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Mattos

Pedro Paulo de Barros Barreto '07
Brazil

I won’t tell you that the University of Virginia School of Law is internationally recognized as one of the best and most prestigious law schools in the U.S. or that its faculty boasts professors who are experts in their fields. These facts are common knowledge. Instead, I will share with you some of the reasons why my particular experience was so unique.

To begin with, Charlottesville is a charming city: the Jeffersonian architecture is spread all over the campus; the climate is temperate (it is not so cold in the winter, when compared to other places); and the local area is really beautiful. There are also many recreational and educational activities, like trips to Thomas Jefferson’s home (Monticello), all kinds of sports and language classes. For me, the quality of life at UVA is nothing less than superb!

The fact that there are fewer than 50 people doing the LL.M. means that all students receive personalized attention from all members of the Graduate Office. There is always someone there to help you when you need support or advice. This fact leads to a relaxing ambience that facilitates an easy intellectual and cultural exchange between the LL.M. students who come from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, you get to know your fellow students very well and, during my time there, I made friends rather than acquaintances.

In my time at UVA, I was always learning something new both on and off campus. Whatever your field of work is, you can find appropriate courses to suit your needs. To contribute to your learning process, you are able to find literally everything you need for your work at the Law Library.

When choosing a law school, several factors must be considered. I was lucky enough to know what I wanted and UVA fit my needs perfectly. I could not have had a better experience and, for this and all the above reasons, I can highly recommend UVA to those who wish to develop both personally and professionally in a wonderful, friendly, sophisticated academic environment. More

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of LL.M. Degree does Virginia Law Offer?

Virginia Law’s LL.M. program leads to a general LL.M. degree. While the Law School does not offer designated majors or award specialized degrees or certificates, students are free to concentrate their studies in one or more specialized areas of law.


What is required for the degree?

Students must complete two semesters of residency with a minimum of 24 credit hours. At least one of these hours must be earned in producing a substantial research paper. The writing requirement may generally be satisfied by a substantial seminar paper or as the product of an individually arranged research project. Students must have a 2.3 (C+) grade point average to graduate.

 
Can students attend the LL.M. program on a part-time basis? Can students begin the program in January?

Students cannot attend Virginia Law’s LL.M. program on a part-time basis. The program begins in the fall and students cannot commence their studies during the spring semester.

Virginia Law does not offer a long-distance learning program, nor does it offer online courses.


How large is the program?

Virginia Law receives several hundred applications each year for a class of fewer than 50 students.


How do students choose courses?

In coordination with the Director of Graduate Studies, students design their individual schedules. The program is designed to provide both a broad introduction to American law and legal theory, and advanced training in specialized areas of the law that are relevant to the individual student’s planned career and interests.
Current Courses | Concentrations (course names over four years)


Will I be able to take a U.S. bar exam after I complete my LL.M. degree?

The LL.M. degree alone does not qualify foreign lawyers to practice law in the United States. Each of the 50 states has its own criteria and procedures for admitting lawyers to practice, and requirements vary. Lawyers from abroad seeking information on these requirements should contact the bar examiners in the state in which they wish to practice.

For further information, you may wish to consult the following web sites:


Who is eligible to apply to the LL.M. program?

An applicant must hold the academic degree regarded as his or her country’s first professional degree in law (equivalent to a U.S. J.D. degree).  Please see discussion on website for more detailed information.  Virtually all members of the LL.M. class at Virginia Law are from abroad.

In general, Virginia Law does not admit students who have received an LL.M. degree from another U.S. school.


Will I have to take the TOEFL exam?

International applicants who do not meet the very limited exceptions listed under the "How to Apply" section of this Web site are required to demonstrate proficiency in English by completing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  Please see the full description of the TOEFL requirement under "How to Apply."

Minimum scores:

Paper Based TOEFL (PBT):
Writing: 60
Listening: 60
Reading: 60
TWE: 4

Internet-Based TOEFL (iBT):
Writing: 24
Speaking: 22
Reading: 26
Listening: 26

When registering for the TOEFL exam, please note that the University of Virginia’s Institution Code is 5820. The Law School Department Code is 03.

The University of Virginia will also accept the IELTS exam. The minimum score required on each section of the IELTS exam is 7.5.


What if I think I should be exempt from the TOEFL exam?

There are very limited exceptions to the TOEFL requirement. A detailed explanation of the TOEFL requirement and exceptions can be found in How to Apply. Applicants should read this explanation and, unless they fit the limited exceptions, they must consult the Graduate Studies Office if they wish to be considered for an exemption—they should not assume they are exempt.


Is the LSAT or other tests (besides the TOEFL test) required?

No, unless the applicant is a graduate of a U.S. or Canadian law school.


How does one apply?

Potential applicants can apply through LSAC starting in September 2009. If you cannot access the application, please contact the Graduate Studies Offices at gradadmitlaw@virginia.edu.


What does an application consist of?

See application checklist


Can the application fee be waived? Can the deposit fee (required upon acceptance of an offer of admission) be waived?

The Graduate Studies Program does not waive either the application fee or the deposit fee.


When are applications due?

Completed applications are due in the Graduate Studies Office of the Law School by February 1. All components of the application are due by that date.


When are admissions decisions made?

Virginia Law follows a "rolling admissions" policy, so offers of admission may be made before February 1, and there is thus some advantage in applying early. Admissions decisions continue through April.


What does Virginia Law look for in an applicant?

Demonstrated excellence in prior law study is essential. The Graduate Committee also considers evidence of an applicant’s personality, accomplishments, and potential for professional achievement as revealed through letters of recommendation, extracurricular activities, personal interests, and prior legal (or law-related) experience.

The principal criterion for admission, however, is the closeness of the fit between the applicant’s professional interests and the Law School’s resources. For that reason, the Committee places special weight on an applicant’s stated reasons for wanting to pursue graduate legal studies and his/her principal intellectual interests and career plans.


Does Virginia Law offer financial aid?

A limited amount of financial assistance is available from the Law School. If you do receive a financial aid grant, it will not cover your tuition and living expenses. Generally, our financial aid grants, when given, cover less than one-third of the cost of tuition. University regulations do not permit “waivers” of tuition.

Admissions decisions are made without regard to requests for financial assistance. Financial aid decisions are based on need and merit. Awards are generally made only after an applicant has been offered admission and has expressed continued, strong interest in attending Virginia Law.


What is the tuition at Virginia Law?

Tuition and fees for the 2009-10 academic year total $43,900. Tuition has risen in recent years and applicants should expect it will be higher in 2009-2010. More


How does the visa process work?

International students at the University of Virginia are subject to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations. Prospective non-immigrant students applying to enter this institution from abroad, or who are already in the U.S.A., are personally responsible for complying with DHS regulations. University policy states: "To enroll at the University a foreign national student must be lawfully present in the United States based on U.S. federal immigration law and any visa status held must not prohibit the desired University enrollment." Most international students attending the University of Virginia use either the F-1 or J-1 visa.

Evidence of financial capability in support of a visa application will be requested only after an offer of admission is made to the applicant. After receipt of acceptable financial affidavits, the International Student & Scholar Programs Office of the University of Virginia will send the applicant a form I-20 (required for the F visa) or a form DS-2019 (required for the J visa). Visa applications are made at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country of residence.


What are Virginia Law's computer requirements?

Given the importance of access to networked information, the Law School's reliance on electronic communications, and the requirement that students take exams on computers, the Law School requires that all entering students have a notebook computer.


How do I contact the Graduate Studies Office?

Inquiries should be directed to:

GRADUATE STUDIES OFFICE
University of Virginia School of Law
580 Massie Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903-1738

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Telephone: (434) 924-3154
Fax: (434) 924-7536
e-mail: gradadmitlaw@virginia.edu




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