What are your chances? Forum

[Rule11]

School ranked 67
GPA 3.72, ranked 19/279
Want to transfer to UCLA or USC

Odds?

The odds are good but the goods are odd--you should be targeting T14s. I know, you want to be in LA. But it's just two more years, friend. Aim for Berkeley.

[jbarl1]

Currently at Penn State (65)
Ranked in the top 6% of my class

Anywhere in the T14 worth a shot?

[Rule11]

Trying to make a lateral move back home for personal reasons. Went from Top 25% to Top 50% after second semester grades were released, though still waiting on one more that will hopefully put me around Top 40%. Currently at a low T1 and trying to transfer to similarly ranked schools in my home area. Thoughts?

You're probably in good shape. For similar rank transfers, you should be above median. You are, so .. cool.

[Rule11]

Currently at Penn State (65)
Ranked in the top 6% of my class

Anywhere in the T14 worth a shot?

Yeah. T6 might be tough (but not implausible, and definitely worth the app), but you should apply to MVPB with confidence (P in particular). You might as well apply to Harvard too unless money is really tight (but don't mistake me--that's a serious long shot).

[Madi57]

My school is in the mid-20's.
GPA = 3.85 (#3 in section of 90)
Applying just to Harvard.

[meggers88]

School ranked 67
GPA 3.72, ranked 19/279
Want to transfer to UCLA or USC

Odds?

The odds are good but the goods are odd--you should be targeting T14s. I know, you want to be in LA. But it's just two more years, friend. Aim for Berkeley.

really? that's not a huge long shot? i didn't think there was a chance in hell i could get in...

[johndoe90239]

My School: BU
GPA = 3.88 (#2 in section of 88, graded on to LR)
Applying: Yale, Harvard, Columbia, NYU

Obviously Yale is a long shot even in the best of times with the best of all possible numbers, but what are your thoughts as to the rest?

[swimmer33]

i want to make sure i'm not missing any schools that i should be considering/applying to.

T50-60 in CA, .01 outside of top 1/3, needs to be back in chicago/midwest for family reasons. UIUC, loyola, and kent so far. are there more schools i should be sending applications to?

[gags12]

Updated stats: Top 2% at school in 15-20 range.

Chances at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, NYU? Is it worth applying anywhere else?

[Rule11]

My school is in the mid-20's.
GPA = 3.85 (#3 in section of 90)
Applying just to Harvard.

You've got a good shot, but you're quite far from being a slam dunk. It's a good use of $80 or whatever the app fees are these days. Did you do the HLR writing competition?

[Rule11]

My School: BU
GPA = 3.88 (#2 in section of 88, graded on to LR)
Applying: Yale, Harvard, Columbia, NYU

Obviously Yale is a long shot even in the best of times with the best of all possible numbers, but what are your thoughts as to the rest?

Yale is of course unlikely, but Harvard is a good shot. The others are probably slam dunks--you'd have to really bungle the app not to get CN.

[Rule11]

Updated stats: Top 2% at school in 15-20 range.

Chances at Harvard, Yale, Columbia, NYU? Is it worth applying anywhere else?

Yes. It's worth applying to Stanford unless you've got some weird hangup about California.

Chances are decent everywhere except Yale and Stanford, but even there you're looking competitive. Personally I wouldn't bother with attending CN in your shoes unless you're paying full price anyway, but you should apply anyway (you'll get into at least one, likely both) for use in scholarship renegotiation.

[kaiser]

Now that I know all my grades, I'm interested to hear what you think my chances are. Only interested in applying to schools in a specific area due to family circumstances:

T25 School Currently
Rank - Juuuust made top 10%
Applying: NYU, Columbia, Penn

[Rule11]

Now that I know all my grades, I'm interested to hear what you think my chances are. Only interested in applying to schools in a specific area due to family circumstances:

T25 School Currently
Rank - Juuuust made top 10%
Applying: NYU, Columbia, Penn

Pretty decent shot at all three. I'd be very surprised if you didn't get Penn, although saying any particular school is a lock during transfer season is a recipe for failure.

[Madi57]

My school is in the mid-20's.
GPA = 3.85 (#3 in section of 90)
Applying just to Harvard.

You've got a good shot, but you're quite far from being a slam dunk. It's a good use of $80 or whatever the app fees are these days. Did you do the HLR writing competition?

No, I didnt. It ran at the exact same time as mine, and I wasnt confident of grading on to LR then so I wanted to focus on my current schools competition and ensure that I atleast had LR at my school (but, I ended up grading on LR anyway). Now I am potentially faced with the age-old question: LR at the lower school, or no LR at a much higher one. It seems that the general consensus in this situation would be to transfer, but what about clerkships? Would I downgrade myself by not having a LR experience, or is the Harvard name worth it even without LR, in terms of clerkships?

[Rule11]

My school is in the mid-20's.
GPA = 3.85 (#3 in section of 90)
Applying just to Harvard.

You've got a good shot, but you're quite far from being a slam dunk. It's a good use of $80 or whatever the app fees are these days. Did you do the HLR writing competition?

No, I didnt. It ran at the exact same time as mine, and I wasnt confident of grading on to LR then so I wanted to focus on my current schools competition and ensure that I atleast had LR at my school (but, I ended up grading on LR anyway). Now I am potentially faced with the age-old question: LR at the lower school, or no LR at a much higher one. It seems that the general consensus in this situation would be to transfer, but what about clerkships? Would I downgrade myself by not having a LR experience, or is the Harvard name worth it even without LR, in terms of clerkships?

Don't stress about it. I was just curious, really. Law review does have its value, but its importance is (finally!) waning somewhat. HLS without law review is certainly better than T30 with law review (it's not even remotely close, unless you end up as EIC, which you can't count on).

Why are you only applying to Harvard?

[PitchO20]

.

[Madi57]

My school is in the mid-20's.
GPA = 3.85 (#3 in section of 90)
Applying just to Harvard.

You've got a good shot, but you're quite far from being a slam dunk. It's a good use of $80 or whatever the app fees are these days. Did you do the HLR writing competition?

No, I didnt. It ran at the exact same time as mine, and I wasnt confident of grading on to LR then so I wanted to focus on my current schools competition and ensure that I atleast had LR at my school (but, I ended up grading on LR anyway). Now I am potentially faced with the age-old question: LR at the lower school, or no LR at a much higher one. It seems that the general consensus in this situation would be to transfer, but what about clerkships? Would I downgrade myself by not having a LR experience, or is the Harvard name worth it even without LR, in terms of clerkships?

Don't stress about it. I was just curious, really. Law review does have its value, but its importance is (finally!) waning somewhat. HLS without law review is certainly better than T30 with law review (it's not even remotely close, unless you end up as EIC, which you can't count on).

Why are you only applying to Harvard?

I grew up in Boston and want to stay here. Plus, I live with my g/f who is currently in grad school in Boston. Additionally, I like my current school and only want to transfer if its really worth it. It is my gut reaction that it is a bonus to let them know that they are the only school I am applying for transfer, any opinion on this? I do mention it in my personal statement (which is basically a two-page essay in why I want Harvard specifically), but I have a fear that they wont see any competitive need to accept me if there is no chance that I will go to a rival.

[Rule11]

I grew up in Boston and want to stay here. Plus, I live with my g/f who is currently in grad school in Boston. Additionally, I like my current school and only want to transfer if its really worth it. It is my gut reaction that it is a bonus to let them know that they are the only school I am applying for transfer, any opinion on this? I do mention it in my personal statement (which is basically a two-page essay in why I want Harvard specifically), but I have a fear that they wont see any competitive need to accept me if there is no chance that I will go to a rival.

My sense, based on, well, I don't know, is that Harvard probably isn't too concerned with its yield rate in general. I doubt they'll be too swayed by a commitment to attend if admitted. I don't see any way that it could hurt, though--I don't think transfer admissions are competitive as between schools.

Sounds like you have good reasons for only applying to Harvard, so I won't get on your case about it. Good luck!

[Rule11]

Updated chances:

Top 13% of my class, 3.44 GPA. At school tied for 100. Interning at Circuit Ct in DC.

Any chance at GMU, W&L, W&M, American, GW?

Are you in the DC area already? No, right?

Well, it doesn't matter. You'll get at least one of these, and you're a good shot at all of them, I'd wager. That said, I hope you have good reasons, because those schools are not really worth full price, which is what you'll have to pay.

[Charlie Daniels]

School rank: 50
~Top 7-8%
Applying to: Columbia, NYU, Boalt, Cornell, Duke, and GULC.

I realize I'm aiming pretty high, but I don't think I would transfer anywhere else. If I don't get into any of these, I'd be perfectly happy to stay where I am.

[lawstudento]

~10% at UC Hastings

Applied to: USC, UCLA, Georgetown through NYU.

1) Is this the right spread of schools to apply to? (USC/UCLA being "safer" bets and then up to NYU is a reach such that it makes no sense to apply higher)

2) What expectations should I have as far as chances to these schools?

[Mick Haller]

~10% at UC Hastings

Applied to: USC, UCLA, Georgetown through NYU.

1) Is this the right spread of schools to apply to? (USC/UCLA being "safer" bets and then up to NYU is a reach such that it makes no sense to apply higher)

2) What expectations should I have as far as chances to these schools?

UCLA is probably your best bet. You probably have a small chance at Berkeley as well. You should probably attend any higher-ranked school that accepts you. Top 10% at Hastings is not worth much at present.

[denimchickn]

Around Top 12-14% at T-30 school in VA. VA resident. Want to stay in VA after LS.

Only applied to UVA. I know I have SOME chance, but the question is how much?

[lawstudento]

~10% at UC Hastings

Applied to: USC, UCLA, Georgetown through NYU.

1) Is this the right spread of schools to apply to? (USC/UCLA being "safer" bets and then up to NYU is a reach such that it makes no sense to apply higher)

2) What expectations should I have as far as chances to these schools?

UCLA is probably your best bet. You probably have a small chance at Berkeley as well. You should probably attend any higher-ranked school that accepts you. Top 10% at Hastings is not worth much at present.

From what I can tell we've definitely be slammed by the economy. I don't expect things to be dropped in my lap, but if my 1L job hunt is anything to go by, I'm not particularly happy with my job prospects as is.

Are my applications all out of whack? I have thought about applying to UW/BU/BC/Fordham but am less excited about moving to those schools because it seems like that would be more a move of location and not much a change in my employment prospects.