The Lauder Institute’s Admission Process with Penn Carey Law
JD/MA applicants may apply either 1) to Penn Carey Law and Lauder prior to being accepted at either, or 2) during the fall of their first year at Penn Carey Law, with the intention to begin the Lauder program in May of that year. Penn Carey Law and the Lauder Institute make independent judgments about each candidate. However, the admissions departments discuss joint applicants before final decisions are made.
Lauder Institute Admission Requirements
In addition to the Penn Carey Law JD application, Lauder asks JD/MA applicants to submit the following information:
- Lauder Supplement for JD Applicants: This form requests the candidate’s proposed Program of Concentration within Lauder and the current Oral Proficiency Interview rating(s). Candidates also use this form to provide information about language proficiency and international/cross-cultural experience. Download the JD/Lauder Application.
- Resume: please provide an updated resume as part of your application to Lauder.
- Lauder Essays: All applicants to the Lauder program are required to complete one essay:
- The essay for the Lauder application has two parts. In no more than 800 words, please answer the following:
Discuss why you are applying to Lauder and your chosen Program of Concentration. Applicants to the Programs of Concentration that involve language study (Africa-French; East and Southeast Asia; Europe; Latin America; or South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa) should also discuss what you hope to gain from advanced language and culture education.
All Lauder students are required to write a substantive academic thesis, known as the Global Knowledge Lab, in their second year to satisfy the MA degree research and writing requirement. Please describe a topic or research question that you might want to pursue related to your Program of Concentration and your motivations for that topic.
- The essay for the Lauder application has two parts. In no more than 800 words, please answer the following:
- Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI): At least one OPI is required of all Lauder applicants and must be arranged, scheduled, and completed with Language Testing International (LTI). For essential information on the Lauder Institute’s language requirements for admission and graduation, as well as information on how to schedule your OPI(s), click through to Language Testing.
- Copy of Penn Carey Law Application: The complete application, with transcripts and LSAT scores, but without recommendations, should be sent directly from Penn Carey Law. If applying during 1L, a copy of your first-semester grades should also be sent once they become available. Review the instructions in the supplement/application for specifics.
- Interview: Lauder interviews are granted by invitation only, based upon a full review of your application. The interview will focus on your international/cross-cultural interests and experience, personal qualities, general fit for Lauder, and ability to start and manage the two programs beginning in early May. Applicants selected to interview will receive communication with details on how to arrange their interview.
Application Deadlines for JD/MA Applicants
The JD/Lauder Application Deadline is March 1 each year.
