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Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:56 am
by mtob
I tried to find information on this, but there just isn't much in the way of stats for cross T14 transfers, especially between peer schools.

Long story short, I don't want to be a Michigan anymore. I missed the transfer deadline for this year, but am not opposed to spending a year working or something like that before applying to transfer next year. But I don't want to do that if I'm just going to get rejected. I'm just below the top 20% of graduating GPAs at Mich, which, given that GPAs go up after 1L, makes me imagine I'm above that mark? But maybe not at top 15%?

I assume this is not enough for the top schools, but wonder if it is for Boalt.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:12 am
by traehekat
Mind making a short story a little longer? Why do you want out of Michigan?

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:39 am
by reepS
I'm guessing he wants out of Michigan because of its location, in Michigan. Trashing the state, not the school.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 9:48 am
by mtob
I messages with more details, but primarily for personal reasons.

Thoughts?

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:04 am
by Regionality
I mean I think it's a terrible idea to give up top 20% at Michigan for a peer school in Berkeley. Just suffer through it for 2 more years (long distance, heavier jackets, or whatever your reason for transferring is) and count your lucky chickens that the law school you go to will allow you to get a good job in the Bay Area.

And I'm pretty sure top 20% at Michigan is a lock for Berkeley, I think even top 40% might be.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:40 am
by mtob
One added advantage of te transfer is that I'd like to pursue a clerkship in the future. At michigan it appears I've failed to get on any journal. At Boalt I could attempt to get on law review, and could walk on one of the other journals.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 10:48 am
by bhan87
If you want CA, then I would say definitely go for it. If you're aiming for NYC or some other east coast market though, you'd be better off sucking it up for another 2 years.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 7:28 pm
by existenz
mtob wrote:Long story short, I don't want to be a Michigan anymore.
Shocker you didn't make it onto any journals.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:12 am
by CanadianWolf
UCal-Berkeley requires that one be in the top 5% of his/her current law school in order to be considered as a transfer applicant. Although I am not sure whether or not this requirement is strictly adhered to, it might be wise to contact Berkeley admissions before taking any further action.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:47 am
by shastaca
Transfer admission is competitive. We usually receive more than 200 applications for a small number of places available in the second-year class, and those who are accepted are usually in at least the top 3-5 percent of their classes. http://www.law.berkeley.edu/43.htm

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 8:55 am
by CanadianWolf
A few years ago (2008) UCal-Berkeley School of Law noted that : "Transfer students must have one year of credit, have attended an ABA approved law school, and be in the top 5% at their home law school." The top 5% requirement may no longer apply as Berkeley's website states: In general, successful transfer applicants usually rank in the top 3%-5% of their class.

Re: Mich to Boalt

Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:55 am
by Regionality
They probs say that because it's extremely rare for someone to want to transfer from a T10 to another T10...

Top 3-5% is a general rule given where the majority of their students are applying from for transferring. Certainly not a hard and fast rule.