Transfer/Visitor Application Procedures
2008
- Transfer/Visitor Application Checklist
- Application Instructions
- Application Deadline
- How to Apply
- Advanced Standing Credit
- Application Review Process
- Application Fee Waivers
- Bar Admission
- Scholarships
Transfer/Visitor Application Checklist
The following items are required to complete the transfer and visitor application:
- Application form completed and signed
- $70 non-refundable application processing fee. Applicant's name and birthdate (mm/dd) must be noted on the check or money order payable to Duke Law School (if applying electronically, you may submit payment via credit card)
- Resume
- Personal statement
- Letter of good standing from current law school
- Permission to visit letter (visitor applicants only; letter from dean or registrar must indicate that credits earned at Duke will be accepted at home institution)
- Two recommendation letters from law school professors
- Official transcripts reflecting ALL law school courses completed
- Final semester class rank from current law school. If your institution does not rank students, we must receive documentation directly from them indicating so.
- Law School Report from LSAC (we will request material from LSAC shortly after receipt of your application)
Application Instructions
Please read the following instructions carefully before preparing each section of your application.
Section 1: Application Fee
Submit a check or money order made payable to Duke Law School in the amount of $70. If you apply electronically through LSAC, you have the option to pay by credit
card. The application processing fee is non-refundable.
Section 2: Personal Information
Complete this section in full. The LSAC Account number is required to request data from LSAC. Submit updates to your contact information in writing (email is acceptable).
Section 3: Application Status
Indicate whether you are applying to transfer to Duke as a second-year student, or to spend your third year at Duke as a visiting student (with the degree granted by your
home institution).
Section 4: Educational History
Provide the name, city, and state of the high school where you earned your secondary diploma. Provide the names of all colleges, universities, and law schools you have
attended along with the LSAC code, dates of attendance, degrees earned, major, and date the degree was awarded.
Section 5: Family Information
Complete the information requested regarding your parents.
Section 6: Conduct
Duke Law requires a candidate to reveal knowledge of all criminal incidents or disciplinary charges, even if expunged, sealed, or otherwise removed from the candidate's records. When in doubt, you should err on the side of full disclosure, as subsequent discovery of a failure to fully and accurately answer these questions may have serious consequences. Failure to disclose information is often more significant than the act or event described in the questions. Failure to provide truthful answers, or failure to inform the Law School of any changes to your answers after submission of your application, may result in any of the following: revocation of admission, disciplinary action by the Law School, denial of permission to practice law by the state in which you seek admission. You have an ongoing obligation to report any conduct that would require you to answer yes to any of the questions in this section during the pendency of your application. If an offer of admission is extended to you, the obligation to report conduct applicable to the questions in this section continues until your first day of class at Duke Law.
If you answer yes to any of the questions, you must provide a supplementary statement including details, the current status of any disciplinary action or judicial sanctions, and the final resolution of the issues involved. If you answer yes to question 1, you will also be required to have a dean, registrar, department supervisor, judicial officer, or academic officer with access to official records from your institution submit a letter that provides complete information about the incident.
Section 7: Resume, Personal Statement and Recommendations
Resume: You must submit a current resume with your application. If you apply via LSAC, use the electronic attachment to submit the resume. The resume is an important
part of your application and it will be reviewed to learn of the extracurricular, political and community activities, and jobs you have performed. Your resume should include your full name at the top and list all honors and awards you have received. Include dates for all items listed on your resume. There is no required length.
Personal Statement: You are required to submit a personal statement. If you apply via LSAC, use the electronic attachment. The statement should focus on the specific resources and opportunities at Duke Law School that will further your legal career goals, as well as the contributions you might make as a member of the Duke Law School community. There is no required length. Visitor applicants should explain their reason(s) for wanting to spend their third year of law school at Duke.
Letters of Recommendation: Two recommendation letters from law school professors or instructors are required.
LSAC Recommender Service -This service is included in your LSDAS registration and will accept generic and school specific letters. Letters submitted on your behalf are copied and included with your LSAC report. To use this service, follow the directions outlined in the LSAT & LSDAS Information Book or at www.lsac.org.
Direct Letters to Duke - Complete the forms provided and distribute to those submitting letters directly to our office on behalf of your application.
Section 8: Conditions of Application and Signature
Applications will not be processed without a signature agreeing to the Conditions and certifying that the information is true, correct, and complete. You are obligated to notify the admissions office immediately of any change in the information provided. If you apply via LSAC, you must submit your signature electronically or submit the signed Certification Letter separately.
Application Deadline
The application deadline is July 1, 2008. We encourage you to submit your application and supporting material as early as possible.
How to Apply
Our preferred method for submitting application material is electronically via LSAC. For information on applying electronically, contact LSAC at 215-968-1001 or www.lsac.org. It is important to review the complete application checklist and procedures.
Include your name and birthdate (mm/dd) on all material submitted separately from your application. To submit material by overnight mail, omit the box number from the address provided. An email will be sent to acknowledge receipt shortly after your material arrives.
Advanced Standing Credit
Transfer students will receive no more than one year of academic credit toward a Duke Law degree for work completed at another law school.
Application Review Process
Applications are reviewed in mid-July through early-August. Applications that remain incomplete at the end of the review period will not be considered.
Application Fee Waivers
Fee waivers are not available for transfer and visitor applications.
Bar Admission
We recommend that you investigate the rules governing bar admission in the jurisdictions where you intend to practice. Information about bar admission requirements may be obtained by contacting the appropriate state board of bar examiners.
Scholarships
Scholarship assistance is not available for transfer and visitor applicants.