1L at UIUC w/ Chicago ties. Ranked somewhere just outside the top 15% (don't know exact rank, guessing like 17%). Do I have a chance at NU? If so, how good/bad?

No need to address the merits of such a transfer. Thanks!

If this is U of Illinois and you are correct between 15-20% then you have a decent shot--at least good enough to merit good time spent on the App. However, how would you have a clue with spring grades still to come?

Bump

It'll be interesting to read of your result after applying as a transfer to NU. My best guess is that top 17% to top 20% may not be enough to move from Illinois to Northwestern--but still worth the application fee.

You have a good shot.

You have a good shot. Sorry I'm gonna discuss the merits...why do this? Unless the coasts are your target markets this is Ill advised. Why give up strong grades for the stigma that comes as a transfer. Not all transfers place well. If Chicago or the Midwest generally is your target then don't transfer.

I'd guess you have a good shot. But UIUC is a great school. It's not clear why you'd transfer to Northwestern, as it's not a huge jump. I'd apply to Chicago too.

w/o getting into detail: 1. family reasons 2. I want the coasts to be in play.

Also, the TLS consensus is that transfers have a pretty good placement record, often times, better than normal students.

It's hit or miss with the transfer classes. It's hard to compare to the rest of the class because you have the unemployed and less desirable jobs thrown in there. Obviously transfers with their high GPAs are going to do better. However, the transfers have BOTH done worse than the rest of the class in terms of biglaw and the sought after jobs and at times done better as a group. It's just a risk. With you wanting the coasts though, makes sense...I was just thinking (absent family reasons...) that it would be hard to explain the inevitable question during OCI as to why bother transferring if you are targeting the Chicago market. That is the one question that will come up without fail during OCI.

Side Note: Make sure you have some form of work experience during your 1L summer leading into 2L OCI (if you end up transferring). I know it's still important no matter where you attend but at NU all of the 1L's are employed during the summer preceding OCI and almost everyone has work experience coming into law school. Can put you at a significant disadvantage during OCI if you have no w/e, no 1L summer law gig, you won't know what journal you're on until after OCI, and you have a 0.00 GPA. The last one is particularly important when interviewing at the big shops (i.e. kirkland), as the big firms have 160 interview slots for the 280 law students every year and things like that can ding you real quick.

RE the TLS consensus: I am a NU transfer student...so believe me when I say this is not a guarantee that you'll place well. Individuals certainly place better. Others, while employed, definitely don't have the jobs they wanted.