GULC to Yale: Should I go? Forum

[ndirish2010]

Raw clerkship numbers, as mentioned above, do not matter. OP is not a random GULC 0L, but a real rising 2L with top 1% grades. Going to Yale can only hurt OP's clerkship chances.

[transferquest]

Good point ND.

A more interesting number might be transfer placement data for clerkships at Yale.

One of the most attractive features for me at UVa was that they place transfers extremely competitively with the top 20 percent of the class after 1L year. Whereas GULC, likely do to the large number of transfers coming in, could not make the same claim.

[ClarDarr]

Can you honestly imagine 20 years from now saying to yourself, "wow, I really regret going to Yale Law School." I think there is almost a 0% chance I would ever think this. But, although slight, there is a chance that I would say "wow, I regret staying at Georgetown." I, personally, like to minimize the chance of regrets.

[Bronte]

Also, keep in mind there is a lot of conjecture here. "Yale places far more in clerkships". Ok..if you are going to make this decision, make sure you get the actual numbers. Look at the top firms you are targeting in DC (I assume WC is at the top) and see how many yale grads are there vs. georgetown. Also, consider your quality of life in new haven v. DC. If that is not a consideration for you (it was a small but very significant one for me) fair enough.

In 2009 Yale placed 36.8% of it's class into Article III clerkships; GULC placed 5.6%. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =1&t=75513. It's not really in dispute whether Yale places far more in clerkships. What is into dispute is whether OPs chances really change going from top 1% at GULC to Yale.

However, keep in mind that "I went to Yale Law School" is way more likely to help you get laid than "I went to Georgetown and got super good grades." FWIW.

While this is true to some extent, GULC has quite a bit of lay prestige, no pun intended.

I have doubts about whether you've ever been laid.

[DouglasDevelopment]

.

[westbayguy]

transferquest wrote:
Also, keep in mind there is a lot of conjecture here. "Yale places far more in clerkships". Ok..if you are going to make this decision, make sure you get the actual numbers. Look at the top firms you are targeting in DC (I assume WC is at the top) and see how many yale grads are there vs. georgetown. Also, consider your quality of life in new haven v. DC. If that is not a consideration for you (it was a small but very significant one for me) fair enough.

Given OP's career desires, top GULC has a VERY good shot at W&C- the firm has a unique affinity for GULC grads, and if anyone has a shot- it's OP. With a SA at W&C, a COA clerkship would not be out of the question, and the faculty contacts at GULC would no doubt help with prestigious COA placement on the DC circuit.

About the only distinction would be for academia where YLS surely has aninsurmountable edge, but top GULC is about as good a second tier credential as you can get.

YLS is YLS, but with 1L grades and class standing established, YLJ write on no guarantee, and the need to cultivate new faculty recommendations, IMHO this may one of the few cases where GULC>YLS.

[terrybhs06]

Umm.. absent extenuating circumstances I am of the belief that top 5% at ANY T-14 is better than a transfer to HYS. Especially considering that the T-14 is well respected in your target market. Given that, TLS is good for LSAT prep. Outside of that take anything said with a grain of salt. At a certain point you need to be able to make logical decisions on your own.

[CanadianWolf]

Agree, but logic can support either decision in this case.

[lisjjen]

Having a hard time deciding, and I'd appreciate any thoughts folks have.

I have top grades Georgetown. We haven't found out law review yet; I'd say it's probable I made main journal, although there are no longer any straight grade-on slots. I can do the write-on for the Yale Law Journal and am told the odds aren't bad.

Interested in CoA clerkship, litigation in DC market, AUSA or teaching (but I want to practice first).

From what I have gathered, my clerkship odds would be similar -- probably better at GULC if I keep roughly the same grades. But I think I have to assume some regression to the mean. Georgetown has a lot bigger network in DC,but Yale is Yale.

Cost would be slightly more at Y, but not enough to matter.

[lisjjen]

Umm.. absent extenuating circumstances I am of the belief that top 5% at ANY T-14 is better than a transfer to HYS. Especially considering that the T-14 is well respected in your target market. Given that, TLS is good for LSAT prep. Outside of that take anything said with a grain of salt. At a certain point you need to be able to make logical decisions on your own.

+1