LL.M. Application Process
LL.M. Application Basics
- Applications for the LL.M. may be submitted from October 1 through April 30.
- Applicants must have completed (or expect to complete by summer 2008) a law degree outside the United States.
- If the language of instruction at the school conferring your law degree is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
- LL.M. students begin their studies in the fall semester.
- The application fee is $50.00 (US).
LL.M. Selection Process
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in December. We make decisions on individual applications as quickly as possible, although the time required may vary from case to case. We evaluate each application thoroughly, reflecting our belief that the quality of the educational environment at Vanderbilt Law School benefits from considering a broad range of information contained in each application.
Vanderbilt's LL.M. Admissions Committee considers:
- Previous legal experience
- Areas of interest
- Academic work
- Letters of reference
- Scholarly publications
- Writing samples
- Proficiency in the English language
Application Instructions
- We strongly recommend that you register with the Law School Admission Council’s LL.M. Credential Assembly Service . This service will save you time and money if you intend to apply to a number of U.S. or Canadian graduate law degree programs. You will only need to obtain your transcripts and other required credentials once in order to make them available for all of your applications. LSAC will collect, authenticate and distribute your university records, TOEFL score, and letters of recommendation to the law schools to which you apply. You will be able to use this credential-processing service to apply to participating U.S. and Canadian law schools for a period of five years. Five reports to law schools are included in the registration fee.
- Vanderbilt LL.M. application forms. You may apply electronically or download and print application forms here.
- Official academic transcripts in English from all colleges and universities you have attended. Your transcripts should show that you have earned a university degree in law (the equivalent of a J.D. or LL.B. degree) from an accredited institution outside the United States. Transcripts must be in English or must be accompanied by a certified English translation. We strongly recommend that you register for the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (as above), but you may also use other academic evaluation services such as the Educational Credential Evaluators or World Education Services. These services summarize courses taken, grades received, and degrees conferred and then translate these academic credentials into English. Transcripts should be sent to the Vanderbilt University Law School, Admissions Office, 131 21st Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203, U.S.A.
- Official TOEFL score. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite for the LL.M. program. If your native language is not English, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) . To have your TOEFL score report sent directly to Vanderbilt, use Vanderbilt’s institution code 1871 and department code 03 and your TOEFL score will be reported directly to the Admissions Office. If you are registered for the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service, please use LSAC’s designated institution code 8395 and your TOEFL score will be reported to us through LSAC with your other credentials. Applicants may obtain information about the TOEFL through:TOEFL Services, P.O. Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, U.S.A. Phone: 609.771.7100, Fax: 609.771.7500, E-mail: TOEFL@ets.org
- Two letters of recommendation and accompanying forms. Your recommenders may send letters directly to the Admissions Office or you may submit the letters yourself in envelopes sealed by your recommender. Letters should be from people who have worked closely with you and who know you well. Letters from faculty members who have served as your advisors, research supervisors, or have taught you and are familiar with your work tend to provide information most relevant to you as a prospective law student and most helpful to readers of your application. Recommendations from those familiar with your professional performance are also acceptable.
- Personal statement of interest describing your reasons for seeking the LL.M. degree and your qualifications.
- LL.M. Financial Aid Statement. Download the Financial Aid Statement here. This form is also included in the printed application materials that accompany the LL.M. Viewbook.
- Application fee. Payment of the $50 nonrefundable application fee should be made in U.S. dollars in the form of a certified check or money order payable to Vanderbilt University Law School. If you apply online, you may pay by credit card.
- Thesis track only: write a brief statement indicating which Vanderbilt Law faculty member(s) you would like to supervise your research.
- Thesis track only: Legal writing sample. You must provide a writing sample in English of no fewer than 300 words. Your writing sample may be a legal opinion, a scholarly article, or an essay on a legal topic of your choosing.
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Financial Aid for LL.M. Students and Affidavit of Support
Vanderbilt Law School awards merit-based scholarships to LL.M. students each year. Recipients are identified during the selection process and notified after admission to the program. All admitted candidates are considered for scholarship awards.
Applicants are encouraged to investigate other sources of support, such as government or employer grants and loans, early in the application process. Non-U.S. citizens may be able to apply for a student loan, but it must be co-signed by a U.S. citizen.
All admitted international applicants must also complete an Affidavit of Support, demonstrating your ability to cover the complete cost of tuition, fees, and living expenses. The Affidavit of Support must be signed by you and another person who will act as guarantor, and must include documentation such as bank statements, certificates of deposit, and fellowship or grant funding information.
Questions?
For more information call the Vanderbilt Law School Admissions Office at (+001) 615-322-6452 or send us an email at: llm.program@law.vanderbilt.edu.
All correspondence should be submitted to:
Vanderbilt University Law School Admissions Office
131 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
USA
