Transfer Admission Requirements
Michigan State University College of Law will consider for transfer admission any student who has achieved a law-school grade-point average of 2.80 or higher (based on a minimum of 18 credit hours of completed course work) at another law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). Ordinarily, the Admissions Committee will admit individuals who have achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the first year of their legal studies. A maximum of 43 credit hours is recognized by the College of Law, with a grade of "C" or better being required for a course to be awarded credit by the Law College.
Students transferring into Michigan State generally are advised to begin their studies at the Law College in August. However, transfer students may begin their studies at MSU in January or May. The application deadline for fall entry is July 10; the application deadline for the spring term is November 30; and, the application deadline for summer study is April 15.
The following items are required as part of the transfer application:
- a completed application form;
- an application fee of $20;
- a Credential Assembly Services Report issued by the Law School Admission Council;
- a brief (maximum of one-page) statement addressing the reason(s) for seeking transfer admission;
- an official transcript from the applicant's current law school (reflecting at least 18 credit hours of completed course work); and,
- a letter of good standing and indication of the applicant's class rank at the current law school.
Admission decisions for transfer applicants typically are made within two weeks of the application being complete with all required materials. A transfer applicant who wishes to accept the Law College's offer of admission must complete the Enrollment Intention Form and submit a nonrefundable deposit of $300. Upon receipt of the Enrollment Intention Form and the $300 deposit (which will apply toward tuition charges), the Associate Dean of Student Affairs will complete a Transfer Credit Evaluation in order to determine how courses transfer and whether such courses fulfill the MSU Law required curriculum. In turn, the transfer student may schedule a phone or in-person appointment with the Office of Student Affairs to schedule courses at the Law College.