Is it hard to transfer law schools?

Asked by: Rossie Hodkiewicz II  |  Last update: September 9, 2022
Score: 4.5/5 (64 votes)

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.

How common is transferring law schools?

Are you thinking of transferring law schools? If so, know that plenty of law students are in the same boat. In 2020, 1,612 students transferred law schools after their first year. That's about 4.2% of the 38,500 students who were 1Ls the previous year.

Is transferring law schools a good idea?

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.

What GPA do you need to transfer law schools?

At seven of the top 10 law schools, the median GPA among accepted students in 2017 was above a 3.8. Thus, give your current school a fair shot before giving serious thought to transferring law schools. By spring, you will have a firmer grasp of what you appreciate and want to change about your law school education.

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.

Law School Transfer Tips

19 related questions found

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.

Can you 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.

Do law schools look at transfer GPA?

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.

Can you transfer to Harvard Law?

Transfer admissions is an opportunity for rising 2L students to join the Harvard Law School community after completing their 1L year at another law school. We encourage all interested and eligible applicants to apply.

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.

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.

What is a top tier law school?

Like many institutions of higher learning, law schools are separated into tiers based on their ranking. Schools that are in the top tier are the schools that rank the highest when evaluated on a number of different factors. Then, these rankings are distributed by U.S. News & World Report.

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.

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 a 3.0 GPA get into law school?

So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.

Is LSAT or GPA more important?

While LSAT is the most important factor, GPA is still significant. When you get down into schools lower in the rankings (outside the top 10 schools), numbers alone become an even better predictor of how likely you are to get into a specific school. LSAT is still the more important number than GPA.

How can I increase my chances of getting into law school?

  1. Choose your college major carefully.
  2. Aim for a high college GPA.
  3. Be strategic about your extracurricular and work experiences.
  4. Study hard for the LSAT or GRE.
  5. Submit a solid resume.
  6. Discuss your career goals.
  7. Demonstrate strong writing skills.
  8. Share experiences that shaped your character.

Can I transfer to T14 law school?

In 2019, a total of 2,396 students transferred between law schools, so it isn't uncommon. But as you can see in the chart below, most of the T14 schools admit very few, if any, transfer students. Georgetown is an outlier, so you might want to add that school to your target list if you're considering a switch!

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?

In your transfer personal statement, you should consider focusing on (1) your current law school experience and why you want to transfer, (2) what you hope to accomplish at the school to which you are applying, (3) where you hope to take your career, and (4) how attending this school will help you get there.

Can I transfer to an Ivy League law school?

After you have completed one year of law school, you are eligible to transfer to another law school. If you transfer after your first year, you will get the degree from the new law school that you go to instead of your old school.

Does Yale law accept transfers?

Transfer Applicants. Yale Law School welcomes applications for transfer admission for students currently enrolled in the first year of law school. An undergraduate degree and an outstanding record at an accredited law school are prerequisites.

Is it easier to transfer to an Ivy League?

Eligibility and Deadlines for Transferring

Because there are significantly fewer transfer applicants than regular first-year applicants, if you have done well in your first year or semester – depending on the college's residency requirements, it's actually easier to get into the Ivy League as a transfer student.