Apply to the LLM Program

• Required Materials
  1. Completed Michigan Law Graduate Programs application form (submitted through LSAC’s website)
  2. LSAC Credential Assembly Service Report that includes:
     • Academic records from all postsecondary institutions attended
     • Two letters of recommendation
  3. English proficiency materials
  4. Résumé or CV
  5. Two essays that discuss the topics provided in the Michigan Law application
  6. $75 application fee or waiver
• Optional Materials
  1. Supplemental essays, according to the topics offered in the Michigan Law application form
  2. Additional letters of recommendation
• Application Submission Tips

  Proofread Before Submitting

  While answers to some questions in our application form may be pre-populated based on the information you provide in your LSAC account, please proofread all the answers in your application form, as this will help us maintain accurate records.

  When we review an application, our goal is to gain insight into who a candidate is, and so you should provide complete and accurate information in the application form. If you leave several blank answers in your application form, it may cause processing delays and will likely raise questions for our reviewers.

  Confidentiality

  Please be assured that the Admissions Office recognizes the utmost importance of keeping the contents of your application confidential.

  We will often pass on the names and contact information of admitted applicants to current students, alumni, and faculty who have similar interests. However, if you indicate in your application form that you do not wish to be contacted by members of the Law School community, we will not pass on your contact information to these groups if you are admitted.

  Corrections and Updates

  If you realize that your submitted application contains an error, please email us right away.

  You are welcome to email us if you would like to provide updated application materials (e.g., an updated résumé or supplemental essay). Please be aware that we cannot substitute or remove materials that have already been submitted; we can only supplement.

About the Application Materials

• Official Transcripts and Degree Confirmations

  You should submit academic records to LSAC from every postsecondary institution you have attended, even if you never received a degree or have just enrolled in the institution.

  Academic records must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.

  Whenever available, transcripts should include an official certification of your class rank, cumulative grade average, and honors. It is very helpful for records to include a description of the institution’s grading system and an indication of the normal length of the academic program.

  How to Submit Academic Records

  You should request your academic records from your educational institutions, and the institutions must send your records directly to LSAC.

  It can take up to two weeks for LSAC to process academic records from US educational institutions, and it can take significantly longer to request and process international records. We strongly recommend submitting your academic records to LSAC as early in the application process as possible, even before you begin working on other application components.

  After you submit your application, LSAC will send us copies of your academic records. Please do not send academic records directly to our office, as we will consider only records submitted via LSAC for our admissions review.

  If you are enrolled in a postsecondary academic program when you submit your application, then you should submit updated transcripts and records to LSAC once new grades become available. LSAC will process your updated academic records and send them to our office automatically so that we can add them to your application.

  Required Academic Records      Submit Records to LSAC

• English Proficiency Materials

  To be prepared for the rigor of the LLM curriculum, students must have a high level of English proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Unless an exemption applies, all applicants must submit at least one mode of the English proficiency materials we accept.

  We accept any of the following English proficiency materials:

  • TOEFL score
  • IELTS score
  • MET score
  • ECPE score
  • LSAT score
  • InitialView interview

  Although we review all complete applications, we look for an overall score of at least 100 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.0 on the IELTS Academic, or 64 on the MET 4-skill exam. Most admitted students have higher overall scores.

  We advise applicants with scores below 100 on the TOEFL iBT, 7.0 on the IELTS Academic, or 64 on the MET 4-skill exam to consider submitting a supplemental essay that discusses their English language abilities.

  Due to the volume of applications we receive, our team submits applications for review once we confirm we have all of a candidate’s required materials, including at least one of the English proficiency measures that we accept.

  Although we do not universally place applications on hold for pending English proficiency materials, we recommend that you indicate all of the materials that you plan to submit in your application form. If you complete an English proficiency evaluation after you submit your application, you should notify the Graduate Admissions Office by email.

  As our reviewers consider your application, they will be able to decide whether to wait for future English proficiency materials. If they feel comfortable making a decision before receiving pending English proficiency materials, they will do so.

  TOEFL and IELTS

  The TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are available widely throughout the world. Both the TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are administered at test centers, but for situations where taking a test in person is impossible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS Indicator scores.

  We do not accept TOEFL MyBest scores.

  If you choose to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores, then you should request that these testing institutions send your score reports to LSAC. If you have taken multiple TOEFL or IELTS tests, then you should submit all your results to LSAC.

  TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years, and we accept scores that are within two years of our application opening. During the 2023-24 admissions season, we will accept TOEFL or IELTS scores from September 1, 2021 or later.

  Learn More about TOEFL     Learn More about IELTS     

  Submit TOEFL or IELTS Test Scores to LSAC

  MET or ECPE Scores

  The Michigan English Test (MET) is administered online, and you can take the MET almost anywhere year-round. If you are considering the MET, then you should take the digital, 4-skill exam, which has a 155-minute duration.

  Prospective applicants to our LLM program can register to take the MET at a discounted rate.

  MET scores are valid for two years, and so we accept scores that are within two years of our application opening. During the 2023-24 admissions season, we will accept MET scores from September 1, 2021 or later.

  The Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) is a 4-skill, paper test that is administered in May and December. ECPE scores are valid for life, and so we can accept any valid ECPE score as a measure of English proficiency, regardless of the test administration date.

  If you choose to submit a MET or ECPE score, then you should share your result with the University of Michigan Law School LLM Program in the Michigan Language Assessment Portal.

  Learn More about MET     Learn More about ECPE

  Submit Your MET or ECPE Test Scores

  LSAT Scores

  The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) consists of four 35-minute sections and is typically offered 8 to 9 times per year. You can take the LSAT at a test center or online.

  If you have taken the LSAT within the past five years (from June 2018 or later), then we can accept a valid LSAT score as a measure of English proficiency. If you indicate that you will be submitting an LSAT score in your application, then we will work with LSAC to receive your LSAT score information.

  Learn More about the LSAT

  InitialView Interview

  InitialView conducts live, unscripted interviews that provide you the chance to demonstrate your English communication skills and discuss your background and goals. The entire process takes about an hour, and you can complete an interview almost anywhere online.

  If you choose to do an online interview, then you should select a “Graduate/Professional School” interview. The interview is based on your résumé and is conducted by one of InitialView’s interviewers. The writing sample, which we strongly recommend (but do not require), is an open-ended question to which you will write a response. Neither the interview nor the writing sample is scored.

  Prospective applicants to our LLM program can register for an InitialView interview with a 30 percent off discount by entering the following code: xwADZJe

  If you choose to participate in an InitialView interview, you should submit your interview to the University of Michigan Law School via the InitialView portal.

  Learn More About InitialView

  Register for an InitialView Interview

• Exemptions From English Proficiency Materials

  The vast majority of candidates are required to submit at least one mode of our accepted English proficiency materials as an integral part of their application.

  However, an applicant who meets either of the following criteria is exempt from submitting English language proficiency materials:

  • English is the applicant’s native language (i.e., a primary language that the applicant speaks at home)
    
    OR
     
  • The applicant has completed at least three years of full-time, postsecondary education at an institution where English was the sole language of instruction.

  If you meet either of these criteria, you can indicate your eligibility for an exemption in the application form. Please note that we will not send a separate communication to indicate our granting of an exemption.

  We strongly recommend that non-native English speakers submit English proficiency materials as part of their applications, as non-native English speakers in our LLM program receive 25 percent extra time on their final exams in their first semester.

  However, LLM students who are exempt from submitting English proficiency materials in their admissions applications do not receive this extra time on their final exams.

• Your Letters of Recommendation

  We require a minimum of two letters of recommendation, but you are welcome to submit up to four.

  Recommenders should submit their letters through LSAC’s LLM Letter of Recommendation Service, and they should write their letters in English or obtain a certified English translation if they write their letters in another language. We strongly prefer that letters be on recommenders’ official stationery.

  Content

  Letters of recommendation should be from people who know you well and can evaluate your capacity for advanced legal studies and professional success.

  Letters of recommendation are most helpful when they discuss the extent and nature of the recommender’s acquaintance with you and comment candidly on your qualities, such as your:

  • intellectual and scholarship abilities
  • capacity for original thought
  • ability to analyze and critically assess information
  • quality of oral and written expression
  • growth potential
  • achievements
  • personality

  Your Recommenders

  At least one letter of recommendation should be by a law faculty member who taught you in your postsecondary education.

  In addition, letters of recommendation from employers—particularly for candidates with significant work experience—can provide extremely informative input.

  Recommendations from mentors, advisors, volunteer supervisors, coaches, or others who know you well and have had the opportunity to review your abilities and contributions may also be worthwhile submissions.

  We strongly discourage personal recommendations from family members or friends, as we attribute bias to these recommenders. We also advise against submitting letters from recommenders who have little or no direct knowledge of your qualities.

• Your Résumé or CV

  Your résumé or CV should contain information about your postsecondary education and employment experience.

  It should list all postsecondary institutions that you attended, including:

  • name and location of each institution
  • dates of attendance
  • name of the degree in the original language (not an English translation)
  • cumulative grade average
  • class rank (if applicable)

  You should also provide information about your full-time and significant part-time employment, including:

  • name and location of your employer
  • your job title
  • dates you held the position
  • major responsibilities and activities
  • any other information you think will be useful

  In addition, your résumé or CV should include:

  • date and location of your bar admission (if applicable)
  • your significant extracurricular and non-work-related activities
  • academic and non-academic honors and awards you have received, including fellowships, prizes, and memberships in honor societies
  • your hobbies, special interests, or academic pursuits
• Required Essays

  We are proud of our kind and welcoming student body, and our goal is to enroll students with a broad range of perspectives and experiences to generate a vibrant culture of comprehensive debate and discussion. Essay submissions are an extremely helpful tool for evaluating your potential contributions to our Law School community.

  To this end, we require all applicants to submit two required essays in response to each of the prompts below.

  1. Please submit a personal statement that allows us to gain insight into who you are and understand why you are interested in pursuing graduate legal studies. (Maximum of 500 words.)
      
  2. Why are you interested in earning your graduate degree at Michigan Law? Why might Michigan be a good fit for you culturally, academically, or professionally? (Maximum of 300 words.)
• Supplemental Essays

  Supplemental essays give you the opportunity to provide us with relevant information that you were unable to include elsewhere in your application.

  Although supplemental essays are not required, we encourage you to consider submitting your responses to one or two (but no more) of the prompts listed below.

  Each supplemental essay should be no more than 400 words.

  Supplemental Essay Topics

  • What unique perspective or experience do you have that has made a meaningful impact on your life?
     
  • Describe a challenge, failure, or obstacle that you have faced and overcome, whether long-term and systemic (e.g., socioeconomic, health, or complex family circumstances) or short-term and discrete (e.g., a workplace scenario or a particularly challenging course). How did you confront it? Would you do anything differently if you faced this situation again?
     
  • We seek students who are encouraging, kind, and collaborative, even when it is not convenient or easy. Describe a recent experience where you exhibited these characteristics.
     
  • Tell us about a time in your recent past when you changed your mind about something significant.
     
  • Think of an acquaintance who knows you, but not very well (i.e., not a family member or close friend). How would your acquaintance describe you? Would their description be accurate? Why or why not?
     
  • Is there any information in your application that you wish to clarify (e.g., particular grades in your postsecondary education, a history of standardized testing that is not reflective of your academic capabilities or English proficiency, gaps in studies or employment)?
• Requesting Financial Aid

  All candidates are welcome to request consideration for financial aid from Michigan Law in the application form.

  • To request consideration, go to the “Financial Arrangements” section of the application and find the question “Please indicate whether you would like to be considered for financial aid from the Law School if you are admitted.”
  • Select “Yes.”

  Requesting consideration for financial aid does not affect a candidate’s admission decision, as our admissions and scholarship evaluations are separate processes.

  Scholarship decisions are based on academic and professional merit and future promise in contributing to Michigan Law and the legal profession. All admitted students who request financial aid in their admissions applications are considered automatically for all available scholarships from the Law School.

  Due to the many outstanding applications we receive, the demand for financial aid always exceeds the amount of available Law School scholarships. Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to seek financial support from other public and private sources.

  Finding a Funding Source

  EducationUSA is a US Department of State network that promotes US higher education to students around the world. Every year, EducationUSA publishes a Global Guide that includes sections on “Foreign Government and Private Funding” resources in various countries; this can be useful to identify potential funding sources.

• Application Fee

  The application fee is $75, which is payable by credit card on LSAC’s website. 

  We grant application fee waivers to highly qualified applicants through LSAC’s Candidate Referral Service (CRS). To be considered for an application fee waiver, you must have an active CRS account indicating your intended enrollment year and a TOEFL or IELTS score.

  If you register for CRS and qualify for a fee waiver, it will automatically appear in your account on LSAC. We email recipients to make them aware they have received a fee waiver.

  Register for CRS