short, I hustled and tried to maximize networking opportunities. I did have a low GPA (not just by my description, by class rank). To clarify, when I said tier 2, I meant outside the t14. Not sure what the current way to categories law schools is, but it's far from being outside the top 100. Also, I have approximately 15 years of finance experience working for large MNCs and I'm around 40. Not sure if that helped. There's no way to know "how I landed" this position for sure. Despite the odds, things worked out in my favor.

Congrats! I wish you the best of luck on your new legal career!