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Admissions

How to Apply

Applicants to Penn Law’s LLM, LLCM and SJD programs are required to use LSAC’s services available at llm.lsac.org. As we will receive all materials via LSAC, please refrain from sending any materials directly to Penn Law.

Deadlines:

November 15:

Early Notification

Any LLM or LLCM application completed by November 15 will be accepted, rejected, or deferred for further consideration by February 1. To be complete, Penn Law must have received the application and all supporting materials from LSAC.

December 16:

Regular Notification

LLM and LLCM applications are due by December 16. Applicants will be accepted, rejected or wait-listed by mid-March.

If you miss the deadline, you can request a deadline extension. Late applications require an additional $25 late fee.

March 15:

SJD Deadline

All applications to the SJD program are due on March 15. We will begin accepting applications on November 1.

Required Materials

The following materials must be submitted via LSAC: an application form (available on llm.lsac.org); a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, a résumé/cv; transcripts from each degree granting post-secondary school attended; a personal statement, and TOEFL or IELTS scores (or a waiver), an application fee of $85 ($150 for the SJD). SJD candidates must also submit a scholarly project proposal and a writing sample.

Your personal statement should be no more than two typed pages. We recommend that you refrain from merely repeating the accomplishments listed on your résumé/cv.  Instead, address your specific reasons for pursuing a graduate law degree in the U.S. and at Penn Law in particular. You may also explain why your background would make you a good candidate for Penn Law’s program and include your post-graduation plans. Although we do not require any particular font or spacing, we expect applicants to submit professional and easy to read personal statements. Statements are to be authored exclusively by the applicant.

Your résumé/cv should highlight your relevant educational and professional background, skills (e.g. language facility), and interests. Although we do not have a page limit, one or two pages is usually sufficient.

Letters of recommendation are typically submitted from law professors and legal employers who have personal experience with the candidate. The letters may be addressed to the Graduate Programs Admission Committee, but should be submitted directly to LSAC.

Although we accept up to four letters of recommendation, your application will be considered complete and will be reviewed after we receive the first two letters. Please note that many successful applicants submit two letters of recommendation and additional letters of recommendation do not necessarily strengthen your application. 

Application fees are collected via LSAC. Applicants granted an extension to apply after December 16 will be required to pay a $110 application fee (regular application fee of $85 plus a $25 late fee, which is automatically assessed by LSAC for all applications submitted after December 17.)