London School of Economics - Dual Degree Program
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many and which students get selected to participate each year?
- When is the application deadline?
- How competitive is the selection process?
- What is the admissions committee looking for in a candidate?
- What happens after being selected to participate in the program?
- What is the academic calendar like at the LSE?
- What do I have to give up at USC in order to study in London for a year?
- What's it like to live and study in London?
- How much does the program cost?
- What housing options are available at the LSE?
- What classes can I take at the LSE?
- What are the advantages to having an LLM degree from LSE?
- Will there be an information session?
- Can I participate in another study abroad program not sponsored by USC Law?
- Who can I talk to for more information?
How many and which students get selected to participate each year?
We can send up to 4 USC JD students per academic year. Students spend their 1L & 2L years at USC Law and their 3L years at the LSE. They can either finish both degrees in 3 years or choose to return to USC for a 7th semester.
When is the application deadline?
Students apply at the end of their 1L years - applications are due the first week in May each year. Interviews are conducted in July. Selected students are then invited to participate in the program right before registration for their 2L years (late July/early August before 2L years.)
How competitive is the selection process?
Since we can only send 4 students, the selection process tends to be quite competitive. Anywhere between 15 and 30 students apply each year.
What is the admissions committee looking for in a candidate?
The committee weighs academic records heavily. Students must not be on "restricted enrollment". Good grades are very important! Since studying at the LSE requires a lot of self-motivated study, we look for students who perform well in school and also prove to be independent in nature. Some experience abroad may be helpful, as well as having clear ideas on how this program will aid long-term academic, professional and personal goals. We want students who can best represent USC.
What happens after being selected to participate in the program?
Students will be invited to participate during the summer before their 2L years. They will go through "guided registration" with the law school registrar for their 2L years. At this time, students must decide whether they will complete their degrees in 3 total years or whether they choose to return to USC for a 7th semester after their years in London. Dual degree students must complete 64 numerically graded units by the end of their 2L years in order to complete their degrees in 3 years total. Students must also officially apply and be accepted by the London School of Economics, for which we assist students.
What is the academic calendar like at the LSE?
Dual degree students will take classes for an entire academic year, from early October until early July. LSE has three terms - Michaelmas, Lent and Summer. Michaelmas term classes normally run from the first week in October until mid-December, Lent term classes normally run from mid-January until mid-March, and Summer classes normally run from the end of April until the first week in July.
What do I have to give up at USC in order to study in London for a year?
Studying abroad may affect students' eligibility to participate in the On Campus Interview (OCI) Program, Honors Program Boards, moot court, the Order of the Coif, and student organizations during their years abroad. USC/LSE students may not be part of another dual degree program. Additionally, since LSE's academic calendar is longer than USC's, students may not take the first bar exam following their graduation.
What's it like to live and study in London?
London is very expensive! Previous students have been a bit shocked by the cost of living. The LSE campus is very cosmopolitan, in the heart of London. The vast majority of LSE students are from countries other than England. Classes are normally lecture-based and quite independent in nature.
How much does the program cost?
Exchange program students continue to pay fulltime USC Law tuition while they're studying at the LSE. Students will be individually responsible for all other fees (health insurance, housing, meals, transportation, etc.) It's estimated that these costs will be roughly $25,000. Financial aid will continue to be applied during the program and can be increased due to an increased cost of living in London.
What housing options are available at the LSE?
The LSE usually does not have much space to accommodate exchange students. However, USC students can apply for graduate housing there. Most former students have chosen to rent apartments on their own instead.
What classes can I take at the LSE?
Students can choose to obtain a specialty LLM in topics like business law or public international law. Or they may choose from a variety of law subjects.
What are the advantages to having an LLM degree from LSE?
For students whose interests lie in international law subjects, an additional degree from this prestigious institution could be a nice addition to their resumes. Since the program is still young, we have yet to see what impact it has had on participant students after they've completed the program. Unfortunately however, students do not become eligible to sit for the UK bar exam due to their LLM degree.
Will there be an information session?
We will hold an information session about both study abroad programs in the fall.
Can I participate in another study abroad program not sponsored by USC Law?
Students can participate in another ABA-accredited law school study abroad program during the summer only. A maximum of five units from an approved program may be considered to be transferred to students' JD degrees. This must be approved by and coordinated with the law school registrar before attending any study abroad program.
Who can I talk to for more information?
Anne Marlenga, Student Programs Advisor in the Graduate & International Programs office, coordinates the law school's study abroad programs. Students can contact her with any questions in Room 105 or via email at amarlenga@law.usc.edu. She can also put you in touch with the program's faculty advisor and previous study abroad students as well.
