J.D. Admissions | Columbia Law School

Transfer Application Overview

The Office of Admissions receives approximately 400 transfer applications each year, and we anticipate that 45 to 60 students will enroll in the Law School’s transfer program each year. Applicants are eligible to apply for transfer admission after having accrued a minimum of 28, and a maximum of 32*, credits from law schools that are either members of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) or approved by the American Bar Association’s section on Legal Education.

Most successful transfer students are in the top 5 percent to 10 percent of their law school class, and transfer admission is indeed based on the entire applicant profile. Your first-year law school performance is paramount; however, the Admissions Committee does consider all other information in your file, such as your undergraduate and any other graduate transcripts, LSAT performance, letters of recommendation, and a statement regarding why you are seeking transfer. For more information, please review our list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Additionally, transfer students are eligible to apply to participate in all student law journals at Columbia Law School, including participation in the writing competition for Columbia Law Review.

*Please note that after you have transferred, a review with the Director of Academic Counseling will determine how many credits will be eligible toward your Columbia Law School J.D. degree.

Dates and Deadlines