Transfer Students

Make the Switch

Join the William & Mary Law School community! 

Requirements for Admission:
  1. Your current law school must be approved by the American Bar Association or be a member of the American Association of Law Schools.*
  2. You must be in good standing and have successfully completed 26 credit hours at your current law school.
Additional Information:
  • Generally, students should rank in the upper third of their class to be considered for transfer admission.
  • The number of credits transferred from your previous law school to William & Mary may vary. Transcripts are individually evaluated and compared to the William & Mary curriculum. Normally, 29 credit hours is the maximum that will be accepted, and only those credits where the grade earned is a "C" or better will transfer.
  • Scholarships funded by the Law School are generally not available to transfer students. Transfer students are urged to explore scholarships from other sources as well as loans if they need financial assistance.
  • *Note: Pursuant to ABA Standards 502(b) and 502(c), current W&M LL.M. students may request a waiver of the requirement that your previous law school be approved by the American Bar Association or be a member of the American Association of Law Schools. If you are a current W&M LL.M. student interested in applying for admission to the J.D. program, contact the LL.M. Program Director.
The Transition:

We hope to make your transition as easy as possible. Transfer students are encouraged to participate in Moot Court, Trial Teams, journal competitions, and other organizations on campus. Getting involved will make you feel more at home at William & Mary.

Deadlines:

We accept applications between May 1 and June 15 for enrollment in August. All applications must be submitted by June 15 in order to be reviewed for admission. 

Steps for Applying:

(1) Complete the Application
Applicants should complete and submit the LSAC Electronic Application. 

(2) Submit the Application Fee
Submit a nonrefundable $50 (U.S. dollars) application fee through a credit or debit card payment through LSAC.

(3) Submit a Personal Statement 
Submit a personal statement including your reason(s) for seeking transfer to William & Mary Law School.

(4) Submit Letters of Recommendation or Evaluations
Submit at least two letters of recommendation or evaluations. One should be from a faculty member of your current law school.  The letters should be sent directly to LSAC to be included in your CAS report.

(5) Submit Letter of Good Standing
Submit a letter of good standing from the dean of your law school, written after grades for the last semester have been posted, stating that you are in good academic standing and unconditionally eligible to return.

(6) Send LSAT Report and Academic Transcripts
Arrange to have a copy of your LSAT score and all undergraduate, graduate and law school transcripts sent to William & Mary Law School. The Credential Assembly Service (CAS) subscription fee is valid for five years and individuals can update their file and request a new CAS report without re-registering for the CAS service. Transfer applicants must request updated transcripts with spring semester grades and, if available, class rank. Official transcripts will be required for matriculation. The undergraduate transcript must show degree conferred.

(7) Apply for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges
Applicants claiming entitlement to in-state educational privileges must complete the Virginia Application for In-State Tuition Privileges, save, and add it as an attachment to the electronic application.  If the admission application has already been electronically submitted, applicants applying for Virginia in-state tuition privileges must complete the form found on the University Registrar's website and return to the Registrar by [[domicile,email]], mail, or fax.

Applicants who are active duty military personnel or honorably discharged veterans are eligible for in-state tuition privileges once they have moved to Virginia. Upon moving here, applicants should submit the Virginia Application for In-State Tuition Privileges and their military orders showing permanent duty station (active duty) or their discharge papers (veterans) to the Domicile Office at [[domicile]].

Checklist:
  1. Completed application form;
  2. $50 nonrefundable application fee paid by credit or debit card through LSAC;
  3. Personal statements(s) including reasons for seeking transfer;
  4. Two letters of recommendation or evaluations (one from a law professor);
  5. Letter of good standing from the law school attended;
  6. LSAT score report sent by LSAC;
  7. Transcripts of all undergraduate, graduate and law school courses with final grades (official transcripts will be required for matriculation); and
  8. Application for Virginia In-State Tuition Privileges if you claim Virginia domicile for tuition purposes.

In addition to a bar examination, there are character, fitness, and other qualifications for admission to the bar in every U.S. jurisdiction. Applicants are encouraged to determine the requirements for any jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission by contacting the jurisdiction. Addresses for all relevant agencies are available through the National Conference of Bar Examiners.