Transfer Students
If you are interested in transferring to BU Law in the fall, then you must submit your application form and fee by June 15 and complete your file with all supporting documentation by August 1. If you are interested in transferring in the spring, then you must submit your application form and fee by November 1 and complete your file with all supporting documentation by December 1. We will not review your application until we receive a law school transcript that contains all first-year grades. BU Law grants a maximum of thirty transfer credits, the equivalent of our first year curriculum. Part-time students are elligible to apply to transfer to BU Law, however In order to apply as a transfer student you should have completed the equivalent of our first year curriculum.
Students enrolled in the BU Law LL.M. in American Law Program may apply to the J.D. program as transfer students during the spring semester of their LL.M. year and -- if they are admitted -- may receive up to 30 credits for their LL.M. studies towards the J.D. degree, consistent with American Bar Association standards. This means they may be able to complete the J.D. program with two additional years of study. Transfer students who matriculate into the J.D. program need to complete all the requirements of the J.D. program. Transfer applicants need to take the LSAT and will be judged in comparison to all other J.D. transfer candidates. Candidates should not expect preferential treatment by the J.D. Admissions Committee simply by virtue of attending the LL.M. program at BU Law. Admission is not guaranteed. For fall semester transfer candidates, application forms and fees are due to the Office of J.D. Admissions by June 1 and completed files with all supporting documentation are due by August 1. LL.M. students may take the LSAT as late as June for fall enrollment.
- Application Form
You can submit your transfer application online via LSAC. Please indicate that you are applying as a transfer student. Applicants can access the application beginning on March 1.
You can also apply using our paper application. All applications must be mailed or hand delivered to:
Boston University School of Law
Admissions Office
765 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02215No application will be processed unless the application form is completed, signed and dated.
Inaccuracy in any statement may result in revocation of an offer of admission, dismissal from the School of Law, cancellation of courses, denial of certificates of attendance, or revocation of any degrees that may have been granted.
- $75 Application Fee
When submitting your paper application, please include a check or money order for $75 made payable to Boston University. The application fee is nonrefundable and is not credited toward any charges when you register as a student.
- First-Year Law School Transcript
You must send your transcript from your law school. We will not review your application until we receive a law school transcript that contains all first-year grades.
- First-Year Law School Class Rank
We must receive your class rank in writing from your law school or written notification that your law school does not provide class rank.
- Letter of Good Standing from Law School Dean
Your law school must send us a letter indicating that you are in good standing.
-
Original Law School Data Assembly Service (LSDAS) Report
Please have LSDAS send your original LSDAS report to us. This report should include your LSAT score(s) and final transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate schools attended. Your LSDAS subscription is valid for five years so you will have to pay only a report fee to send your LSAT score(s) and transcripts from LSDAS to BU Law.
- Dean’s Certification Form from Undergraduate School
The certification of a dean or administrative officer in charge of students at your degree-granting undergraduate college or university is required. We anticipate that in many cases the dean will not know the applicant personally and will base his or her recommendation on information on school records.
The Dean’s Certification Form must be sent directly to the BU Law Admissions Office in an envelope that has been sealed and signed across the seal.
In conformity with licensing standards, the issues of a disciplinary record (or absence of one) must be directly and explicitly addressed in writing. If it is not the policy of the institution to report on disciplinary action, a statement to that effect will be sufficient.
- Personal Statement
A carefully worded and detailed personal statement is an important part of your application. This statement should also address why you want to transfer to BU Law.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
We require two letters of recommendation. At least one of your recommendations must be from a professor who taught you during your first year of law school. The Admissions Committee values letters from persons who are able to provide a thoughtful and candid assessment of a transfer applicant’s academic ability and potential for law study.
BU Law accepts letters of recommendation sent through the LSAC letter-of-recommendation service that is part of the LSDAS Registration subscription. LSDAS will copy your letters and send them to us with your LSDAS Report. To use this service, follow the directions for submitting letters outlined in the LSAC 2008-2009 Law School Admission Information Book.
If you are not using the LSDAS service for your recommendations, you may use the recommendation forms included with these instructions. Complete the top portion of the forms and send the forms to your recommenders. Recommenders should send their letters directly to BU Law in envelopes that they have sealed and signed across
the seal.
Federal legislation gives you right of access to letters of recommendation. You may waive this right (as provided on the form). Your waiver is not required as a condition for admission or for financial aid.
- Résumé
Submitting a résumé detailing your educational and professional background is not required but it is encouraged.