Free Tool · Application Requirements
School-by-school breakdown of every transfer application requirement — dean's certifications, letters of recommendation, personal statements, deadlines, and more.
| School | Rank | Dean's Cert | LORs | Why Transfer | Resume | LSAT | Original App | Deadline Window | Notes |
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A letter from your current law school's dean or registrar certifying your enrollment, academic standing, and good standing. Required by virtually all T14 schools.
Tip: Request this 4–6 weeks before your deadline. Some schools charge a fee. Use our Dean's Certification Template to write the request letter.
Most schools require 2–3 LORs from law school professors. At least one should be from a 1L professor who can speak to your legal analytical ability. LORs from undergrad professors are typically not sufficient alone.
Tip: Ask professors immediately after finishing their class while your performance is fresh. Visit office hours to build rapport first.
Required by most schools. Typically 1–2 pages. Schools want to know: why this school specifically, why transfer (not just "it's ranked higher"), and what you'll contribute to their community.
Tip: Be specific about programs, clinics, faculty, and geographic ties. Generic "top school" essays are red flags. Visit campus or attend a virtual info session if possible.
Transfer applications open as early as March/April and close between late June and mid-August, depending on the school. Most schools will not have your spring grades before the deadline — they're making an offer based on fall grades and predict spring performance.
Tip: Apply to early-deadline schools (Yale, Harvard, Stanford: June/July) before late ones. Send spring transcript update as soon as it's available.