How to Apply: Transfer (Advanced Standing) Admission

Current full-time first-year J.D. students who have achieved excellent records at other law schools may apply as transfer students to Penn Law. We accept transfer students after completion of their first year only; we do not accept mid-semester or second-year transfer students. The law school from which the applicant seeks to transfer must be able to certify that the applicant has completed all requirements and credits for that school's full-time first year program. Applicants must fulfill the first year course requirements at their host law school by the completion of the spring semester. Transcripts reflecting grades for all courses taken must be submitted to the Office of Admissions by August 1.

Applicants for advanced standing must be in good standing at a law school that is both a member of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) and approved by the American Bar Association (ABA). We begin processing applications for advanced standing on May 1. All applicants for advanced standing must apply by July 15. Applications must be complete by August 1. Applicants for advanced standing will not be reviewed until we have received transcripts for both fall and spring semesters of the first year of law school. Decisions are made on a rolling basis beginning in late June. Students enrolled in a part-time or evening division program are not eligible to transfer.

Applicants for advanced standing are required to provide the same documents that are required for first-year applicants (i.e., completed application form, application fee, personal statement(s), LSDAS report, academic transcripts from all institutions attended, and two letters of recommendation - preferably from law professors). Additionally, applicants for advanced standing must provide a letter of good standing from the law school dean at the current law school.

Transfer applicants are not eligible for need-based financial assistance (grants).

JD TRANSFER CHECKLIST

Your application will be considered complete and will be referred to the Admissions Committee for review when the following items are received by the dates specified in the application instructions:

• Completed application form
• Signed Application, signed Certification Letter if applying electronically and paying fee by check or money order, or Electronic Signature if paying fee by credit card through LSAC
• Application fee in the amount of $75.00. (Note: We do not grant fee waivers for advanced standing applications.)
• Academic transcripts from all institutions attended. (Note: We must have all of your first year law school grades. Your file is not deemed complete until we have received fall and spring semester transcripts.)
• LSAT/LSDAS report
• Two Letters of Recommendation - preferably from law professors
• Résumé
• Personal statement
• Letter of good standing from the law school dean at the current law school

To view or download the application instructions, click here.