Application Process
In order to apply for admission as a student in the Master of Laws in American and International Legal Practice program, applicants must have received or expect to receive a J.D. degree from an ABA-approved American law school or the foreign equivalent.
Applications for the 2009-2010 academic year will continue to be accepted until the class is filled. Space is limited and applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to ensure maximum consideration.
The Application (summarized)
- Loyola Law School on-line application
- $50 non-refundable application fee, payable online through Verisign
(VISA, MC, and AMEX accepted) - Current resume or curriculum vitae
- Official law school transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal Statement
- Acceptable score on standardized English language proficiency exam
(TOEFL, IELTS, or CPE)
Send documents to:
Office of Admissions
Loyola Law School
Office of Admissions
919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211
The Application (in detail)
We strongly encourage applicants to use the electronic application. In order to access the online application, applicants will be asked to create a user id and password.
You may also apply using a paper application; however, there is a considerable processing delay using this method. To request a paper application, please contact:
Office of Admissions
Loyola Law School
Office of Admissions
919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211
Official Law School Transcripts
American Law School Graduates
Applicants admitted to the program must provide Loyola Law School with official final transcripts confirming conferral of a law degree from an ABA-approved American law school. Hand delivered transcripts will not be accepted.
The Office of Admissions will obtain transcripts for graduates of Loyola Law School directly from the Office of the Registrar.
Foreign Law School Graduates
Applicants who have completed their undergraduate and/or legal education outside of the United States or Canada must have transcripts forwarded to the International Evaluation Research Foundation (IERF), www.ierf.org , or another certified evaluation service for analysis. The evaluated transcript must be forwarded by the evaluation service and sent directly to the Office of Admissions. ( Please note for documentation in languages other than English, certified translations must be provided).
Loyola will accept evaluations provided through LSAC's LLM Credential Assembly Service. For information regarding the Credential Assembly Service and to enroll in the service, please contact LSAC at www.lsac.org.
Italian applicants should have their official transcripts translated and sent by email to italian.co-director@email.it for evaluation followed by mail to Loyola Law School - International LL.M Program, via S. Margherita 13, 40123 Bologna.
Note: Transcripts must be provided prior to the start of classes. Hand delivered transcripts will not be accepted.
English Language Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English. Applicants for whom English is a second language and who have not studied law at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction are required to submit standardized English language test scores. This may be accomplished by forwarding results to the Admissions Office of:
- TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) with a score at least 580 (paper), 237 (computer), 92-93 (iBT); or
- IELTS (International English Language Test System) with a minimum score of 7 on the overall band; or
- CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English) which, if successfully passed, will satisfy the English requirement.
The Institutional Code for the Law School is 4403.
Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Applicants must submit current resume/curriculum vitae enumerating any significant educational accomplishments, academic awards, or professional and volunteer activities and/or publications.
Letters of Recommendation
All applicants must submit two letters of recommendation in support of their application. Such letters should discuss the applicant's analytic and writing skills and other factors relevant to the applicant's ability to complete rigorous post-graduate training. The letters should be either an academic reference written by a former law school professor or academic dean or should be a professional reference written by an employer. One additional letter of any type may be submitted; the Admissions Committee, however, will review a maximum of three letters of recommendation. The most effective letters are those written by individuals who have known the applicant for a substantial period of time and can provide insightful comments on the character and abilities of the applicant. The letters should be sent directly by their authors to the Admissions Office at the address given below.
Personal Statement
A maximum two-page, typed, double-spaced personal statement is required. The statement provides applicants with an opportunity to describe 1) their reasons for pursuing the program and 2) their career plans upon earning the degree.
Disclosures
The application form requires disclosure of any conviction of any felony or misdemeanor or other offense, with the sole exception of a minor traffic offense. Conviction of a DUI-Driving Under the Influence--(or any other alcohol or drug-related offense) is not a minor traffic offense. Conviction may be a legal consequence of (1) a verdict of guilty after trial by a judge or jury, (2) a plea of guilty or (3) a plea of nolo contendere*. Failure to disclose a conviction on this application may result in dismissal from school or revocation of any degree awarded. Any failure to disclose this information will also be reported to the appropriate licensing agency.
*A plea of nolo contendere in a criminal proceeding allows a defendant to enter a plea in which he does not accept or deny responsibility for the charges but agrees to accept punishment. This plea differs from a guilty plea because it cannot be used against the defendant in another cause of action
What next?
Upon receipt of the online application, applicants will receive an email confirmation. Subsequent communications will indicate what materials have been received and what is still required of the applicant.
When all required documents have been received, the completed file will be forwarded to Professor Cesare Romano for review. Please note that only completed files will be reviewed. Applicants are encouraged to check their application status online to confirm receipt of all materials.
Decisions are made on a rolling basis and applicants will be notified by mail or email. Admitted students will be asked to submit a deposit, which will be applied towards tuition, indicating their intent to enroll in the program. At least half of the tuition is due by the end of June. Additional details will be included in your letter of admission.