Destination USA: Degree options available for students in field of law

Every question has an answer. And ‘Destination USA’ will strive to provide the right answer to all those youngsters who dream of studying in the US. Mail your questions and doubts to ‘city.telanganatoday@gmail.com’ to have subject matter experts answer them, right from the degree and programme of study you can pursue to what the application […]

Every question has an answer. And ‘Destination USA’ will strive to provide the right answer to all those youngsters who dream of studying in the US.

Mail your questions and doubts to ‘city.telanganatoday@gmail.com’ to have subject matter experts answer them, right from the degree and programme of study you can pursue to what the application process entails, on universities, how to prepare resumes, financing your studies and even how it is like to live and study in the US, all are welcome.

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What is the difference between JD and LLM programs in the United States?

There are various degree options available for students in the field of law in the United States. Juris doctor (JD), Master of Law (LLM), and other Master’s degrees (MJ, MCL, MCJ, etc.) are some considerations for international students.

The first professional law degree in the US is the Juris Doctor (JD). JD programmes are pursued after four years of undergraduate (bachelor’s degree) study in any major. The Master of Law (LLM) programme is an advanced law degree that requires students to have completed a primary law degree such as Bachelor of Law or JD degree at the time of admission. LLM is a more advanced degree than JD. JD programmes are of two-three years duration while almost all LLM programmes in law are one year long.

In some US States, the LLM degree qualifies successful degree holders for bar eligibility along with some additional criteria, but once a student has completed the JD degree, they are eligible to take the bar exam in any State.

If a student has already pursued a bachelor’s degree in law in India, then he/she is eligible to apply for the LLM programme. However, if the student does not have the relevant educational background, then he/she may consider the JD programme.

What are SEVP and SEVIS in context of US higher education? 

The Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP) is a programme by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It ensures that government agencies have essential data related to non-immigrant students and exchange visitors to preserve national security.

The SEVP administers the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVP also provides approval and oversight to schools authorised to enroll non-immigrant students in the ‘F’ and ‘M’ visa categories and gives guidance to both schools and students about the requirements for maintaining their status. SEVIS is an internet-based system that maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors before and during their stay in the United States.

As an international student in the US, students pay the SEVIS fee in time to ensure that the payment can be deposited and recorded in SEVIS prior to the scheduled student visa interview. The interviewing consular officer will confirm that the fee has been paid by accessing SEVIS. To allow for adequate processing time the fee must be paid:\

• At least three business days prior to the visa interview date if paying electronically.

• At least 15 business days prior to the scheduled visa interview if submitting payment through regular mail. (This time frame allows adequate time for the fee payment to be received at the DHS address listed on the Form I-901, deposited, and recorded in SEVIS.)

• Be sure to add local mail processing time to this processing estimate for accuracy.

For more information about the SEVIS program, visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/index.htm

What are AP exams?

The SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, the ACT, and Advanced Placement (AP) Exams are various test options for undergraduate (bachelor’s programme) applicants to US universities. Advanced Placement is a programme in the United States and Canada created by the College Board which offers college-level curricula and examinations to high school students.

AP Exams allow students to earn course credit hours (depending on the test scores) that in turn may help them get waivers for introductory college courses, fulfill their general education requirements, and make them eligible for upper-level courses.

The test usually lasts around three hours and contains both multiple-choice and free-response questions.

AP Exams are offered in 34 subjects, in the areas of Art, English, History and Social Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science, Sciences, and World Languages and Cultures. Please check https://apstudent.collegeboard.org/apcourse for the list of subjects under each area.

Many secondary schools outside the United States offer authorised AP courses. You can also take an AP test without taking an AP class. But if you decide to take an exam without taking a class, you might want to check out the College Board website for information about how the test is structured and what it tests. The test is scored on a scale of 1-5 and offered once a year in the month of May.

For further information on scheduled test dates in India, please visit: https://international.collegeboard.org/prepare-to-study-in-the-us/ap-in-india.

When is the right time to apply for PhD programmes in the United States?

The ideal time to apply for a PhD programme at US universities is during the first semester of the final year of the master’s programme, if you plan to start the programme right after the master’s degree. The application process to PhD programmes at US universities involves an online application, standardised test (GRE/GMAT) and English proficiency scores, transcripts, statement of purpose (SOP), letters of recommendation, curriculum vitae or resume, and financial documents.

Taking the standardised tests and putting together all application components is a long process. So, 1-2 years in advance of the start date of the PhD programme is a good time for candidates to start planning for the American PhD degree application. Applicants should also check the dates available for the standardised and English proficiency tests, as not all of these tests are offered year-round and each test has limited seats available.

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