Columbia Law School General Information Transfer/Visiting Admission F a L L 2015

COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL GENERAL INFORMATION TRANSFER/VISITING ADMISSION F A L L 2015

*APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY THROUGH LSAC (WWW.LSAC.ORG), AND QUESTIONS FOUND HEREIN ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. HOWEVER, THIS APPLICATION CAN BE USED FOR PREPARATION PURPOSES.

1 COLUMBIA LAW SCHOOL | AN INTRODUCTION Application and written communication, motivation, self- confidence, concern for others, emotional Information Application Fee maturity, personal initiative, judgment, The application fee is $85 (US funds only). leadership ability, and organizational skills. and Applicants who transmit their applications electronically may pay with a credit card Submitting Letters of Recommendation Requirements online, which is our preferred method of Columbia Law School strongly prefers that payment. Applicants who can only pay using letters of recommendation be sent through GENERAL INFORMATION a check or money order, must print, sign, and the LSAC Letter of Recommendation mail the Certification Letter to the Office of Service. LSAC sends Columbia letters of Please note that applications to Columbia Admissions along with the check or money recommendation electronically as they Law School must be submitted electronically order. become available. Please do not send duplicate through LSAC (www.lsac.org). Paper letters directly to Columbia Law School. applications will not be accepted. However, SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS the Dean’s Appraisal/Certification must be If absolutely necessary, letters of mailed directly to the Office of Admissions: Dean’s Appraisal/Certification The Dean’s Appraisal/Certification Form or recommendation may be sent to Columbia Law School in one of two ways using Columbia Law School an equivalent certification of good standing copies of the LSAC-generated Letter of Office of Admissions must be submitted from the law school Recommendation Form or the Faculty 435 West 116th Street, Mail Code 4004 where you are currently enrolled in a degree Appraisal Form found through the online New York, NY 10027-7297 program, from any college or university at which you have already earned a degree, and application: (1) recommenders may provide the applicant with the letter in a sealed, signed Candidates for Transfer and Visiting admission from any college or university where you envelope to be sent to Columbia Law School, should submit their applications as soon as were matriculated toward a degree (regardless or (2) recommenders may send the letter possible after May 1, 2015. Applications are of whether a degree was received). directly to Columbia Law School. not evaluated by our Admissions Committee until all required materials have been received Please note: It is not necessary that the Dean Transcripts and are generally evaluated in the order in or other Administrator responsible for such All applicants are to register for the LSAC which they are completed. The application certification know you personally. He or Credential Assembly Service (CAS) in deadline is July 15, 2015. she may complete the Dean’s Appraisal(s) or order for us to access undergraduate and/ Certification(s) on the basis of official records. or prior graduate degree transcripts. For To avoid any confusion or delay in the more information about the CAS, please processing of your application, please ensure Please also note: If you plan to attend call (215)968-1001 or visit www.lsac.org. that you: (1) consistently use your proper Columbia as a visiting student, the Dean’s Applicants may submit their current law name; (2) keep us informed of any address, Appraisal(s) or Certification(s) must contain school transcripts either through the CAS telephone number, or email address changes language that grants the applicant permission (preferred) or directly from their school’s during the application process; and (3) to visit away from his or her law school and registrar’s office. If submitting law school write your LSAC account number on all designates the minimum law credits and transcripts through the CAS, the applicant correspondence. Applicants must submit course grade that will be accepted by that must also forward an official explanation of electronically the following documents: institution. the current grading system. Please forward updates of your law school transcripts to the APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Office of Admissions as soon as they become available. You may send updates of your law transcripts via email as PDF attachments to Applicants must complete all sections of the Requirements [email protected] concurrent application for admission before submission. Columbia requires two letters of with requesting an official copy to be sent to recommendation in addition to the Dean’s the Office of Admissions. Résumé Appraisal(s) or Certification(s). For transfer In response to question 11.1, applicants must and visiting applicants, both letters of Submission of Additional Material submit a résumé of up to two pages detailing recommendation must be submitted by Applicants are expected to be diligent in significant full- or part- time employment your current law school faculty. Applicants providing all necessary information for positions held. This may include internships, may submit more than two letters of review of their candidacy prior to the summer employment, and community recommendation but should be aware that completion of their applications. Once service. In addition, the résumé should their applications may be deemed complete an application is complete, please do not include a summary of written scholarships, and forwarded to the Admissions Committee submit additional materials unless they presentations, and principal extracurricular once two letters have been received. convey essential information, as there is no activities. guarantee such materials will be placed in Suggested Content your application prior to the evaluation. Personal Statement Recommenders should address matters Furthermore, additional materials may Applicants must submit a personal statement in of significance that speak to the ability of potentially slow down the review of your response to Question 12.1. the applicant to thrive in an intellectually candidacy. Essential information includes stimulating academic environment. For address changes and updated transcripts. Optional Supplemental Statements example, recommenders may address the Applicants, if they wish, may submit brief strength of the applicant’s intelligence, supplemental statements that will provide analytical skills, independence of thought, useful information to the Admissions problem-solving skills, effectiveness of oral Committee in evaluating the application. Tuition, International students (not U.S. citizens to the federal processor. The online and not holding a U.S. permanent resident application is strongly recommended Financial Aid, visa) are not eligible for federally guaranteed (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Columbia Law assistance programs. In addition, they need School’s Title IV School Code: 002707. and Housing to provide a U.S. cosigner in order to Columbia Law School Financial Aid apply for private educational loan programs. Questionnaire TUITION Please refer to the Columbia Law School Upon acceptance to the Law School, website (web.law.columbia.edu/finaid) for transfer students can send an email to the Tuition for 2014-2015 is $58,292. There are additional information. We strongly advise Financial Aid Office (financial_aid@law additional mandatory fees for health services, all international students seeking educational columbia.edu) to receive the Columbia student activities, and university facilities, loans to secure an eligible cosigner as early as Law School Financial Aid Questionnaire. which are $1,982 for 2014-2015. Insurance possible. for hospital care and standard medical Loan Application(s) Visiting Students coverage is also required ($2,508) unless Admitted transfer students intending to Students from other U.S. law schools students can show proof of comparable enroll at the Law School should submit who have been accepted to take upper- coverage. The total budget for the nine- completed loan application materials to the class courses at Columbia Law School month academic year, including tuition, fees, Financial Aid Office as soon as they are as nonmatriculants (receiving their J.D. room, board, books, and personal expenses, admitted to ensure quick processing and degree from their home institution), and is $85,755 for a single student. Expenses are availability of loan funds at the start of the who need financial aid to meet their adjusted annually. semester for which they intend to enroll. educational costs, must arrange with their Please refer to the financial aid website home institution for the processing of their (web.law.columbia.edu/finaid) for detailed FINANCIAL AID financial aid. The home institution must information. forward a Consortium Agreement Form Transfer Students to the Columbia Law School Financial The Loan Repayment Assistance Program Students admitted to the J.D. program Aid Office (FAO), confirming that the Columbia Law School’s Loan Repayment with advanced standing are not considered home institution will process all financia Assistance Program (LRAP) supports for Columbia Law School grant assistance. aid for its student. The Columbia Law Columbia J.D. graduates who pursue Because most transfer students usually are School FAO will complete the Consortium public interest and public service careers not admitted until late in the summer or Agreement Form and will verify the by providing them with financial assistance fall, it is important that they begin the student’s cost of attendance, dates of to service the educational debt they financial aid application process as soon as attendance, and enrollment status for the assumed while at Columbia Law School. possible—filing the FAFSA, obtaining the period of study at Columbia Law School. In addition, several fellowships for public appropriate federal loan (Direct Unsubsidized, Please remember that Columbia Law interest have been established, and Graduate PLUS) Master Promissory Note/ School will not process any financial aid fellowship recipients may receive assistance MPN, and applying for approval on credit- for the visiting, nonmatriculating student. for all loan payments on their Columbia based education loans. We ask that you Generally, the student’s home institution Law School debt. A full description of our complete your application for loan assistance will forward the financial aid proceeds LRAP can be found on the financial aid only after accepting Columbia’s offer of to our FAO to be applied toward the website (web.law.columbia.edu/finaid) or admission by submitting the following items student’s Columbia University tuition may be requested from the Financial Aid to the Financial Aid Office: the Financial and fee charges. In some cases, the home Office Aid Questionnaire, applicable MPN(s) and/ institution will send the loan proceeds or private loan application materials, and all directly to the student, who, in turn, will HOUSING required supporting documents (e.g., SAR, need to apply them toward payment of the verification form, taxes, etc.). The Financial Columbia University charges. Transfer students are eligible to apply for Aid Office will make every effort to expedite on-campus housing accommodations. While your loan applications so that you may have HOW TO APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID availability is not guaranteed, please know your funds early in the term and, if possible, FOR 2015-2016 students will receive housing assignments by the start of classes. based on a first-come, first-served basis. The following is a summary of the forms Students should apply for housing as soon U.S. citizens and permanent residents who needed to apply for financial aid. For as they have received their formal admission plan on borrowing from the federal loan detailed information on financial aid policies information, including their Personal programs (Direct Unsubsidized, Graduate and procedures, costs, budgets, and various Identification Number (PIN). Additional PLUS) or hope to qualify for federal work- loan programs, please review the financial aid housing information may be found on the study funding, should file their FAFSA website (web.law.columbia.edu/finaid) UAH website (http://facilities.columbia.edu/ applications by no later than the date they housing). For specific questions, you may submit their applications for admission to FAFSA (Free Application for Federal also contact Juliana Utley, Assistant Director the Law School. Additional loan funds may Student Aid) of Student Services and Law School Housing be available from private educational loan Prior to submitting an application for Liaison, at [email protected]. programs. admission, the FAFSA should be completed by all U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for financial aid and submitted

*I have read and agree to the application instructions. q APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION TRANSFER/VISITING 2015 Juris Doctor 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 q No Response 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 Alaska Native q Asian q Black or African American q Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander q White

4. Additional information: This section will allow you to tell us more about your background as identified above. Self-identification is voluntary. Please check the most appropriate box. 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 Columbia University 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 DATE

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

3. If your education was interrupted, explain the circumstances.

7. Transfer/Visiting 1. If you have previously applied to Columbia Law School, please indicate when. ______MON TH YYYY *2. Are you currently enrolled at any law school? ❑ Yes ❑ No *3. If currently enrolled at any law school, are you in good standing? If no, please upload a written explanation in the "Attachments" section. q Yes □ q No *4. If no longer enrolled at any law school, did you leave in good standing? If no, please upload a written explanation in the "Attachments" section. ❑ Yes ❑ No

*5. Are you currently or have you ever been in a part time program? If yes, please upload a written explanation in the “Attachments” section. ❑ Yes ❑ No *6. Were you awarded an undergraduate degree prior to your matriculation at your current law school? q Yes □ q No

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

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

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 (MM / YYYY) (MM / YYYY) Branch

Discharge Type

PAGE 3 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 If you answer “Yes” to any of the questions in the “Character and Fitness” section, you must attach a detailed, complete, and truthful written explanation in the “Attachments” section of the application. Please answer honestly, irrespective of any advice you may have received to the contrary.

*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. In addition to attaching a written explanation in the “Attachments” section of the application, 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? In addition to attaching a written explanation in the “Attachments” section of the application, 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? q Yes □ q No

*5. Have you ever been subject to disciplinary action by a professional organization? 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:

11. Employment/Résumé Please upload 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. I confirm that I have uploaded my résumé: q Yes □ q No

PAGE 4 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. I confirm that I have uploaded my personal statement: q Yes □ q No

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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