Who Can Apply

Graduates of foreign undergraduate programs and nonimmigrant students are welcome to apply to the JD program at New England Law | Boston. ### link to Nonimmigrant Student Requirements below ###

 International Application Form

Complete and file your application online through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC). 

• Apply by June 1 to be considered for admission to New England Law for that fall. (We do not offer spring admission.)
• LSAC and New England Law will confirm receipt of your application.

Need some help getting started? Review what law schools look for in their applicants, these ideas on how to make your application stand out, and some application tips from successful students.

Foreign Transcripts

If you received your undergraduate degree from an institution outside the U.S. (including its territories) or Canada: 

• Submit your official transcript(s) via the LSAC Credential Assembly Service by October 15 for admission to New England Law for the fall. (We do not offer spring admission.)

The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers will also complete a Foreign Credential Evaluation and incorporate it into the CAS report.

LSAT and Other Testing 

All students must take the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), no later than March of the year they wish to enroll. Although March scores are released after the June 1 deadline, don’t wait for them to apply: Submit your application and required materials before they’re due. If you repeat the LSAT, we’ll consider the highest score. In some cases, we may also give weight to all your scores.

If English is not your first language or if your undergraduate degree was not received from an English-speaking institution, you must take either:

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)  and receive a minimum score of 100 on the internet-based test. Request that they send your score to LSAC. LSAC’s TOEFL code for JD CAS is 8395. 

OR

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and a minimum score of 7.0 .

If you score below the required minimum on either exam, we still encourage you to apply because we use a holistic approach when reviewing applications. Learn more about each test here.

Personal Statement 

Because New England Law does not conduct personal interviews, this statement is your opportunity to stand out from other applicants. Make the most of it: 

• Emphasize your background, suitability for admission, or the reasons for undertaking legal studies.
  
• Discuss your personal characteristics and circumstances, strengths, work experiences, extracurricular activities, and economic and educational background.
  
• Highlight a unique or differentiating quality — or any other topic that will help the committee get to know you.

Consider these tips and examples of standout personal statements when writing yours.

 Letter of Recommendation 

Submit one letter of recommendation, preferably from a college professor who can attest to your ability to succeed in a competitive professional program. If you’ve been out of school for a while, consider asking your employer for a letter. (You may submit more than one letter, but once we receive the first, your file is sent to the Admissions Committee for review.)

There are two ways to submit your letter(s) of recommendation:

1. Online through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service (our preference). Your letter(s) are then sent with your CAS report, which is updated weekly.
   
2. Mailed directly to New England Law. The envelope must be sealed with the recommender’s signature over the seal. Faxed or photocopied letters are not accepted.

Nonimmigrant Student Requirements

If you’re a nonimmigrant student, additional paperwork and documentation may be necessary. Satisfying any visa or U.S. government entry requirements is your responsibility. However, once you’re accepted into New England Law and have submitted your required deposits, we will assist you in processing the Form I-20 needed to obtain your student visa. Visit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for details.

If you’re a Canadian citizen planning to study in the U.S., you need an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility rather than a visa from the school you will attend. We can provide you with the certificate once you’re accepted and we receive the required deposits.

Bar Admission Requirements

International students who graduate from New England Law are eligible to take the bar examination in any jurisdiction in the U.S. However, different states test different subjects on their examinations and have other qualifications for bar admission, such as character and fitness. Some even require students to register with the Board of Bar Examiners in their state before or soon after they begin law school.

To determine the requirements of the jurisdiction in which you intend to seek admission, contact them directly. You can find their information at the National Conference of Bar Examiners.

Optional Addendum

Is your GPA or LSAT score not as strong as you would like? Are there extenuating circumstances that you’d like us to consider? Including an addendum with your JD application may be helpful. Use it to explain to the Admissions Committee why your grade-point average or LSAT score would or would not be a good predictor of your performance at New England Law. Not a standardized test-taker? Comparing your SAT or ACT scores to your undergraduate performance may be to your advantage.

Application Deadline

Important dates to remember for your JD application:

March: Take the LSAT. We accept March exam scores for fall admission. Don’t wait to get your results before applying: You won’t receive them before the deadline.

June 1: Your JD application must be completed and filed through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) to be considered for the fall semester.

October 15: Your official transcript(s) must be submitted via the LSAC Credential Assembly Service by this date for fall admission.