Canadian Lawyer Awarded various scholarships at US Law Schools

My name is Akhtar Mohammed, and I’m a New York-qualified lawyer and Canadian citizen based in Vancouver. I hold an LLM in Banking, Finance, and Securities Law from Osgoode Hall Law School (York University), where I graduated with a 3.9 GPA. I pursued further education in this field because of my deep interest in financial regulation, emerging technologies, and global economic structures. My LLM dissertation examined the regulation of bitcoin and its impact on Canadian financial institutions, which sparked my continued engagement with fintech law and public finance.

Scholarship Details

I was awarded the Banking and Finance Leadership Scholarship ($30,000) by the Boston University School of Law for their LLM in Banking and Financial Law program. This was granted after a formal application process, including a scholarship interview and assessment of my academic and professional achievements. I was also offered the Dean’s Academic Excellence Scholarship from the University of Southern California’s LLM program and deferred admission to the UC Berkeley School of Law. Ultimately, I did not attend Boston University’s program, but I remain grateful for the recognition and validation of my commitment to the field.

Educational Background

I had also already passed the NY bar before I applied. I completed my LLB at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, followed by an LLM at Osgoode Hall. I earned my BA from the University of British Columbia in Political Science and History. My education has been both rigorous and global in scope, spanning Canada, the UK, and Southeast Asia. I authored a 400-page book on Islamic finance and trade — Islamonomics — which was nominated for the British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding. These academic and intellectual experiences have given me a strong foundation for engaging with complex regulatory and economic questions.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions? Did You Need to Take Standardized Exams?

I focused on identifying programs with a specialized focus on financial law. I reviewed course offerings, read faculty bios, and evaluated how each program aligned with my goals. I didn’t need to take any standardized tests for these programs, which allowed me to concentrate on crafting strong statements of interest and highlighting my academic writing and professional experiences in my applications.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

I believe it was the combination of academic rigor, practical litigation experience, and a demonstrated capacity for original research. At the time of my application, I had represented clients in tenancy disputes in Vancouver, completed specialized legal writing, and built a strong academic profile through my LLM dissertation and published book. My application reflected a clear professional direction, grounded in both practice and theory.

What Would You Have Done Differently if You Were Going Through the Process Again?

Looking back, I would have spent more time networking with alumni and faculty of each program before applying. While I had strong written applications, direct connections often provide valuable insights that help tailor applications more precisely. I also would have taken more time to consider the long-term practical applications of each program, particularly in relation to remote and global legal work.

What Advice Would You Give Those Looking to Apply for a Similar Scholarship?

Be specific and forward-thinking. Know your story, and connect it to where you want to go next. Use every part of the application, from your CV to your writing sample, to reinforce a clear narrative. Also, don’t underestimate the value of your international experience or independent academic work, these often set applicants apart in a competitive field.