Does LSAT matter for transfer?

Asked by: Winnifred Stark  |  Last update: July 20, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (21 votes)

In theory, LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs are effective predictors of first-year law school performance. Transfer applicants will already have their 1L grades, so LSAT results and college GPA are less important during the transfer review process than they are in the main law school admission process.

Do law schools look at LSAT when transferring?

When reviewing your transfer application, law schools will no longer look as much on your undergraduate GPA, class rank, or even your LSAT score. They will, however, zero in on your 1L grades.

Are law schools worth transferring?

Whether it's worth it will most likely correlate to your career goals. If you're sure you want to work in a large law firm and the new school will significantly increase your chances of making it there, then it may be worth the transfer, knowing you can pay down the extra loans with that BigLaw paycheck.

Is it hard to transfer to a different law school?

Transferring is certainly challenging for law school students, but not insurmountably so. If you've struck out with your initial application, know that a year of hard work can elevate you into a higher-ranked school, and – if you're an A student – even into the coveted realm of T14 law schools.

Is the LSAT all that matters?

That said, your LSAT score and undergraduate GPA (UGPA) matter most. Why? Two reasons. First, admissions officers want to gauge whether or not you'll succeed in law school, and the combination of your LSAT score and UGPA turn out to be strong predictors of first-year law school grades.

College Transfer Tips: Best Bets and Worst Bets for Transfer Admissions!

21 related questions found

Can I transfer law schools with a low GPA?

If you are struggling in law school, and have a GPA at or under a 3.0, and/or a class rank in the bottom half of your law school class, transferring “up” is not realistic.

What do law schools look for in transfer students?

Applicants who plan to transfer should approach their first year of law school with the following three goals in mind: Get good grades. Get to know a professor. Get involved in an extracurricular activity.

Is first year of law school the hardest?

The first year (1L) Most students consider the first year of law school to be the most difficult. The material is more complex than they're used to and it must be learned rapidly. What's more, the way students are taught and tested is very different from high school or undergrad.

What GPA do I need to transfer to Harvard Law?

Harvard Law Transfer GPA Data

Indeed, with a median GPA of more than 3.9, you'll need to ace virtually all of your 1L exams to have a shot at transferring to Harvard Law.

How hard is it to transfer to a T14 law school?

The weighted average GPA to transfer into a T14 is a 3.72. In law school terms that's ridiculous. A 3.72 class rank will vary depending on the school, but is almost invariably in the top 10% or higher.

Can you apply to law school twice?

The good news is that much of the application must remain the same with items such as your transcripts and LSAT scores already being solidified (unless, of course, you chose to take the LSAT again). That being said, you don't want to submit the same exact application twice.

Is it hard to transfer to NYU law?

NYU Law Transfer GPA Data

Indeed, with a median GPA of around 3.6, you'll need to ace virtually all of your 1L exams to have a shot at transferring to NYU Law. If that seems daunting right now, don't stress. The good news is that more than 50 of your peers transfer to NYU Law each year.

Can you transfer to a T14?

The weighted average GPA to transfer into a T14 is a 3.72. In law school terms that's ridiculous. A 3.72 class rank will vary depending on the school, but is almost invariably in the top 10% or higher.

Why do law students transfer?

There are many reasons you may consider transferring law schools. Some of the most common include wanting to attend a higher ranked program, pursuing a dream school that you didn't get accepted into at first, or to attend a school closer to the location you want to practice in.

How do I transfer to UCLA law?

Transfer applicants must have successfully completed an entire first-year curriculum at another American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law school. UCLA will award a maximum of 39 credits earned at another institution. Transfer students must spend four (4) full-time semesters at UCLA School of Law upon transferring.

How do you write a personal statement for law school transfer?

How To Write A Top-Notch Personal Statement When You're Looking to Transfer Law Schools
  1. Be Positive: Talk About What You've Gained From Your Current School. ...
  2. Be Proud of Yourself: Talk About How You've Engaged Positively With Your Current School (And How That'll Carry Into Your Next School) ...
  3. Structuring the Essay.

What is considered a t2 law school?

What Is a Tier 2 Law School? Tier 2 law schools might refer to law schools that are not part of the T14 law school list. They are the schools that are ranked after the number 14 school on the list. For instance, the number 15 law school on the list could be in tier 2.

How hard is it to transfer to Fordham Law?

We don't have a minimum GPA requirement, but we generally admit transfer students who are at the top 15-20% of their law school classes. In addition to 1L grades, we also consider an applicant's: statement detailing why they're interested in transferring to Fordham Law; resume; and letters of recommendation.

Does Duke law accept transfer students?

Each year, Duke Law School enrolls a number of transfer students who have completed their first year at another law school. The exact number varies, but has ranged between 12 and 20 in recent years.

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

In the film, Elle scored a 179 on her LSAT. That is one point away from a perfect score of 180. This means she scored in the 90th overall percentile. The average student's LSAT score is a 150.

Can I get into law school with a 145 LSAT?

Equally concerning is that law schools are admitting and then graduating students who might not be able to pass the bar exam. Five years ago, no American Bar Association-accredited law school had an entering class with a median LSAT score of less than 145. Now, seven law schools do, according to Jerome M.