MIDS LL.M.: How I Won Admission and a Full Scholarship to the World's Top Arbitration Program - and You Can Too

My experience applying for MIDS LL.M.

A few years ago, I applied to the Master's of International Dispute Settlement in Geneva (MIDS) and was admitted with a full scholarship offer of CHF 40,000. Despite this, I ultimately decided to decline the offer and reapply the following year to programs in the U.S.

When I first applied, I believed a career in arbitration was everything I had ever wanted. I had been actively working in dispute resolution, attending the Paris Arbitration Academy, and completing an internship at the Association for International Arbitration (AIA) in Brussels. Although I had a broad range of interests, arbitration was the field I felt most drawn to and could envision myself thriving in.

Moreover, I knew someone with a comparable profile who had applied to MIDS and received a full scholarship, which made it feel achievable for me too.

However, by the time I received my offer, my motivations had shifted.

I wanted a life change so dramatic that it would redefine everything I thought I wanted for my future (see my blog post on How to Choose the Best LL.M. Program for You). Having already completed multiple shorter academic programs in Europe (see Prototyping Your Study Abroad), I felt I had a solid understanding of the academic environment there.

By the time I was ready to pursue an LL.M., I had accomplished quite a bit professionally. I felt that I had exhausted the opportunities available in my current environment and was in need of new inputs—something that would reshape my outlook on the future and open as many doors as possible.

I craved something radically different, a country that would challenge me and completely change my perspective.

For me, that country was the U.S. Studying there also came with the added benefit of earning a common law degree to complement my civil law background. And so I declined the MIDS offer and reapplied next year to the U.S.

That being said, MIDS is one of the best arbitration programs out there, and in this blog post I'll discuss how I approached my application, so that you could craft yours.

MIDS LL.M. Overview

There’s a lot to be said about the qualities of the MIDS LL.M. program. Located in Switzerland — an arbitration hub — it is deeply integrated into the industry, which makes the post-LL.M. transition significantly smoother.

Many of the faculty members are active arbitration practitioners. This ensures that the knowledge you gain aligns with current practice and also provides valuable industry connections—another factor contributing to a seamless transition after completing the program.

MIDS has a strong track record of alumni securing positions with top arbitration firms and institutions. If your goal is to use an LL.M. as a gateway to enter the arbitration community in Europe, MIDS is likely one of the best choices you can make.

That said, it’s a competitive program, with an acceptance rate of less than 20%.

MIDS lL.M. Application Structure

According to the MIDS website, “priority is given to applicants who demonstrate both strong academic achievement and a clear, compelling motivation for joining the program.” The academic requirement for consideration is the completion of a first law degree. While there is no minimum grade point requirement, applicants are expected to show a demonstrated interest in dispute settlement, such as through their past course selections.

The list of required application documents includes:

1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Motivation Letter
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Academic Records
5. Language Proficiency
6. Passport
7. Writing Sample (optional)

I'll address them one by one.

MIDS LL.M. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

The CV I submitted to MIDS was pretty much the same as the one I submitted to Harvard a year later. I've also written about my experience of evaluating hundreds of CVs for LL.M. applications as a member of the admissions committee and how you can avoid the most common mistakes applicants make in their CVs.

MIDS LL.M. Motivation Letter

At present, MIDS provides clear guidelines on what to include in a motivation letter: your interest in dispute settlement, specific reasons for choosing the program, your potential contribution to the MIDS community, the anticipated impact of the program, and any plans for further study. I’m not sure if these guidelines were in place back when I applied, but even if they weren’t, I structured my personal statement to roughly address these points.

For my motivation letter, I used as a foundation the letters I had previously submitted to Paris and Brussels arbitration firms. My letter was a one-pager divided into three sections: Why Dispute Resolution, Why MIDS, and What’s Next.

In the first section, Why Dispute Resolution, I described how my interest in arbitration began. For me, it all started with my participation in the Concours Charles-Rousseau as the case that year revolved around an investment law problem. Reflecting on it now, I realize I had more experiences in my background to demonstrate my passion for dispute resolution. For example:

• I contributed to drafting of the conflict-of-interest rules for a local arbitration institution.
• I worked with an arbitrator on the arbitrability of corporate disputes under Russian law.
• I interned with the Association for International Arbitration and co-authored a policy brief for the European Commission on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). I even recall discussing it with the PCA Secretary-General, who showed great interest in the project.
• I attended the Paris Arbitration Academy and The Hague Academy on Private International Law with full scholarships.

I would have likely included some of these experiences in my essay, but at the time, I didn’t fully recognize the strength of my background as I didn't have anyone to guide me, so the only experience I included in the essay was the moot court.

In the Why MIDS section, I highlighted the program’s curriculum, noting that while many other LL.M. programs focus solely on substantive courses, MIDS offers a balance between theoretical knowledge and soft-skills training. I also pointed out the diverse educational methods used in the program. Coming from a background where lectures and seminars were pretty much the only options available, I found the inclusion of workshops and tutorials refreshing. This variety in teaching methods caught my attention, as I believed the effectiveness of learning would be influenced by the format. Additionally, I emphasized how these interactive formats provided opportunities for more personal engagement, which was new to me given my experience with hierarchical and formal teaching styles.

I also addressed the specific gaps in my knowledge of dispute resolution that I hoped MIDS would help me fill. Moreover, I spoke about the faculty, highlighting the fact that many of them were arbitration practitioners who combined teaching, research, and practice. I named some of the faculty members whose work particularly appealed to me.

Finally, in the What’s Next section, I discussed my academic focus and career aspirations. My goal at the time was to build a career in international arbitration, specifically to join an arbitration institution, and I argued that MIDS was the missing piece of the puzzle, given its specialized and comparative curriculum. I expressed my interest in working for an international organization — which I eventually did for a while after completing my Harvard LL.M. — and noted that I envisioned myself continuing as an academic as well.

MIDS LL.M. Letters of Recommendation

For my application, I sought recommendations from two professors. One was my PhD supervisor, and the other was my civil law professor under whose direction I had written multiple course papers and my graduation thesis.

Recommendation of my PhD supervisor

My PhD supervisor wrote about my research potential, emphasizing how I identified a unique research question for my doctoral thesis. This was particularly important to me, as I chose a topic for which there were no existing materials in the Russian language. To overcome this, I traveled to universities abroad and secured funding for multiple research stays in order to develop a new theoretical framework and solve a problem that had not been addressed before in the national law. I also asked him to highlight my academic excellence during the PhD, including successful completion of all colloquia and doctoral exams. Finally, he elaborated on how the MIDS program would benefit my future goals.

Recommendation of my civil law professor

I asked the other professor to emphasize my dedication to research, particularly how I learned German specifically to access key materials for my studies. I began learning the language in my second year of university, and by the end of that year, I delivered a thorough analysis of German writings in the field. This effort helped me pass the interview for the German summer academy in Regensburg. I also asked him to to mention my translation work, where I translated legal materials from German and English to make them available to the Russian audience. One notable example was my contribution to the translation of the Austrian Law on Consumer Credit, which was used during the reform of Russian credit law.

Additionally, he highlighted my active participation in conferences and the distinction I received for my graduation thesis, which I completed under his supervision. Finally, he wrote about how the program would benefit me in pursuing my aspirations to work in the field of arbitration.

MIDS LL.M. Writing Sample

Submitting a writing sample is optional, but I included it anyway. I wrote about internationalized tribunals, the problem of fragmented justice in international law, and how one could solve it on the basis of an existing UN mechanism. I wrote an in-depth guide to writing samples and essays on a legal issue here, Part 1, and here, Part 2.

MIDS LL.M. Scholarship Application

At the time of my application, one of the scholarship letters had to be written in French. Thankfully, I had sufficient proficiency in the language to manage it.

The MIDS scholarship is primarily needs-based, and to support my scholarship application, I obtained a letter from my law firm confirming that they love me but would not be funding my degree (they funded a colleague of mine before, but he didn't repay the loan, and the firm decided to not do that anymore). Additionally, I translated the resolution of the Russian government on state scholarships for PhD students, as I was enrolled in a PhD program at the time. I also translated key excerpts from my employment agreements — one with Noerr and another with the Higher School of Economics where I worked as a research fellow.

To provide a comprehensive picture of my financial situation, I included a detailed calculation of my total income and expenses, accompanied by a brief description of my life circumstances, including my family’s financial situation. This package also included a translated salary confirmation from my father and bank statements reflecting my net worth at the time.

For the ICCA scholarship, I built my case by emphasizing how scholarships had consistently been the only way for me to access academic opportunities. I highlighted past experiences such as Jessup and Concours Charles-Rousseau moot courts, as well as coaching a team—experiences that not only fostered learning but also led to lifelong friendships, all made possible by external funding.

I then argued that without a scholarship, I would face significant challenges in covering the tuition fees and living expenses. I briefly outlined my sources of income, explaining that while my current job allowed me to cover basic living expenses, it left no room to save for a master’s program in Switzerland. I pointed out that enrolling in MIDS would require me to leave my current job, and I would have no external financial support during my studies.

Additionally, I discussed the economic situation in my home country, particularly the impact of fluctuating currency exchange rates on my ability to fund my studies.

Finally, I reiterated that throughout my time at university, I had strived to excel academically and contribute meaningfully to society. I concluded by stating that receiving a scholarship would provide me with a unique opportunity to specialize in dispute resolution and embark on a new professional chapter.

I’ve written in more detail about how to apply for scholarships in my Ultimate Guide to Funding Your Master's Degree.

Actionable Guidelines for your MIDS LL.M. application

Here are a few actionable guidelines to keep in mind:

• Start as early as you can. If you haven’t written serious study applications before, give yourself plenty of time — ideally starting 6 months to a year in advance. Writing motivation letters is challenging; it just is. You’ll need time to refine and iterate on your essays as much as possible.
• Think deeply about your motivation. Reflect on why you want to pursue this degree. What sparked your interest in arbitration? What skills do you already have? What do you hope to gain? What are your professional and life goals afterward? While it’s not necessary to have everything figured out—your plans are likely to evolve during your LL.M. — having as clear a picture as possible will make your application stronger.
• Develop strong arguments for scholarships. For need-based scholarships, present a detailed, transparent account of your income and expenses to demonstrate that you cannot afford the degree on your own. For merit-based scholarships, highlight your consistent track record of academic and professional excellence, and explain how the scholarship would offer you a unique opportunity to build better lives for yourself and others.
• Remember: what is obvious to you, is obvious to you. The admissions committee doesn’t know your world — you do. It’s your task to explain it to them so that they could make an informed decision.
• If you’re requesting an English test waiver, make sure your argument has two parts: (1) why you can't take the test, and (2) other evidence that demonstrates your English proficiency. Many applicants stop at the first point, forgetting that the goal of the test is not to create more paperwork — they need assurance that you’ll thrive in rigorous academic study, communicate effectively with classmates, and succeed professionally after graduation. Address both aspects to meet their needs.
• Ask for feedback on your documents. It’s difficult to be a judge in your own case. Asking others for feedback can help you refine your application and spot areas for improvement.

I hope this guide helps you develop your own winning application to MIDS.

If you'd like guidance on major aspects on an LL.M. application, I've created a comprehensive Harvard State of Demand course.

If you'd like to work with me on your applications, you are welcome to reach out.

Good luck!