Transfer into the J.D. Program

Thank you for your interest in transferring to UCLA School of Law. The transfer application for fall 2023 will open on May 1 and will close June 30. The priority deadline is June 15. Please note that applicants must be enrolled at another American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law school. You may submit your application with your fall semester grades only. The admissions committee may in some circumstances review applications prior to receipt of second semester grades.  Applying early is highly encouraged as it may allow for a decision to be rendered more quickly.

UCLA Law believes transfer students further enrich the quality of UCLA's academic program. There is ample evidence of the ways transfer students contribute to the institution in classroom interaction, in the energy devoted to clinical efforts, in student projects, and in faculty-supervised research. The faculty believes that it is appropriate to make some spaces available in the second year for those individuals who have achieved academic distinction during their first year at other law schools. Your application for admission must be submitted through the LSAC online application service.

If you are a current student enrolled in the UCLA LL.M. program interested in transferring to our J.D. program, please contact the admissions office at admissions@law.ucla.edu for more detailed instructions regarding specific application procedures.

Apply to Transfer Today
  • J.D. Transfer Credit Acceptance Policy

    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. Students from law schools that are only state-approved are not eligible for admission. For more information about the transfer admission process and procedures, please contact our Admissions Office at (310) 825-2080 or admissions@law.ucla.edu.

  • J.D. Transfer Application Procedures

    Applicants must submit the following:

    1. A transfer application found at LSAC.
    2. An essay that discusses background, goals and reason(s) for interest in completing a legal education at UCLA School of Law. The essay should not exceed two double-spaced pages or be less than 11 pt. font.
    3. Current résumé.
    4. Official transcripts of law school grades from an American Bar Association (ABA)-approved law school sent directly to LSAC or UCLA School of Law.  In order to expedite the review process, we will accept unofficial law school transcripts sent via email to admissions@law.ucla.edu.  Please note that you may submit your application with your fall semester grades only. The admissions committee may in some circumstances review applications prior to receipt of second semester grades. Applying early is highly encouraged as it may allow for a decision to be rendered more quickly. However, please note, official transcripts are required once a student is admitted. 
    5. Two letters of recommendation (no more than two) submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service or e-mailed/mailed directly to the Law School are required. The two letters of recommendation should be from members of the law faculty who can comment on the applicant's performance and potential.
    6. LSAC law school report (including LSAT score and undergraduate transcripts) sent directly from the Law School Admission Council.
    7. Letter of good standing from current (ABA)-approved law school, including class rank if available, sent directly from the current law school's dean of students or registrar to admissions@law.ucla.edu.
    8. David J. Epstein Program in Public Interest Law and Policy application, if applying to that program.
    9. Nonrefundable application fee in the amount of $75. You may submit your application and pay the fee electronically via LSAC.

    Applicants with GRE Scores:

    • An applicant who has taken both the LSAT and the GRE is required to submit all LSAT test scores from the last five years but may choose whether or not to submit their GRE score(s). However, if the applicant elects to submit a GRE score in addition to the LSAT, the applicant must submit all GRE scores from the last five years.
    • An applicant who only takes the GRE and not the LSAT must also submit all GRE scores from the last five years.
    • GRE scores should be submitted directly to UCLA Law by the Educational Testing Service ("ETS"—the organization that administers the GRE) using UCLA Law's ETS school code 4837 and the department and major field code 5201.
    • Applicants applying only with a GRE score are still required to subscribe to and utilize the LSAC Credential Assembly Service, even if transcripts and letters of recommendation are submitted directly to UCLA Law as referenced above.

    Applications for transfer admission will be available online May 1, 2023, and must be submitted on or before June 30, 2023. Applicants will be notified of a decision by the end of July 2023.

    UCLA School of Law
    Law Admissions Office
    71 Dodd Hall
    Box 951445
    Los Angeles, CA 90095-1445
    310-825-2080
    admissions@law.ucla.edu

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