International Applicants

Our application process is virtually the same for all applicants, regardless of their country of origin, including standardized testing. All applicants are required to take either the LSAT or GRE exam for admission to the J.D. program. Additionally, the Law School accepts results from the LSAT-Flex and the GRE General Test at Home. We do not require the TOEFL exam for any applicants, regardless of citizenship or native language.

Of course, international students may have additional logistical concerns to consider in applying to J.D. programs in a different country, including student visas and baccalaureate equivalency.  If you have any questions in this regard, please visit the LSAC website (Steps To Apply: J.D. Programs) for more clarification, as these guidelines will apply to your applications to all U.S. law schools.

No. All of our applicants are given full consideration, regardless of citizenship. Yale Law School’s scholarly community is globally extensive, and part of our institutional commitment to diversity includes the enrollment of an internationally diverse class.

The Admissions Committee will evaluate academic performance by a comprehensive review of all official transcripts, including international transcripts, in the LSAC CAS report. LSAC determines U.S. baccalaureate equivalency and calculates GPAs from international transcripts, when necessary. For additional information in this regard, please review LSAC's US/Canadian Transcript Summarization and International Transcripts policies. International applicants are also encouraged to use the World Education Services free transcript evaluation tool to verify the equivalence and transferability of completed coursework prior to applying.

Unfortunately, advance standing will not be granted for the completion of coursework in LL.B. and baccalaureate programs. Special requests for advance standing are granted in incredibly rare circumstances and on a case-by-case basis, although these requests are not considered during the application process. 

As an applicant who holds an LL.M. degree, you are eligible to apply to the J.D. program as a first-time applicant. Our transfer application process is only for applicants who have already completed one year of legal coursework in a J.D. program at an ABA-accredited U.S. institution.

Financial aid available to international students is very similar to the financial aid available to domestic students: Yale Law School meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with a combination of loans and scholarships.

International students are eligible for two types of financial aid: need-based institutional grants/scholarships and the Yale Graduate and Professional International Loan (YGPI). The information that applicants submit through our Financial Aid Application & Scholarship Tool (FAAST) will determine eligibility for need-based institutional grants/scholarships.

It is also important to note that there is no tuition difference for domestic and international students. Tuition rates are the same, for all students, regardless of citizenship. Please visit the Financial Aid website for information regarding tuition, cost of attendance, and our financial aid policies.