UPenn LLM admission requirements – what you need to know

The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740 when a plan was created to build a charity school that could double as a house of worship. However, the cost of the project was significantly greater than the available resources, and the construction was left unfinished for nearly a decade. 

In 1749, Benjamin Franklin organized a group of 24 trustees to form a higher education institution based on his essay “Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth”. This group purchased the unfinished building and officially opened its doors to children of the working class and gentry in 1751. 

UPenn’s law courses are recognized as among the best in the country, attracting thousands of aspirants annually. 

Keep reading to learn more about the UPenn LLM admission requirements! 

How difficult is it to get into UPenn’s LLM courses? 

The UPenn LLM school is recognized as one of the top law schools in the United States. The Ivy League private institution is reputed for its legal study courses and high quality of academic training. 

The UPenn LLM admission requirements are, therefore, quite competitive. While the average acceptance rate to national law schools is 45%, UPenn LLM’s 

acceptance rate is estimated at an average of 18.80%. This is significantly lower than most of the prestigious law schools in the United States. 

It is important to note that annual variations in acceptance rates do exist and are dictated by circumstances outside the students’ or school’s control. For example, in the academic year of 2019-2020, Penn Law made ‌953 offers to candidates out of ‌5069 applicants. 

Therefore, the acceptance rate is significantly higher if there are fewer applicants in a year. 

What are the UPenn LLM admission requirements? 

In order to submit an interesting application, you need to meet the UPenn LLM admission requirements. The general application necessities are available on the official website of the university. Please note that there are course-specific requirements that you need to cater to 

Additionally, UPenn LLM admission requirements necessitate the submission of the following documents –

• Completed application form
• A personal statement 
• A minimum of two letters of recommendation 
• Updated resume 
• Transcripts from post-secondary, degree-granting institutions 
• Application fee of USD 85 
• IELTS or TOEFL scores 

Your personal statement should not exceed more than two typed pages. Consider listing and explaining your specific reasons for pursuing a law degree at the university, instead of repeating the accomplishments listed in your resume. Make it a point to explain your background and how it contributes to making you a good fit for the graduate law courses offered by the university. 

The personal statement should be professional, easy to read, and authored only by you. 

Your CV is a document that should accurately highlight your educational and professional background and achievement. Be sure to specify your technical & creative skills and interests. While there is no page limit for a CV, the UPenn LLM admission requirements specify that one to two pages are sufficient. 

Finally, the submitted letters of recommendation are issued by law professors and legal employers who have ‌interacted with you. These letters should be directly submitted to LSAC and addressed to the Graduate Programs Admission Committee. You can submit up to four letters of recommendation. However, your application will be reviewed only after the first two letters of recommendation are received. 

The UPenn LLM admission requirements state that additional letters of recommendation will not necessarily strengthen your application. 

What are the UPenn LMM language admission requirements? 

In order to qualify for a graduate degree from UPenn LLM, you need to have exceptional English language skills. These should include your abilities to understand idiomatic and rapid English. You should also be able to express your thoughts concisely and clearly in both spoken and written form. 

The UPenn LLM admission requirements specify that you are expected to score at least 100 on the TOEFL exam (with 23 marks or above in each section) or 7 on the IELTS exam (with at least a score of 7 in each section) to strengthen your application. 

In cases where your test scores fall below the mentioned targets, you can address and discuss your English language skills in your personal statement. Your letters of recommendation can also manage your English language abilities. 

If you believe that your English language skills have not been accurately measured by the IELTS or TOEFL scores, you can consider submitting an application for an interview. These interviews do not form the mandate and you will be responsible for shouldering the cost. 

Key takeaways 

• The University of Pennsylvania is recognized as one of the most respected and prestigious universities in the United States. 
• UPenn LLM offers several dynamic Ivy League law courses that are appreciated all over the world for the skills and expertise they represent. 
• Understanding the UPenn LLM admission requirements can be beneficial to submit an application that is strong, accurate, and compelling. 

Did you enjoy this blog? If yes, please share your thoughts in the comments below. Click here to reach out to us for more information on the UPenn LLM admission requirements. We would be happy to assist you with your queries! 

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FAQs 

Q1. Is work experience required for admission to UPenn LLM? 

Answer – While work experience for admission to UPenn LLM is not entirely necessary, several successful applicants have at least some experience in the industry. However, applicants are also directly accepted for their first law degree. 

Q2. How many faculty members does UPenn have? 

Answer – UPenn has about 5093 faculty members, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1. 

Q3. Can I gain international experience with UPenn? 

Answer – Absolutely! UPenn offers study abroad, service-learning, and innovative travel initiatives that ‌provide you with an indispensable international experience.