FAQs: JM Admissions

Find answers here to some of the most frequently asked questions from applicants to the JM Degree Program at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School. We encourage all potential applicants to review materials on this page prior to contacting our office with questions.

Tell me about your law school and JM application process.

It is most useful for prospective JM applicants to visit our law school’s website as well as our dedicated JM website, where students will find specific information about the JM Degree Program. We also encourage you to review our general FAQs which helps prospective JM applicants better understand the degree requirements and application process. For step by step instructions on how to apply to our JM Degree Program and to learn the deadlines for each term, please visit our How to Apply page.

Admissions Information/Application Process

Our JM application, along with detailed instructions, is available online through the How to Apply page. If you have further questions, please contact Graduate Admissions at lawgradm@gmu.edu.

How many JM applications do you receive? How many applicants do you accept?

We are launching our first JM Degree Program this year. Like our JD and LLM admissions, we anticipate the JM admissions process will be competitive. Enrollment in the JM program will be limited to less than 25 students per program to ensure that each JM student receives individual attention.

What is the JM Degree Program’s application deadline?*

Applications are processed on a rolling basis. Deadlines posted below are the final dates applications will be considered for a cycle. Seat numbers are limited and can be filled prior to the application deadline. F-1 applicants must adhere to our F-1 application deadlines. We recommend applying early for faster connections to academic advising, career services, and faculty and alumni meet and greets.

Application deadlines:

  • August 1 for the Fall semester
  • December 15 for the Spring semester

F-1 Application deadlines:

  • May 15 for the Fall semester
  • November 1 for the Spring semester

JM Accelerated Application deadline:

  • May 1 for Fall 2024 Start

If you have questions about the admissions process, please review our How to Apply page, and if you have further questions, contact Graduate Admissions at lawgradm@gmu.edu.

After completing the JM Degree Program, am I eligible to take a United States bar examination?

No. The JM Degree Program does not confer a JD Degree.

Full-Time and Part-Time Programs

George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School currently offers only part-time JM enrollment. However, if you are interested in full-time enrollment please contact Graduate Admissions at lawgradm@gmu.edu.

Students in the part-time program generally attend classes in the evenings (evening classes are scheduled between the hours of 6:00 and 10:00 p.m.) and take fewer classes. However, part-time students may register for day classes.

How many credit hours are required?

In order to earn a JM Degree at George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, students must successfully complete a total of 30 credit hours.

Students will typically take 6-9 credit hours per semester.

Are transfer credits granted?

Credits from the JM Degree Program will not transfer to the Antonin Scalia Law School JD Program.

In certain circumstances, students who have JD credits from Scalia Law School may be able to transfer credits towards a JM Degree. Additionally, in certain circumstances credits might be transferred from other institutions. However, at least one third of all JM Degree Program credits must come from Scalia Law School. Contact Graduate Admissions at lawgradm@gmu.edu for more information about potentially transferring credits towards a Scalia Law JM Degree.

Requirements to Be Considered for Admission

You must satisfy a number of requirements to be considered for admission to our JM Degree Program. Please carefully review the instructions that accompany our application form, which can be found on the How to Apply page.

What is the general application process for JM students?

Please see our How to Apply page for full details on the application process.

  1. Application
    The application can be found here. The application can be electronically submitted, or mailed to:
    Graduate Admissions
    George Mason University
    Antonin Scalia Law School
    3301 Fairfax Drive, MS 1G3
    Arlington, Virginia 22201
    lawgradm@gmu.edu
  2. Official Transcripts
    Applicants must submit all transcripts from college, university, law school, and post-graduate level work and degrees.
  3. 500-Word Statement
    The applicant is required to submit a double-spaced 500-word statement of educational and professional goals, that will serve as both a statement of purpose and a writing sample. The thoughts and words of the 500-word statement must be uniquely those of the applicant. With the exception of basic proofreading, no other(s) may assist in the creation of this statement.
  4. Résumé
    The applicant must submit a resume. There is no page limit.
  5. Letters of Recommendation
    The applicant must submit at least one letter of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic and professional potential. Letters of recommendation must identify you as a JM applicant. Recommendations submitted directly to George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School must be either sent directly from the recommender’s e-mail account or via post in a sealed envelope and bear the author’s signature across the sealed envelope flap.
  6. Interview
    All applicants must complete an informal interview. Interviews may take place in-person at the George Mason Arlington campus or remotely via Skype. Informational interviews will last between fifteen and thirty minutes. The admissions office will contact applicants to schedule interviews once all application documents have been received.
  7. Virginia In-State Tuition Rates: if you believe you qualify for in-state tuition, please fill out the Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Rates and submit together with a copy of your Driver’s License to lawadmit@gmu.edu. See the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Domicile Guidelines and the George Mason University Domicile Office for information regarding in-state tuition rate eligibility.
  8. GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT scores: are not required, but should be submitted if taken by the applicant. If applicable, the Educational Testing Service (ETS) should directly send George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School the GRE, GMAT, MCAT or LSAT score. The ETS school code for the law school is 2737.
  9. Additional requirements for applicants with foreign credentials:
    Please request that your official transcripts from your educational institution abroad be sent directly to either World Education Services (WES) or AACRAO International Services for translation and evaluation.

    English Proficiency:
    If your native language is not English, and you do not possess a degree from a college or university whose primary language of instruction is English, current TOEFL or IELTS scores showing sufficient proficiency in the English language are required.
    Scores required:
    TOEFL: Minimum of 90 in the iBT test (100 or above highly preferred)
    OR
    IELTS: Minimum of 6.5 (7.5 or above highly preferred);

    For test schedules and information please visit:
    TOEFL
    IELTS

    The George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School Institution code is 5827. English proficiency will also be assessed during the mandatory interview.

    International Student Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form: required for students accepted to the JM Degree Program who will need to apply for a student (F-1 or J-1) visa. After admission candidates will receive this form by email with all necessary information.

How many letters of recommendation are required?

We require at least one letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must identify you as a JM applicant.

Does George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School require that letters of recommendation be submitted with their application?

Applicants may submit letters with their application, or they may be submitted directly to our Admissions Office.

May I submit a resume with my application?

Yes, a resume is required for JM applicants.

Is there a preferred topic for the personal statement?

The applicant is required to submit a 500-word, double-spaced statement of educational and professional goals that will serve as both a statement of purpose and a writing sample. The thoughts and words of the 500-word statement must be uniquely those of the applicant. With the exception of basic proofreading, no other(s) may assist in the creation of this statement.

My personal statement is longer than 500 words. Is that a problem?

We strongly prefer that you stay within the 500-word limit. However, we do not penalize applicants for overages. If your statement is 550 or 650 words, that’s fine. However, if your statement exceeds 650 words, please edit it down before submitting

Other Helpful Information

Does George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School give preference to Virginia applicants or to applicants from certain parts of the Commonwealth?

Applications are reviewed in their entirety, and admission offers are made to the most desirable candidates without regard to geographic distribution or residency.

Are Personal Interviews Required?

Yes, an informal interview is required as a part of the JM admissions process. All applicants must complete an informal interview. Interviews may take place in-person at the George Mason University Arlington campus or remotely via Skype. Interviews will last between fifteen and thirty minutes and are informational in nature. The admissions office will contact applicants to schedule interviews once all other application documents have been received.

If an applicant completes an interview in-person on the Arlington campus, JM applicants are welcome to visit the law school for a tour as well.

Must I disclose information about prior or pending criminal, disciplinary, or academic problems in my JM application?

Yes. It is critical that you describe details of any criminal, disciplinary and/or academic actions in response to the Character and Fitness section questions of our JM application. Failure to disclose this information can result in serious consequences. We have revoked acceptances in the past in cases in which we learned of the applicant’s failure to disclose information.

Can I visit the law school and sit in on a class?

Applicants are welcome to visit our law school for a tour and class observation. Please contact Graduate Admissions at lawgradm@gmu.edu for more details.

If I am admitted to the JM Degree Program, how long will I have to decide if I will attend? Are seat deposits Required?

If you are offered JM admission to George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, you will be required to make a seat deposit of $500.00 within two weeks of admission, or as of April 1 for fall admissions, whichever comes later. You will not be able to register for classes, set up your Mason e-mail account, of receive your I-20 or DS-2019 immigration forms until your seat deposit and Intent to Enroll form are received and processed.

Are seat deposits credited toward tuition?

Yes. The seat deposits that you make prior to matriculating will be credited to your first semester tuition.

Are seat deposits refundable in whole or in part?

No. Seat deposits are completely non-refundable. If you make your seat deposit, and subsequently decide that you will not attend, you will forfeit your seat deposit.

When is tuition due?

Tuition is due on a semester basis, on the first day of each semester.

How much does it cost to attend the JM Degree Program?

Part-time tuition is $896.50/credit hour for in-state residents, and $1,445.00/credit hour for out-of-state residents. For detailed information regarding cost, including part-time tuition rates and cost of living, please visit the Tuition and Costs page.

Is financial aid available?

George Mason students may receive loan funds. Government subsidized student loans are only available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Admitted students work with the Office of Student Financial Aid to obtain loans. For more information, please go to Financial Aid.

Are there any scholarships available?

George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School has limited scholarship funds available for outstanding JM applicants. No additional application materials are required to be considered for scholarships – all applicants are evaluated as potential scholarship candidates and scholarship offers are made on a rolling basis. We encourage all students to investigate community scholarships, many of which are identified on the law school’s website.

Does George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School offer in-state tuition rates for Virginians?

George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School offers lower tuition rates for individuals domiciled in Virginia. For more detailed information about domicile, please visit Virginia In-state Tuition Eligibility.

When does the JM Degree Program start? When does it end? How long does it take to complete the degree program?

Students start the JM Degree Program in the fall and spring of each year. The fall semester begins in mid-August, and the spring semester begins in early January. For exact start and end dates, as well as holiday periods, see the Academic Calendar.

The JM degree is awarded once a student has completed 30 credit hours.

Each semester, students take between 6 and 9 credit hours. There is also a short summer semester, but typically few courses are offered during the summer.

JM students may take up to two years (4 semesters) to complete the degree. In limited cases an accelerated schedule may be approved. Please contact Graduate Admissions at lawgradm@gmu.edu for more details.

What classes do JM students take?

JM students take courses included in the JM Degree Program’s curriculum. The JM curriculum can be found here.

Core courses are taken with JM students only. Concentration area courses are taken alongside JD students.