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Got into Columbia in January, but rejected from Harvard too (probably because I'm KJD, from the area, and softs are average). Didn't interview for either. For Harvard, my stats are above 75th and above 50th. nURM, gay. Personal statement was good, LORs were fine.

I'm wondering if I should apply again next year or hope to somehow pull off a transfer. I'm from NH and I've had some major family issues come up that makes me want to be close to home for the next few years, but I was not planning on putting off law school. I was ecstatic to get into Columbia but now I can't imagine being far away for all 3 years. Harvard is the closest school I applied to, and I really thought I had a shot there.

Would I have better chances just reapplying next year, or would transferring from Columbia be a possibility (assuming I survive 1L)?

Don't ever bet on being able to transfer. All it takes is one bad exam to completely tank your GPA. If you work for a couple years, your numbers will still be very strong; that said, getting into HLS is never more than a coin-flip.

Yeah, don't plan on being able to transfer.

And if you have any kind of scholarship at Columbia, which your numbers suggest you do, it would be a horrible decision to transfer to Harvard anyway (assuming you had the numbers for it).

Ona related note, attending Harvard at sticker over Columbia with a significant scholarship is just a waste of money. I don't see any benefit to taking a year off in your scenario.

If you really want to go to Harvard (which is dumb but whatever) then just reapply. Probably a better shot than transferring (which would be dumb) and at least you could have a more normal law school experience post-COVID by waiting.