In addition to these general application requirements, please also review the section on program-specific requirements below. Please submit the following materials via LSAC:

• application form (available on llm.lsac.org);
• personal statement;
• two letters of recommendation;
• resume/CV;
• transcripts from each degree-granting, post-secondary school attended;
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (or a waiver );
• application fee of $85 ($150 for the SJD).
• SJD candidates only: Please also submit a scholarly project proposal and a writing sample.

Your personal statement should be no more than two typed pages. Instead of repeating the accomplishments listed on your resume or CV, tell us about your specific reasons for pursuing a graduate law degree in the United States and at Penn Law in particular. You may also explain why your background makes 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 you to submit a professional and easy-to-read personal statement authored exclusively by you.

Your resume/CV should highlight your relevant educational and professional background, skills (e.g. language comprehension), 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 you. The letters may be addressed to the Graduate Programs Admission Committee but should be submitted directly to LSAC.

Although you are able to submit up to four letters of recommendation, we will review your application after we receive the first two. Please note that additional letters of recommendation do not necessarily strengthen your application.

Application fees are collected via LSAC. If you are granted an extension to apply after December 15, you 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 that date.

In order for you to succeed in a Penn Law graduate program, you must have exceptional English language skills, including the abilities to understand rapid, idiomatic English and express your thoughts clearly in both spoken and written form.

Even if you are a native English speaker or have a law degree from a U.S. law school, you must submit a TOEFL or IELTS or seek a waiver.

Penn Law does not have a minimum score requirement. In general, we look for a TOEFL score of at least 100 (with at least 23 in each section) or IELTS score of 7 (with at least 7 in each section). If your test score(s) fall below the above targets, you should address your English language skills in your personal statement, or have your recommenders address your English language abilities in their letters.

If you believe that your English language listening or speaking abilities are not accurately measured by your TOEFL or IELTS scores, consider also submitting an interview utilizing InitialView. Please note that these interviews are not required and you are responsible for the cost. For further information and to schedule an interview, please contact InitialView directly.

Fall 2020 Update:

Due to exceptional circumstances, in addition to the in-person versions of the IETLS and TOEFL tests, Penn Law will accept the IELTS Indicator, the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, and the TOEFL IPT Plus for students in countries or regions where an in-person test is not available. In-person tests are required where available. Applicants who submit the at-home version may be asked to submit to a subsequent in-person test result, if it becomes available, and/or be required to undergo additional language assessment prior to a final admissions decision and/or matriculation.

 

LLM Program

Prior Degrees: To apply to the LLM program, you must already hold a law degree or expect to receive one prior to matriculation.

In special circumstances, we can admit students who do not already hold a law degree. Typically, such students hold a graduate degree in a related field, have already embarked on an academic or professional career, and/or are licensed to practice law in their home jurisdiction. If this applies to you, you must be able to show how legal training is important to the advancement of your career and/or your scholarly work and that you have sufficient legal training to succeed in the program.

Work Experience: Penn Law’s LLM class is made up of lawyers from around the world with a wide range of legal experience. Although most of our successful applicants have at least some work experience, we do have applicants who are accepted directly from their first law degree (or master’s) program.

Domestic Students: Although Penn Law’s LLM is designed for foreign-trained attorneys, U.S. JD graduates are permitted to apply. However, to receive serious consideration, you must be able to demonstrate an exceptional level of academic achievement and how you would contribute to the class.

Questions: Although we cannot evaluate credentials outside the formal admissions process, we will provide guidance on eligibility to apply. Please contact gradadms@law.upenn.edu for assistance.