Why Consider an LLM Program?
If you earned a law degree outside the US or hold a domestic JD and seek to deepen your expertise, an LLM may be the right next step. While Master of Laws programs vary globally in focus and requirements, US-based LLMs distinguish between domestic applicants and those with international legal backgrounds.
LLM Pathways: U.S. vs. International Applicants
In most cases, US applicants possess a JD and seek to deepen their expertise in a specific legal area. Less commonly, US applicants hail from other professional settings where legal knowledge adds concrete value.
International applicants typically have earned a professional law degree in their home country and have substantial work experience in the legal field. Some US LLM programs also prepare internationally trained lawyers to sit for bar exams in select states, expanding career opportunities.
What Does a Strong LLM Application Require?
The LSAT is not required, but top programs expect strong academic records and may value prior legal research experience. Applicants educated outside the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Canada, or Singapore generally need to submit qualifying TOEFL scores.
Personal Statements are often the crux of the application and provide candidates with the chance to discuss their personal histories, decision to pursue additional legal education, and the value they’d bring to an incoming class. Certain schools will also ask you to provide essays outlining research questions or projects you’d like to explore during the LLM. Regardless of the topic, application essays not only provide insight into an applicant’s interests and qualifications, but they also showcase written ability – a component that law admissions committees closely scrutinize.
Elevate Your Application with Expert Support
Because core elements of an application – such as undergraduate major and GPA – are already fixed, clients often turn to us for help honing their personal statements and research proposals to stand out in competitive applicant pools. While Fortuna’s Hourly Coaching option is popular among LLM-seeking clients, our Personal Statement Planning package is also a good choice for clients seeking essay-specific help. If you’re ready to explore how Fortuna can support your application journey, schedule a free consultation. We’ll assess your candidacy, identify key opportunities for improvement, and build a strategy to help you earn a seat in your target LLM program.