Accepted Students

• Create Your Account on MyAU: As an admitted student, you will need to create your account for the myAU portal to generate your student email and submit a seat deposit.

• Submit Your Seat Deposit using your myAU account by your deposit deadline. Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.

• If you will require an F-1 or J-1 visa from American University, please submit the items listed below by emailing them to llm@wcl.american.edu.

• Certificate of Finances for International Students Form (CFIS)

• Financial documents (personal or sponsored) demonstrating the amount of funds shown in the Cost Guide - view examples of acceptable financial documents here

• Biographical page of your passport

• If you are currently studying in the US on an F-1 visa and need to transfer your I-20 to American University, you and your current school must complete and submit the AU "Transfer-In" form

• After receiving your I-20 or DS-2019, apply for your F-1 or J-1 visa at the US Embassy or Consulate.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a tourist/business visa, do I still need to request a student visa?

Yes, the Department of States requires that all persons who intend to enter the United States with the intention of enrolling in a degree program obtain a student visa.

My passport is from a country that qualifies for the Visa Waiver Program. I have never had to obtain a visa to enter the United States.

The Visa Waiver Program does not apply to persons enrolling in degree programs.

I was awarded a scholarship from American University/my government/a third party organization. Must I demonstrate the amount of funds shown on the Cost Guide?

Financial assistance received from American University or any other third party can be used to reduce the amount you are individually responsible for. You must show that you have the total amount shown on the Cost Guide, regardless of source of funds. That is, you can combine AUWCL scholarships, personal funds, family funds, or other third party funds to demonstrate that you have at least the amount of funds shown on the Cost Guide.  Please note that since AUWCL scholarships have no monetary value, only credit value, these scholarships can only be used to cover the portion of the Cost Guide corresponding to tuition. If the value of your AUWCL scholarship exceeds the tuition amount shown in the Cost Guide, the remaining AUWCL scholarship funds will NOT be applied towards other costs. Third party scholarships; however, can be used to cover any of the costs shown in the Cost Guide.  

The letter my bank issued to prove availability of funds is not in English. Do I need to have it translated?

Yes, the Department of State requires that all bank letters be either issued in English or issued in another language and accompanies with a certified English translation.

May I submit online banking documents to show proof of funds?

No, all bank documents must be issued on bank letterhead that includes bank name, address, contact information. The letter must also be signed by a bank official, and be stamped with the bank seal if one is available.

May I submit copies of pay stubs as proof of funds?

No, the Department of State does not accept pay stubs, salary statements, or income tax documents as proof of funds.

Is it acceptable to be sponsored by a family member or friend?

Yes, if a friend or family member will serve as a sponsor, their information and signature must be entered in the CFIS form. We must also receive bank letters from the banking institution that the sponsor uses.

All applicants are evaluated for merit based scholarships at the time of application review. If you would like to be considered for additional funding opportunities for which you may qualify, please see the following links:

Complete list of scholarships offered by the respective LLM programs here

Outside funding resources for international students and permanent residents

Financial Aid for US Citizens and Permanent Residents
U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply for federal financial aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1 priority deadline. or information and applications, contact the WCL Financial Aid Office.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.ed.gov
School Code: 001434

• Register online at myau.american.edu. To register, please follow Registration Instructions and use the Student Planning system through Eagle Service for course registration. Only students who have paid the seat deposit to confirm their attendance may register.

• All graduates from non-common law countries are required to take the following courses in the first semester:

  • LAW-580-001: American Legal Institutions (2 credits)

  • LAW-580-002: Legal Research & Writing (2 credits)

• Each program has an academic advisor (listed below) who can answer questions regarding class selection and provide useful insight.

International Legal Studies; International Arbitration & Business Law; International Business and Trade Law; Gender, International and Comparative Law

Review the Approved ILSP Courses Online Questions? Contact Fernanda Ellenberg at fellenberg@wcl.american.edu 

Law & Government Students

Review the Approved Law & Government Courses Online
Questions? Contact Guarina Lopez at guarina@wcl.american.edu 

Advocacy Students

Review the Approved Advocacy Courses
Questions? Contact Cynthia Goode Works at goodeworks@wcl.american.edu

Intellectual Property Students

Review the Approved Intellectual Property Courses
Questions? Contact Tahniat Saulat at tsaulat@wcl.american.edu

International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Students

Review the Approved Human Rights Courses
Questions? Contact humanrightsllm@wcl.american.edu

The qualification to sit for the New York Bar Exam is a foundational goal for many of our LL.M. students. The Foreign Evaluation Form is the second of two requirements to sit for the New York Bar Exam, along with graduation from an LL.M. degree with a minimum of twenty-four credits - twelve of which are in New York Bar subjects - with a passing GPA.

The Foreign Evaluation Form requires several official documents from your legal education in your home country. In addition, these documents must be properly notarized, sealed, and delivered. In order to avoid delay in sitting for the New York Bar, students should begin this process - ideally, even before leaving their country and arriving in DC - to allow time for any administrative mistakes, and the resulting resubmission of documents. Find more information here: Foreign Legal Education (nybarexam.org).

For any questions, please contact Fernanda Ellenberg fellenberg@wcl.american.edu. 

Office of Career & Professional Development (OCPD)
The Office of Career & Professional Development is committed to working with LLM students by helping them formulate dynamic job-search campaigns that correspond to their career interests. The office is available to help you identify your interests, introduce you to the vast array of career development and employment opportunity resources, and assist with career decision-making. Please click the links below to learn more about the services provided.

Career Services for Foreign-Trained LLM Students
Career Services for Domestic LLM Students

Health and Wellness

Who should I call in case of a medical emergency?

On-campus: 202-885-3636; Off-Campus: 911 (anywhere in the U.S.)

Am I required to have health insurance?

All full-time degree students, resident students and international students (except for those on A, G, or H visas) are required to carry health insurance while attending American University. You will be automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance Plan. For more information please visit http://www.american.edu/ocl/healthcenter/About-Student-Health-Insurance-Plan.cfm.

How can I opt out of the Student Health Insurance Plan?

If you already have insurance or if you choose a different plan you may waive the university sponsored plan. For more information on how to waive the Student Health Insurance Plan please visit http://www.american.edu/ocl/healthcenter/Health-Insurance-Waiver-Information.cfm.

What health forms are required of me?

If you are under 26 years of age, it is required to have your doctor complete the enclosed form. http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=39852. Or you can follow the link for directions on how to provide your information online. http://www.american.edu/loader.cfm?csModule=security/getfile&pageid=3473757

What are some important personal safety tips when traveling?

Make a photocopy of your airline tickets, passport, credit cards and any other important documents that would be inconvenient or impossible to replace if stolen. Also, keep a list of phone numbers so that you can contact your embassy about the stolen passport or your bank about your stolen credit card.

Living in D.C.

How can I get to WCL from the Tenleytown Metro Station?

Take the Red Line to the Tenleytown/AU station. At the top of the first escalator, walk right toward the west exit and another escalator. Emerging from the metro station, turn around and walk on Wisconsin Avenue toward Albermarle street. Bear right on Tenley Circle and you will see the Tenley Campus on the right.

How does the D.C. metro system work?

To get directions on how to get from one address to another via the Metro system, go to the WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) website at www.wmata.com.

Where are the closest airports?

There are three main airports for the DC area: Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA), Dulles International (IAD) and Baltimore Washington International (BWI). For more information about these airports please visit http://www.metwashairports.com/.

What can I do in D.C.?

D.C. has many fun and free attractions. Please visit the following websites for ideas: http://thingstododc.com/, http://washington.org/, http://www.washingtonian.com/, http://culturecapital.com/.

Where are the best areas to live in D.C.?

WCL students live throughout the area, but the neighborhoods with convenient public transportation to AU WCL are most popular, such as Van Ness, Dupont Circle, Cleveland Park, and Friendship Heights.

Where can I find a place to live?

Listed below are some popular search engines used when relocating to the D.C. area: http://www.padmapper.com/, https://livelovely.com/, http://hotpads.com/, http://dc.urbanturf.com/, http://www.apartmentratings.com/.

Banking in the U.S.

What do I need to know about U.S. banks?

Most banks will not cash foreign checks unless you have an account with the bank. Many banks are unable to cash checks unless they are in U.S. dollars. Foreign checks often require four to six weeks for the funds to become available - during that time you will not be able to use that money.

What are the best ways to carry and transfer money?

The best ways to carry or transfer money are: traveler’s checks (in U.S. dollars); a bank check (also called a cashier’s check) drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars; a “wire transfer” from your bank at home to a U.S. bank.

How can I wire money from overseas?

If you want to wire money: call a wire service and request that your money be sent to the main branch of your bank, instruct the main branch to send the money to your local branch, instruct the bank to “Pay Upon Proper Identification” and give your name as the recipient, collect your money at the bank with proper identification after your arrival.

What banks are closest to WCL?

The following locations are the banks closest to AU main campus and WCL: Bank of America www.bankofamerica.com, Capital One Bank www.capitalone.com/banking/personal/, Wells Fargo https://www.wellsfargo.com/, PNC Bank www.pncbank.com, Sun Trust Bank www.suntrust.com.

Life at WCL

• What happens if a course is closed?

  You can place yourself on the wait list process by changing the wait list field from NO to YES and continue as if you were registering for the course.

  How does the wait list process work?

  The wait list works on a space available basis, active students on a wait list are granted permission to register on a first-on, first-off basis. Students will be restricted to 5 active wait lists at any given point per term. You may view your waitlisted sections on the AU portal by going to https://myau.american.edu, click on “Academics” and then, “My Waitlisted Sections.”

  How can I access and pay my tuition bill?

  You can view your bill online through the MyAU Portal’s Eagle Finance area. To access your eBill in Eagle Finance, click the Account Activity Tab, select your term, and click View Statement. Please visit http://www.american.edu/finance/studentaccounts/Student-Payment-and-Disclosure-Statement.cfm for payment information.

  How do I know what books I will need?

  Usually, the class syllabus will detail the books and materials needed for class. You can check the individual courses through the course schedule or on your MyWCL homepage. Many courses will have articles and shorter readings rather than a textbook. These will often be posted to MyWCL or may be bound and available for purchase as a course packet. Course packets can be picked up and paid for on campus.

  Is there wireless internet available?

  WCL has 48 wireless access points providing wireless coverage for the entire law school campus. Please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/technology/wireless_setup.cfm for wireless setup instructions.

  Where can I find important dates?

  Please visit http://www.wcl.american.edu/registrar/ to find the academic calendar.

  How do I get my AU ID card ? If you want to have your AU ID card ready once you arrive then you must submit a photo online. Instructions found here.