/ Center for Animal Law Studies/ In-Person Animal Law LLM Program Application

In-Person Animal Law LLM Program Application

Thank you for your interest in the in-person Animal Law LLM Program at Lewis & Clark Law School. Interested applicants should ensure they meet the program’s qualifications before beginning this application. Applicants should also ensure they have all required information before beginning the application process, as progress cannot be saved.

Finally, please note that all accompanying application documents must be emailed as attachments to the Animal Law Program Coordinator, Danielle Lopez, at cals@lclark.edu after submitting this form. Questions regarding this application or the application process should be directed to the Animal Law Program Coordinator.

The deadline to submit this application for the Fall ’25 class is February 1, 2025.

All fields marked with asterisk (*) are required.

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Admission Start Date*

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Personal Information

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First Name*

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Last Name*

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Middle Name

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Preferred Name

If different from first name above

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Email Address*

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Current Address*

Please enter your current mailing address.

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Permanent Address

Please enter your permanent mailing address, if different from above.

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Phone Number*

International applicants should add country code.

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Date of Birth*

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What is your sex?*

This information is being collected pursuant to federal requirements and will be used for demographic purposes only.

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How would you describe your gender identity and pronoun?

This question is optional. If you choose not to answer, it will not impact your admission decision. This information will not be used for a discriminatory purpose. Your answers will be kept private and secure.

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Required Information for U.S. Applicants

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The U.S. Department of Education requires that we collect data on race and ethnicity in the following manner. Please answer to the best of your ability and indicate any of the following that apply. International applicants may select the first option.

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If you marked “Other Hispanic/Latino,” please specify.

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If you marked “American Indian” or “Alaska Native,” please provide your tribe and enrollment number.

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If you marked “Other,” please specify.

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Required Information for International Applicants

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If not a U.S. citizen, are you a Permanent Resident?

Yes

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If yes, what is your visa type?

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Country of Citizenship

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Country of Residence

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Country of Birth

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English Proficiency Requirement

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate their English proficiency. Alternatively, the English proficiency requirement can be met in one of two ways: if English was the primary language of the student’s legal education and the official language of the country in which the university is located or the university is accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency; or with a minimum required IETLS score of 8, or an internet-based TOEFL score of 100. Applicants should indicate the way(s) they meet this criteria.

English is my native language.

English was the primary language of my legal education and the official language of the country in which the university is located or the university accredited by a U.S. regional accrediting agency.

IELTS score or 8 or higher (see additional instructions below)

TOEFL score of 100 or higher (see additional instructions below)

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Additional Information

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Are you a member of a state bar or admitted to practice law in your country?*

Yes

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If yes, indicate in what jurisdiction(s) and when you were admitted.

Example: California - 2009

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Have you served in the armed forces?*

Yes

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If yes, indicate location(s), name, branch, rank, date, and type of discharge.

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Answering “yes” to any the three questions below does not automatically disqualify you from consideration for admission.

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Have you been charged, convicted, or forfeited bond or bail in any court proceeding of a criminal nature (including major traffic offenses)?*

Yes

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If yes, please provide a detailed explanation.

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Have you ever been dismissed from or suspended by any school, college, university, or law school?*

Yes

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If yes, please provide a detailed explanation.

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Have you ever been reprimanded, disciplined, sanctioned, suspended or disbarred by any bar association or court?*

Yes

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If yes, please provide a detailed explanation.

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Supplemental Application Materials

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Letters of Recommendation

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List the names and titles of two individuals who will furnish letters of recommendation. Please also indicate the relationship between you and each recommender.*

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After submitting this form, please email the following as PDF documents to the Animal Law Program Coordinator at cals@lclark.edu.

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(1) Statement of Interest: In 500 words or fewer, explain your objective in pursuing an Animal Law LLM degree. Please be thoughtful in your explanation as to why you believe this degree will be valuable and comment on your long-term professional goals.

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(2) Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Include all colleges, universities, graduate, and professional schools attended. Also include all academic and pertinent professional experience, as well as relevant honors, achievements, awards, etc. Please limit the document to 5 pages.

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(3) Transcripts: Please attach, as a combined document, a scan of all post-secondary transcripts. Note that all admitted applicants will be required to submit an official transcript for the degree that qualifies them to apply to practice as a lawyer or judge in their home country (JD if in the U.S., otherwise LLB or the equivalent). All transcripts must be in English.

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(4) Writing Sample: A scholarly paper, legal memo, or brief of up to 30 pages that best demonstrates the applicant’s ability to organize, reason, and communicate. The sample need not be on animal law but should demonstrate the applicant’s critical thinking, analytical writing, and research skills.

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(5) Two Letters of Recommendation: Letters should be written to help the Admissions Committee evaluate a student’s academic capacity, ethical character, writing and research skills, and professional ability as a lawyer. Letters for international applicants should discuss their ability to study in a U.S. law school and facility with English, if known. Recommenders who prefer to send their letter directly to the Admissions Committee may email them to the Animal Law Program Coordinator at cals@lclark.edu.

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(6) Proof of English Proficiency Requirement (International Applicants): If proof of English proficiency is an IELTS or TOEFL score, include this documentation in your emailed materials.

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(7) Statement of Financial Need (optional): While merit-based factors are the primary consideration for awarding donor-supported scholarships, some donors also take financial need into account. If desired, include a 1-2 page statement.

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Consideration for Donor-Supported Scholarships

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Consideration for Donor-Supported Scholarships*

The Center for Animal Law Studies is proud to be able to offer donor-supported scholarships to make the Animal Law LLM Program viable for applicants. To be considered for certain scholarships, applicants must allow their application information and materials to be shared with donors and/or prospective donors. Choosing to permit or not permit their application information and materials to be shared does not make an impact on whether an applicant is accepted into the Animal Law LLM Program. Please choose one of the two options.

I knowingly and voluntarily provide my written consent to the Center for Animal Law Studies and Lewis & Clark Law School to share my application materials with donors and/or potential donors, including their employees and affiliated selection committees.

I DO NOT permit my application information and materials to be shared with donors and/or potential donors.

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Permission to Share Educational Records with Scholarship Donors*

Some donor-supported scholarships require the sharing of educational and performance review records. To be considered for these scholarships, candidates agree to share their application materials with donors and/or potential donors.

If I am selected for and accept a donor-supported scholarship that requires the sharing of my educational record, I hereby knowingly and voluntarily provide my written consent pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, 20 U.S.C. 1232g and accompanying regulations (FERPA) for the Center for Animal Law Studies and Lewis & Clark Law School to share my educational records regarding the following subjects: a mid-year and year-end performance and status reports that include my grades as well as an assessment of my likelihood for success in the field by relevant faculty, and a report on any events or circumstances (such as investigations and/or actions taken pertaining to academic performance, disciplinary or ethical, CALS policy or legal violations [such as Title IX]) that might bear on my character or accomplishments.

I DO NOT permit my educational record to be shared with donors and/or potential donors.

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Final Questions

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How did you hear about our LLM Program?*

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I would like to be sent communications about the Center for Animal Law Studies, Animal Law LLM Program, and related news stories.*

This election is optional. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Yes

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Submit Application

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To the best of my knowledge, the information in this application is complete and accurate.

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Signature (type your full name)*

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Date*

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For US Applicants: You need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to the federal processor at the earliest possible date if you want to be considered for loans. The FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

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Lewis & Clark Law School is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. The law school adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to employment, enrollment, and program. Lewis & Clark does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws, and has a firm commitment to promote the letter and spirit of all equal opportunity and civil rights laws, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as well as their implementing regulations. Questions regarding Title IX may be directed to one of Lewis & Clark’s Title IX coordinators (go.lclark.edu/about/title_ix) or to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

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