Beginning the Application Process
Because we receive hundreds of strong applications and base our decisions on a variety of factors, admission to our LLM program is highly competitive.
One important consideration in our selection process is the strength and rigor of an applicant’s previous legal studies. Our LLM program is demanding, and it is crucial for applicants to demonstrate a record of academic excellence.
However, our assessment of each application is forward-looking, with the goal of identifying potential performance and success at Michigan Law and beyond. Grades alone are insufficient to predict such outcomes, and so we review all application materials thoroughly and carefully.
LLM Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should have a first professional degree in law to be eligible for admission to the LLM program.
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) is a not-for-profit organization that provides products and services to support candidates and schools through the law school admission process. LSAC provides a list of minimum degree requirements to be eligible for admission to the bar in a particular country or area, which can be helpful to evaluate your eligibility for admission to our LLM program.
If your degree or location is not included in LSAC’s list, you are welcome to email us regarding your eligibility for admission to our LLM program.
If you are currently enrolled in your final year of legal studies, you are welcome to apply to our LLM program. You are eligible for admission as long as your law degree will be conferred before the LLM program begins in August.
Questions? Contact Us
We recognize that applying to an LLM program can be daunting, and we are happy to clarify and demystify the admissions process. We enjoy connecting with prospective students at online and in-person events. In addition, please do not hesitate to email us if you have questions at any point.
Submit Your Application via LSAC
We require candidates to register with LSAC’s LLM Credential Assembly Service (LLM CAS) and submit their applications via LSAC. This offers you an efficient way to apply to multiple law schools at the same time.
LLM CAS enables you to submit one copy of your academic records, letters of recommendation, and TOEFL and IELTS scores to a centralized organization. You can then request LSAC to forward these materials to law schools.
LSAC recommends creating an account and registering for LLM CAS at least six weeks before your first application deadline.
Once you create an LSAC account, you will be able to access the Michigan Law graduate application form starting September 1. After you submit your application on LSAC’s website, LSAC will forward your materials to us automatically.
LLM CAS Fees
We require LLM applicants to register for LSAC’s Electronic Application Service ($42) and the Document Assembly Service ($59). The fees for EAPS and DAS are valid for the entire admission cycle, and so you will pay these fees only once, regardless of the number of schools you apply to via LSAC.
We do not require LLM applicants to register for the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service ($150), but almost all applications we receive are from candidates who have registered for ITAES. The fee for ITAES is valid for the entire admission cycle, and so you will pay the ITAES fee only once, regardless of the number of schools you apply to via LSAC.
You are also required to submit a $36 CAS Report fee for each application you submit via LSAC. If you apply to multiple law schools via LSAC, then you will submit a separate CAS Report fee for each law school you apply to.
How to Apply
For admission to the LLM class for the 2025-26 academic year, candidates may begin submitting applications on September 1, 2024.
Our application deadline is January 15, 2025.
Completing Your Application
We consider an application to be on time if we receive all the required components of a candidate’s application by January 15. We do not submit an application for review until we confirm that we have received all of the required materials.
All applications that are complete by the January 15 deadline are considered on the same basis for admission. Applications that are complete after January 15 are evaluated on a space available basis and may be at a significant disadvantage in our review process.
We send admissions decisions by email, so please add law.grad.admissions@umich.edu to your contact list.
For applications that are complete by our deadline, we begin releasing our first admission decisions in February, and we typically finish making our initial decisions by the end of March.
About the Application Materials
Michigan Law LLM Admissions Events
The Michigan Law Graduate Admissions Office is delighted to meet you and answer your questions. We are offering a variety of ways for you to learn about the LLM admissions process and Michigan Law.
Michigan Law Webinars
Michigan Law hosts webinars from late August through early January. If you would like to attend any of these webinars, please register, and we will send you an email with details about how to participate. We ask that you register for only one time slot per webinar topic.
Choosing an LLM Program: The Michigan Difference
Because there are many excellent LLM programs, it can be difficult to narrow down your choices. We’ll outline factors you may want to consider when you apply to LLM programs and highlight distinguishing features of Michigan Law’s LLM program.
Register for Choosing an LLM Program Webinar
Deciphering the LLM Application
If you’re wondering why we ask so many questions in our admission application, we’ll provide answers in this webinar. We’ll dive into each section of our LLM application, provide tips to avert pitfalls, and share insight into what we look for in our admission process.
Register for Deciphering the LLM Application Webinar
LLM Application Essays 101
If a blank computer screen isn’t providing you with inspiration to start your personal statement, let us assist you with practical tips. We’ll explain how our application readers evaluate essays and illustrate common mistakes to avoid when drafting your essays.
Register for LLM Applications Essays 101 Webinar
Guide to Funding and US Visas
It can be daunting to face the prospect of funding an LLM and applying for a US student visa. We’ll break down types of potential funding sources, discuss cost of attendance considerations, and give an overview of what to expect with the US student visa application process.
Meet Us at LLM Events Around the World
We participate in a variety of in-person and virtual events hosted by other organizations, and a schedule is listed below. We will continue to update this schedule throughout the admissions season.
LLM Admissions FAQs
Applications
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What should I write about in my personal statement?
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Will my application be at a disadvantage if I don’t submit a supplemental essay?
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Do titles or footnotes count toward the word limit for each application essay?
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How do I reapply if I submitted an application in a previous admission cycle?
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May I submit my application form before my Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report is complete?
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How will I know if my application is complete?