Top 1/3rd at T2 to Northwestern? Forum

[spleenworship]

I have 10+ years of WE.

Is this even worth applying for? If I was top 10% I would know, obviously. I would love to go to Northwestern, but I was a little short of the LSAT last time, and now I am a lot short of the grades, unfortunately.

Just wondering if the good WE would make up for the lower grades. I read the Arrow transfer advice, but I want to know what you guys think (especially from anyone who has transferred to NW).

[Helmholtz]

Top third at school in the GULC / UT / UCLA / Vandy range would probably have a difficult time transferring to Northwestern. Top third is generally credited for a lateral transfer. Not even worth the app fee in this case.

[spleenworship]

Top third at school in the GULC / UT / UCLA / Vandy range would probably have a difficult time transferring to Northwestern. Top third is generally credited for a lateral transfer. Not even worth the app fee in this case.

You don't think WE makes a difference? If it was any school but Northwestern I wouldn't even ask, obviously.

[bk1]

You don't think WE makes a difference? If it was any school but Northwestern I wouldn't even ask, obviously.

For reg admissions NU doesn't give a bump for WE, it's just an additional requirement. I don't think that same requirement exists for transfers (however if it did I would imagine it operates the same way, it would be an additional requirement and not a bump).

[Norwood]

wut T2 are you at? there's a big difference between a school in teh 90s and one in the 50s. Anyways, i don't believe top 1/3 will do it for you. my classmates in the top 25 and 20 percent were rejected to schools in the 30s and 40s.

Maybe your work experience will help? I'm not sure. Unfortuneately, it seems like schools place a lot of weight on 1L grades as it is truly the best indicator of being a successful lawyer at this point. you still got a semester to improve your grades, so good luck and work hard!

[spleenworship]

You don't think WE makes a difference? If it was any school but Northwestern I wouldn't even ask, obviously.

For reg admissions NU doesn't give a bump for WE, it's just an additional requirement. I don't think that same requirement exists for transfers (however if it did I would imagine it operates the same way, it would be an additional requirement and not a bump).

Well, it was worth asking, I guess. Oh well. Top third at my T2 is probably going to get me what I need.

[spleenworship]

wut T2 are you at? there's a big difference between a school in teh 90s and one in the 50s. Anyways, i don't believe top 1/3 will do it for you. my classmates in the top 25 and 20 percent were rejected to schools in the 30s and 40s.

Maybe your work experience will help? I'm not sure. Unfortuneately, it seems like schools place a lot of weight on 1L grades as it is truly the best indicator of being a successful lawyer at this point. you still got a semester to improve your grades, so good luck and work hard!

I can't tell you the school. Sorry.

[Helmholtz]

Top third at school in the GULC / UT / UCLA / Vandy range would probably have a difficult time transferring to Northwestern. Top third is generally credited for a lateral transfer. Not even worth the app fee in this case.

You don't think WE makes a difference? If it was any school but Northwestern I wouldn't even ask, obviously.

That big of a difference? Definitely not. I'm pretty sure there were a fair amount of transfers to NU this year who didn't have any pre-LS work experience (that's what I heard, but that could be wrong). I don't think they value work experience at the transfer level nearly to the level that they do during the admissions process. And even if they did, it would be like asking if a 160/3.2 had a shot at NU just because they have a decade of work experience.

[spleenworship]

Top third at school in the GULC / UT / UCLA / Vandy range would probably have a difficult time transferring to Northwestern. Top third is generally credited for a lateral transfer. Not even worth the app fee in this case.

You don't think WE makes a difference? If it was any school but Northwestern I wouldn't even ask, obviously.

That big of a difference? Definitely not. I'm pretty sure there were a fair amount of transfers to NU this year who didn't have any pre-LS work experience (that's what I heard, but that could be wrong). I don't think they value work experience at the transfer level nearly to the level that they do during the admissions process. And even if they did, it would be like asking if a 160/3.2 had a shot at NU just because they have a decade of work experience.

Gotcha. Fair 'nuff.

[thexfactor]

You need to kill it this semester. In order to have a small chance you prob need to be in the top 15%. It can be done. I went from top 1/3 1st semester to top 10% after second.

Also consider vanderbilt too if you are within the top 15%. I heard they value work experience too.

[CanadianWolf]

Top third isn't enough unless your work experience would make you an exceptional addition to the class & legal employers seek out your expertise. For example, 10 years work experience as a surgeon or as a Congressman should distinguish you enough to overcome your class rank, in my opinion.

[wiscohopeful]

There were people who transferred in (past classes of transfers) without work experience. The vast majority had it though. I'd agree that its more of a requirement rather than a bump in reg admissions, but that it is relaxed a bit for transfers. For transfers all that really matters is your previous LS and your GPA class rank...then you're WE might come into play when fighting over spots in the transfer class with others

[seattlegirl]

Northwestern definitely values work experience as a transfer. It might give you a big bump if it is very, very solid work experience (read: I-Banking, consulting, finance, etc). However, you will need to be around top 10% from a T2 to have a shot. I transferred to Northwestern from a mid-T2, so it is definitely possible. I also got into a lot of other top 20 schools as a transfer. The transfer system is very, very random (you might get into the school ranked #16 but not get into the school ranked #17 or #30 ). Transfer admissions are NOT just numbers-oriented decisions (like regular admissions that can be pretty easily determined by your UGPA and LSAT score).

Transfer admissions appears to be much more holistic - it is based on soft factors, your essay / goals / reasons for wanting to transfer, your interest in the school, your school ranking, and your 1st year law school class ranking. Softs matter in transfer applications (at least they did in my case).

So, I think as a transfer you should blanket the top 20-30 schools if you are coming from a T2 and are around top 10%-20% (you can exclude the T6 schools unless you are in the top 5% though; and you don't have too much chance if you are much below top 10% at a T14...but if you were in the top 15% or so, I would still apply to the T14). Prepare yourself in advance for rejections (realizing that you might win the golden ticket too)...and enjoy the ride. This transfer application process costs a bunch of money, but it is your one and only shot to transfer, and it gives you options (to stay at your old school and negotiate for more $ or better scholie terms or to transfer and get better OCI / career prospects). More options are always better than less options as a law student ITE...especially when OCI is concerned...so I recommend spending the $ on transfer apps if you can swing it and are at all seriously considering transferring.

IMHO, you should also apply as early as possible...because I think that schools really do a rolling admission process on transfer applications since decisions have to be out by schools in mid-to-late July (or early August at latest) in order to accommodate OCI in early-to-mid-August and you possibly having to move across country. So, schools want to fill their transfer classes as quickly as possible.

Here is something else to think about, which might help in understanding the transfer process. As a transfer, the only way* that you affect the US News rankings of your potential transfer school is to get a job or multiple job offers so that you can boost their employment figures and, simultaneously, boost the school's avg salary. Law firms LOVE people with significant work experience. Ergo, you are more likely to get a job, other things being equal, if you have relevant work experience. So, you should be attractive to a transfer school if you have skills that law firms will eat up / want to hire (e.g. relevant work experience, ability to sit for the patent bar).

* Technically, you also will affect their bar passage rate but that is something that likely a school cannot predict well, so I am excluding it from this analysis.

[romothesavior]

I think we had someone around top 1/4 transfer from my T20 to NW. I doubt they'd go much lower than those credentials. You need to be at least top 10-15% to make that move at a T2.

[midwesTT]

pm'ed you seattle girl...

[Indifferent]

And even if they did, it would be like asking if a 160/3.2 had a shot at NU just because they have a decade of work experience.

Came here to say this.