J.D. Admissions
Transfer Applicants
The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law welcomes a select group of transfer students each year and we encourage you to apply if you are interested in attending. The transfer students who join us each year find a welcoming community filled with opportunities to participate in the wide range of programs that Moritz offers. Moritz will accept applications from transfer students March 15 through July 1 for fall admission.
Curricular and Co-Curricular Opportunities
Transfer students may:
- Enroll in one of the seven (7) clinics offered at Moritz
- Civil Law Clinic
- Criminal Defense Clinic
- Entrepreneurial Business Law Clinic
- Justice for Children Clinic
- Legislation Clinic
- Mediation Clinic
- Prosecution Clinic
- Join one of our five law journals
- Ohio State Law Journal
- Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution
- Ohio State Journal of Criminal Law
- I/S: A Journal of Law and Policy for the Information Society
- Ohio State Entrepreneurial Business Law Journal
- Participate in one of the four intramural competitions
- Herman Moot Court Competition (3L's are selected from among participants in the Herman Moot Court Competition to compete in one of 17 national intermural competitions)
- Colley Trial Practice Competition
- Mediation Competition
- Lawrence Negotiations Competitions
- Become active in our numerous programs designed to enhance your professional growth
Career Services
Students admitted with advanced standing to the College have full access to counseling and programs provided by our Career Services Office including:
- Fall On-Campus Interview Program which typically hosts about 50 employers (students must be enrolled by July 15 to participate in the August session) and resume collects
- Spring semester Opportunity Forum which hosts about 20 public sector employers
- Numerous programs on topics such as alternative careers, solo and small firm practice, and applying to judicial clerkships
- Assignment to individual advisor who will work with you throughout your time at Moritz and through when you find a post-graduation job by helping with your cover letter and resume, preparing you for interviews, providing you with job resources including networking opportunities
- Resources including the Career Services Handbook, The Official Guide to Legal Specialties and access to StrengthQuest which allows you to determine what skills best fit with different areas of legal practice
- Access to the on-line interview and job posting system and a variety of videos and podcasts featuring job search strategies, advice and other job resources on the career services website.
How to contact the Career Services Office:
Career Services
Moritz College of Law
The Ohio State University
55 West 12th Avenue
104 Drinko Hall
Columbus, Ohio 43210-1391
Phone: (614) 247-7805
Fax: (614) 292-6667
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4:30 pm. (Monday – Friday)
Application Process
We consider a range of factors in the admission process including academic achievement and evidence of your ability to contribute positively to the profession and impact the intellectual life of the College. In assessing an applicant's potential for success, primary consideration is given to applicant's academic performance during their first year. We also review undergraduate transcripts and LSAT scores. Consideration is given to letters of recommendation- especially that of a 1L professor, extra-curricular activities, leadership abilities, multi-cultural experience, public service activities, work experience, life experience and contributions to diversity. In general, applicants should be ranked in the upper third of their law school class and have quantifiable credentials comparable to those of the OSU students with whom they would be competing.
The median 1L law school GPA for transfer students to the Class of 2014 was a 3.47. One half of the students transferring during the 2012-2013 academic year were in the top 10% of their respective law school classes. All students transferring to the Moritz Class of 2014 were ranked in the top 30% of their class or above.
Regular Application:Applications received and completed by July 1 will be reviewed for regular admission. Regular transfer application decisions are made on a rolling basis. As a general rule, final decisions concerning transfer applicants are made in mid-June through early August.
Early Action: Applications received and completed by May 1 will be reviewed for early action, if requested, and decisions will be made on a rolling basis no later than June 1. A completed early action application must include an official transcript for your first semester at law school and other requirements as indicated on the transfer application. Offers of early action admission are conditioned upon your successful completion of all first year courses at the law school from which you are transferring, being in good academic standing, and having had no changes to your character and fitness responses. If you are admitted under this program, you need to pay your seat deposit by June 25.
All applicants not admitted under the early action option will be deferred to the regular transfer application process and considered for admission upon receipt of an official transcript and letter of good standing for the entire 1L year.
A transfer student may enroll any term in which the courses scheduled provide the student with a viable academic program. In all cases where admission is granted, the law school work that has been completed will be evaluated for transfer of credit in light of the curricular offerings of Moritz. Only up to 45 quarter-hours or 31 semester-hours of transfer credit will be accepted.
If you have any questions about these instructions, please call the Moritz College of Law Admissions Office at (614) 292-8810.


