Transfer Students
Each summer, between 30 and 35 students successfully transfer from other law schools accredited by the American Bar Association. These students join the rising 2L class during the fall semester. To be eligible to apply as a transfer student, you must have completed 28 credit hours and a 1L curriculum similar to that of Northwestern Law’s at a school accredited by the American Bar Association. Furthermore, you must intend to complete your last two years of legal study at Northwestern Law.
Northwestern Law transfer students are eligible to participate in practically all of the Law School's offerings, including but not limited to the on-campus interviewing program, the Bluhm Legal Clinic, and our journals. They may apply to the West Coast Initiative, or register for an International Team Project course.
Transfer students are not eligible for institutional scholarships or grants. Northwestern Law is dedicated to offering a comprehensive financial aid program for students seeking assistance, and financial aid packages for transfer candidates consist of loan funding. The financial aid application process occurs after transfer candidates are offered admission, and Northwestern's Chicago Office of Financial Aid offers detailed guidance for those seeking financial aid.
Transferring of Credit
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The amount of credit a transfer student will receive for completed first-year work, including summer coursework, will not exceed 28 semester units.
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Grades below a C or its equivalent will not be accepted for transfer credit.
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Because of the differences in curriculum among law schools, students who are admitted on a transfer basis may not receive full credit for all first-year courses.
Applying to Transfer
Our transfer application will be available through the Law School Admission Council as of Monday, May 15, 2023. Here are detailed instructions for applicants seeking to transfer to Northwestern Law this fall 2023. You may visit our Applying to Northwestern Law webpage and link to lsac.org as of May 15 to begin the application process. We also recommend reviewing our answers to many of the Frequently Asked Questions surrounding the transfer admission process.
The transfer application period is brief by design. The deadline for submission of completed transfer applications is Monday, June 26, 2023. Because successful transfer students are eligible to participate in the Law School's on-campus interviewing program (OCI), we build in adequate time to introduce new transfer students to their career advisers. In turn, these new students may effectively prepare for OCI; they may write a Northwestern Law resume, develop a bidding strategy, and meet the OCI deadlines that typically fall in mid-July. OCI will take place during the first two weeks of August.
Ready, Set, Apply (to Transfer)! ~ The Northwestern Law Transfer Application Process
Applying for transfer admission is a distinct journey from the one you pursued as a rising 1L. On Monday, May 22 at 6 pm CT, a member of the admissions team will guide you through each step of the process, including our interview requirement. Furthermore, she will provide insight on Northwestern Law's approach to transfer admission. Time will be reserved for your questions.
Our transfer application workshops have concluded for spring 2023. Please review our detailed instructions and guidance if you are applying for transfer admission this year.