Transferring Between Law Schools Forum

[Raven1228]

Can someone please explain the popular opinion on transferring between law schools?

Basically, I can get into a decent but not great law school in August. I'd really like to start in August because I'm eager to get back into the daily grind of school (I've been out over a year), but I'd like to know what my best options are for moving up once I'm in school.

Should I go there and re-apply or transfer to better schools while there?

If I want to transfer to another school are they going to want a fresh LSAT or can I use my old one, or do they not care about LSAT scores at all and just look at my law school grades in my current school. Do credits transfer between law schools? Are there better ways of getting into a school such as going to a small community college-type next to a large university?

Any help would be appreciated. thank you!

[emoticons777]

Only go to a school you will be happy at for three years, and happy with a degree from for your lifetime. 90% of people will not be able to transfer.*

*Because generally, top 10% is only able to transfer; however, this can change based on school attended, school targeted, etc.

Edit: Didn't read your entire post. LSAT has nothing to do w/ transfer, only 1L class rank/grades do. You cannot reapply to law school if you're already in law school, your only option would be to transfer.

[OGR3]

Only go to a school you will be happy at for three years, and happy with a degree from for your lifetime. 90% of people will not be able to transfer.*

*Because generally, top 10% is only able to transfer; however, this can change based on school attended, school targeted, etc.

+1

The people who go to a law school with the intent to transfer are almost always disappointed. I went to my UG intending to transfer and was lucky enough to realize that my UG was a significantly better place for me than my initial #1 choice.

[lawyer879]

Not unlike many of the people on this forum, I have an acquaintance with the anecdotal transfer story (from a T-4 to Harvard) who did great (he is actually a judge now).

However, for many individuals having the option to transfer may also come down to a decision to stay at your original school and participate in extracurricular activities (i.e. Law Review, etc...) or transfer out and become one of the many. This is because many of these "extra" and career building opportunities are determined by first year performance. With that said, some schools are very good at integrating transfer students (i.e. Yale).

Nevertheless, I am sure it also comes down to your personal ability to network and make connections at the school (your new school or the original one)...

[arnoldg]

Only go to a school you will be happy at for three years, and happy with a degree from for your lifetime. 90% of people will not be able to transfer.*

*Because generally, top 10% is only able to transfer; however, this can change based on school attended, school targeted, etc.

Edit: Didn't read your entire post. LSAT has nothing to do w/ transfer, only 1L class rank/grades do. You cannot reapply to law school if you're already in law school, your only option would be to transfer.

+1

[Aloha4]

Raven, I am in your position. Check out transferapps on yahoo.

Question for the rest of you, say I transfer from a t4 to a t1. Will jobs look at my gpa from t4 or t1 or T20 if I get lucky, or will they combine them. Do I have a shot at a Big Law Job. 120k + coming out.

[rayiner]

Raven, I am in your position. Check out transferapps on yahoo.

Question for the rest of you, say I transfer from a t4 to a t1. Will jobs look at my gpa from t4 or t1 or T20 if I get lucky, or will they combine them. Do I have a shot at a Big Law Job. 120k + coming out.

LOL no.

[Aloha4]

I find that hard to believe. Someone that transfers from NYLS to Columbia and is in the top 5% at columbia after matriculating won't get a big firm job?

[rayiner]

I find that hard to believe. Someone that transfers from NYLS to Columbia and is in the top 5% at columbia after matriculating won't get a big firm job?

Maybe at a T6, maybe at T14, unlikely at any other T1. Firms hire you in the fall based on you 1L grades. If they wouldn't hire a top 5% at NYLS at NYLS OCI, they may very well not hire a top 5% at NYLS at CLS OCI.

Not even talking about how exceedingly unlikely NYLS -> CLS is in the first place.

[Kobe_Teeth]

So then, how do transfers ever get jobs?

Also, they say if you want to transfer you should decide early. How early?

I'll probably be going to a school that I have always liked and still like. I am not BigLaw or bust, however, if I get the chance to transfer I am sure as hell going to take it. However, I won't be disappointed otherwise.