NYU LL.M. in Dispute Resolution: How to Master Your Application, Examples and Key Strategies

General Remarks

Several years ago, I applied to the NYU LL.M. program in Dispute Resolution and received admission along with a $30,000 Dean's Scholarship offer. Although I ended up going to Harvard instead, I’d like to dissect my NYU application and show you how I approached its various components. If you’re curious about my application to Harvard, you can check out this post for more details.

At the time, the instructions noted that the previous year, they had received 2,800 applications for a class of about 440 students, meaning the competition was roughly six people per spot.

The official guidelines stated that their process was not overly rigid when it came to GPA or rankings but relied on the holistic evaluation of all application documents, taking into consideration, among others, significant professional accomplishment.

NYU required the submission of documents through LSAC (the Law School Admission Council platform). I won't go into much detail about the LSAC application here, as it's quite technical, and there’s little strategic insight I can share. I'll focus instead of the substantive parts of the application:

• personal statement
• CV
• letters of recommendation
• Hauser Global Scholarship essay
• English proficiency test

Let's dive in ☺️

Personal Statement

The personal statement prompt was very open-ended:

All applicants must electronically attach to the online application a brief personal statement of no more than 500 words. Applicants may describe their professional interests and goals, or they may use the statement to describe aspects of themselves and/or their work that are not apparent from their other application materials. Applicants should include their reasons and qualifications for applying to a particular program or specialization.

I started my essay with a quote. When it comes to personal statements, I generally advise being cautious with quotes. This is because it's very difficult to use a quote effectively, and most people don't know how to do that. They tend to stick it at the top of the essay and then forget about it. A better approach is to weave the quote into your overall message.

For my personal statement, I included two paragraphs about my vision of my role as a lawyer and my past professional experiences. It was similar to what I wrote for Harvard but tailored specifically to NYU.

I further made a three-part argument as to why NYU Law was the right fit for me:

1. The structure of the LL.M. program, especially its substantive law core.
2. The faculty and specific courses that sparked my interest.
3. The extracurricular learning opportunities such as at the Center for Transnational Litigation, Arbitration, and Commercial Law.

I also highlighted that, being a lawyer with a civil-law background, I wanted to complement it with common-law training. Finally, I outlined my vision for the next steps after the LL.M.: pursuing an academic career and engaging in the reform of Russian procedural law (the latter didn’t materialize, and that’s okay—not everything goes as planned; it's important, though, that you are clear on what you want to do next in your application).

NYU CV

The instructions for the CV were straightforward:

All applicants must also electronically attach a résumé or curriculum vitae to their application. This document may be one to two pages in length and should account for all education and work experience, as well as any period of more than three months not spent in school or employed. Publications, presentations, or other career-related information may also be indicated.

I submitted the same CV to NYU as I did to Harvard but shortened it to two pages, as per NYU’s guidelines. I condensed the publications section to fit within the limit.

Although I applied for the general LL.M. at Harvard and the Dispute Resolution LL.M. at NYU, I didn’t tailor the CV much beyond the length. My dispute resolution experience already stood out, and I didn’t feel the need to emphasize it further.

NYU Hauser Global Scholarship Essay

NYU’s Hauser program required a separate essay:

...candidates must electronically attach to the online application an essay of 500 to 750 words that briefly describes a current legal dilemma, controversy, or issue facing a country, a region, or the world, and suggests a strategy to address the problem. This essay is in addition to the personal statement.

For this, I submitted a version of my Harvard personal statement Part A. I’ve discussed my approach to that essay in more detail here.

My topic was internationalized tribunals. While it did align with the field of dispute resolution, it didn’t entirely reflect my background, as I had primarily worked in private law. Still, I decided to I write the essay from scratch because it was a topic I was genuinely interested in and wanted to explore. That said, many people prefer to adapt an existing piece of writing for this type of essay, which is a perfectly valid approach and will save you a lot of effort.

Note:

Since many people have asked me for a sample of this essay, I’ve included it in my full course, Harvard State of Mind on Demand. I also share it with applicants who seek my essay review services.

If you'd like more guidance, please check out the detailed guides I've written on how to craft such essays. If you’d like a review or have specific questions, I’m happy to assist with one-on-one consultations.

NYU Letters of Recommendations

I submitted three recommendation letters for my NYU application.

Two of the recommendations were the same as those I used for my MIDS application (you can read about that here). The third recommendation came from Professor Maxi Scherer of Queen Mary University of London. She had taught me at The Hague Academy’s Directed Studies program, which involved a small group of students, so she knew my work fairly well.

Initially, I was hesitant to ask her for a recommendation—she seemed too renowned and accomplished for someone like me. However, one of my other recommenders fell through at the last minute, and I had no one else to turn to. When I reached out to her, she graciously agreed and submitted the reference just in time. Her kindness in doing so is something I’ll always cherish.

I also cover recommendations in depth in my Harvard State of Mind course, including whom to ask and whom not to ask, how much in advance to approach, whether you should go for a recommender who is high-status or who knows you well, and what to do if you've been asked to draft a letter yourself.

Actionable Guidelines for a Winning NYU LL.M. Application

Based on my experience, here are some actionable steps you can follow to craft a strong NYU LL.M. application:‍

Be Knowledgeable About Program Requirements

Read the application instructions carefully and ensure your materials meet all specified requirements. Tailor your application to the program (e.g., Dispute Resolution) and highlight how its structure aligns with your goals.‍

Spend a Lot of Time Crafting a Persuasive Personal Statement

Identify your professional goals and articulate them clearly. Think of including:

• Why this program fits your academic and professional aspirations.
• Faculty or courses that excite you.
• How the program’s resources, such as research centers or extracurricular activities, will enhance your career.
• Avoid generic quotes unless they add value and are seamlessly woven into your narrative.

Tailor Your CV to Fit the Guidelines

• Keep your CV concise (1–2 pages, as per NYU’s instructions). Highlight relevant experiences but avoid redundancy. If you’re applying to multiple schools, adjust the CV length and content to meet each program’s requirements.

Write a Compelling Hauser Essay

• Choose a topic that sparks your intellectual curiosity and demonstrates your ability to think critically about global legal issues.
• Writing from scratch is ideal, but adapting previous work is also valid. Whichever route you take, ensure your essay aligns with the program’s themes.

Secure Strong Recommendations

• Choose recommenders who know you well and can vouch for your skills, potential, and character. Don’t hesitate to ask respected academics or professionals, even if they seem too busy or accomplished, but always prioritize people who know you well over people who are high-status.

Ace Your English Proficiency Test

• Ensure your TOEFL or IELTS scores meet the minimum requirements. Plan your test preparation and exam date well in advance, as scores must be valid at the time of submission.

Be Strategic About Deadlines and Submissions

• Submit your application well before the deadline to allow time for unforeseen issues, such as delays with recommendations. Have backup options for recommenders if someone can’t deliver.

Stay Authentic

• It may sound like a cliché but above all, be genuine. Your application should reflect who you are, your unique background, and your aspirations. Authenticity is more impactful than trying to fit a mold or an abstract ideal of 'who they are looking for.'

I hope these steps help you maximize your chances of winning admission and the funding you need.

Best of luck! 😊

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