Thank you for your interest in the William S. Richardson School of Law. We look forward to receiving and reviewing your application. If you have any questions about the application forms or procedures, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at lawllm@hawaii.edu.
DEADLINE
Complete applications must be postmarked by April 1 of the year of enrollment. However, if places are still available, later applications will be considered, with the approval of the LL.M. Director.
TO APPLY
The LLM Program Application form can be downloaded here
Download Application:Doc , PDF
We can also send you the form by email attachment, fax, or by postal mail.
A complete application includes the following:
1. Signed Application Form
2. Personal Statement
Write about your experience and qualifications, your reasons for seeking an LL.M. degree and the course of study you wish to pursue. The Statement that you submit must be written by you alone and should not exceed 500 words (about two typed pages). If you wish, you may also include a curriculum vitae or a resume on a separate sheet.
3. Letters of Recommendation
You must provide two letters of recommendation. At least one of the letters should be from your former or current law professor. If a recommendation letter is not written in English, then an English translation must accompany the original recommendation letter.
(See Letters of Recommendation instructions on the Application Form.)
4. Transcripts
Request official transcripts from all institutions (graduate and undergraduate) where you have studied, to be sent directly to the LL.M. Program, William S. Richardson School of Law. If the transcripts are not in English, a certified English translation must be submitted with each transcript.
*LSAC Credential Assembly Service for TOEFL and Transcripts
You may choose to use the Law School Admission Council's (LSAC) Credential Assembly Service (website: www.LSAC.org), which is a convenient way to send your TOEFL scores and Transcripts to multiple law schools electronically. You must first register at www.llm.lsac.org and pay a registration fee of $185 and submit your transcripts and TOEFL scores one time. LSAC will distribute your information to the law schools that you choose, if they are part of the network. This service is not required, however, if you choose to use this service, please write your LSAC account number at the top of your LL.M. Program Application form.
5. TOEFL Examination
Your application must include a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination score report UNLESS:
You have U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status OR
You earned a bachelor's or graduate degree from an institution in the U.S., Canada (excluding Quebec), the United Kingdom, Australia, or New Zealand
Ordinarily, the minimum TOEFL scores for admission to the School of Law are 580 on the paper-based exam and 237 on the computer-based exam. TOEFL scores more than two years old at the time of application cannot be considered; applicants must retake the test to present a more recent score. TOEFL scores must be sent from ETS directly to the School of Law. The School of Law's institution code is 4867. You may also send us your score reports using the LSAC Credential Assembly Service (See #4 above.)
*Applicants who have completed one-year as full-time students in an English-speaking university at the time of their application may be eligible for a TOEFL exemption. Exemption is not automatic and will be granted at the discretion of the LL.M. Committee.
6. Application Fee
A $60 application fee, made payable to the "University of Hawaii" is required. Payment must be issued by a U.S. bank or an international money order. Your name should be written on the check so it can be properly credited to your application. We are not able to waive or refund this fee.
7. Writing Sample (Not Required)
If you have written a document at work or school in English on any topic, you may submit up to two pages of it as a sample of your English writing ability to supplement your application. The writing sample does not need to be a complete document. You may black out any confidential information.
Financial Support (if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident)
If you are admitted to the LL.M. Program and need a student visa, the U.S. government will require that you show proof of adequate funds for the program of study. We encourage you to fill out and submit the Confidential Financial Certification Form (attached) together with your LL.M. application; however, you may submit the form later, after being admitted to the LL.M. Program.
For the academic year 2008-09, the amount of financial support required is as follows:
Tuition and Fees: $27,720.00
Books and Supplies: $ 800.00
Living Expenses: $11,280.00
TOTAL: $39,800.00
Send
You may send the completed Application form as an email attachment to kimurasp@hawaii.edu; or by fax to
1 808 956 6402; or print out the Application form and send it with the other documents by mail to:
LL.M. Program
William S. Richardson School of Law
University of Hawaii
2515 Dole Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
USA.
Please note that all application materials become the property of the William S. Richardson School of Law and the University of Hawaii and cannot be returned or forwarded elsewhere. Applicants are advised to make personal copies of their materials, as the School of Law will not reproduce any materials submitted.
Orientation
We provide each LL.M. class with special orientation sessions designed for international students. You will have a chance to learn your way around the University and Honolulu as well as to meet with the staff of the International Student Services office. Although students may now register for courses on line at the University, we will handle registration and other formalities at the School of Law to make the process easier for you. During orientation, all LL.M. students will be assigned an individual study carrel in the Law Library and (if you wish) a locker in the student lounge.
Because Hawaii has its own distinctive culture, your orientation will include sessions on local customs, local terms and island living. Our LL.M. Student Guide to living in Hawaii and studying at the School of Law will be distributed to you at orientation and is available on our website before you arrive. You may also participate in the regular orientation program for new students held just before classes start, so we can introduce you to our faculty, J.D. students and the broader legal community. Our first goal is to provide you with an excellent academic experience, but we want you to feel at home and to enjoy your time in our beautiful Hawaii too.
