What I Wish I Knew Before Applying for an LLM: 5 Key Takeaways
In this post, I'd like to share some lessons I wish I'd known when applying for a master of laws (LL.M.). These insights took me a while to figure out—causing plenty of unnecessary anxiety along the way—but they might resonate with you and help ease your journey.
1. If it doesn't work out the first time, you can always try again
We’re often taught to believe in the “go big or go home” mindset—that you either succeed on your first attempt or give up entirely. According to this view, if you don’t get accepted right away or into the specific university, your future is doomed, and you’re a failure.
I know firsthand how heavy this pressure can feel. With my confidence at rock bottom, I used to take rejections far too personally. Each one used to feel like a direct commentary on my worth as a person.
Now, years later, I can tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way—not for me, not for you, and not for anyone.
When I first applied for a master’s, I focused on European universities, including the University of Oxford. I poured months of effort into those applications, investing my heart and soul, desperate to succeed.
Then came the rejection. I was crushed. To me, it felt like Oxford had sent a letter saying I would never amount to anything. Ever.
After the initial shock wore off, I decided to revisit my application to see what went wrong. And here’s what I realized: the application wasn’t good enough. If I had been on the admissions committee, I wouldn’t have admitted myself either.
The following year, I applied again—this time to universities in the United States. I worked hard to improve my applications, refining every element. That year, I received several offers, including one from Harvard. Looking back, I’m so glad Oxford didn’t accept me. The rejection pushed me to grow and ultimately led to opportunities that were even better suited to me.
The bottom line is, you don’t have to subscribe to the “go big or go home” mentality. Life isn’t a one-shot deal. If you don’t get what you want the first time, that’s okay. You can try again, learn from the experience, and perhaps even discover something better than you initially imagined.
2. Age is not as important as people think
A few years ago, I met some of my former university classmates during a visit to Moscow. We hadn’t seen each other in a while, and naturally, there was a lot to catch up on. But one sentiment came up repeatedly during our conversations: many of them told me they wished they had studied abroad but believed it was too late—that the ship had sailed.
Hearing this always makes me incredibly sad. Studying abroad had such a positive impact on my life, and I want that opportunity to feel accessible to everyone, regardless of age.
One of the greatest things I’ve observed while studying abroad is that people do this at all stages of life. There are those who go straight into a master’s program after finishing their undergraduate degree, those who apply after a few years in the workforce, and those who embark on this journey mid-career, sometimes with a family and kids in tow.
The truth is, age doesn’t matter. There will always be people in your program you can relate to—you won’t feel out of place. (That said, I should note that age might affect your eligibility for certain scholarships, but that’s a separate matter.)
For example, in my class at Harvard, many students were well into their 30s. Some were pursuing their second Master of Laws (LL.M.) to change or refine their career paths. Others came with kids—sometimes more than one! We even had a single mom in the program. (I have no idea how she managed it, but the key point is that she did.)
We’re often programmed to believe that life must follow a specific timeline: achieve certain milestones by a certain age, or you’ve “missed the train.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth. What if each of us has our own unique train to catch, heading to our personal destination? After all, we all have different goals, and a personal train makes so much more sense.
I had to wrestle with this mindset when I applied for a PhD at the European University Institute. By that time, I had already spent five years pursuing another PhD in Russia and working as a lawyer. Was it too late? Ultimately, I realized I didn’t mind being older than some of my cohort. What I did mind was missing my chance to build an academic career. I took the leap, and I’ve never regretted it.
So, if you think you’ve missed the train others have taken, ask yourself: was that train even headed where you want to go? Most likely, you just need a different one.
3. You can change your mind along the way
I wish someone had told me it’s okay to change your plans—that you’re not locked into the dreams or goals you had when applying for a program.
Don’t get me wrong: having a clear idea of your post-graduation plans is great. But the reality is, most people don’t have it all figured out—and that’s perfectly fine. Life is fluid, and so are our aspirations.
One of my favorite books, MBA Admissions Strategy, puts it this way:
If you are like most people, your career aspirations coming out of ... school will be different to your stated aspirations going into it. Most people don't really know what they are going to do when they have finished their [degrees], and many change direction various times while at school.
No one is going to pull up your personal statement at graduation and hold you to it. So don't beat yourself up if your goals evolve or shift along the way. It's only human.
4. The value of a master's is in the people, not just the books
Haha, this one sounds obvious, right? Or so one thought.
I’ve heard people question whether doing a master’s abroad is worth it. When I ask them what they think the value of such a degree is, their answers usually focus on the academic knowledge they’d gain.
Don’t get me wrong—academics are important, and you’ll certainly study a lot. But if gaining knowledge was the sole benefit, you could just read books at home. Why go through the grueling application process and spend a year or two abroad?
The real value of studying abroad lies in the people. It’s about immersing yourself in a diverse community, exchanging ideas with peers from different cultures, and forming relationships that broaden your perspective. It’s about engaging with professors and being part of a dynamic academic environment.
This is something you simply can’t replicate by studying alone. You can always read more books later, but the experience of being on campus and soaking in the energy of a global community is irreplaceable. So, make the most of it while you’re there!
5. Understand the filters of your past experience
This one might sound a little abstract, so let me explain.
By the time I applied for my master’s, I had already gained significant experience as a lawyer. I thought I had a solid grasp of what areas of law I enjoyed and where I wanted to focus my studies.
As a result, I gravitated toward familiar subjects during my LL.M. in the U.S., like civil procedure, international arbitration, and private international law. But looking back, I realize that my mindset was somewhat limiting.
The approach to law in the U.S. was completely different from what I’d encountered in Russia or continental Europe. Yet, because I clung to the filters of my past experience, I missed out on exploring less conventional classes that could have expanded my understanding of the field and broadened my horizons.
The lesson here? While it’s important to respect your past experiences, don’t let them box you in. Be open to trying something new—you might discover unexpected interests or insights that enrich your personal and professional growth.
In Conclusion
These are the five lessons I wish someone had shared with me before I embarked on my master’s journey. I hope they resonate with you and offer some guidance as you navigate your own path.
Good luck, and enjoy the ride!