The transfer application for the Columbia Law Review consists of two elements: the Writing Component and the Personal Statement. Here are our dates:
June 30, 12pm -Registration Deadline.
July 1, 9am – Students receive the write-on for transfer students and instructions.
July 8, 12pm – Deadline for transfer student applications.
July 12–14 – Selection process begins.
July 15 – Notifications are sent.
July 13 – Notes Orientation. Recorded for admitted transfer students.
July 27–28 – Full orientation* Attendance required (there will be a virtual option).
Writing Component
The Writing Component consists of (1) a closed-universe prompt that asks you to analyze a legal question and fact pattern presented, and (2) a citation exercise. Writing exercise topics vary from year to year. In the past, students have been asked to write an essay justifying a position on a cutting-edge legal issue, a bench memo, or a classic law school-like issue spotter response.
All the information you will need to complete the Writing Component—including relevant, modified Bluebook rules—will be included in the packet. You will not be permitted to consult with anyone else or to use any outside sources. The citation exercise will be weighted less heavily than the writing exercise.
The time allotted to complete the Writing Component affords an opportunity to produce a well-organized and sophisticated piece, taking into account that transfer students will likely be working during the same period. As such, the component is not designed to take the entire period, but rather to accommodate the varied obligations of students during that time.
Personal Statement
In addition to the Writing Component, the Review requires each transfer applicant to submit a Personal Statement. This statement is intended to offer applicants an opportunity to share information about their life experiences, work experiences, areas of legal interest, or other relevant information that will help them contribute to the work and the community of the Review. There is also a brief second essay question meant to ask applicants for some of their soft-skill contributions. More information about the Personal Statement will be available in the application packet.
Voluntary Statement
The Voluntary Statement portion is meant to offer optional insight onto future plans of applicants and where they sit in terms of their potential degree options.
Any questions about the transfer application process or the Law Review in general should be directed to Alexandria “Alexa” Iraheta Sousa, Editor-in-Chief (eic@columbialawreview.org). Questions about the Writing Component should be directed to Tashayla “Shay” Borden, Executive Notes Editor (ene@columbialawreview.org).