International Student Applications

International Student Checklist

The following provides a helpful reminder for international students of the steps required to apply to the program and receive an appropriate visa to study at Pace Law School. Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that they comply with all of the relevant immigration rules and regulations. However, our staff is here to answer any questions about this process and ensure that you are given the information most relevant to your particular situation.

Step One – An Undergraduate or Graduate Degree from an Accredited School
An LLM is a graduate degree in law. To qualify for the program, an applicant must have an initial degree in law from an institution of higher education. These programs vary by country, and it can sometimes be difficult to determine whether your education qualifies you for admission. If you have any questions or concerns about the status of your home institution, please e-mail Deborah Zipf at llm@law.pace.edu.

Step Two –Take the TOEFL or IELTS
If English is not your primary language, you must submit a TOEFL or IELTS score along with your application. Applicants must have a score that demonstrates sufficient proficiency of the English language to handle the sophisticated work of a graduate program. In exceptional situations, students may be granted a waiver. To learn more about taking the TOEFL, please visit Educational Testing Services.  To learn more about taking the IELTS, please visit http://www.ielts.org.

Step Three – Complete and Submit your Application
Once you have completed the TOEFL or IELTS (if necessary), submit an application to Pace Law School by completing the following steps.

Step Four – Acquire a Student Visa
Acquiring your visa can be a time-consuming and difficult process, so it is extremely important to get started on arranging an appropriate student visa right away. The first step is to make sure you have an up-to-date passport from your country of citizenship. Most students will enter the United States on an F-1 student visa, which allows a student to study at a United States university full-time, but substantially limits their ability to be employed while in the country. Once you are admitted, Pace will send an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility, which you can use to apply for an F-1 visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. When your visa is approved, the embassy or consulate official will stamp your passport. This visa gives you permission to apply for entry into the United States. Finally, when you enter the United States the immigration officer will attach a Form I-94, which indicates your immigration status, date of entry, port of entry, and the length of time your visa is valid. When you arrive in White Plains, please check in at the Graduate Program office in Preston Hall 216.

Step Five – Find a Place to Live in the Area
Graduate law students attend classes on Pace’s leafy twelve-acre campus in White Plains, New York. The campus is less than an hour from New York City by car or commuter train. Dormitory space is available on campus, and nearby houses and apartments offer convenient and pleasant alternatives. Parking on campus is free, and many students drive from apartments located across the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

For additional information on the options for on-campus housing, please visit the Office of Housing and Residential Life. If you would like to explore the off-campus housing options in White Plains or Westchester County, Pace Law School maintains an off-campus housing list of available rentals. In addition, the program offers a roommate referral list for incoming students. If you would like to take advantage of these opportunities, please contact Doreen Arriaga. Many of our students decide to commute from New York City or the surrounding area. Pace maintains a convenient Shuttle Bus that runs frequently throughout the school year from the White Plains train and bus transportation center to campus.