Application Procedures for LLM and SJD Programs
2010
- Application Checklist
- Application Deadline
- How to Apply
- Application Processing Fee
- Resume
- Personal Statement
- Recommendation Letters
- Academic Transcripts
- TOEFL Score Report
- Application Review
- Reapplying
- Contact Us
Application Checklist
The following items are required to complete your application for admission. Your file will not be evaluated until all required items have been received. You will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your material; an additional e-mail will be sent if items are missing from an applicants' file. No e-mail will be sent, however, to indicate files are complete.
- Application form completed and signed. If you are applying via LSAC, you have the option of submitting your signature electronically or submitting a separate Certification Letter.
- $70 non-refundable application processing fee. If applying electronically via LSAC, you may submit payment via credit card. If not, acceptable forms of payment are 1) checks in USD drawn on a U.S. bank, 2) postal or bank money order in USD, or 3) travelers checks. Non-credit card payment methods should be made payable to Duke Law School. This fee is not required from exchange applicants.
- Resume (optional but strongly recommended). If you are applying electronically, use electronic attachment.
- Personal statement 2-5 pages in length. If you are applying electronically, use electronic attachment.
- Transcripts for all previously attended academic institutions. You may utilize the LSAC credential assembly service or direct mail to the International Studies department at Duke Law School. If still enrolled in courses when application package is submitted, include transcripts for all completed work and indicate when final transcript will be available.
- Recommendation letters. LLM applicants should include at least two recommendation letters, one of which should be from a person identified as best suited to judge applicant's academic ability. SJD applicants must include a minimum of three recommendation letters, one of which should be from an individual familiar with the applicant's academic performance during the LLM program. Exchange student applicants are required to submit one recommendation letter.
- TOEFL score report. Exchange applicants are not required to submit a TOEFL score report.
Application Deadline
The recommended application deadline is January 20, 2010. We encourage you to submit your application and supporting material as early as possible.
How to Apply
Our preferred method for submitting application material is electronically via LSAC. Please visit the LSAC site to apply. You may apply for a full LLM Credential Assembly Service ($185 USD) account, or register for a Publication Account (no charge) in order to apply electronically. With the Credential Assembly Service account, LSAC collects your TOEFL score and transcripts and produces a summary report for our office. The publication account merely allows you to pay the application fee by credit card and submit your application, resume and personal statement electronically. For information on electronic application options, contact LSAC at 215-968-1315 or at llminfo@lsac.org, or go to the LSAC Credential Assembly Service website. Be sure to investigate the options available for both account types.
You may also submit your application materials directly to the International Admissions office (address below). Please note that you must omit the box number from our mailing address if you plan to send application materials via courier (DHL, FedEx, etc.).
Application Processing Fee
Submit a check (in USD drawn on a U.S. bank), postal or bank money order or travelers checks made payable to Duke Law School in the amount of $70. If you apply electronically through LSAC, you have the option to pay by credit card. Please note that the only way to utilize a credit card to pay the application fee is by applying electronically (either with a full Credential Assembly Service Account or a Publication Account) through LSAC. We are unable to offer application fee waivers to LLM and SJD applicants.
Resume
We strongly suggest that you submit a resume with your application. If you apply via LSAC, use the electronic attachment.
Personal Statement
You are required to submit a 2-5 page personal statement. If you apply via LSAC, use the electronic attachment. The personal statement should provide the applicant's professional and educational experience, special areas of interest, previous overseas experience, and any other information that supports the application. Please let us know if there is a special reason for applying to Duke Law School, for example, family members living in North Carolina or a spouse or significant other with admission to a nearby school.
Recommendation Letters
A minimum of two letters of recommendation should be submitted on behalf of the LLM applicant. Such letters should not be from relatives or close family friends. The letters should explain the relationship of the writer to the applicant. At least one letter should be from a faculty member well acquainted with the applicant's academic ability. SJD applicants must include at least three letters of recommendation, with at least one letter from a faculty member familiar with the applicant's LLM experience. Exchange program applicants need only submit one recommendation letter. Letters can be included in the applicant's materials or sent directly to the school.
Academic Transcripts
Transcripts for all previously attended academic institutions must be submitted. Applicants can either utilize the Credential Assembly Service or have them sent to the International Studies department directly from the academic institution. Transcripts may also be submitted directly by the applicant with their application materials. Please note - if you are not utilizing the Credential Assembly Service all transcripts must include an English translation and an explanation of the grading system.
TOEFL Score Report
Register for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) at least two months before the examination is given. Because it may take as long as two or three months for score results to reach Duke, it is advisable to take the test no later than October. Candidates who have received prior academic degrees in the United States or from an English-medium institution will be exempt from this requirement; all other applicants must submit test scores in order to complete the admissions process. Duke's TOEFL institution code is 5156 and its department code is 03. TOEFL score results for students utilizing the LSAC Credential Assembly Service will automatically be included in the Law School Report. Students admitted to graduate study normally have scores of at least 600 on the paper-based test, 250 on the computer-based test, and 100 on the Internet-based test.
Application Review
Admission to Duke's graduate law programs is highly competitive and depends to a great extent on the demonstration of outstanding performance in previous law studies. Also of special significance are the applicant's professional experience, areas of special interest and expertise, professional and personal goals, strong letters of recommendation, and English proficiency. The Law School benefits from a student body that represents a broad range of experiences and interests. It is often helpful to indicate reasons for interest in an LLM degree in general and Duke Law School in particular, especially as they relate to an applicant's specific experience. The application review process generally begins in December, and decisions are made throughout the following months.
Reapplying
For re-application, please send us by January 20, 2010 a statement of intent, a new application form and personal statement, an updated resume, $70 re-application fee, a new TOEFL score (if better than the score in your previous application), additional transcripts (if applicable) and optional additional recommendation letters.
Contact Us
International Admissions
Duke University School of Law
Science Drive & Towerview Road
Box 90365
Durham, N.C. 27708-0365
phone: 919-613-7033
fax: 919-681-6550
email: international@law.duke.edu
web: www.law.duke.edu/international/
