{"id":6121,"date":"2015-09-14T11:04:28","date_gmt":"2015-09-14T15:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/?page_id=6121"},"modified":"2026-01-20T15:19:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T20:19:14","slug":"applying-to-transfer","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/jd-admissions\/application-instructions\/transfer-students\/applying-to-transfer\/","title":{"rendered":"Applying for Transfer Admissions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span>Each fall, we welcome students who have transferred to BU Law after successfully completing one year at an ABA-accredited law school. When making admissions decisions, we place strong emphasis on first-year GPA and class rank. Our transfer applicants are typically ranked in the top 15-20% of their first-year class.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The application process for transfer students operates on a different schedule with transfer-specific deadlines. The transfer application opens on February 1 and all supporting documentation must be submitted by August 1, though we recommend completing your application as early as possible.<\/p>\n<p>The deadline for transfer admits to deposit in order to participate in the BU Law Journal Write-on Competition will be posted soon. There will be additional write-on opportunities for transfer students over the summer.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re interested in transferring to BU Law, you must submit your application through LSAC&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lsac.org\/applying-law-school\/jd-application-process\/credential-assembly-service-cas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Credential Assembly Service<\/a> (CAS) and follow a similar process as other applicants, with a few exceptions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You must submit a letter from the dean of your law school indicating that you are in good academic standing.<\/li>\n<li>You must provide your class rank in your first year of law school or written notification that your law school does not provide class rank.<\/li>\n<li>At least one of your 2-3 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/jd-admissions\/application-instructions\/letters-of-recommendation\/\">letters of recommendation<\/a> must be from a professor who taught you during your first year of law school.<\/li>\n<li>In addition to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/jd-admissions\/application-instructions\/transcripts\/\">academic transcripts<\/a> you submit through CAS, you must have an official transcript for your 1L year sent to BU Law at<a href=\"mailto:bulawadm@bu.edu\"> bulawadm@bu.edu<\/a> from your law school.<\/li>\n<li>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/jd-admissions\/application-instructions\/personal-documents\/\">r\u00e9sum\u00e9<\/a> should <strong><em>include information about how you plan to spend your summer after your 1L year<\/em><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Transfer applicants are required to pay an $85 nonrefundable application fee to BU Law.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you originally applied to law school through LSAC&#8217;s Credential Assembly Service, your CAS registration is valid for five years so you will only need to pay a report fee <span>to send your LSAT score(s) and transcripts from LSAC to BU Law.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>BU Law grants a maximum of 30 transfer credits, the equivalent of our first-year curriculum. Part-time students are eligible to apply to transfer to BU Law, however, to apply as a transfer student, you should have completed the equivalent of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/academics\/find-degrees-and-programs\/jd-program\/\">first-year curriculum of our JD program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Transfer Early Action Program<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Each year, some transfer applicants are accepted through the<span>\u00a0<\/span>Transfer Early Action<span>\u00a0<\/span>program by indicating on your transfer application that you wish to be reviewed with only one semester of grades. If you apply through the Transfer Early Action program, admission decisions will be based on only the first semester of 1L grades.<\/p>\n<p>If you are admitted, you will be expected to confirm your intent to enroll with a $1,000 deposit within two weeks of admission. It is expected that students admitted based on only one semester of grades will perform at a level consistent with their first semester during their second semester.<\/p>\n<p>Applicants who complete their applications early but are not admitted based on only their first semester of grades may be held for review again once their second-semester grades are received. The admissions committee will review complete applications on a rolling basis. Every effort will be made to provide applicants with decisions as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n<p>Please note that students enrolled in BU Law&#8217;s LLM in American Law or the LLM in Intellectual Property wishing to transfer to the JD program are not eligible to participate in the Transfer Early Action program.<\/p>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Prior Applicants to BU Law<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">If you applied as an incoming 1L to the JD program at BU Law last year, and are currently enrolled at another law school, but you still want to be part of our BU Law community, we encourage you to take advantage of our Streamlined Transfer Application process.\u00a0<strong>Form will be available here starting Feb 1.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Due to your previous interest in BU Law, you can bypass the full transfer application and simply fill out the<span>\u00a0<\/span>form above to streamline your transfer application. We will then reactivate your previous application, waive the application fee, and send you a brief checklist of required materials you must submit to update your application. These required materials include: your first-year law school transcript; your first-year class rank; an updated resume including plans for summer 2025 employment; a statement addressing your reasons for applying to transfer; and a letter of good standing from your current law school dean. Although not required, you may choose to submit a letter of recommendation from a law professor, which should be sent directly from the recommender to our office at <a href=\"mailto:bulawadm@bu.edu\">bulawadm@bu.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Should you wish to do so, you may apply through our Streamlined Transfer Application process <em>and\u00a0<\/em>take advantage of the Transfer Early Action program.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Students Enrolled in an LLM Program at BU Law<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Students enrolled in BU Law&#8217;s LLM in American Law or the LLM in Intellectual Property may apply to the JD program as transfer students during the spring semester of their LLM year and\u2014if they are admitted\u2014may receive up to 28 credits for their LLM studies towards the JD degree, consistent with American Bar Association standards. This means they may be able to complete the JD program with two additional years of study. Applicants from BU Law LLM programs must apply with a complete, academic year transcript.<\/p>\n<p>Transfer students who matriculate into the JD program need to complete all the requirements of the JD program. Transfer applicants from the LLM programs need to take the LSAT and will be judged in comparison to all other JD transfer candidates. Candidates should not expect preferential treatment by the admissions committee simply by virtue of attending the American Law or Intellectual Property programs at BU Law. Admission is not guaranteed. For fall semester transfer candidates,<span>\u00a0<\/span>completed application forms, fees, and supporting documents are due to the JD Admissions Office by August 1.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h3 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Advanced Standing for Foreign-Trained Lawyers<\/h3><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\">Subject to American Bar Association regulations, BU Law may admit graduates of foreign law schools and allow credit for studies at foreign law schools. Foreign law graduates apply for admission following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/jd-admissions\/application-instructions\/international-applicants\/\">the same procedures as other first time foreign-educated applicants<\/a>. Foreign law graduates who have been admitted to BU Law may petition the Academic Standards Committee to determine whether, based on the courses taken at a foreign law school, they might be exempt from certain first-year courses. Petitions must be submitted before the beginning of first-year classes. After their first year at BU Law, foreign law graduates may petition the Academic Standards Committee for credit toward their upper-class credit requirements for courses taken at a foreign law school. The maximum credits that may be granted for first-year and\/or upper-class courses may not exceed one-third of the total required for the BU Law JD degree.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<h2>Financial Aid<\/h2>\n<p>While BU Law does not have scholarship funds available for transfer students, you are eligible for other types of financial aid including federal loans, private loans, and Federal Work-Study. You may also be eligible for outside scholarships that can be applied to your expenses at BU Law. Transfer students are not expected to comply with deadlines indicated for entering students.<\/p>\n<p>For additional information about specific types of aid, follow the links below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/financialaid\/loans\/\">Federal Loans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/finaid\/types-of-aid\/loans\/credit-based-loans\/graduate\/\">Private Loans<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/admissions-aid\/financialaid\/other-sources-of-assistance\/\">Outside Scholarships and Other Sources of Assistance<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Transfer students interested in receiving Federal Work-Study funds should contact the Law Financial Aid Office directly.<\/p>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Does BU Law accept transfer students?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Yes. Each fall we welcome students who have successfully completed one year at an ABA-accredited law school. When making admissions decisions, we place strong emphasis on performance during the first year of law school.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How do I apply as a transfer student to BU Law?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>You should submit your transfer application online via LSAC. Please be sure to use the Transfer Application.<\/p>\n<p>A transfer application consists of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Electronic Application<\/li>\n<li>$85 Application Fee<\/li>\n<li>First-Year Law School Transcript<\/li>\n<li>First-Year Law School Class Rank or written notification that your law school does not provide class rank.<\/li>\n<li>Letter of Good Standing from Law School Dean<\/li>\n<li>LSAC Law School Report including LSAT scores.<\/li>\n<li>Personal Statement<\/li>\n<li>Two Letters of Recommendation, including one from a law school professor.<\/li>\n<li>Resume\u2014this should include any information you have about how you plan to spend the summer after your 1L year<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Note: previous applicants to BU Law can take advantage of our Streamlined Transfer Application.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">When should I submit my transfer application?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>BU Law only accepts transfer students for the fall semester. Transfer applications are available on the LSAC website beginning February 1, and can be submitted through July 15. <strong>You must complete your file with all supporting documentation by July 15.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>However, we encourage transfer applicants to complete their applications as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What is the Transfer Early Action Program?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Each year a small number of transfer applicants may be accepted through the <strong>Transfer Early Action<\/strong> program. If you wish to be considered through this program you should submit your materials as soon as possible and indicate that you wish to be reviewed through this program on your application. These decisions will be based on only the first semester of 1L grades. You will be asked on your application whether or not you wish to be reviewed with only one semester of grades. In order for your application to be reviewed, BU must also be in receipt of a letter of recommendation from one of your law school professors and a letter of good standing from your law school.<\/p>\n<p>If you are admitted via the Transfer Early Action program you will be expected to confirm your intent to enroll with a $1,000 deposit within two weeks of your admission. It is expected that students admitted based on only one semester of grades will perform at a level consistent with their first semester during their second semester.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">What if I apply and am not admitted through the Transfer Early Action program?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Applicants who apply through the Transfer Early Action program and are not admitted, will either receive a deny decision or may be held for their complete first year transcripts. A deny decision from the Transfer Early Action program is final. Applicants who are held for their complete first year transcripts will be reviewed again once their second semester grades are received. The Admissions Committee will review complete applications on a rolling basis. Every effort will be made to provide applicants with decisions as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">When can I expect a decision on my application?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nThis depends largely on when your application is complete. The Admissions Committee will review applications as quickly as possible, but decisions will be sent out on a rolling basis.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How many credits are required to apply as a transfer candidate?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nTransfer applicants should have completed the equivalent of one year of full-time study at an ABA accredited law school. Most transfer students are granted between 28 and 30 credits. The maximum number of credits a transfer student can be granted is 30. Students who have not taken courses required as a part of the BU Law first year curriculum (Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Administrative Law, Property, and Legal Research and Writing) will be required to complete those courses before graduating from BU Law.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How many transfer students typically apply to BU Law and are accepted each year?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>Typically around 100 students apply to transfer to BU Law each year. The number accepted varies from year to year. In recent years, this number has ranged from 3-21 students.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">If I am admitted as a transfer student will I have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the editorial staff of one of BU Law\u2019s six journals?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nMost admitted transfer students are admitted in time to participate in one of two journal writing competitions for transfer students. In order to participate, you must complete your application, be admitted, and pay your seat deposit by <strong>TBA (TBA <\/strong>for the summer write-on competition).<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">If I am admitted as a transfer student can I participate in OCI (On Campus Interviewing) and other recruitment activities?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nInformation on this will be posted shortly.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How much time will I have to decide whether or not I want to transfer?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nDepending on the timing of your offer of admission, you will have anywhere from a few days to two weeks in which to decide whether you will enroll at BU Law and submit a $1,000 deposit. We encourage you to research the opportunities at BU Law once you decide to apply, so that you can make a fully informed decision once you receive an offer.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Do transfer students receive scholarships?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nBU Law does not have scholarship funds available for transfer students. However, the Financial Aid office is happy to assist you in determining other funding options as you navigate the process of transferring to BU Law.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How is a transfer student\u2019s BU Law cumulative GPA calculated?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nA transfer student\u2019s GPA will be calculated based solely on grades for classes taken at BU Law. For this reason, transfer students will not receive any sort of class rank until the end of their 2L year. Transfer students are eligible for all graduation honors and awards.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Can I participate in the Moot Court program as a transfer student?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nInformation on this will be posted shortly.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Is there a special orientation for transfer students?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nYes. Transfer orientation will be held on\u00a0<strong>TBA.<\/strong><br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Do you offer application fee waivers?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><\/p>\n<p>The Admissions Office may grant application fee waivers on a case by case basis. If you wish to request a fee waiver please send an email detailing the reason for your request to <a href=\"mailto:bulawadm@bu.edu\">bulawadm@bu.edu<\/a>. Please do not wait until the day before the application deadline to make this request.<\/p>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">Do you require a Letter of Good Standing from my law school?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nYes. You need to have a letter from your current law school sent to BU Law. The letter should address whether you are currently in good standing and provide ranking information if available. If your law school does not rank first year students please provide a statement of this policy.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">How many recommendations do I need to submit?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nYou must submit at least two letters of recommendation, one of which must be written by someone who taught you during your first year of law school.<\/p>\n<p>Previous applicants to BU Law may take advantage of the Streamlined Transfer Application and the recommendation requirement will be waived.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"bu_collapsible_container \" aria-live=\"polite\" data-customize-animation=\"false\"><h4 class=\"bu_collapsible\" aria-expanded=\"false\"tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\">I applied to BU when I originally applied to law school. How do I apply to transfer?<\/h4><div class=\"bu_collapsible_section\" style=\"display: none;\"><br \/>\nYou may take advantage of our Streamlined Transfer Application process. Start by filling out a form online;\u00a0we will then waive the application fee and send you a brief checklist of required materials you must submit to update your application.<br \/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Each fall, we welcome students who have transferred to BU Law after successfully completing one year at an ABA-accredited law school. When making admissions decisions, we place strong emphasis on first-year GPA and class rank. Our transfer applicants are typically ranked in the top 15-20% of their first-year class. The application process for transfer students [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6977,"featured_media":0,"parent":91223,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"bu-publication":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6121"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6977"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6121"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6121\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":122395,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/6121\/revisions\/122395"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/91223"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6121"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"bu-publication","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/law\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bu-publication?post=6121"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}