Top Law Schools

Top 10% @ a T2;
- Currently on a full scholarship
- Got Moot Court [waiting on Journal competition results]
- Got a Big Law SA for my 1L summer

Worth it to transfer to NYU/Columbia/Cornell?

Live is pretty cushy right now and it would be a big hassle to go through the transfer process but I want to get some input as to whether its worth it...especially since I would be paying sticker at the new school [and might not even get OCI at a place like Cornell]

Thanks.

Becker wrote:Top 10% @ a T2;
- Currently on a full scholarship
- Got Moot Court [waiting on Journal competition results]
- Got a Big Law SA for my 1L summer

Worth it to transfer to NYU/Columbia/Cornell?

Live is pretty cushy right now and it would be a big hassle to go through the transfer process but I want to get some input as to whether its worth it...especially since I would be paying sticker at the new school [and might not even get OCI at a place like Cornell]

Thanks.

It sounds like this would only be worth it if your school's market is not currently NYC and you really would prefer to be in NYC and not that market. Otherwise, you have a 1L SA, good chance it will turn into an offer, and you should have a good chance if you want to do OCI with other firms in that market.

Save yourself the $100,000. Unless for some reason you really want NYC, in which case transferring would probably help you get it.

badaboom61 wrote:

Becker wrote:Top 10% @ a T2;
- Currently on a full scholarship
- Got Moot Court [waiting on Journal competition results]
- Got a Big Law SA for my 1L summer

Worth it to transfer to NYU/Columbia/Cornell?

Live is pretty cushy right now and it would be a big hassle to go through the transfer process but I want to get some input as to whether its worth it...especially since I would be paying sticker at the new school [and might not even get OCI at a place like Cornell]

Thanks.

It sounds like this would only be worth it if your school's market is not currently NYC and you really would prefer to be in NYC and not that market. Otherwise, you have a 1L SA, good chance it will turn into an offer, and you should have a good chance if you want to do OCI with other firms in that market.

Save yourself the $100,000. Unless for some reason you really want NYC, in which case transferring would probably help you get it.

Thanks for the response. Yea, I'm currently in NYC and it is my target market.

The main reason behind this thread is due to a conversation I had with a partner who stated that the prestige of Columbia/NYU trumps the financial considerations of staying T2. The partner further stated that I would make up the difference in paying sticker simply through doors that would be opened with a T14 degree.

Becker wrote:

badaboom61 wrote:

Becker wrote:Top 10% @ a T2;
- Currently on a full scholarship
- Got Moot Court [waiting on Journal competition results]
- Got a Big Law SA for my 1L summer

Worth it to transfer to NYU/Columbia/Cornell?

Live is pretty cushy right now and it would be a big hassle to go through the transfer process but I want to get some input as to whether its worth it...especially since I would be paying sticker at the new school [and might not even get OCI at a place like Cornell]

Thanks.

It sounds like this would only be worth it if your school's market is not currently NYC and you really would prefer to be in NYC and not that market. Otherwise, you have a 1L SA, good chance it will turn into an offer, and you should have a good chance if you want to do OCI with other firms in that market.

Save yourself the $100,000. Unless for some reason you really want NYC, in which case transferring would probably help you get it.

Thanks for the response. Yea, I'm currently in NYC and it is my target market.

The main reason behind this thread is due to a conversation I had with a partner who stated that the prestige of Columbia/NYU trumps the financial considerations of staying T2. The partner further stated that I would make up the difference in paying sticker simply through doors that would be opened with a T14 degree.

The only door that will be opened by going to CCN is that it gives you a better chance of getting a good first job. If you already have a good first job, no reason to spend the extra money.

You say you already have a SA gig. So why would you transfer? What is the offer rate at this firm? There is no reason to transfer if you are nearly guaranteed of an offer out of your current school.....You'll be living the high life with your $160K salary and no debt.

Stay where you are. Enjoy life. I'm jealous.

So...the prestige is not enough?

Becker wrote:So...the prestige is not enough?

It doesn't make sense, no offense OP. The only purpose of prestige is to get a job. You already have a job. And once you have that job, your next job is dependent on your performance as an attorney, not the name on your degree.

Unless you'd like to spend $125k or so to tell people at bars that you went to Columbia instead of wherever you are (I'm assuming Cardozo or BLS?) there is no point.

Maybe OP can clarify, but it doesn't sound like he/she has an offer for a 2L SA. Landing a SA from top 10% T2 is far from guaranteed. Also, the "where you went to LS doesn't matter after your first job" comments aren't completely accurate.

That said, I agree that a transfer to CLS probably doesn't make sense if you have a full scholarship and are already in your target market. I just don't think it's as one-sided as the above posters do.

You should at least apply and see where you get in. Columbia will help you get a better SA if you need that help. I'm the most debt averse person on this forum, but I thunk it is worth it to apply and see what happens. Maybe your current school will add a stipend?

Thanks guys. No I do not have a 2L SA offer in hand but I'm under the impression that it can be secured if I do great work during this summer stint.

Agree with sunynp. OP apply to Columbia & NYU to determine your actual options. Whether or not you make law review at your current NYC area tier two should also be a factor to consider. Without law review, Columbia & NYU should look more attractive if targeting NYC biglaw.

P.S. A better thread title might be Tier Two to Top 6--is it worth it ? Yes, if you don't make law review; personal choice in your situation if you do make law review.




Avoid Cornell in your situation unless the transfer OCI policy has changed recently.

CanadianWolf wrote:Agree with sunynp. OP apply to Columbia & NYU to determine your actual options. Avoid Cornell in your situation unless the transfer OCI policy has changed recently.

Agreed. Not much to lose by applying. Easily worth the ~$200 in application fees. That said, I also agree with others that if you get an offer from your current firm for next summer, assuming you are at least content there/able to wake up in the morning, that it's not worth it giving up a full ride to pay sticker. So basically I'd apply to give yourself the option, but work your ass off this summer so that it will be moot.