T2 to T14 transfer, taking Qs Forum

[AcesandEights]

Nol: I didn't touch supplements my first year for outlining, and I rarely used them 2L/3L (and never in my actual outline--only to get a general feel for an area of a class that I was having trouble with). I did buy a few where I knew the exams were going to have multiple choice questions, and then they were only suppelements insofar as they had practice mutliple choice questions. I used those to practice. I also took practice exams where they were available, and if I felt very confused, I spoke with the professor or asked them to look over a portion of it. Some profs explicitly offered to do so, others I approached if, based on gut, I thought they might be okay with it (most were, but I wouldn't do it more than once, and I'd only ask for general feedback). I also never did practice exams until I had an outline at least 70 percent done. I prefer to wait till 90 percent plus, but sometimes I was forced to by professors who wanted to go over them in a review session but the session was before the outline was complete.

[downstream]

How do transfers fare in the clerkship game?

[downstream]

Super, super helpful, thank you.

Can you shed some more light on the law review process that you experienced? Schools say that transfers can write on but how often does this really happen?

[AcesandEights]

Downstream: Some reposted thoughts, both on your new question and your old (don't ask). In my experience, transfers fared well in the clerkship game, so long as they had the basic prerequisites. There are probably a few judges who view transfer status as a negative, and you'd have a hefty burden getting past it. Transfers might have some problems with some other judges, typically very competitive ones, but I'd wager that's just incidental to the fact that it's tough to get letters from the extremely prestigious professors at a new school when you weren't there for 1L, especially in time for clerkship apps. Many of those types of judges go a bit early, which compounds the problem. Other judges view it as no issue, so long as you have the basic prereqs. Those include journal membership, solid LORs and, yes, you guessed it, good grades.

If you are a transfer and you want to clerk, you have to really hit the ground running. Participate in classes and do your best to get to know profs in office hours during your first semester. This way, if you get a good grade, the letter won't be just about that grade. Especially with those professors who teach a class that you love, cultivate a personal connection--let them know you like that area of the law, and, where possible (might be easier into second term) that you are considering clerking. Try to take at least one professor both semesters of your first year at the new school. In addition, watch your class selection--take at least two standard classes, but also take a class with a writing requirement, just to get a writing sample started up. If it's good, submit it for publication, either with your journal or elsewhere. Finally, and most importantly, do your best to get on a journal, primary if possible and secondary otherwise. Primary journal is always best, but secondary will do you well for clerkships too, so long as you do well grade-wise.

In so far as personal experience, I know plenty of transfers that got clerkships, both district and COA, and both at my school and elsewhere. I got calls from both COA and district.

On journal: I actually didn't finish the write on for the primary journal--had sort of a family event that, along with moving, made it impossible to do. I did make it on a secondary journal, and then served on its editorial board. At least at my new school, I know people who did finish the write-on, and who made it on primary. It's tough, but as long as you do both primary and secondary write-ons/are okay with being on a secondary, you'll make it on a journal. With good grades, you'll have a fair shot at clerkships.

[bradley]

X

[downstream]

Thank you very much for taking the time to write this.

A fair shot at clerkships >> whatever chance you might have had at the first school, IMHO.

[fandango]

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