Anaya Nolan
Harvard Law School (HLS) offers transfer admissions for rising 2L students who have completed their 1L year at another accredited law school. Transfer applicants are required to submit a range of components, including a statement of purpose, a statement of perspective, a resume, and any relevant LSAT and/or GRE scores. While academic excellence is important, transfer students at Harvard Law School bring diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives to the community. The transfer application process typically begins in early May, with a submission deadline in mid-June, and admission decisions are released by early July.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application fee | $85.00 |
| Application deadline | Mid-June |
| Admission decision | Early July |
| Application type | Hosted on HLS Transfer Application Portal |
| Applicant type | Rising 2L students |
| Applicant academic background | Excellent 1L grades, top of the first-year law class |
| Applicant test scores | LSAT and/or GRE scores |
| Applicant documents | Resume, College Certification form, Statement of Purpose, Statement of Perspective |
| Applicant interview | By invitation only, conducted by phone |
| Applicant eligibility | Completed 1 year of full-time study in a J.D. program or one-third of the total credits required in a part-time program |
| Applicant law school | Must be accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) |
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What You'll Learn
Application process and timeline
The transfer application process for Harvard Law School is hosted on the HLS Transfer Application Portal. Applications typically open in early May, with a submission deadline in mid-June. Harvard aims to notify applicants of their admission decision by early July, and successful applicants are given about a week to respond.
To be eligible, applicants must have completed one year of full-time study in a J.D. program (or one-third of the total credits required in a part-time program) by the application deadline. They must also be attending a United States law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The application requires a non-refundable fee of $85, payable to Harvard Law School. A College Certification form from the applicant's 1L law school is also required to review their application. Additionally, applicants must submit any LSAT and/or GRE scores utilized for their 1L application.
The application includes a Statement of Purpose and a Statement of Perspective. The Statement of Purpose should address the applicant's motivations for pursuing law and how law school aligns with their ambitions, goals, and future vision. The Statement of Perspective allows the Admissions Committee to understand the applicant as an individual and a potential Harvard Law School student. It should include information on how the applicant's experiences, background, and interests will shape their engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.
During the application review process, applicants may be invited to interview. Not all applicants will be invited to interview, and not all interviewed candidates will be admitted.
Transfer applicants interested in joining the Harvard Law Review must participate in the Writing Competition at the same time as HLS 1Ls in May. Registration for the competition typically opens in April. Recognizing the challenges posed by this schedule, transfer students are also allowed to take the competition at the end of their 2L year.
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Requirements and qualifications
To be considered for transfer admission to Harvard Law School, applicants must meet several requirements and qualifications. Firstly, applicants must have completed one full year of study in a J.D. program or one-third of the total credits required in a part-time program by the application deadline. This is known as the 1L year requirement, and applicants are expected to have excelled academically during this period, often placing near the top of their first-year law class.
Additionally, applicants must attend a law school in the United States that is fully accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Law courses completed during the 1L year will be considered part of the transfer student's first year of J.D. studies at Harvard Law School and may not be used to meet any upper-level requirements. Transfer students must satisfy Harvard Law School's first-year requirements by demonstrating completion of comparable courses at their prior institution or by completing qualifying courses after matriculation.
The application process for transfer admission typically opens in early May, with a submission deadline in mid-June. A non-refundable application fee of $85 is required, although need-based fee waivers are available. The application includes a Statement of Purpose, where applicants must articulate their motivations for pursuing law and how law school aligns with their ambitions and goals. Additionally, a Statement of Perspective is required, where applicants share how their experiences, background, and interests will shape their engagement in the HLS community and the legal profession.
Along with the application, transfer applicants must submit a resume, any LSAT and/or GRE scores from their 1L application, and a College Certification form from their 1L law school. While not a requirement, transfer applicants interested in joining the Harvard Law Review must participate in the Writing Competition simultaneously as HLS 1Ls in May.
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Application fee and financial aid
Application Fee
The application fee for transfer students is $85, but a need-based fee waiver can be requested by sending an email to [email protected]. The application deadline for transfer students is typically in mid-June, and the application process is hosted on the HLS Transfer Application Portal.
Financial Aid
Harvard Law School offers need-based financial aid to all students, including transfer students. There are no "merit" or "full-ride" scholarships available. Students who demonstrate financial need according to federal and institutional guidelines will receive financial assistance to complete their course of study.
Students will receive information on applying for financial aid directly from the HLS Student Financial Services (SFS) Office after they have been admitted. Given the condensed decision timeline for transfer applicants, financial aid packages may not be available before the enrollment deadline.
The Low Income Protection Plan (LIPP) is a loan forgiveness program available to J.D. graduates who pursue lower-income employment options, including full-time jobs in non-profits, government, academia, and law-related private sector jobs.
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Transfer students' backgrounds
Harvard Law School's transfer students come from a wide range of backgrounds, with varying academic histories and experiences. The transfer admissions process allows rising 2L students to join the Harvard Law School community after completing their 1L year at another accredited law school.
Transfer applicants are typically required to have completed one full-time year of study in a J.D. program or one-third of the total credits required in a part-time program. They must have attended a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Successful transfer candidates have often excelled academically in their 1L year, placing near the top of their class. Harvard Law School encourages applicants from diverse educational backgrounds to apply, welcoming students from various undergraduate institutions and 1L law schools.
Transfer students bring unique perspectives and enthusiasm to the campus community. They have the opportunity to join organisations such as the Harvard Law Review and the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau (HLAB). The Harvard Law Review invites transfer applicants to participate in a Writing Competition, allowing them to showcase their skills and apply for membership. Similarly, HLAB welcomes transfer applicants and requires them to submit a modified application and participate in interviews.
The transfer admissions process at Harvard Law School is highly competitive, with a limited number of spaces available. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic performance, including 1L grades and LSAT scores. The school's Standards for Admission guide the review process, ensuring a comprehensive and fair assessment of all applications.
Transfer students at Harvard Law School enhance the academic environment with their diverse backgrounds and perspectives. They contribute to the campus community's vibrancy and intellectual discourse, making it a enriching experience for all.
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Harvard Law Review membership
The Harvard Law Review is a student-run journal of legal scholarship. It is independent of the Harvard Law School, and student editors make all editorial and organisational decisions. The journal is published monthly between November and June, with a special Supreme Court issue each November and a Developments in the Law issue each April. The Review publishes articles, essays, and book reviews by academics, judges, practitioners, and student editors.
The Harvard Law Review is one of three honours societies at Harvard Law School, along with the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau and the Board of Student Advisors. Students selected for more than one of these three organisations may only join one.
The Harvard Law Review Fellowship supports recent Harvard Law School graduates who want to serve the public interest through their work. Fellows receive a $65,000 stipend and publish a piece of legal scholarship in the Harvard Law Review’s online Forum.
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Frequently asked questions
Applicants must have completed one year of full-time study in a J.D. program or one-third of the total credits required in a part-time program. They must also attend a United States law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA).
The transfer application typically opens in early May and the submission deadline is in mid-June.
You will need to include a resume, a College Certification form from your 1L law school, a Statement of Purpose, and a Statement of Perspective. You must also submit any LSAT and/or GRE scores from your 1L application and pay a non-refundable application fee of $85.
No, you do not need to be the top-ranked student, but successful transfer candidates have excelled academically and often placed near the top of their first-year law class.
The Admissions Office will review your application and may invite you to interview. All applicants that are admitted must complete an interview, but not all applicants will be invited to interview.
