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Columbia Law School General Information TRANSFER/VISITING Admission Fall 2012

General information TRANSFER/VISITING admission Fall 2012

1 columbia law school | an introduction Applicants are eligible to apply for transfer Admission to admission after having accrued a minimum application the J.D. Program of 28 or a maximum of 32 credits. Applicants requirements who do not satisfy the credit criteria should General Information kindly respond accordingly to Question 7.4. and instructions The amount of credit given by Columbia Law School for completed coursework depends on Please refer to the Columbia Law School To avoid any confusion or delay in the the standards of the law school from which Admissions website (www.law.columbia. processing of your application, please ensure the student is transferring and the quality of edu/admissions/jd) for a full description and that you: (1) consistently use your proper the candidate’s performance in those courses. exploration of the JD program. Transfer and name; (2) keep us informed of any address, No credit is given for work completed in an telephone number, or email address changes visiting applicants are encouraged to apply American law school that is not an AALS online through LSAC (www.LSAC.org). during the application process; and (3) write member. Please note that after you matriculate your Social Security Number or your LSAC at Columbia Law School, a review with Account Number on all correspondence. The admissions program at Columbia Law the Director of Academic Counseling will Applicants must submit electronically the School is designed to identify and select determine how many credits are eligible following documents: a student body of diverse backgrounds toward your Columbia Law School JD and interests that shares a discernible degree. commitment to excellence--individuals Application for Admission who have demonstrated unusual promise for Transfer students may begin their studies in Applicants must complete all sections of the distinguished performance at the Law School the fall term only. Transfer applications should application before submission. and, subsequently, for high service to the legal be completed by July 15. Approximately 45 profession and the community. students are accepted as transfers each year. Personal Statement Applicants must submit a personal statement in Visiting Students SELECTION CRITERIA response to Question 12.1. Current law students who wish to take upper Evaluation of a transfer or visiting applicant class courses at Columbia but do not plan to Résumé for admission to Columbia Law School matriculate for the Columbia degree should In response to question 11.1, applicants must includes a determination of the candidate’s apply for visiting student status. Prospective submit a résumé of up to two pages detailing intellectual and academic qualifications, students should complete their applications significant full- or part time employment aptitude for legal study as measured primarily by July 15 for the fall. A few visiting students positions held. This may include internships, through evaluation of law school performance, (3 to 5) are accepted as nonmatriculants each summer employment, and community and assessment of whether or not the year. service. In addition, the résumé should candidate has demonstrated personal qualities include a summary of written scholarships, considered requisite to scholastic success NOTICE TO ALL APPLICANTS presentations, and principal extracurricular and professional distinction. In addition, activities. the Admissions Committee examines the Checking on the Status of Applications applicant’s personal essay or statement and Applicants are expected to monitor the Optional Supplemental Statements letters of recommendation, as well as his completion and submission of all application Applicants, if they wish, may submit brief or her course selection, special honors and requirements. Applicants are encouraged supplemental statements that will provide awards, fellowship opportunities, publications, to manage the completion of their file by useful information to the Admissions extracurricular involvement, community utilizing our online status check at www. Committee in evaluating the application. service, political activity, professional law.columbia.edu/admissions/check­status. In contribution, and other work experience. the event that the status check mechanism Application Fee is unduly delayed, applicants may submit The application fee is $80 (US funds only). requests in writing by e-mail (admissions@ Applicants who transmit their applications Application law.columbia.edu) to the Office of electronically may pay with a credit card Admissions. online, which is our preferred method of information payment. Applicants who transmit their Candidates should understand that all applications electronically but who can only Admissions Committee decisions regarding pay using a check or money order, must print, applicants may be communicated to the ADMISSION PROGRAMS sign, and mail the Certification Letter to the applicant only in writing. Under no Office of Admissions along with the check or circumstances may an applicant be informed Transfer Admission money order. of the outcome of his or her application by Current first-year law students who have telephone. This policy is designed to protect done outstanding work at other law schools the confidentiality entrusted by each candidate and are interested in transferring to Columbia to our Office of Admissions. may be admitted with advanced standing under conditions specified by the Columbia Law School faculty. Applicants for transfer admission must have attended law schools that are either members of the American Association of Law Schools (AALS) or approved by the Section on Legal Education of the American Bar Association.

2 columbia law school | an introduction Supporting Documents available. Please do not send duplicate letters coverage is also required ($1,935) unless directly to Columbia Law School. students can show proof of comparable Dean’s Appraisal/Certification coverage. The total budget for the nine- If need be, letters of recommendation may be The Dean’s Appraisal/Certification form or month academic year, including tuition, fees, sent to Columbia Law School in one of two an equivalent certification of good standing room, board, books, and personal expenses, is ways using copies of the LSAC-generated must be submitted from the law school $77,000. Expenses are adjusted annually. where you are currently enrolled in a degree Letter of Recommendation Form or the program, from any or university at Faculty Appraisal Form found through the FINANCIAL AID which you have already earned a degree, and online application: (1) recommenders may send the letter in a sealed, signed envelope from any college or university where you Transfer Students to the applicant to be included in the were matriculated toward a degree (regardless Students admitted to the JD program with candidate’s application; or (2) recommenders of whether a degree was received). Please advanced standing are not considered for note: It is not necessary that the Dean may send the letter directly to Columbia Law School. Columbia Law School grant assistance. or other Administrator responsible for Because most transfer students usually are such certification know you personally. Transcripts not admitted until late in the summer or He or she may complete the Dean’s All applicants are to register for the LSAC fall, it is important that they begin the Appraisal Certification form (or equivalent Credential Assembly Service (CAS) in financial aid application process as soon as certification) on the basis of official records. order for us to access undergraduate and/or possible--filing the FAFSA, obtaining the Please also note: If you plan to attend prior graduate degree transcripts. For more appropriate federal loan (Direct Stafford; Columbia as a visiting student, the Dean’s information about the CAS, please call Graduate PLUS) Master Promissory Note/ Certification must contain language that 215.968.1001 or visit www.LSAC.org. MPN, and applying for approval on credit- grants the applicant permission to visit away Applicants may submit their current law based education loans. We ask that you from his or her law school and designates the school transcripts either through the CAS complete your application for loan assistance minimum law credits and course grade that (preferred) or directly from their school’s only after accepting Columbia’s offer of will be accepted by that institution. registrar’s office. If submitting law school admission by submitting the following items transcripts through the CAS, the applicant to the Financial Aid Office; the Financial Letters of Recommendation must also forward an official explanation of the current grading system. Please forward Aid Questionnaire, applicable MPN(s) and/ or private loan application materials, and all Requirements updates of your transcripts to the Office of Admissions as soon as they become available. required supporting documents (e.g., SAR, Columbia requires two letters of verification form, taxes, etc.). The Financial recommendation in addition to the Dean’s Submission of Additional Material Aid Office will make every effort to expedite Appraisal(s) or Certification(s). For transfer Applicants are expected to be diligent in your loan applications so that you may have and visiting applicants, both letters of providing all necessary information for your funds early in the term and, if possible, recommendation must be submitted by review of their candidacy prior to the by the start of classes. your current law school faculty. Applicants completion of their applications. Once may submit more than 2 letters of an application is complete, please do not U.S. citizens and permanent residents recommendation but should be aware that submit additional materials unless they who plan on borrowing from the federal loan their applications may be deemed complete convey essential information, as there is programs (Direct Stafford; Graduate PLUS) and forwarded to the Admissions Committee no guarantee such materials will be placed or hope to qualify for federal work-study once we have received two letters. in your application prior to the evaluation funding, should file their FAFSA applications and may potentially slow down the review by no later than the date they submit their of your candidacy. Essential information Suggested Content admission applications to the Law School. Recommenders should address matters includes address changes and updated Additional loan funds may be available from of significance that speak to the ability of transcripts. Please note that if you responded private educational loan programs. the applicant to thrive in an intellectually affirmatively to question 6.4, then you will stimulating academic environment. For be required to upload a written explanation International students (not US citizens under “Interruption of Studies” in the example, recommenders may address the and not holding a US permanent resident attachments section of the application. strength of the applicant’s intelligence, visa) are not eligible for federally guaranteed analytical skills, independence of thought, assistance programs. In addition, they need problem-solving skills, effectiveness of oral to provide a US cosigner in order to apply and written communication, motivation, self Tuition, for private educational loan programs. confidence, concern for others, emotional Financial Aid, Please refer to the Columbia Law School maturity, personal initiative, judgment, website (www.law.columbia.edu/finaid) for leadership ability, and organizational skills. and housing additional information. We strongly advise all international students seeking educational Submitting Letters of Recommendation loans to secure an eligible cosigner as early as Columbia Law School’s preference is that TUITION possible. letters of recommendation be sent through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Tuition for 2011-2012 is $51,080. There are Service. LSAC sends Columbia letters of additional mandatory fees for health services, recommendation once a week; therefore, student activities, and university facilities, your letters of recommendation will which are $1,822 for 2011-2012. Insurance essentially be forwarded to us as they become for hospital care and standard medical

3 columbia law school | an introduction Visiting Students Loan Application(s) Students from other US law schools Admitted transfer students intending to who have been accepted to take upper enroll at the Law School should submit class courses at Columbia Law School as completed loan application materials to the nonmatriculants (receiving their JD degree Financial Aid Office as soon as they are from their home institution), and who need admitted to ensure quick processing and financial aid to meet their educational costs, availability of loan funds at the start of the must arrange with their home institution semester for which they intend to enroll. for the processing of their financial aid. The Please refer to the financial aid website home institution must forward a Consortium (www.law.columbia.edu/finaid) for detailed Agreement Form to the Columbia Law information. School Financial Aid Office (FAO), confirming that the home institution will The Loan Repayment process all financial aid for its student. The Assistance Program Columbia Law School FAO will complete the Consortium Agreement Form and will Columbia Law School’s Loan Repayment verify the student’s cost of attendance, dates Assistance Program (LRAP) supports of attendance, and enrollment status for the Columbia JD graduates who pursue public period of study at Columbia Law School. interest and public service careers by providing Please remember that Columbia Law School them with financial assistance to service will not process any financial aid for the the educational debt they assumed while at visiting, nonmatriculating student. Generally, Columbia Law School. In addition, several the student’s home institution will forward fellowships for public interest have been the financial aid proceeds to our FAO to established, and fellowship recipients may be applied toward the student’s Columbia receive assistance for all loan payments on their University tuition and fee charges. In some Columbia Law School debt. A full description cases, the home institution will send the loan of our LRAP can be found on the Financial proceeds directly to the student, who then Aid website (www.law.columbia.edu/finaid) will need to apply them toward payment of or may be requested from the Financial Aid the charges. Office.

Housing How to Apply for Financial aid for 2012-2013 Transfer students are eligible to apply for on-campus housing accommodations. While The following is a summary of the forms availability is not guaranteed, please know needed to apply for financial aid. For detailed students will receive housing assignments based information on financial aid policies and on a first-come, first-served basis. Students procedures, costs, budgets, and various loan should apply for housing as soon as they have programs, please review the financial aid received their formal admission information, website (www.law.columbia.edu/finaid). including their Personal Identification Number FAFSA (PID). Additional housing information may be (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): found on the UAH website (http://facilities. Completed by all US citizens and permanent columbia.edu/housing). For specific questions, residents applying for financial aid and you may also contact Juliana Utley, Assistant submitted to the federal processor. Online Director of Student Services and Law School application is strongly recommended (www. Housing Liaison, at [email protected]. fafsa.ed.gov). Columbia Law School’s Title edu. IV School Code: 002707.

Columbia Law School Financial Aid Questionnaire Upon acceptance to the Law School, transfer students can send an e-mail to the Financial Aid Office ([email protected]. edu) to receive the Columbia Law School Financial Aid Questionnaire.

*I have read and agree to the application instructions. q

4 columbia law school | an introduction Application for Admission Transfer/Visiting 2012 Juris Program

* INdicates a required field 1. Biographical

Prefix ______Name______Suffix ______*Last (family) *First (given) Middle Name/Initial

SSN/SIN *Preferred First Name______

Previous (Other) Name______*LSAc ACCOUNT Number

Birthplace ______L *city state/Province *country

*Birth date______Gender: q Male q Female mm dd yyyy

2. Demographics *1. Citizenship q US Citizen Visa/SEVIS Number ______q Non-Resident Alien q US Permanent Resident Permanent City ______

*Country of Citizenship ______Permanent Country ______

Visa Type ______Permanent State ______

Permanent Resident Number ______What is your native language? ______

3. Race/Ethnicity

1. The information below is optional. Please respond to questions 3.2 and 3.3 for Department of Education record-keeping and reporting requirements. q I acknowledge the above statement

2. Are you Hispanic or Latino (person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race)? □ q Yes □ q No

3. What is your race? Select one or more of the following five categories: q American Indian or Native q Asian q Black or African American q Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander q

4. Additional information: This section will allow you to tell us more about your background as identified above. Self-identification is voluntary. q American Indian/Alaska Native q Other Hispanic q Asian/Pacific Islander q Puerto Rican q Black/African American q South Asian q Mexican American/Chicano/a q South East Asian q Middle Eastern q Unknown q Other q White

5. If you checked any of the following: American Indian/Alaska Native, Other Hispanic, or Other, please specify your affiliation:

______

Page 1 4. Contact Information 1. Current Address Daytime telephone _( _ _ _ _ )______Address 1 Area code number ______Address 2 Evening telephone _ (_ _ _ _ _) ______Area code number Address 3 ______city state zip/postal code *country mm dd yyyy to mm dd yyyy *Present mailing address good until *2. Permanent Address Same as current address q Daytime telephone _( _ _ _ _ )______Area code number Address 1 ______Evening telephone _ (_ _ _ _ _) ______Address 2 Area code number ______Address 3 ______city state zip/postal code *country mm dd yyyy to mm dd yyyy *Permanent mailing address good until 3. Other Contact Information

*Primary e-mail address ______Cell Phone Number ______( ) Area code number Secondary e-mail address ______q Law School Admission Council can send text messages to my cell phone.

5. Family

*1. Parent/Guardian 1

Parent/Guardian’s full name______Relationship______Age______U.S. citizen?______Deceased?______Birthplace______City State Employer______Occupation (please be specific)______College attended (if any)______College Degree Year of Graduation

Professional or graduate school attended (if any)______University Degree Year of Graduation

2. Parent/Guardian 2

Parent/Guardian’s full name______Relationship______Age______U.S. citizen?______Deceased?______Birthplace______City State Employer______Occupation (please be specific)______College attended (if any)______College Degree Year of Graduation

Professional or graduate school attended (if any)______University Degree Year of Graduation

Page 2 6. Education *1. List ALL educational institutions attended.

*Institution Type *Institution Name *City/State/Province *Country Degree Earned Major GPA/RANK *Start Date/End

*2. Have you ever attended any law school? q Yes □ q No

3. Did you leave the law school in good standing? q Yes □ q No

*4. Has your education in college, university, or professional school been interrupted for one term or more for any reason? If yes, please provide a written explanation. q Yes □ q No

5. List the academic honors, awards, or other recognitions you have received and explain the reason(s) upon which awards were made.

Award Explanation

7. Transfer/Visiting 1. If you have previously applied to Columbia Law School, please indicate when. ______month yyyy

*2. Are you currently or have you ever been in a part time program? If yes, please provide a written explanation in the “Attachments” section. q Yes □ q No

*3. Were you awarded an undergraduate degree prior to your at your current law school? q Yes □ q No

*4. Do you have fewer than 28 or greater than 32 credits? If yes, please provide a written explanation in the “Attachments” section. q Yes □ q No

*5. Are you applying as a visiting student? q Yes □ q No

6. If you are applying as a visiting student, then please specify below the J.D. year (2L, 3L) and duration of the expected visitation.

______

Page 3 8. Military This section does not apply to me. q 1. Have you served or are you now serving on full-time, active US military duty? q Yes q No

2. Military Duty

Rank

/ — / Expected military Reserve or National Guard status during law school Date of Entrance / Date of Dischage Branch (mm / yyyy) (mm / yyyy) Discharge Type

3. Have you ever been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions? q Yes q No

4. If you have been separated from any branch of the US armed forces under less than honorable conditions, explain the circumstances:

9. Character and Fitness

*1. Have you ever been on academic probation or subjected to disciplinary action for scholastic or other reasons by any college, university, graduate school, or professional school you have attended? This should include matters that have been expunged. If you answered yes, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. Also, kindly have the dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident. q Yes □ q No

*2. Are there any disciplinary charges pending or expected to be brought against you? If you answered yes, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. Also, kindly have the dean or administrative officer in charge of student records forward a detailed explanation of the incident. q Yes □ q No *3. Have you ever, either as an adult or a juvenile, been cited, arrested, charged with, indicted, convicted or tried for, or pleaded guilty to, the commission of any felony or misdemeanor or the violation of any law, except minor parking violations, or been the subject of any juvenile delinquency or youthful offender proceeding? This should include matters that may have been expunged from the records or subject to a diversionary program. Please note that you should have available and be prepared to submit or exhibit copies of police and court records regarding any matter you disclose in reply to this question. If you answered yes, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful explanation, including a statement of the charge(s), the disposition thereof and the underlying facts. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. q Yes □ q No

*4. Are there any criminal charges pending or expected to be brought against you? If you answered yes, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. q Yes □ q No

*5. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action by a professional organization? If you answered yes, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary. q Yes q No

10. Letters of Recommendation *1. Please list the names of the two law faculty writing letters of recommendation on your behalf:

Page 4 11. Employment/Résumé Please attach a résumé of up to two pages detailing significant full- or part-time employment positions held. This may include internships, summer employment, and community service. In addition, the résumé should include a summary of written scholarships, presentations, and extracurricular activities.

12. Personal Statement Candidates to Columbia Law School are required to submit a personal essay or statement supplementing required application materials. This statement may provide the Admissions Committee with information regarding such matters as: personal, family, or educational background; experiences and talents of special interests; reasons for transferring to or visiting at Columbia Law School as they may relate to personal goals and professional expectations; or any other factors that you think should inform the Committee’s evaluation of your candidacy for admission, employment, and community service.

13. Certification Please be aware that this application and the materials filed in support, including your answers and any information included in the Character and Fitness section, will be retained by Columbia Law School and made available to committee of character and fitness of the state(s) in which you intend to practice. Admission to any state bar depends on adequate academic performance, satisfactory completion of the bar examination, and proof of good character as required by the particular jurisdiction. Honesty in the law school application and admission process is essential in satisfying the requirements of good character required by state bars. Please be sure to consult the bar admission authorities in the state(s) in which you intend to practice for all the requirements necessary for admission to that jurisdiction.

By submitting this application, I certify that the above information is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge. I shall promptly amend the foregoing application should there be a change in any of the facts therein and shall notify the Office of Admissions of such changes as they occur.

I agree and understand that any misrepresentation due to misdirected, inaccurate, or omitted information will be grounds for an examination of misconduct in the admissions process, rescission of admission offer, disciplinary action, expulsion, or revocation of degree if discovered at a later date.

I further agree and understand that Columbia Law School reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission if I: (1) show a significant decline in academic performance or fail to graduate; (2) misrepresent any matter in dealing with the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid Office, or any other representative of Columbia Law School; (3) behave in a manner that indicates a serious lack of judgment, sincerity, or integrity; or (4) reserve a place in Columbia Law School’s entering class and simultaneously commit to enroll at another law school or submit a deposit to another law school. I also agree and understand that Columbia Law School further reserves the right to make the continuing validity of an offer of admission contingent upon my providing further information or authorizing the release of information from other parties in connection with any matter relevant to the foregoing.

*Applicant’s Signature ______

*Release Date ______

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