Application Instructions

USC Law requires that all LLM and MCL applicants apply online through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), which includes USC Law's Electronic Application, the Document Assembly Service, and the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service. Visit the LSAC website at: http://www.lsac.org/llm and create an LLM/MCL account.

Application Form

Application Documents

Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis; however we recommend that you submit your materials as soon as possible since your application will be considered upon a space available basis. Admissions decisions will be made between February and April. Enrollment is limited to the fall semester, which begins in August.

Even though our priority application deadline has passed, we recommend that applicants continue to apply via USC's Electronic Application Form, which is available through LSAC, along with their LSAC Report issued by LSAC's Document Assembly Service and International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service. The Admissions Committee will continue to consider and review all applications upon receipt of the Electronic Application Form and LSAC report.

Please contact the Graduate & International Programs Office by email at: gipadmissions@law.usc.edu if you have any questions about submitting your application.

Required Application Documents

USC Law requires that applicants purchase LSAC's Document Assembly Service and the International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation Service via LLM CAS (LL.M. Credential Assembly Service), which is also for MCL applicants. There are many benefits that this provides to applicants. Applying to many law schools requires ordering individual sets of official transcripts and translations and ordering official TOEFL score reports for each law school. When you compare the total costs against the LLM CAS fees, we believe that you will find that they are reasonable. The service is highly convenient for applicants as it requires sending only one set of materials to LSAC when applying to multiple law schools.

Those applicants with foreign education credentials for whom the LLM CAS fee represents a significant burden should apply online through USC's Electronic Application, but may submit their transcripts, translations, TOEFL or IELTS score reports and other materials directly to USC Law’s Graduate & International Programs office. Please note that documents submitted via LLM CAS are processed on an expedited basis.

As you consider MCL or other graduate law programs, you will find that many of the law schools in which you are interested now require or strongly recommend LLM CAS.

Please refer to LSAC's Checklist for the Application Process: LSAC Checklist

The following items and submission instructions are required to complete your application for admission:

• LSAC Electronic Application & Application Fee
• TOEFL or IELTS Report
• Transcripts and Degree Verification
• Financial Support Documentation
• Personal Statement
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Resume/ Curriculum Vitae
• Passport Copy of Applicant and Accompanying Family Member(s)
• Submitting your application

LSAC Electronic Application & Application Fee

Applicants are required to submit their Electronic Application online via LSAC (Law School Admission Council).

The USC Gould School of Law application fee is $75 and is non-refundable. The application fee must be paid by credit card with your online application. We are unable to offer application fee waivers.

TOEFL or IELTS Report

USC Law requires that applicants who are not native English speakers, or who do not hold a law degree from an institution at which English is the primary language of instruction, submit a TOEFL score. Applicants should submit their TOEFL scores through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service (CAS). LSAC's institutional code is 8395. USC's TOEFL institutional code is 4852 and the department code is 03. Test scores are valid for two years from the date taken. We recommend a TOEFL score of 100 on the internet-based test or 250 on computer-based test.

Applicants who would like to submit an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score in place of a TOEFL score, please include your score on your application and you must request that your scores are sent to LSAC before or at the time of your exam so that USC Law will receive your official test report form (TRF) of your IELTS score. If you do not make this request, you will be required to send your official IELTS score report directly to USC Law. A score of 7 on the IELTS is recommended.

TOEFL waiver requests will only be considered if your native language is English or if you possess an undergraduate law degree from an institution in which English is the primary language of instruction. TOEFL waiver requests from international students who have earned an LLM or another graduate degree in the U.S. will be subject to approval. If you would like to request a TOEFL Waiver, please submit a written request to USC Law.

Transcripts and Degree Verification

Applicants must submit their official transcripts through the LSAC Credential Assembly Service. This service is an easy and convenient means of submitting transcripts to a number of different institutions. LSAC, in cooperation with AACRAO (the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers), provides law schools with verification, authentication, and evaluation of transcripts and allows USC Law to efficiently process your application. LSAC recommends applicants register for the LL.M. Credential Assembly Service four to six weeks before their first application deadline.

Official transcripts from all colleges, universities, or graduate schools from which you have received a degree must be submitted to LSAC along with the degree certificate/diploma. Transcripts must show all courses and subjects taken and all grades (marks) received along with a description of the school's grading system. All transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas must be written in the original language of instruction.

Financial Support Documentation

Financial Support Documents must be submitted directly to USC Law, Graduate & International Programs: 699 Exposition Boulevard, Room 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0071, or via email to: gipadmissions@law.usc.edu

The U.S. government requires that all international applicants provide proof of ability to pay tuition and living expenses for themselves and their dependents (if applicable) before an I-20 or DS-2019 Eligibility Certificate can be issued, a document required for obtaining a student visa. Please refer to the Financial Support Instructions and required amounts indicated in the online application.

Types of financial support that are normally accepted:

• Savings deposits, checking accounts or deposit certificates
• "Approved" educational loans
• General bank letters or solvency certificates from a bank
• Time/fixed/term deposits or government bonds only if document states that the funds mature by the beginning of your first term or shortly thereafter or are able to be withdrawn at any time
• Employer and government sponsorships/scholarships
• Provident funds only if document states that the funds are able to be withdrawn at any time

Types of financial support that are NOT accepted:

• Mutual funds, investments or stocks, securities
• Retirement funds, pensions, life insurance policies
• Tax returns
• Salary/payroll statements
• Statements of assets or property, such as Demat accounts, mortgages, jewelry, residences, automobiles, etc.
• "Pending" educational loans
• Accountant portfolio

Personal Statement

Personal Statements must be submitted with your LSAC online application. Include your personal, academic and professional background and your reasons for seeking an advanced degree. Limit to no more than three pages.

Two Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation must be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service. Ask two people, one law professor and one employer OR two law professors, to write a letter of recommendation in English for you on their letterhead. Ask your recommenders to enclose their letter in an envelope, seal the envelope, sign across the seal and return it to you to be submitted, unopened, with your application materials. If a recommender prefers, the recommendation letters may be mailed directly to USC Gould School of Law, Graduate & International Programs Office. Please note on your application form if your recommendation letters will be mailed separately. USC Law does not require a specific Letter of Recommendation Form.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Resumes must be submitted with your LSAC online application. Please list your educational and professional background, in addition to any scholarships, awards or honors you have received.

Passport Copy of applicant and accompanying family members

Passport copies of you and your dependent(s) must be sent directly to USC Law, Graduate & International Programs: 699 Exposition Boulevard, Room 105, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-0071. Please mail photocopies of the passport page that includes the passport photo, passport number and expiration date.

Submitting your application

Complete, sign and date the LSAC Electronic Application form. The following items should be submitted with your online application form: 1.) USC Law Electronic Application and $75 Application Fee, 2.) TOEFL Report via LLM CAS, 3.) Transcripts and Degree Verification via LLM CAS, 4.) Financial Support Documents mailed to USC Law, 5.) Personal Statement with online application, 6.) Letters of Recommendation via LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, 7.) Resume/Curriculum Vitae with online application, 8.) Passport Copy of applicant and accompanying family members mailed to USC Law.