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Long story short, my first semester grades were low due to a number of reasons: documented depression/anxiety, loss in the family, relationship troubles, etc.
My grades were quite high second semester (3.6 / top 12%), but with first semester my 1L rank is about top third.
I'm currently at a lower T2, and considering applying to the strong regional T1 in the same city. From what I gather, this school usually takes approximately the top 20% from my school, but it's hard to say and this might be a more favorable transfer season.
Does anyone know whether schools will look more favorably on an improvement like this, or will it not really matter? Thanks in advance.

I'd try. If you write a strong addendum, they might be willing to take you, especially if it does end up being a weak transfer season. The worst that happens is you're out the cost of the application, which considering that if you jump to the strong T1 you'll have an income increase in the thousands, is probably a worth investment.

Apply and tell your story! What is the worst that could happen?

Anonymous User wrote:Long story short, my first semester grades were low due to a number of reasons: documented depression/anxiety, loss in the family, relationship troubles, etc.
My grades were quite high second semester (3.6 / top 12%), but with first semester my 1L rank is about top third.
I'm currently at a lower T2, and considering applying to the strong regional T1 in the same city. From what I gather, this school usually takes approximately the top 20% from my school, but it's hard to say and this might be a more favorable transfer season.
Does anyone know whether schools will look more favorably on an improvement like this, or will it not really matter? Thanks in advance.

this is a big jump and from experience, it absolutely matters

for the purposes of transferring, it is your class rank that matters. period. it's only 2 semesters of grades so theres not statistical significance in any uptick and your prospective employers dont care about semester splits. they care about the whole package.

Anonymous User wrote:Does anyone know whether schools will look more favorably on an improvement like this, or will it not really matter? Thanks in advance.

They'll probably look more favorably on your grades than someone who had a strong first semester then a weak second semester. People enter law school with disparate writing and legal abilities. In theory, competition should be stiffer that second semester, after people have some legal writing and practice under their belts. That you scored as well as you did in light of stiffer competition is significant.

I'll defer to more experienced minds than my own on this matter, but give real pause to consider what you're going to say about the documented anxiety and depression. Are you treated now? Why weren't you treated then? Was it completely out of your hands (e.g., the loss of a loved one, my condolences by the way) or law school PLUS the loved one? Do your best to establish the first semester as the fluke and the second as representative of your abilities. LORs to that effect might not hurt. Acknowledge things beyond your control, but own your shortcomings and how you've addressed them.

Good luck.