Law: LL.M. How to Apply

Apply for Admission to the LL.M. Program

Expand your horizons.

Our LL.M. Program is designed for individuals who have received legal training outside the United States and would like to expand their knowledge of American and international legal systems. The LL.M. Program in the American Legal System is split into fall and spring semesters, ending with graduation in mid-May. Attendance at an introductory week focusing on the American legal system is required of all LL.M. degree candidates and is held the week prior to the beginning of fall semester classes.

Degree Requirements:

1. Applicants must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)  if the applicant’s native language is not English or the applicant did not obtain a law degree from a school in which the language of instruction is English. William & Mary will not accept scores more than two years old at the time of application. The minimum TOEFL scores acceptable for admission are 100 (Internet-based total), 250 (computer-based total), or 600 (paper-based total). William & Mary may accept a student with a slightly lower TOEFL score in certain cases. However, an applicant with such a score should retake the TOEFL to attempt to improve his or her score. The LL.M. degree program requires oral participation and an ability to write examinations and other papers in English. Your success in the Program depends upon your ability to participate fully in academic life. Only those students who are confident of their command of English should apply.
2. International students must satisfy the U.S. government’s requirements for admission into the United States. Admitted international students typically apply for the F-1 student visa or the J-1 exchange visitor visa and must complete the proper financial forms to be submitted with their tuition deposit.  You will be sent documents to present at a U.S. embassy or consulate for use in applying for your visa. For additional information, visit the College’s International Student Service website.
3. To graduate, a degree candidate must be in residence as a full-time student for two semesters while earning a minimum of 24 credit hours with a minimum cumulative quality point average of 2.0. At least 15 credit hours must be earned in law school courses and, if approved by the director of the program and the course instructor, up to nine credit hours may be taken in other schools and departments. Three to six credit hours may be earned for graduate legal research and writing projects supervised by a member of the law faculty. 

Deadlines:

We will accept LL.M. applications for August enrollment between September and February 1. Most decisions will be sent by March 15. All admitted students will be considered for merit-based scholarships.

Steps for Applying:

Preferred Application Method

(1) Complete the Application
Applicants should complete and submit the LSAC Electronic Application.

(2) Submit the Application Fee
Submit a nonrefundable $50 (U.S. dollars) application fee with a credit or debit card payment through LSAC.

(3) Send Academic Records
Submit required transcripts or academic records (with translations) according to the LSAC LLM application process (www.lsac.org).  For those students who have not yet received their law degree, if admitted, you will need to provide William & Mary with a final official undergraduate transcript showing your degree conferral.

Important Note: If you plan to sit for a bar examination in the United States, you will need to obtain an additional set of “official” transcripts showing your degree conferral to submit with your bar application.

(4) Submit Letters of Recommendation
Applicants are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation. We prefer letters from law professors, employers or other significant people who are knowledgeable about your academic or professional career. Letters may be submitted using the LLM application process (www.lsac.org) or recommenders may scan and email their recommendation letters directly to the Admission Office at llmadm@wm.edu.

(5) TOEFL Score
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required per instructions above.  Reports must be submitted directly to LSAC per instructions at www.lsac.org.

(6) Apply for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges (if applicable)

Applicants who have been living in Virginia for at least one year and wish to claim entitlement to in-state educational privileges must complete the Virginia Application for In-State Tuition Privileges, save, and add it as an attachment to the electronic application.  If the admission application has already been electronically submitted, applicants applying for Virginia in-state tuition privileges must complete the form found on the University Registrar’s website and return it to the Registrar by mail or fax.

Alternative Application Method

(1) Complete the Application

Applicants may complete and submit this paper application.

(2) Submit the Application Fee

Submit a nonrefundable $50 (U.S. dollars) application fee by check or money order made payable to the College of William & Mary.

(3) Send Academic Records

Submit transcripts or academic records (with translations) in sealed envelopes with your application.  For those students who have not yet received their law degree, if admitted, you will need to provide William & Mary with a final official undergraduate transcript showing your degree conferral.

Important Note: If you plan to sit for a bar examination in the United States, you will need to obtain an additional set of “official” transcripts showing your degree conferral to submit with your bar application.

(4) Submit Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit at least two letters of recommendation.  We prefer letters from law professors, employers or other significant people who are knowledgeable about your academic or professional career.  Letters may be submitted with application or emailed to llmadm@wm.edu.

(5) TOEFL Score

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required per above instructions.  Reports should be submitted by ETS directly to William & Mary Law School (Institution Code: 5115, Dept. Code: 03).  Photocopies of scores are not acceptable.

(6) Apply for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges (if applicable)

Applicants who have been living in Virginia for at least one year and wish to claim entitlement to in-state educational privileges must complete the Virginia Application for In-State Tuition Privileges and return it to the Registrar as directed on the application.

Checklist:

1. Submit the application with all questions answered, essays and a $50 (U.S. dollars) nonrefundable application fee by credit or debit card through LSAC or by check/money order made payable to the College of William & Mary;
2. Submit transcripts/academic records through LSAC or in sealed envelopes with your application;
3. Submit two letters of recommendation through LSAC or in sealed envelopes with your application (recommender may scan letter and email to llmadm@wm.edu); and
4. Submit an official TOEFL score to LSAC or have ETS send score directly to the Admission Office.  Copies are not acceptable.