LLM Eligibility

The Master of Laws in American Law (LLM) is for foreign lawyers. You’re eligible to apply if you’ve earned a law degree or equivalent from a university or law school outside the U.S. and score a minimum of 100 on the TOEFL internet-based test or a minimum of 7.0 on the IELTS. Review each exam’s details.

LLM Application Form

Complete and file your application and all supporting materials online through the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC).  Indicate you are applying to the LLM program.

• 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.

Transcript and Transcript Analysis

If your law degree is from an institution outside the U.S. or Canada, it must be certified as the equivalent of a U.S. law degree. We recommend that you register with LSAC Credential Assembly Service, which collects, authenticates, and distributes your university records and TOEFL score, if required. 

• Register and 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 LSAC authenticates non–U.S. or non-Canadian credentials needed in addition to a completed admission application.

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, and why you’re interested in our LLM program.
• 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 to help the committee get to know you.

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

Applying for a Visa

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.

Application Deadline

Important dates to remember for your LLM application:

June 1: Your LLM application must be completed and filed with any supporting documentation 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.

TOEFL or IELTS (if applicable)

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.

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.

Bar Admission Requirements

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