Services Available for Graduate Admissions Consultants

I have noticed a recent upswing in the number of my readers who access my website from other admissions consulting businesses located here in Japan.

Welcome!

The more readers I can provide with solid information on MBA and other graduate programs, the better. I am happy to share my expertise not only with applicants, but those who attempt to advise them.

Additionally, as I am a highly experienced manager and trainer of admissions consultants, I would welcome any inquiries from other admissions consulting businesses looking to improve the abilities of their staff or overall service. I can provide consulting to cover any of the following areas:
1. Training of consultants.
2. Hiring strategies.
3. Structuring consulting services to best meet the needs of clients and the logistical and financial requirements of an admissions consulting business.
4. Curriculum development for both training counselors and for use with clients.
5. For services that provide consulting in languages other English, I can provide a variety of perspectives and solutions to maximize your results.
6. Marketing and sales related considerations.
7. I am also available for meetings and seminars.

Given that another season of admissions is at an end, now is the perfect time to begin to further expand your graduate consulting business so that your team can reach its full potential. I would welcome any opportunity to serve as a partner in that endeavor. I can offer a price structure to meet your specific needs. Please email me at adammarkus@gmail.com if you are interested in discussing this further. Thank you again for your continued support of my blog and I hope to hear from you.

-Adam Markus
アダム マーカス

How Important Are Extracurricular Activities for MBA Applicants?

Imagine the following scenario: You are filling out your MBA applications to Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, Chicago, LBS, INSEAD, or any other MBA program, and you are asked to list your post-undergraduate extracurricular activities. You scratch your head, you break into a cold sweat, and wonder whether watching every episode of LOST, reading two science fiction novels a week, or giving blood once a year counts as an extracurricular activity. You begin to panic. What should you do?

I don't believe in lying and writing "NA" (Not Applicable) is an option I hope you can avoid. I have worked with applicants who try to add something completely new even during the year that they are applying and that is rarely effective. Instead try to find something with at least a year or more of activity before the date of your application. Over the years, I have found the following types of activities to be very effective for MBA applications (to get a sense of how they might be used, see my earlier post on MBA contribution essays):
-A volunteer activity related to your post-MBA goals
-A volunteer activity that allows for the development of leadership and/or teamwork experience
-A volunteer activity that puts you in contact with people who are quite different from you in terms of nationality, income level, and/or educational background
-An international volunteer or social activity
-Active involvement in an alumni organization
-A hobby that you are highly committed to that demonstrates something positive about your personality. Scuba diving, for example, is perfectly acceptable, as it reveals someone who is willing to take risks to explore the unknown. Watching TV is not because it reveals nothing positive about you.
-Active participation in a sports team
-A creative pursuit that leads to your book, film, poem, photograph etc. being published (even online publishing counts)
-Studying a foreign language that will relate to your post-MBA goals or personal goals

While it might be too late to start something completely new if you plan to apply for Fall 2009, it is not too late to do something that will add to an existing activity. For instance, if you are a member of an organization, volunteer to organize an activity or least participate in one. If you take pictures consider entering amateur contests such as those on Flickr.

If you are not planning to apply until Fall 2010 or later, you have time. In that case, find something outside of work to focus on. Whatever you select, I suggest you pick something that you are interested in and can be passionate about in your essays and interviews. Now go study GMAT!

Questions? Write comments or contact me directly at adammarkus@gmail.com.

-Adam Markus
アダム マーカス

ビジネススクール カウンセリング コンサルティング 大学院 合格対策 エッセイ MBA留学

PREPARING A FULBRIGHT GRANT APPLICATION

H. Steven Green on the Fulbright

In Steve’s second post, he has provided a comprehensive guide to the Fulbright. Steve is a past recipient of Japan’s equivalent of the Fulbright, the Monbukagakusho Dissertation Research Fellowship that is awarded by the Japanese government scholarship to facilitate two years of research, which he conducted at the Faculty of Law, The University of Tokyo. In the following, Steve has really done an incredible job of putting together the key information that we have successfully used to help clients obtain America’s most prestigious scholarship.

-Adam Markus, アダム マーカス

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PREPARING A FULBRIGHT GRANT APPLICATION

In this post I provide advice for how to prepare a strong Fulbright scholarship application package. I’ve included specific information about application procedures and essay writing as well as comments for Japanese applicants who can link here for more details about the Fulbright Program.

There are four categories of Fulbright Grants, but this post is focused on those for graduate students. The other three categories are research (for scholars at universities and non-profit research institutions), journalist (including all media), and doctoral dissertation research (for PhD students enrolled outside the United States),.

Successful Fulbright candidates are those who prepare early and thoroughly, know exactly what their goals are, and know how to define them in detailed terms relevant for the task at hand. Many of the tasks will be similar to what applicants will need to do for graduate school applications, so those who work on Fulbright first, even if they don’t get it, at least have the opportunity to put together an applications months before they will have do it for graduate school. For the perspective and advice of successful applicants read issues of Applicant Newsletter.

IS THE FULBRIGHT GRANT RIGHT FOR YOU?

In general: The Fulbright Program strives to contribute to the development of potential future leaders who will improve understanding between the United States and any other particular nation. You will need to make the case in your application essay and interview that you will be both an excellent scholar and a leader in forging bilateral ties between the United States and another country.　 Review the history and goals of the Fulbright program before deciding whether it fits your needs.

In particular: First, the Fulbright Program primarily awards those working in the social sciences, fine arts and humanities. So if your academic or professional specialization is in one of the many fields in these three disciplines, then you may wish to consider applying. In fact, the list of the Japanese Grantees for 2007 http://www.fulbright.jp/eng/ong/j_list07.html#gs includes no one working in the physical or life sciences. Among the 42 awardees are 11 people working in topics that are not usually considered part of the traditional social sciences (e.g. sociology, political science, economics), fine arts or humanities. These include five recipients in public health and one each in accounting, architecture, business & management, education, forestry & natural resources management, and hospital administration. The other grants went to people working in comparative literature, international relations, history, law and linguistics, among other disciplines.

I recommend that you look in detail at the list of 2007 Fulbright Grantees in your home country to review the affiliation, status and research topic of successful applicants.

THE APPLICATION FORM: PARTS #1 - 27

As of May 4^th Japan time the 2008 Fulbright application form was not available. Therefore, I have used the pdf version from 2005 because it is the only one I could find on the web (Just do a Google search on “pdfapp05”). When the 2008 form becomes available I will update the post at that time, however I suspect the categories of the form will not change. In the remainder of this post I discuss strategies for parts #1-27, of the Fulbright application. The other forms are for academic transcripts, language tests and references.

Following a one-page application cover sheet, the first three pages of the application form request detailed information about your professional and academic goals as well as a short summary of your future plans.

First, if you have not already done so, then go to the official Fulbright website for your country and begin reviewing the application guidelines. The US Fulbright site is here, and the Fulbright Japan site is here.

The application requires many documents to be submitted together by a particular deadline, which varies according to country. Find out when the application form itself is available and plan to obtain it as soon as possible.

Second, as the Delphic Oracle of Ancient Greece said, “Know thyself!” Answer the following questions about yourself:

• What are my specific research and professional goals? How does the one relate to the other, specifically?

• What are my greatest strengths that will allow me to fulfill my goals? What accomplishments demonstrate these goals?

The application requires precise plans and concise language. For example, the application requires you to describe your future plans (#13) in enough space for 4-5 typed lines and provides only a bit more space for an abstract of your proposal.* You will not provide concise, believable information if you do not already have detailed answers to the questions above.

* You will have to write a longer essay describing your goals elsewhere.

Next, make a resume or CV (See my previous post). I am actually going to repeat some of the advice I give in that post with specific reference to Fulbright. Based on my experience as well as that of successful clients with whom I’ve worked, a professional resume/CV is invaluable.

The value of a resume/CV to your Fulbright application is threefold.

1. The resume/CV provides you the means to make an excellent first impression on the selection committee. It neatly presents key information about your relevant background and it demonstrates your professionalism.

2. The process of creating a professional resume/CV will focus your mind. Making a resume/CV is an excellent way to inventory your past experiences.

3. Provides you with an accessible source for content for many of the categories in the application itself. In fact, much of the information required for application parts #1-27 (parts #14-23, in particular) is the same kind of information found on a professional CV or resume. You will have an easy time transferring the information from your resume/CV to the application, and your information will be in professional language.

“Well, if I have to include much of the same information on the application as on the resume/CV, then why bother making the latter?”

Fair question. I can think of three good reasons to do so. First, as noted, the exercise itself will prepare you to make a precise, proper Fulbright application. Second, you can include more information on the resume/CV than on the application, so the resume provides a fuller view of your background. In particular, seeing your accomplishments and experience on a resume/CV reveals the “upward” pattern of your career/academic progress, from fewer accomplishments to more. In this way, the reader sees your professional growth. Third, the application actually provides space (in part #30) for you to include your resume/CV anyway! (And here’s a bonus reason: If you are applying for a Fulbright then odds are good that you are applying for other sources of funding as well. You should submit a resume/CV to all of these sources, so making one now saves you valuable time later!)

In conclusion, the utility of a resume/CV cannot be underestimated. As noted, a resume/CV should show the development of your academic and professional background as a progression of accomplishments over time. In this way it also helps you to write your statement of grant purpose and personal statement essays.

THE APPLICATION FORM: #28 “STUDY/RESEARCH OBJECTIVES”

Here you demonstrate in detail what and how your research will contribute to your discipline. A contribution includes an addition to your field’s overall knowledge that also enhances understanding between the US and another nation.

ACCEPTED AREAS OF RESEARCH: Make sure your proposed project will contribute to one of the designated project areas. For Japanese applicants, there are five project areas: The United States, Pacific Rim Relations, Critical Issues of Contemporary Society, and Education.

Before you begin writing this essay consult with colleagues or your academic or graduate advisor. Ask them if your project idea is feasible and solicit their advice on how to strengthen it. But remember your audience: Avoid academic or professional jargon. The selection committee includes people of different backgrounds so it is unlikely that all of them, or even any of them, will understand your field’s specialized language. (This advice also applies to graduate school and other scholarship essays!)

You should provide detailed answers to each of the following six questions, reproduced here from Applicant Newsletter No. 9:

1. With whom do you propose to work?
2. What do you propose to do? What is exciting, new or unique about your project? What contribution will the project make to the Fulbright objective of promoting cross-cultural interaction and mutual understanding?
3. When will you carry out your study or research? Include a timeline.
4. Where do you propose to conduct your study or research? Why is it important to go abroad to carry out your project?
5. Why do you want to do it? What is important or significant about the project?
6. How will you carry out your work? All students should discuss methodology and goals in their statements. How will it help further your academic or professional development?

IS YOUR PROJECT FEASIBLE?

Given enough time and money almost any project is feasible. Your essay should account for resources, relevant to your project, of your host nation and host institution, as well as the time frame and funding of the grant. Where appropriate you should demonstrate you have already taken enough steps to setting up parts of your research. For example, explain; how your language skills are sufficient, that you have satisfied the relevant authority’s ethics requirements pursuant to any type of research involving human participants, that you have obtained permission, if needed, from local officials, etc. Any factor that could raise doubts about the likelihood of completing your project should be accounted for in this essay.

REMEMBER! You must write this essay within the space provided, which is approximately one A4 (8.5 x 11) piece of paper

THE APPLICATION: #29. “PERSONAL STATEMENT”

The PS allows you to highlight the person-behind-the-project in no more than a single page. Show in detail what has made you successful in the past and will facilitate the success of your proposed project. In particular, you should be able to demonstrate that: you can think and plan to achieve goals; prioritize and follow-through on your objectives; learn from your mistakes; you have leadership and communication skills. IT IS CRITICAL THAT THE WHAT YOU WRITE ABOUT IN THIS ESSAY FULLY SUPPORTS YOUR STUDY PLAN. YOU NEED TO HELP THE FULBRIGHT COMMITTEE UNDERSTAND HOW YOUR SPECIFIC BACKGROUND WILL SUPPORT YOUR RESEARCH PLANS.

The selection committee is trying to read between the lines of your PS to assess whether the person described therein is likely to succeed at the project detailed in the SOG. The key to a good personal statement is to show, not merely state, your strengths in other endeavors. Rather than assert your creativity, for example, reveal it through a detailed example of a time when you were creative.

And, REMEMBER! The PS can be no more than one page long.

THE APPLICATION FORM: #30 “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION”

Note that instructions from your own country’s Fulbright office may request specific information for this space. Otherwise, as the instructions state, here is where you can include your resume or CV.

THE APPLICATION: REFERENCES

Fulbright requires three references. All 3 of your references should be from people able to judge the merits of your proposed project as well as your ability to complete it. For graduate student applicants this would obviously include your main advisor and other professors in your field at your institution or at another one.

The Fulbright letter of reference form contains two pages. One is for the actual letter, and one contains a list of criteria on which the recommender should rate you according to an adjacent scale. Among the criteria, the following are worth keeping in mind as they demonstrate the Fulbright’s seriousness in seeking qualified future scholars and leaders: “knowledge of field,” “seriousness of purpose,” “potential for significant future contribution in field,” “resourcefulness and initiative,” and “leadership qualities.”

Be sure to ask people who can accurately judge you on these criteria.

CONTACT YOUR INTENDED REFERENCES NOW! Even if you have not completed the SOG, you should contact potential references in order to let them know an official request will be coming soon. It is a basic courtesy to give the writer sufficient time to do so. It is also prudent to contact them so that you can discuss your project with them now, even if you have only begun to think about it.

THE APPLICATION: Miscellaneous advice

#36 OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: Here you are asked to list other scholarships, or fellowships for which you may be applying. You should be honest and provide this information. First, it reveals something about your competitiveness in as much as, if you have a strong application package, then you probably are applying to other

IN CONCLUSION…

The Fulbright application requires time and thoughtful preparation. Even before you have the application in front of you on your computer screen, you should do the following now:

• Make your resume or CV

• Contact references to let them know you will humbly be requesting their assistance

• Solicit feedback on your proposed study from people in your field

• Begin writing outlines and/or drafts of your essays: Even if your ideas are only in the embryonic stage, organizing them in essay format will hasten their development

• Make the completion of your Fulbright application a top priority in your life: Prepare to replace your free time activities with working on your application

• Fulbright award winners whom I’ve known come from different academic and professional backgrounds, but all have one important thing in common: They all started the Fulbright application process early and they devoted as much time as it took to complete the best application they possibly could.

GOOD LUCK!

For questions regarding this post, please contact me at h.steven.green@gmail.com.
- H. Steven ("Steve") Green, グリーン・ハロルド・スティーブン

日米教育委員会 日米協会 JASCジャパン 日米学生会議 フルブライト レジュメ　履歴書　大学院留学 大学院入学　大学院　カウンセリング　コンサルティング 推薦 推薦文

Guest Blogger Steve Green on Resumes & CVs

UPDATE: You can find Adam's suggested resume template for graduate school admissions here.

Introducing Guest Blogger: H. Steven Green

I am happy to announce that as of this blog post, my good friend and colleague, Steve Green will be contributing to my site. Steve and I have worked together since 2001 and, like me, he is now an independent graduate admissions consultant. You can learn more about Steve by visiting his website and LinkedIn profile. In his very first post, Steve discusses an important subject that I have to this point largely avoided, resumes and CVs.

-Adam Markus, アダム マーカス

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RESUMES, CVs and APPLYING TO GRADUATE SCHOOL

Whether you are applying for an academic (Ph.D. for example) or professional (MBA, LL.M., or MPA for example) graduate degree, I recommend preparing a professional-quality resume or CV. Based on my own experience as well as that of successful clients with whom I’ve worked, a professional resume/CV is invaluable.

Here I will discuss the benefits to your graduate application of preparing a professional-quality resume/CV. For some applicants, it will be clear whether you need a resume or a CV. For example, those applying for MBA programs need a resume (Please note that in some cases, European B-schools refer to resume as a CV, but they really want a resume, not a CV). I will also explain the differences between a resume and a CV so that you may decide which is best for you because for some applicants, especially those applying for academic masters programs, either a CV or resume would be appropriate.

Benefits of a resume/CV to your graduate application include:

1. The resume/CV provides you the means to make an excellent first impression on the selection committee. It neatly presents key information about your relevant background and it demonstrates your professionalism. Think of it as a marketing device designed to highlight your past experience and demonstrate your potential.
2. Not only should you include your resume/CV with your application package but also you should send it to any faculty you contact prior to submitting the application in order to provide them with an easy-to-read summary of your accomplishments and background.
3. The process of creating a professional resume/CV will focus your mind. Making a resume/CV is an excellent way to inventory your past experiences, which will help you with the rest of the application process. When Adam and I work with clients, we always suggest they make a resume or CV first in order to help the client get a sense of what parts of their past experience should be emphasized not only in the resume, but also in the essays.
4. Provides you with an accessible source for content for your graduate application statement of purpose, personal statement or MBA essays. The application itself will also require information about your professional and academic background. So, you will have an easy time transferring the information from your resume/CV to the application, and your information will be in professional language.
5. For applicants who have to do interviews, the resume is really an important agenda setting device. As you can see from reviewing Adam’s guides to various MBA interviews, the resume often plays a key role in determining what you maybe asked by an interviewer.
6. Finally, the resume/CV you prepare now will last beyond your graduate studies. When the time comes to prepare to reenter the workforce, you can easily modify the content of your resume/CV to reflect your new academic credentials and any achievements during the period of your studies. Of course, if you attend a program with a strong career services center, they will help you further modify your resume/CV to best suit your professional objectives.

A RESUME OR A CV?

Prepare a CV (Curriculum Vitae) if you have:

• Published any of the following; books, articles in professional journals or in mass-market newspapers, or magazines
• Presented research/ papers at an academic/professional association conference
• Appeared as a guest expert on a radio and/or TV show

In general, a CV is appropriate for professionals active in the development of knowledge of their field, and academics (including graduate students who have been presenting and publishing)

A CV is 2 or more pages in length.

Prepare a RESUME if:

• You are a working professional OR current student and
• None of the above criteria for the CV apply to you

A resume is typically one page in length but can be longer depending on the length of your career and the nature and number of your accomplishments.

Unlike a CV, a resume may include information about your personal interests, but only if they highlight a unique strength about you, and are actively pursued by you (i.e. a one-time scuba trip does not demonstrate a passion for scuba diving). These should be carefully considered and only those that illustrate an important, relevant quality about you should be listed.

Even current college students or recent grads can produce professional-quality resumes. Instead of organizing it around your work experience, you can include accomplishments to highlight particular strengths relevant to the target of your resume (e.g. winning a Fulbright.)

Both a resume and CV should include:

• Educational background: degrees, academic honors earned, relevant (see below) extra-curricular activities
• Professional background: job titles, level of authority, key accomplishments
• Professional and academic certifications
• Advanced language skills (For non-native English speakers, include languages other than English)
• Advanced, unique computer skills, but not routine skills like using MS Office
• Hobbies or interests that reveal an important part about who you are that will be viewed positively by an admissions committee

What’s relevant? Anything that showcases those traits you wish the reader to know about you, such as leadership-, time management-, or organizational skills, to name a few.

Neither a resume nor a CV should include:

• Date of birth, height, weight, or a picture of yourself
• Common “hobbies” such as reading, listening to music, watching TV
• GMAT, GRE, TOEIC, or TOEFL test scores
• Any information before you were either 18 or a university student (unless you were working before you entered university). Except for indicating unusual accomplishments (e.g., won an Olympic Medal) or extended periods of living in other countries, facts about your high school time, or earlier, do not belong on either document.

HOW TO CREATE A RESUME/CV

If you have never made one, a graduate admissions consultant, such as myself, and Adam Markus, (we have produced hundreds of resumes and CVs between us), knows which questions to ask you in order to generate the most appropriate content for your resume or CV. We know how produce attractive, professional-standard resumes and CVs. You can also consult with a variety of guides to making resumes. Finally, for a humorous analysis of how to read a resume, see one of Adam’s earliest posts from his other blog.

In my next post, I will discuss applying for the Fulbright.

For questions regarding this post, please contact me at h.steven.green@gmail.com.

- H. Steven ("Steve") Green, グリーン・ハロルド・スティーブン

レジュメ　履歴書　 ビジネススクール 　大学院留学　LLM留学　MBA留学　大学院入学　大学院　カウンセリング　コンサルティング

Harvard LL.M. Essay Questions for Fall 2009

Harvard Law School has already "updated" their Master of Law application page for Fall 2009 admission, so I am updating my post Harvard LL.M. program as well. Actually the application has not changed for years, so this post is only slightly modified from my previous analysis of the questions. I know it is only May, but here are the deadlines: "December 1, 2008 for all applications. (We strongly encourage all applications to be delivered by November 15, 2008."

As I discussed in an earlier post, I think everyone who applies to top LL.M. programs should think about the Harvard Law School essay questions even if they don't intend to apply to Harvard. Harvard has the most difficult set of essay questions that any LL.M. program asks and most who apply to Harvard will be utilizing their content for other schools. So, even if you don't apply to Harvard, you should be aware of what some of your strongest competition will be doing. Harvard has four essay questions (you can download the application here).

The Personal Statement questions:
Personal Statement: Please read parts (a) and (b) below carefully and write an essay addressing both questions, with part (a)constituting at least half of the total length. Your entire statement should be no more than 1500 words—anything exceeding the word limit will be disallowed. Please type or word-process your statement, with your full name on the top of each page and your signature at the end, and attach it to your application.
(a)Briefly describe either an important issue in your field of interest or a current legal problem facing a particular country, region, or the world, and then propose a theoretical framework or a legal analysis or strategy to address this issue.
(b)Please tell us something about yourself—in particular, why you wish to pursue an LL.M. degree at Harvard and how doing so connects with what you have done in the past and what you plan to do in the future. Important: Your personal statement must address the above questions specifically, and must be solely the product of your own efforts. We reserve the right to disqualify a statement written by, or with the help of, someone other than the applicant.

Now while (a) and (b) are the main questions, there are actually two other essay questions:

Academic interests: Please describe the areas of your academic interest, including a list of three to five courses in which you are most interested. If you are interested in pursuing the concentration in international finance, tax, human rights, or corporate law and governance, or in the six-credit LL.M. Thesis option, please so indicate. (Note: Please limit your response to no more than 200 words.)

Career plans: What are your career plans (both short-term and long-term) after you complete your graduate law studies? (Check � no more than 3) Law teaching: Full-time Part-time Government service Law Firm In-house (Corporate counsel) International Organization Non-Governmental Organization Judiciary Prosecutor Research Business (non-law) Other (please specify): Please elaborate on your plans. In which country (or countries) do you intend to pursue your career? (Note: Please limit your response to no more than 200 words.)

Clearly no applicant should duplicate the content they write in essay (b) and in these two shorter questions, yet I believe many applicants do because they treat these two shorter questions as simply application questions and not essay questions. If you think of them as essay questions, you see that, in fact, Harvard gives 1900 words maximum to each applicant. This is more than you are likely to write for any school with the possible exception of schools that don't specify essay length.

Now let's analyze the questions:
(a)Briefly describe either an important issue in your field of interest or a current legal problem facing a particular country, region, or the world, and then propose a theoretical framework or a legal analysis or strategy to address this issue.
Question (a) is what makes Harvard's essay different from most other LL.M. applications. It is a real test of your analytical and legal thinking. It is also test of your ability to communicate something important in 750-1000 words. You will probably need at least 500 for (b) and (a) must be at least 750 words long. From my experience the most effective way to write this essay is to:

1. Identify a legal issue that you know really well and can provide a nuanced perspective on. Ideally it should also relate to what you intend to study at Harvard, but at minimum should be a reflection of your best legal thinking.

2. Write a long first draft, say 1000-2000 words.

3. Expect to go through at least four more drafts before it is close to being finished.

4. Show it to a lawyer or other legal expert who can assess whether what you say is actually accurate and impressive. With my clients, I always tell them to do this. Even if I am very familiar with the legal issue my client is analyzing, I ask them to try to get expert advice. If expert advice is not available, find the next best thing, a fellow legal practitioner whose opinion you trust.

5. If you use an admissions consultant, you should ask him or her to assess this essay within the context of your entire application and in comparison to other applicants who were admitted to Harvard. For the record: Two of my previous clients will be graduating from HLS in 2008. I did not work with any LL.M. applicants for Fall 2008 admission due to the fact that I started my own business in September of 2007, too late to recruit LL.M. applicants. I am already working with LL.M. applicants for Fall 2009 admission. If you are interested in learning more about services, please see my website.

(b)Please tell us something about yourself—in particular, why you wish to pursue an LL.M. degree at Harvard and how doing so connects with what you have done in the past and what you plan to do in the future.

This is actually a standard question though somewhat different from the standard catchall questions that most other schools ask. The real task is to think what you don't need to include here, which requires looking at the next two essays first, so we will come back to this question.

Academic interests: Please describe the areas of your academic interest, including a list of three to five courses in which you are most interested. If you are interested in pursuing the concentration in international finance, tax, human rights, or corporate law and governance, or in the six-credit LL.M. Thesis option, please so indicate. (Note: Please limit your response to no more than 200 words.)

For most other schools, this would be a standard part of the main question, but Harvard does it a little differently. This means that in (b) you don't have to discuss your academic interests in detail because you will doing it here. In the context of your answer, provide the list they ask for. I suggest only focusing on two or three areas of legal interest because if you try to do more you will not be able to say anything very intelligent about it. Instead come across as someone with a very focused academic plan. Your academic plan at Harvard should be consistent with your future career plans.

Please elaborate on your plans. In which country (or countries) do you intend to pursue your career? (Note: Please limit your response to no more than 200 words.)

You should use this space to provide a specific career plan. You will have already talked about your future in (b), but at a more conceptual level. Here you should provide details of your future plans.

One thing to keep in mind: HARVARD IS FOR LEADERS. It does not matter if your leadership is as a judge, a prosecutor, a leading attorney in your field, a government expert, a scholar, or an in-house legal counsel, Harvard is looking for people who will make a difference. Your career plan is the place to show how you will use the legal knowledge you acquire at Harvard to become a credit to the legal profession. In (b) you will focus on "why?"

Now back to (b):
(b)Please tell us something about yourself—in particular, why you wish to pursue an LL.M. degree at Harvard and how doing so connects with what you have done in the past and what you plan to do in the future.

Given that you don't need to provide the details of either your academic plan at Harvard or your career plans, there is plenty of room in (b) to focus on what Harvard wants to know:

1.Why do you want an LL.M. at Harvard? Explain clearly the reason(s) for obtaining an LL.M. and at Harvard in particular.

2. Connect to the past: You need to reveal something about yourself, in particular your motivations for pursuing a legal career and need to trace that motivation to your desire to pursue an LL.M. Tell a story that reveals something about you. If you are having difficulty understanding how to do that, I suggest taking a look at my earlier posts on law school essays.

3. Connect to the future: You need to explain why an LL.M. will help you achieve your future goals. The details for that plan will be discussed in your career plan essay. If you are having difficulty formulating goals, please click here.

A great (b) answer should effectively provide the conceptual backbone that connects all four essays because essay (b) is about your past and future motivations as a legal professional. Those motivations should certainly impact what legal issue you write about in (a) as well as your academic plan at Harvard and your future career plans.

Putting together a great HLS application is a time-consuming labor of love, but if approached early enough, it really is manageable.

Questions? Write comments or contact me directly at adammarkus@gmail.com.
-Adam Markus
アダム マーカス


ハーバード 米国ロースクール 米国大学法学院 大学院入学 カウンセリング コンサルティング 合格対策 合格率 エッサイ LLM留学