There are numerous roads to law school, and no one-size fits all path to a successful legal career. Follow along with our series highlighting BC Law students and how they got here! 

Previous entries: Sara Womble (Winston Salem, NC); Elias Massion (Nashville, TN); Samina Gagné (London); Alvin Synarong (Murfreesboro, Tennessee); Ruchita Jain (Edina, Minnesota); Nicole Bauer (Michigan); Carlos Robles-Cruz (Puerto Rico); Taha Din (Naperville, IL); Timothy St. Pierre (Brunswick, ME).

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What motivated you to pursue an LLM, and why did you choose this particular program?

I knew that I wanted to go abroad to study. I was introduced to the common law system in the UK, and I found it fascinating to see how legal reasoning could take shape in a completely different way. Coming from a research background, I was drawn to how this comparative perspective opened up new ways of thinking about law. When I later visited the United States, I had the chance to see Boston College Law School in person and was immediately impressed by the campus and the sense of community. What really set BC apart for me was that it is one of the few programs that allows LLM students to take first-year JD classes and be graded on the same curve. That opportunity to fully participate in the law school experience, rather than being limited to courses designed only for LLM students, made the program stand out as both rigorous and authentic.

Can you describe the most rewarding aspect of your LLM experience?

The most rewarding part of my LLM experience was participating in the Compassionate Release and Parole Clinic. I was able to appear before the Massachusetts Parole Board and contribute to work that could have a real impact on someone’s life. That experience allowed me to connect the theory of what I was learning in class with the practical realities of the law in action. Another highlight was graduation—which was meaningful not only as a personal milestone, but also as a moment to share with family, friends, and professors who had been part of the journey. Celebrating that achievement together made it especially memorable.

How would you describe the overall academic environment at BC Law?

It was outstanding. Most of my coursework took place in first-year JD classes and bar subjects like evidence and corporations, which meant that I was learning side by side with JD students. I made a point of holding myself to the same standard, since I believed that engaging at that level would be the best preparation for my future career. That challenge pushed me to grow as a student and as a lawyer, and it certainly also did not hurt that the campus is both beautiful and welcoming, which made it easy to focus and immerse myself fully in my studies.

Are there any courses that you found particularly impactful or transformative?

Two courses in particular stand out to me. Contracts with Professor Frank Garcia was especially impactful because of his teaching style. He has a way of moving beyond the written materials to draw out the broader lessons of the cases and contract law, which made the subject both engaging and practical. He also has a special way of incorporating international students’ perspectives into his teaching.

I was also deeply interested in Constitutional Law with Professor Aziz Rana. I have always been fascinated by American history, and his course explored the connection between history and constitutional development in the United States in a truly unique way. At my home law school I wrote my thesis on constitutional law, focusing in part on the role of the US Supreme Court, so it was especially rewarding to study the subject in depth while in the United States. It reinforced for me how essential it is to understand history in order to appreciate why constitutional law and American society function as they do today.

How would you describe the student community in your LLM program and at BC Law as a whole?

The student community is very welcoming. Taking classes with JD students made it easy to connect with them and become part of their sections, which gave me a real sense of belonging in the wider law school. At the same time, the LLM program itself brought together students from many different nationalities, which enriched the classroom discussions with a variety of perspectives. There were also many opportunities to get involved socially and academically, so you could really build connections across both the JD and LLM communities depending on how much you wanted to engage.

Now that you have graduated, what are you currently doing for work?

I am fortunate to be working at a Court of Appeals in the United States. The position gives me the chance to pursue my interest in research and writing while also allowing me to apply and deepen my understanding of American law in practice. It has been a unique opportunity to continue learning while contributing to the work of the court.

How did the program help you develop professionally and are there any skills that you learned during your time at BC that have been helpful in your role?

The program helped me grow in ways that set it apart from many other LLM experiences. Because LLM students are able to take classes with JD students and are graded on the same curve, I was constantly challenged to compete at the same level. For me, that was incredibly valuable. As an international student you are starting from behind in terms of familiarity with the American system, but by meeting that standard you can show future employers that your grades reflect the same level of effort and achievement as those of American students. Although some other programs grade LLM students separately, I found it more meaningful that my grades reflected the same standards as JD students, and it was far more meaningful for my career to be able to say that my results were earned on equal terms.

The skills I gained from specific courses have also been central to my work. Legal Writing was especially important because so much of what I do now revolves around research and drafting. Civil Procedure with Professor Andrea Olson gave me a strong foundation in understanding the structure and practice of American courts, which has been directly relevant in my current role. Both courses not only deepened my knowledge but also gave me practical tools that I continue to rely on every day.

Is there anything you would like to add about your experience in the LLM program?

I would recommend pursuing an LLM to anyone who has the opportunity. If you put in the effort at Boston College, you will see the rewards of the work you invest. The program offers one of the most authentic American law school experiences available to international students. The professors are outstanding, the campus is beautiful, and the environment allows you to develop as much as you want, both academically and personally. I still regularly keep in touch with many of my professors, just as I do with the friends I made along the way, which has made the connections I built during the program even more meaningful.

For those interested in sitting for the bar exam, taking bar-focused courses during the program can also be very helpful, especially if you structure your studies thoughtfully [Ed. Note: Tobias recently passed the New York Bar Exam with a score placing him in approximately the top 10% of examiners]. Overall, my time at Boston College was both challenging and deeply rewarding, and it has had a lasting impact on my professional growth.

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Sangeeta Kishore is a third-year student at BC Law and president of the Impact blog. Contact her at kishorsa@bc.edu.