1

Hi everyone,
I went through the questions. I am happy to repeat and clarify on further queries (and will try to ensure that they are not as delayed as this one).
A few pointers before trying to respond to the best of my abilities:
1. Please see the website of each university carefully. They have a lot of information about the courses, professors, fees and college activities.
2. Start by making your CV. Collate and choose information as you would like to place in the CV. Only once that is over, start with your SOP
and other requirements.
3. Identify professors/professionals from whom you require a LOR. Ask them much in advance as they require time to write your LOR; also
because if they refuse, you have enough time to ask others. Do not ask for a LOR just because you think the person has a ‘name’. Try and
get a LOR from someone who knows you better, and wont give a very bland standard LOR (meaning take it from someone with whom
you have worked with, or interacted at length)
4. Please see the requirements of IELTS/TOFEL and try to give the examinations much in advance. Although you can ask for a waiver or
provide it after your conditional offer, it will put you in a great pressure to either clear it with the requisite grade in one attempt or you
may not have enough time to give exam and receive the transcript to be able to meet the deadline. I personally know friends who did not
meet the IELTS/TOFEL deadline and could not get their admissions confirmed.
5. Do not hesitate to ask for help from family and friends on your drafts of your SOP/statements etc.

S. NO QUESTIONS RESPONSES
1. What format of cv should one follow for securing Scholarships can be categorised as follows 1. Region/Ethnicity based 2.
scholarships? Course/research specific 3. Need based 4. Merit based. In most situations you
would be mentioning the fulfilment of the condition of scholarship in a form
separate to the CV. Therefore, there can be no specific format.

However, all scholarships are inherently discretionary. Therefore, the best way
of going about your CV is show your past-experience and motivation towards
the course for which you are applying. This would show the scholarship
committee that you are the best fit for the course and if you meet the condition
(if any), the scholarship could be granted to you. However, that does not mean
you cut out any portion of your CV. Just give lessor weightage to some things
 2

over others. Eg. If you have work experience, then high light that, but that
doesn’t mean you cut out any societies, volunteer work you have done.

Please do consider taking advice on this front from other individuals as well as
I was not able to secure any large scholarship and was able to obtain only a
moderate grant. The above opinion based on my experience may not be the best
methodology for all situations.

2. Does gaining work experience prior to putting in the 1. The courses at Oxbridge are highly academic courses, and academic
application for an LLM give one a higher chance of excellence is their first cut-off criteria. Having prior work experience could be
acceptance at Oxford University? Also, how do we get an advantage but it would be dependent on practical oriented courses, such as
good Recommendations? Law, MBA, Finance etc. Having great academic scores certainly helps when
applying to Oxbridge (also check the cut off criteria on their websites)

2. Good recommendations are the cornerstone of any post-graduate application.

For Oxbridge, the recommendations must come from your academic
professors/tutors. 1 out of the 3 LOR may come from your professional
supervisor, but not more. Therefore, get in touch with your professors from
undergrad college/last attended college, and understand who would be willing
to give an LOR to you and decide moving forward accordingly.
A good recommendation comes from a professor who actually knows you, or
with whom you have interacted/worked on at length. If it is superficial such and
the professor has not much to state except for grades and courses, such is not a
good recommendation.

3. 1. Are marks an important factor for admission into 1. Marks/results are big factors considered by the committee. Oxbridge courses
Cambridge (especially when you have a good work are highly academic courses, and they give great weightage to academic results.
experience of about 3 years)? Although, work experience could help, but academic results will still be
considered as an important factor.
2. Do you have any tips on how to go about writing an
SOP? I am unable to understand how to build a narrative 2. To write an SOP, first finish your CV. Making and polishing your CV to a
for the SOP. final draft, gives you a great idea of your academic scores, activities and
 3

accomplishments in life thus far. Although your SOP would not be based on
your results and scores and should not simply be a descriptive CV in any
manner, it may help you get a sense of direction when writing your CV.

To build a narrative, think about your motivations and then corelate them with
actions/accomplishments. Maybe this could be your first draft and give further
direction.

Do not hesitate to show each draft to your friends and family. Every opinion
and criticism would be beneficial is polishing or gaining more ideas for your
CV/SOP.

Eg. My SOP was based on my work experiences, interest in the field (where it
arose and why), life experiences and the reason why the university and college
was the best fit.

4. How many publications are considered to be sufficient? I don’t think publications form as a mandatory criterion. Having said it is
definitely beneficial in an application and the number depends on the quality.
One high quality publication (in a high-quality journal) could be enough (as I
have seen in some cases). But having publications on your CV shows academic
intent/ leanings.

5. What options after LLB in masters coz I m not inclined I would then certainly suggest exploring options like an MBA Degree,
towards LLM, rather intend to work abroad permanently marketing.
and inclined more towards marketing? Which country for
the same if you know? With respect to the country, I am not the best person to answer this question,
especially as I have limited knowledge about the markets after MBA (especially
in post COVID-19 markets). However, the best MBA colleges are either in the
US or Europe (including the UK). A list of top 20 MBA colleges could be a
good starting point.
 4

6. 1. Importance of publications while applying for LLM. 1. Read answer 4.

2. How to look out for good scholarships for LLM in the
UK? 2. Start by checking websites of each university for university-based
scholarships. There are several university-specific scholarships which are only
mentioned on their websites. For general scholarships, google. Some common
ones are Chevening, OSCI Scholarship, Commonwealth Etc.

7. My GPA from college (class of 2017) is less than the It is correct that Oxbridge committees place a certain premium on CGPA and
required GPA for admission at Cambridge, however, I academic scores, but it is not that relevant work experience (in the field that you
believe I have been heavily involved in quality work at are applying will be completely discounted). Therefore, having a respectful
two well recognised law firms (including Luthra). CGPA with a good work ex background can easily work. Also, you apply to the
Further, I have been trying to write as many articles as LLM programme at Oxbridge not specific courses. Remember that.
possible to improve my credentials. Therefore, how can I
present my SOP and CV, so that I still secure admission, You are taking the step in the right direction. Presenting work and/or
despite my low GPA? I ask this because it’s well known commitment towards the field for which you are applying is always beneficial
that the Cambridge admission committee places much in your CV. Best would be to keep at it.
reference on the college GPA. Thank you for doing this!
Regards! Your SOP should reflect your interest in the field and why you are applying to
the specific university for that field.
8. How to go about the 'Reasons for Applying' in the Reasons for applying is a specific and pointed question than the SOP. It is
Cambridge Application and how is it different from the shorter, and to the point.
standard personal statement?
SOP will show your motivations, experiences, and general direction of your
future career. Reasons is more specific to the university, and the reason for the
specific university and course only, faculty, why this course at this university.

9. Sir,I would be very grateful if you could answer these 1. Depends on your end goal. If you want to work in that specific country, it
questions would be better to apply accordingly. Otherwise, the choice of university, and
1.For arbitration LLM which country to prefer UK, financial situation could be factors for consideration.
Sweden or USA as these three places have very reputed
colleges. 2. If looking at investment arbitration courses, maybe even explore MIDS or
2. Scope of doing LLM with specialisation in investment Sciences Po?
 5

arbitration.
Thank you for your time.

10. 1. Whether a fresh graduate like me should directly go for 1. Depends on the university and course type. Eg. Some US universities prefer
LLM or 2-3 years of work experience is what tier 1 students with experience. Although universities like Oxbridge may not dismiss
universities look for while selecting candidates students with work experience, they have a premium on academic scores. Check
2. How many research papers should be bare minimum the previous class composition and students, their experiences etc to get a better
that one applicant should at least get published and idea to the university when applying.
whether research papers are the only criteria for
selections. 2. Read above answers
3. Can you share you SOP?
4. Do they only select students having first class with 3. I have already provided it to someone. I will inquire if they have no issues,
distinction or average pointer students has a chance? and share.
5. What are the top 5 achievements or qualities of
applicant they look for ? 4. Read above answers

5. Dependent on university, but academic scores and academic leanings (like

papers etc) would definitely be one. Others depending on the university could
be public speaking, sports etc
11. What’s the importance of work experience & does great Read above answers
work experience compensate for average-ish grades
while applying?

12. What are transcripts and how are we supposed to get 1. Transcripts are collation of all marksheets into one final document given by
them? the college.
Can the marksheets given to us each semester be our
transcripts? 2. I doubt, but the same can be inquired beforehand from the specific
universities. Even if applying while in the final year of college, I would
recommend asking college for a collated provisional transcript.
 6

13. Whether pursuing CS along with law beneficial now? and Completely dependent on what you wish to consider as a future career. If
also is CS better option or LLM in corporate laws. interested in company law CS could be a good option. However, corporate
laws from a future practice point of view may also be beneficial.

14. which colleges are best for LL.M. in corporate laws other If applying in India (I assume that because of the mention of NLUs), colleges
than NLUs? like DU, GLC, Symbiosis. I am not very certain about others, and this is in no
manner an exhaustive list. Check online for listings, there are some excellent
universities/colleges in India apart from NLUs.

15. 1) For someone interested in seeking a job post Master's 1. Masters degree does not guarantee a job. There are several other factors like
abroad what are the things that should be kept in mind. work experience, clearing the bar in the specific country and luck. However,
(Especially pertaining to UK) that does not mean that if you network, meet the right people, and make a sincere
2) Apart from QMUL is there any other UK based effort, you would not be able to get a job. One simpler way is to go through the
University that can be applied to in the field of training contract route, but then you would need to sacrifice on any work
international arbitration and dispute resolution. experience in India.
3) I wanted to know if applying in Cambridge with a
focus on dispute resolution and arbitration would be a 2. Oxford also has a great commercial arbitration programme. Cambridge has a
good idea? great investment arbitration course. Even UCL and LSE have great commercial
4) Any inputs you could give with regards to the arbitration programme.
application process (Cambridge) to a prospective
applicant. 3. Cambridge may not be the best, but it has great courses. But do look up the
courses and faculty before applying.

4. Competition is fierce, but don’t be bodged down. Work to the best of your
strengths in the application, and do research the university, colleges, courses,
and faculty before applying.

16. Is work experience an important requirement for securing For the first part, see above answers.
an admit in the UK for LLM? Also, what other things are
important, like are being part of volunteer activities with For the second part, things like volunteer activities are per se not important, but
NGOs or something really important? they would help make your CV stand out when amongst others. Also although
I don’t believe in it, it could help in scholarship applications. Although the
 7

reason and interest in applying to a specific field would always be of paramount

criterion.

17. What kind of things help in getting admitted to LLM An important-criteria is academic scores and genuine interest in the course for
programmes in Cambridge or in the United Kingdom which an application is being made. A genuine academic interest apart from test
generally? scores is shown by writing papers, attending conferences for example. But this
You hear a lot of things but what do they actually could be more for UK Universities like Oxbridge. Other UK Universities will
consider good enough? be looking at other things too. In US Universities work experience can play a
crucial role at times depending on the course and university.

Else activities like work experience, public speaking (moots, debates), sports,
volunteering are always helpful but not the first criterion. Although, they will
help your CV to be differentiated over others.

18. I am interested in Environmental and Humanitarian law. I may not be able to help you in this question. Let me inquire from a few
I want to know how these fields are for a carrier colleagues and get back to you on this question.
perspective considering that I am planning to settle
abroad.
Secondly, Please suggest me some good colleges for
LLM in these specialization.

19. I wish to apply for my masters for the year of 2022 but For the first part, read the above answers.
I’m unsure of how to actually go bout it. I was majorly
looking to apply universities like Berkeley in the US and For the second, I completely understand your predicament. Although 2022 is a
some universities in the UK. I wanted to know how can I bit away in time, I would only recommend that you try and attend the university
prepare for that. Plus with the pandemic going around, it physically, otherwise it may not be the best experience or give you the most out
makes my plans more dodgy. of the entire programme

20. How to decide which country to go to for LLM? Possible considerations:

1. Course/University
2. Professors at that University for your course
 8

3. Finances like Tuition Fee etc

4. Future possibility of work (If considering to work outside)
5. Personal growth and general environment