tigger22 wrote:texas man wrote:
If you don't want to work in Texas (or possibly New Mexico) I wouldn't go to Texas Tech. Then again, I just spoke with two 3L's: one has a job in PA, and the other in FL, so this isn't an absolute.
I won't speak to Southwestern, but for Texas Tech, the job prospects are a pro, not a con (unless, for you, job prospects=big law). And, I don't understand listing "transfer opportunity" as a pro or a con. If you don't think you want to graduate from a specific school, you shouldn't attend. That said, in the past, some students in approximately the top 15% have transferred "up." Nevertheless, most students in the top of the class don't ever consider transferring.
Maybe, the job prospects relative to Southwestern are good, but I am not so sure about the absolute stand point.
It is not that I don't want to graduate from a specific school, but rather I want to go to a better school not just for the sake of name, but it would open a lot more opportunities. Statistics show that only 3~4 transfer out from Tech, and that is understandable since UT is out of the option, and probably there aren't many advantages of transferring to any other Texas school, unless, of course, you want to practice in Dallas or Houston, etc.
I am not familiar with Southwestern or the market it serves; I can only speak to Texas Tech and the Texas markets.
While I think it's not smart to go to Tech if you plan on working outside of Texas (e.g., DC, NY, CA), many grads do work outside of Texas. From the Class of 2010, approximately 15% ended up outside of Texas, so the idea that you will stay in Texas if you go to Tech is clearly not an absolute. Still, I suggest that anyone considering law school also consider the area or market you'd like to work--this should really guide the decision. Outside of the "national" schools, the markets law schools primarily serve are regional.
I don't know how you define "better school"--does this come from what you perceive as "opportunities"? I think of opportunities as job prospects. If you are looking at transferring as an opportunity or creating opportunities, I think you are making a strategic mistake. When you go to a law school, it's a bad idea to go with the intent of transferring; for many, taking this route has led to a disappointing three years, and consequently, fewer opportunities (this has been discussed extensively in other threads). And, the job prospects coming from Tech are very good (once again, unless, for you, job prospects=big law).
Also, I think some of the assumptions you are making with respect to Texas Tech and transferring are mistaken. Students have transferred to all the higher ranked Texas schools from Tech, including UT; however, for UT, you probably need to be in the top 5%, or around the top 10 students. Also, the primary reason so few students transfer is not because they can't, but because they actually really like Tech Law, and because of the opportunities they have (if they have done well). As I said in the Tulsa v. Texas Tech post, "most people in the position to transfer don't seriously think about it because they are at the top of their class (top 10-15%), there's a good chance they're on law review or a journal, and maybe they've taken an interest in the advocacy program, clinics, etc.; if they transfer, there's a good chance they will give these advantages up. After you've planted your feet somewhere (law school!) for a year and been very successful, it's a tough choice to pick everything up and establish yourself again." Believe it or not, for many, staying at Tech after a very successful first year is looked at as more advantageous than transferring to any other Texas school, including UT. Hence, you are correct that "probably there aren't many advantages of transferring to any other Texas school"; however, at this point (after a very successful first year), I don't think you necessarily get an advantage in the Dallas or Houston markets by transferring. If you really want to work in Dallas or Houston, it's best to plant your feet there from the start (even so, Tech grads are networked in both markets).
My point is not to convince you to go to Tech Law; it might be the wrong choice for you. My point is to clear up any misconceptions you might have about opportunities coming from Tech and about transferring in general. I hope I didn't misunderstand any of your concerns.
