10月に入り推薦状に関する相談も増えてきていますが、推薦者への作成依頼等は行いましたか？すでに推薦者との打ち合わせを行っている方々もいらっしゃると思います。
推薦状を作成する際は、推薦者と共有できる過去の具体例を選定し、その事例から第三者へ伝える自分の側面、結果を重視する姿勢、チームワークを重視する、創造力、高潔さ、ユーモアに長けている、意思決定力に優れている、専門知識が高い、難しいことを簡潔に伝える能力等々色々と思い浮かんでくるのではないでしょうか。
そして各出願予定校の推薦状内の質問を確認してください。各質問にはおそらく、”an example”と記されることもあります。そうした際には１つの明快な事例を用意してください。その事例について書き出す際には、自らのアクションを掘り下げる形で書きますので、当時のことを鮮明に思い返さなければなりません。内容は推薦者が書き上げるものの、まずは「どういった内容に仕上げていきたいのか？」という点については必ず共有しておきましょう。
LL.M. Selection Process
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis. We make decisions on individual applications as quickly as possible, although the time required may vary from case to case. We evaluate each application thoroughly, reflecting our belief that the quality of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law School benefits from considering a broad range of information contained in each application.
Complete, sign and date the LSAC Electronic Application form. The following items should be submitted with your online application form:
University of Southern California, LL.M. Programの出願締め切り日です。
The application deadline for the 2016-17 academic year is March 1, 2016. Applications received after our deadline will be accepted on a rolling basis up until May 1st. The USC Gould School of Law $75 application fee will be waived for all applicants who submit their applications via LSAC by our priority deadline, March 1. As we make admissions decisions as we receive complete applications, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
If you are planning to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam after our March 1, priority application deadline, we highly recommend that you submit your application (and any other completed materials) by our deadline and we will accept your test scores after you receive your official results. The Admissions Committee will make a final admissions decision upon receipt of your complete application file.
こうした作業は「スコアの差し替え」を意味しますが、他校では上記の条件が適用されるでしょうか。こうした点も確認しておきましょう。
Submitting Your Application
Complete, sign and date the LSAC Electronic Application form. The following items should be submitted with your online application form:
1. USC Law Electronic Application,
2. TOEFL Report or IELTS Report via LLM CAS,
3. Transcripts and Degree Verification via LLM CAS,
4. Personal Statement,
5. Letters of Recommendation via LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service,
6. Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
We will not review your application until all of your materials have been received. Please print a copy of your online application for your personal records, and maintain a copy of all documents you submit with your application. USC cannot return or provide you with copies of any part of your application, transcripts, translations, letters of recommendation, or supporting materials.
書類をコピーし保管する作業は、USCのみならず他校への出願準備を行う上でもお役立てください。
University of Virginia, LL.M.の出願締め切り日です。
http://www.law.virginia.edu/html/prospectives/grad/directions.htm
Applications, including all supporting materials, must be received by Feb. 1. Applications that are not complete on this date will be reviewed on a space-available basis at the discretion of the Graduate Committee. Applicants are notified by email when their applications are complete. If you have not received an email from us telling you that your application is complete, you should not assume it is complete. Candidates are strongly advised to apply early in the fall semester of the year prior to the one for which they seek admission. Although completed applications are not due until Feb. 1, the Graduate Committee follows a “rolling admissions” policy and offers of admission may be made before the Feb. 1 deadline. Therefore, it is advantageous to apply early.
Interviews
A personal interview is not required as part of the evaluation process. Interested persons are, however, welcome to visit the Law School, sit in on classes and meet with the director or another member of the Graduate Committee. Such visits must be arranged in advance by contacting the Graduate Studies Office. Interested candidates are also able to set up a videoconference or Skype interview.
Interviewはオプショナルな位置づけですが、自らの出願状況を見定め、同校への志望度との兼ね合いから、受ける・受けないの判断をしてください。
Norhtwestern Univ. LL.M. Programの出願締め切り日です。
・2016/1/15：Deadline for receipt of completed LL.M. application.
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/admissions/applying/dates.html
Application MaterialsとEvaluation Interview** (Option)の件についても、下記のurlにてご確認ください。
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/admissions/applying/documents/LLM%20Programs%20App%20Checklist.pdf
Evaluation Interview
Interviews provide the Admissions Committee with additional information about your communication skills, maturity, and motivation.Admissions interviews are optional but are strongly encouraged.
A: The best choice is to apply in the round when your application is the best it can be, including the GMAT score. Your application will be reviewed based on the information submitted in that round. A new score may not reach us in time for us to consider it in the round in which you submitted.
A: Either. The story itself isn’t the important part. What we’re “looking for” is why you’re proud of the thing you share with us. We hope that it’s authentic. By that, I mean it should be the answer you’d share with a close friend, not with an “admissions committee.” It should sound like you.
A: No. We only want one letter. If you have two great ones, good for you! But we still only want one, preferably from your current direct supervisor. If you can’t ask your current supervisor, ask the one just prior to the current one, and be sure to briefly explain why you didn’t ask your current supervisor.
A: Yes, if possible, because in addition to having a chance to demonstrate your communication and interpersonal skills (which we, and our recruiters, highly value), it will be a great way for you to evaluate our fit with you. If you come to campus for your interview, the experience will be more than just a one-on-one interview and the Team Exercise. You’ll meet potential classmates (even potential roommates), attend a class or conference with current MBAs, meet folks affiliated with our Centers and Institutes, and engage in an optional post-interview Q&A session with the AdComm and students.
A: The resume! Applicants think the essay is the part they have the most control over and can best distinguish themselves through. But the resume is a key differentiator too. It’s the first thing we look at when we open an app, so it’s the “first-impression-maker.” It’s your opportunity to tell us where you’ve been, what you’ve accomplished, how you’ve made an impact and what you’re interested in (yes, we like the “Additional” or “Interests” section at the bottom). We look at it through the lens of, “How clearly and effectively does this candidate present him/herself?
9月のシルバーウィークも終了しました。この時期を好機と定め、テスト対策、出願書類、さらには学校訪問とそれぞれ積極的に活動していた受験生が多いことが印象的でした。そして連休も終わり、ここからは各々の準備状況を見極め、合格に向けた準備体制（スケジュールの作成から実行、進捗状況の管理も含む）を整えることが先決です。
そして誰しも同じ時間が与えられていますので、ここから年明けの出願に向けては自分にとっての「好機」を見定めながらも準備を着々と進めて欲しいと思います。その「機について考える時には、カイロスタイムという言葉を思い返しますが、ブリタニカ百科事典では、以下のように記されています。
「機時」の意。同じギリシア語のクロノスが計量可能な物理的時間を意味するとしたら，カイロスはクロノスの一様な流れを断つ瞬間時としての質的時間である。
自分の出願に関する機時の見極め、今何に注力すべきか、テストの受験日、学校訪問をいずれに設定しようか？毎日が判断の日々ではないでしょうか。出願準備から合格までの道程では、必ずといっていいほど、各出願者にとってのターニングポイントが存在します。その時に行動が起こせるかいなかは、そのことの重要性に気付けるか否かにかかってきます。この気付く（認識する）ことが、私はとても重要なことだと思う次第です。キャンパス訪問のタイミング、エッセイや推薦状の準備作業、卒業生・在校生とのコンタクト、面接準備対策、GMATや各種テストの受験時期をどの時期にどのタイムラインで設定していきますか？出願スケジュールは、その都度見直し修正されていますか？