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Transfer & Visiting Students

Transfers

Law students who have completed one year of study in a J.D. program at an ABA-approved law school may apply for transfer admission. Transfer applications may be submitted from May 1 through July 1.

Transfer applicants should note the following:

• If admitted, transfer students may transfer up to 30 credit hours. Courses satisfactorily completed at the other school are usually accepted, even when the number of credits for a particular course differs from the number of credits for the same course at Vanderbilt.
• Transfer grades are recorded as “Pass” grades, not as the numerical or letter grades originally awarded, and they are not included in the cumulative grade point average.
• Transfer students are required to complete four (4) full-time semesters at Vanderbilt to receive a J.D. degree.
• Transfer students may participate in the student journal selections.
• Because Vanderbilt accepts transfer credits but not grades, it is unlikely a transfer student can meet the 75% rule to qualify for Order of the Coif.
• Although transfer students are not eligible for joint-degree programs, they may apply to the Ph.D. in Law and Economics program as second-year J.D. students at Vanderbilt.

To apply as a transfer student, please submit:

• J.D. application form, indicating you are applying for transfer. You may apply online or use paper forms.
• Personal statement which addresses the reasons you would like to complete your J.D. at Vanderbilt or indicates a need to be located in Nashville.
• Two letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a faculty member who taught you at your current law school.
• Official law school transcript showing grades for all first-year courses
• Letter of good standing from your current law school Provide your rank-in-class at the end of the first year, if available.
• Register with LSDAS and have your report sent to Vanderbilt.
• $50 non-refundable application fee.
   

Transfer applicants are encouraged to schedule an interview with an admissions counselor during the spring semester. Please contact the Admissions Office for more information.

| Apply online |
 

Visiting Students

J.D. students at other ABA-approved law schools may apply for visiting student status by submitting the same materials required for transfer applicants except an LSDAS report. Please provide a transcript from your law school showing grades for all academic work you have completed. Visiting students may not apply online, however, and must obtain paper J.D. application forms and instructions by printing the pdf forms or contacting the Admissions Office Office to request a viewbook.

Visiting student applications must be submitted by August 1 for the Fall semester and by December 1 for the Spring semester.

Questions? Contact the Admissions Office

615-322-6452  |  admissions@law.vanderbilt.edu