How to Apply for LLM Admissions

Scalia Law LLM Application Deadlines International students who need to apply for a student visa (F1) Students who do not need a visa (includes U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, or others already living in the United States) and ONLINE LLM applicants
Fall Application Deadline May 15 August 1
Spring Application Deadline November 1 December 15

Admission to the LLM program is highly competitive. To be admitted to the program, applicants must possess:

  • A Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school or an equivalent degree (a Bachelor of Laws, or LL.B.) from a law school outside the United States.
  • For non-lawyers interested in the LLM in Intellectual Property (IP) Law: a Bachelor and a Masters degree in another field, accompanied by a minimum of four years work experience in IP may be accepted in lieu of a law degree. IP trainees, Patent Examiners (including Bengoshi) with four or more years of experience in IP are welcome to apply.
  • All applicants for admission must have demonstrated high academic standing, and professional achievements or positions indicating the applicant's capacity for performing master's-level work.

Applications are not evaluated until all required supporting documents have been uploaded to the applicant’s LSAC file and transferred from LSAC directly to the law school.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

  1. Application and Application Fee
    All applicants apply electronically via LLM.LSAC.ORG. A completed application form will be sent to the law school electronically. The application fee has been waived for all LLM applicants.
  2. Official Undergraduate Transcript
    Applicants must submit all transcripts from college or university level work and degrees.
  3. Official Law School or Equivalent Transcripts
    In addition to transcripts from college or university level work and degrees, applicants must submit ONE of the following:
    1. An official law school transcript showing completion of a JD degree in the U.S.; or
    2. An official transcript (including grades) showing completion of a law degree in a country other than the U.S.; or
    3. Other official proof of status as a lawyer in a country other than the U.S.; or
    4. For non-lawyer IP professionals: proof of minimum of four years professional experience in an IP-related field.
  4. 500-Word Statement
    The applicant is required to submit a 500-word statement of educational and professional goals, double-spaced, 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, no other(s) may assist in the creation of this statement.
  5. Resume
    The applicant must submit a resume. There is no page limit.
  6. Letter of Recommendation
    Please submit one letter of recommendation addressing the applicant's academic and professional potential.
  7. Interview
    All applicants must complete an informal interview with the Director of the LLM program in person, by phone, or Skype. The admissions office will contact those candidates who are selected for interviews to schedule a convenient time to talk.
  8. 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.
  9. For U.S.-trained lawyers only: if you graduated from a U.S. law school, please submit your LSAT scores or an attached copy of the Credential Assembly Service Law School Report, which can be obtained from the registrar of the degree-granting institution.
    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS WITH FOREIGN CREDENTIALS:
  10. Register with LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS):
    LLM CAS simplifies the application process: please request your official transcripts from your law school or other institution abroad to be sent directly to LSAC for translation and evaluation.
  11. English Proficiency
    For applicants whose native language is not English, and do not possess a degree from a college or university whose primary language of instruction is English, a current TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score showing sufficient proficiency in the English language is required.
    Scores required:
    TOEFL: Minimum of 90 in the iBT test (100 or above highly preferred)
    IELTS: Minimum of 6.5 (7.5 or above highly preferred)
    Duolingo: Minimum of 110

    For test schedules and information please visit:
    TOEFL
    IELTS
    The Duolingo English Test is an online English proficiency test that can be taken online, on demand, in under an hour. The test is taken online via a computer with a front-facing camera. The test includes a proficiency score, video interview, and writing sample which are shared with George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School when you send your results. Certified results are available within 48 hours of the test session.

    The George Mason University Scalia Law School Institution code is 5827. English proficiency will also be assessed during the mandatory interview.
  12. International Student Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form: required for students accepted to the LLM 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.

Important Notes on Race/Ethnicity

The U.S. Department of Education is requiring educational institutions to begin reporting data utilizing a two-part race and ethnicity question in response to increased diversity within the U.S.

1. Ethnicity is based on the following categorization:

Hispanic or Latino: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. The term "Spanish origin" can be used in addition to "Hispanic or Latino."

2. Race is based on the following five categorizations:

American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa. 

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or an other Pacific Island.

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

This data will be used only for informational purposes and will not be used to discriminate against or penalize any applicant, or to determine immigration status.