What are your chances? Forum

[Transpher]

Any thoughts on how much region plays into transfer admissions at HLS? Namely with BC/BU. Is there more pull?

[dakatz]

Well, now I have a big problem in that, of my 3 first semester profs, there were 2 I was hoping could write me recs (since I did well in their classes and am relatively close with them). But one politely declined (it was nothing personal or anything like that, that prof just doesn't do rec letters). So now I'm left entirely scrambling on this. Not close to any other professors, and my other first semester prof was for a class I didn't do well in. I can't believe that I can now only apply to schools that take 1 rec, instead of requiring 2. Wipes my 2 main choices right off the table. I'm not close at all with any 2nd semester prof, plus they have no clue what my grade would be. I figured that I would go down in a hail of gunfire upon getting a rejection letter from my main choices. At least there would have been closure to it. Now, I can't even apply and will be asking myself "what if".

All the schools I've seen that require 2 LoRs only require "at least one" to be from a faculty member at the law school. Worse comes to worse, ask an undergrad prof to revise an old LoR...or maybe an old employer if you worked prior to law school.

Hmm, one of the 2 schools says "2 letters of rec - preferably from law professors". Maybe I can get away with one law prof rec and one real sparkling undergrad rec that I used the first time around seeing as they say "preferably" so its not like my app is incomplete without 2 law prof recs. The other school though, which is my top choice, is pretty specific "Minimum of 2 letters of rec from law professors". Doesn't sound like I have any wiggle room there.

[kaiser]

Currently above what is traditionally top 10% at my school, but my gut feeling from exams is that I will slip a bit, but it shouldn't be lower than about 15% rank. Assuming I hit between 10%-15% (T25 school), what do you think my chances would be at MVP? And how about CCN? Would falling below the 10% mark be the death sentence to a successful transfer cycle?

[kaiser]

Also figured I'd ask this question in here, since it may get lost in the shuffle in the other thread:

I'm looking to write my PS, and just wanted to some feedback on the idea. Its going to be a standard "Why I want to transfer" essay, but I feel like it has a hook in that I was previously admitted to my dream school, but had to turn it down for personal circumstances that have luckily abated. I want to talk about how happy I was to get in and how it was my dream school that I wanted to attend. Then break by saying how personal circumstances made that impossible, but end with the "redemption" section, saying that I'm an even stronger applicant than the one they saw qualified to admit in the past due to the sacrifices I made and the success I've had. Sort of want to use the whole "taking the long road around" attitude, and stress that they are where I wanted to be all along. Does this sound like a relatively good hook that could be worth something, among the 99% of transfer apps coming from kids who were initially rejected or WL'ed?

[non sequitur]

TTT - ~12%
Looking at a T1 school (ranked in the 20s). Same state as original school with significant ties. No Spring grades yet, but feeling confident my rank will at least remain stagnant. Chances?

Also, is it worth abandoning about a 50% scholly for sticker for this type of transfer, assuming I can get in?

[jsarna1]

Top 10% at Texas with a feeling I crushed the spring exams. Taking Con Law in undergrad was quite helpful...

Thoughts on HYS?

[kaiser]

Top 10% at Texas with a feeling I crushed the spring exams. Taking Con Law in undergrad was quite helpful...

Thoughts on HYS?

If you really killed the spring exams and end up around top 5%, then I'd say you got a solid chance. But top 10% doesn't cut it for HYS from Texas I don't think. Though you stand real good shot at one of CCN, I'd guess.

[tww909]

top 5% (3.75 on a 3.0 curve) at a T35 feeling good about spring exams (though not LRW). All things considered I may move up a tiny bit, I may move down a bit, but I don't think I'm moving far either way.

Thinking about applying HYSCCN and maybe MVPB.

Chances? Also thoughts about the potential for getting academia as a transfer? We don't have grade on law review here, so I'm doing the write on now, so that's not a guarantee with staying.

[plaintiff-appellee]

7% at a T30 after Spring grades

Harvard
Columbia
Chicago
NYU
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Duke
Georgetown

[concurrent fork]

Any thoughts on how much region plays into transfer admissions at HLS? Namely with BC/BU. Is there more pull?

They are probably better represented than other T30s, but to put that in perspective I think there were more transfers this year from Cornell than from BC/BU combined. So any perceived preference is minimal or could just be a product of self-selection.

TTT - ~12%
Looking at a T1 school (ranked in the 20s). Same state as original school with significant ties. No Spring grades yet, but feeling confident my rank will at least remain stagnant. Chances?

Also, is it worth abandoning about a 50% scholly for sticker for this type of transfer, assuming I can get in?

I may be in the minority, but I don't think that giving up a significant scholarship at a TTT to transfer to a T30 is worth it. You are still unlikely to get biglaw (at least through OCI), it will still be very tough to land an Art III clerkship, and you would still have almost zero chance at academia. It seems like you end up with similar prospects but twice as much debt. Maybe someone who made this type of transfer can correct me.

top 5% (3.75 on a 3.0 curve) at a T35 feeling good about spring exams (though not LRW). All things considered I may move up a tiny bit, I may move down a bit, but I don't think I'm moving far either way.

Thinking about applying HYSCCN and maybe MVPB.

Chances? Also thoughts about the potential for getting academia as a transfer? We don't have grade on law review here, so I'm doing the write on now, so that's not a guarantee with staying.

I would only apply to T6 in your position. You have a shot at H and will almost certainly get one of CCN.

I don't think that transfer status in itself hurts your chances of academia relative to other T6 students. You miss out on the flagship LR (most likely), but as long as you keep your grades up, work a secondary journal and land a competitive clerkship you should still be in the running. Just work like hell to get published.

7% at a T30 after Spring grades

Harvard
Columbia
Chicago
NYU
Pennsylvania
Virginia
Duke
Georgetown

Good chance at most of these schools except for H. I would still put in the app, but you really need top 5% or better.

[plaintiff-appellee]

Thanks for your help. How good of a chance is a "good chance"? Could I count on getting into one of these schools? I would like to limit transfer apps to just my top choices: Harvard, Columbia, NYU, and Duke. I have one grade outstanding so I still might achieve 5% if I get an A. I guess I will put in a transfer app to Harvard if I get the A. Otherwise, I will avoid unnecessarily swelling their endowment.

[kaiser]

Can you submit an app through LSAC before you attach personal statements, recommendations, etc.? I'm looking to send in all those other things separately and just get the main app in to start a file. Anyone know?

[vanwinkle]

Can you submit an app through LSAC before you attach personal statements, recommendations, etc.? I'm looking to send in all those other things separately and just get the main app in to start a file. Anyone know?

You should wait until you have everything except grades. They're not gonna consider an incomplete file anyway. The only advantage to submitting without grades is that you're in before the deadline if your grades are late at your school.

[concurrent fork]

Thanks for your help. How good of a chance is a "good chance"? Could I count on getting into one of these schools? I would like to limit transfer apps to just my top choices: Harvard, Columbia, NYU, and Duke. I have one grade outstanding so I still might achieve 5% if I get an A. I guess I will put in a transfer app to Harvard if I get the A. Otherwise, I will avoid unnecessarily swelling their endowment.

You will very likely get at least one of CLS/NYU, especially if you have meaningful work experience. Not sure about Duke because I think they take a much smaller transfer class.

[gags12]

Top 5% at school in 15-20 range, not sure whether I'll be in the top 5% after spring exams, but certainly top 10%.

Chances at:
NYU
Penn
Georgetown
Yale
Columbia

Reason for transferring: Want to work on the East Coast.

[uzpakalis]

What's wrong with Harvard?

[gags12]

What's wrong with Harvard?

1) Didn't think it was a particularly viable option (same for Yale, not sure why I threw it in there) and
2) I'm more interested in staying closer to the DC area so really Penn, Georgetown, and perhaps the NY schools are where I would prefer to attend.

[abc8]

School rank: 18
Class rank: Top 25%

Chances at:
Penn
Georgetown
Duke
Cornell

[vanwinkle]

School rank: 18
Class rank: Top 25%

Chances at:
Penn
Georgetown
Duke
Cornell

I'm going to say unlikely at all of them. Aside from that, I don't see the advantage for you in trying to.

[abc8]

School rank: 18
Class rank: Top 25%

Chances at:
Penn
Georgetown
Duke
Cornell

I'm going to say unlikely at all of them. Aside from that, I don't see the advantage for you in trying to.

Closer to home, closer to the market I want to work (Philly or DC).

Class rank is pre-spring grades. If I move into the top 20%, would any of those schools become a viable option?

[Headybrah]

Top 15% school from 40-50

Want to work on east coast

thinking shooting apps to

Georgetown, BC, BU... any other ideas I could also be around top ~10 as well

[plum]

MVP to CCN top 1/3rd chances??

[OnWisconsin]

Top 15% From lower Midwest T2/T3 (keeps moving in the rankings).

Background: University of Wisconsin undergrad, plenty of work and volunteer experience, all family and contacts back in Wisco.

Looking at Marquette or possibly Wisconsin (preferred).

Shake that magic 8ball and let me know what you think.

[blbtr]

Top 30 school, top 6% for the year

In at GULC EA, two years BigLaw WE.

Harvard
Columbia
NYU
Michigan
Penn
UVA (Virginia resident, went to UVA undergrad)

Thanks.

[lawloser22]

Top 15% school from 40-50

Want to work on east coast

thinking shooting apps to

Georgetown, BC, BU... any other ideas I could also be around top ~10 as well

GT will probably be your ceiling if you don't break top 10%. I'd guess 40% chance. Maybe try Vandy? You should have no problem getting BC or BU.

MVP to CCN top 1/3rd chances??

45-50%

Top 15% From lower Midwest T2/T3 (keeps moving in the rankings).

Background: University of Wisconsin undergrad, plenty of work and volunteer experience, all family and contacts back in Wisco.

Looking at Marquette or possibly Wisconsin (preferred).

Shake that magic 8ball and let me know what you think.

Marquette: 85%
Wisconsin: 45-50%

Top 30 school, top 6% for the year

In at GULC EA, two years BigLaw WE.

Harvard: 35%
Columbia: 50% (+10% if Fordham)
NYU: 50% (+10% if Fordham)
Michigan: 55%
Penn: 55%
UVA (Virginia resident, went to UVA undergrad): 60%

Thanks.