Top Law Schools

I'm ranked 7/484 at a T3, with a 3.85 and great extra-circulars(leadership positions, Pro Bono work, and the whole shebang). I had a 161 on my LSAT and went to a top ten undergrad(in the business school rankings). What are my chances at transferring to either NYU or Columbia law? I also have a near-full scholarship at the school I am presently at. I am assuming that either Columbia or NYU would prefer someone at a T3 that had a near full scholarship rather than someone that went there simply because it was the best school they got into. At the same time, I'm not sure if that is necessarily true.

Any advice or insight regarding parallel experiences would be appreciated.

You are top 2% at a Tier 3 law school and are targeting Columbia & NYU. Since your class size is 484, you must be at NYLS. My best guess is that you have a strong chance at being admitted to a few top 14 law schools, but NYU & Columbia students need to respond re: any NYLS transfers at their school. Hopefully you will also apply to Penn & some other T-14s. Good luck !

My point is that each year top ranked students at NYLS probably try to transfer to NYU & Columbia so students at those law schools might know if any have been successful.
Also to encourage you to apply to other T-14 law schools.

haha, I would say that is a good deduction. The problem is I want to stay in New York and I don't think it would be worth it to transfer to Fordham.

And sorry the reason i said what is your point is because initially your full post didn't come through

NYU and Columbia may be a stretch, but if you want to at least stay near NYC or end up there try Cornell and UPenn. You may have a fighting chance at those two. And don't discount Fordham, it's much better than NYLS and about 30% go into NLJ250 firms. Seeing how was you've aced your first year, you should be able to pull in the top 30% at Fordham.

crossarmant wrote: And don't discount Fordham, it's much better than NYLS and about 30% go into NLJ250 firms.

I would imagine that OP would be better off staying where he/she is rather than paying full price at Fordham. A 30% chance of getting into biglaw doesn't seem to justify forfeiting top 2% status + funding + LR at NYLS.

Bramwell wrote:

crossarmant wrote: And don't discount Fordham, it's much better than NYLS and about 30% go into NLJ250 firms.

I would imagine that OP would be better off staying where he/she is rather than paying full price at Fordham. A 30% chance of getting into biglaw doesn't seem to justify forfeiting top 2% status + funding + LR at NYLS.

+1

I'd say you have a chance at CN and Cornell and Penn. Definitely worth applying to. But I agree with OP that Fordham is not worth it.

Do you need to be in NY for law school or just want to end up there? Almost all of the T13 schools place well in NYC, including Chicago, Michigan, UVA, and Duke. All of these would give you a better shot at NYC biglaw than your current school. Why not cast a wide net?

I think everyone is right about casting a wider net. I will definitely apply to Upenn and perhaps a few others. I just hope its not too late to apply because I'm sure other great applicants have submitted their applications already.

OP: What ended up happening?

Shouldn't this be in the transfer forum?