Various School Transfer Info Forum

[dbt]

I'm a little confused by that letter. They say that since grades typically don't come out on your transcript in time for decisions you can just submit an unofficial transcript. So basically send an unofficial transcript now-ish, and then just tell them your grades as you get them since you won't be able to get an official transcript sent during the early summer?

[kings84_wr]

I'm a little confused by that letter. They say that since grades typically don't come out on your transcript in time for decisions you can just submit an unofficial transcript. So basically send an unofficial transcript now-ish, and then just tell them your grades as you get them since you won't be able to get an official transcript sent during the early summer?

This is how I interpreted it, Sometimes there is a gap in between when Spring grades come out and when official transcripts and class rank are ready. I know for us, In late may we have an "unofficial grades", but have to wait a few weeks before we can send out trasncripts. So I assumed it meant you could use that unofficial report and fax it so they make a decision, but eventually get them the official transcript once its ready.

I know HLS straight up said this is ok.

[dbt]

Thanks for the above.

On another note, SLS notes for transfer apps says:

"Statement of Dean (Form B). Form B must be given to the dean of students (or a comparable college official with access to the school's official records) at the college from which you received your baccalaureate degree. The official completing the form should send it directly to the Law School."

They want a statement from the dean of our undergraduate? This seems odd, especially since there's nothing else mentioned in the requirements which speaks to a similar form from the dean of the law school. (I'm getting this from LSAC.org btw, and also here: http://www.law.stanford.edu/program/deg ... plication/).

[A'nold]

I'm a little confused by that letter. They say that since grades typically don't come out on your transcript in time for decisions you can just submit an unofficial transcript. So basically send an unofficial transcript now-ish, and then just tell them your grades as you get them since you won't be able to get an official transcript sent during the early summer?

This is how I interpreted it, Sometimes there is a gap in between when Spring grades come out and when official transcripts and class rank are ready. I know for us, In late may we have an "unofficial grades", but have to wait a few weeks before we can send out trasncripts. So I assumed it meant you could use that unofficial report and fax it so they make a decision, but eventually get them the official transcript once its ready.

I know HLS straight up said this is ok.

Anyone know if this applies to Berk?

[sjk]

I'm a little confused by that letter. They say that since grades typically don't come out on your transcript in time for decisions you can just submit an unofficial transcript. So basically send an unofficial transcript now-ish, and then just tell them your grades as you get them since you won't be able to get an official transcript sent during the early summer?

This is how I interpreted it, Sometimes there is a gap in between when Spring grades come out and when official transcripts and class rank are ready. I know for us, In late may we have an "unofficial grades", but have to wait a few weeks before we can send out trasncripts. So I assumed it meant you could use that unofficial report and fax it so they make a decision, but eventually get them the official transcript once its ready.

I know HLS straight up said this is ok.

Anyone know if this applies to Berk?

It does apply to Berkeley. Just send them your grades via email as soon as you get them. IMMEDIATELY so they can start reviewing your application. Later, when you can get an official transcript, send it to them. I didn't give them an official transcript until 2 weeks before school started, after I'd already been accepted. But I emailed my grades the day they came out.

[A'nold]

I'm a little confused by that letter. They say that since grades typically don't come out on your transcript in time for decisions you can just submit an unofficial transcript. So basically send an unofficial transcript now-ish, and then just tell them your grades as you get them since you won't be able to get an official transcript sent during the early summer?

This is how I interpreted it, Sometimes there is a gap in between when Spring grades come out and when official transcripts and class rank are ready. I know for us, In late may we have an "unofficial grades", but have to wait a few weeks before we can send out trasncripts. So I assumed it meant you could use that unofficial report and fax it so they make a decision, but eventually get them the official transcript once its ready.

I know HLS straight up said this is ok.

Anyone know if this applies to Berk?

It does apply to Berkeley. Just send them your grades via email as soon as you get them. IMMEDIATELY so they can start reviewing your application. Later, when you can get an official transcript, send it to them. I didn't give them an official transcript until 2 weeks before school started, after I'd already been accepted. But I emailed my grades the day they came out.

That's good to know, thanks! Do you know if they care if they only have your 1st semester rank and unofficial 2nd semester grades or does the emailed copy have to include your rank as well? We've been told our rank will come out sometime around June 15th, right at Berkeley's deadline.

[sjk]

I never sent them my rank and they didn't seem to care. All 1st year grades evaluated together.

[stinger35]

So...let me get this straight:

The method of applying is simply submit your application, personal statement, 1st semester grades, LOR's, etc., NOW and then email them your Spring grades the day they come out?


I will still probably wait to make sure that I do well enough this semester to warrant paying the application fee, but that method is just as acceptable, correct?

[A'nold]

So...let me get this straight:

The method of applying is simply submit your application, personal statement, 1st semester grades, LOR's, etc., NOW and then email them your Spring grades the day they come out?


I will still probably wait to make sure that I do well enough this semester to warrant paying the application fee, but that method is just as acceptable, correct?

I am wondering this as well.

[Big Shrimpin]

.

[A'nold]

So...let me get this straight:

The method of applying is simply submit your application, personal statement, 1st semester grades, LOR's, etc., NOW and then email them your Spring grades the day they come out?


I will still probably wait to make sure that I do well enough this semester to warrant paying the application fee, but that method is just as acceptable, correct?

I am wondering this as well.

Same. I've got only one LOR, and I've procrastinated researching what to do/asking for a second (I know, I know).

Eh, you still have time. I'd do it now though.

[Big Shrimpin]

.

[sjk]

Yeah, but Arrow sought LORs after grades. Assuming I've already got a prof teed-up (e.g. taking this as as spring class--mutually understood that transferring would be a good idea for a person in my situation), should I go ahead and do it now or wait until grades? I'd imagine grades come out mid-ish-June. This is assuming the prof will be a 'pal and provide a quick turnaround. Oh, and we have single-semester classes, so none of this I/II stuff. Thus, asking 1st semester profs at this point might seem a bit awkward. AND THEN there is also the possibility that I don't do well and none of this really matters. FML.

Arrow asked for LORs after grades, I got LORs before grades. Either way, we were similarly ranked at different schools, and both ended up at Berkeley.
I guess it really doesnt matter when you send it in, because your application will only be complete with 2nd semester grades, and that's when they'll begin reviewing it. I went complete and within a week got an acceptance call.
The downside to asking for LORs after grades is that the profs may take their time writing it. Better to get it asap. I have terrible luck with getting LORs on time.

[A'nold]

Hey, thanks a lot for answering q's for us. Your last post made me wonder about grades vs. rank. Do you think Berkeley would look at your first semester GPA and rank and then infer that you only did much better if your GPA went up and possibly make a decision before second semester rankings are released?

[traydeuce]

So here's a quandary for all of yall. Columbia and Harvard's write-ons are concurrent. Harvard, 14-21 of May, Columbia, 14-21 of May. Better yet, my internship with a COA judge, 3rd Circuit, begins the 17th. Let's say it's even possible for me to do one of these write-ons while I'm at work 8 hours a day for 5 of the days of the competition. Two seems pretty impossible. So, what to do? This is what I'm thinking. Currently I have a 4.0 at W&L. To fall out of the top 5% (for which the cutoff, by the end of the year, will probably be a 3.83 or so) would take some serious screwing up. Supposing I leave here well into the top 5%, beyond percentile bands they don't rank, I'd probably get into Columbia, Chicago, NYU. Harvard's a bit more of a reach unless I ace everything again or come very close, so if I could do well in their write-on, that would be a boost with admissions, a boost that I probably wouldn't need at Columbia. Of course, I'd hate to be law review-less, but if I get in there I'd probably be in at Chicago too and their write-on is later. What's really great about this decision is that I have to make it BEFORE I get my second semester grades, so I could theoretically screw up, choose Harvard's, and then discover, after the write-on was finished, that I'd attempted a write-on at a school where I wasn't going to get in. Thoughts?

[A'nold]

And, are Harvard and Columbia the only two that start before you are admitted?

[traydeuce]

Chicago's is in June. Other schools, I think, have separate transfer competitions.

[kings84_wr]

Im only doing HLS write on, but I don't start working or my judge till the 24th so I have some extra time.

[sjk]

Hey, thanks a lot for answering q's for us. Your last post made me wonder about grades vs. rank. Do you think Berkeley would look at your first semester GPA and rank and then infer that you only did much better if your GPA went up and possibly make a decision before second semester rankings are released?

When I sent my grades in at the beginning of June, I sent in a copy of last years rankings to show about where I stood. They made a decision almost immediately, without rankings being released. My actual ranking wasn't released until late August and they never asked for it. I never sent it.
The funny thing was, based on the prior year's rankings, my GPA put me in the top 7%. When the current rankings came out, I think I slid to 12%. But it didn't really end up mattering.

[sanpiero]

Hey, thanks a lot for answering q's for us. Your last post made me wonder about grades vs. rank. Do you think Berkeley would look at your first semester GPA and rank and then infer that you only did much better if your GPA went up and possibly make a decision before second semester rankings are released?

When I sent my grades in at the beginning of June, I sent in a copy of last years rankings to show about where I stood. They made a decision almost immediately, without rankings being released. My actual ranking wasn't released until late August and they never asked for it. I never sent it.
The funny thing was, based on the prior year's rankings, my GPA put me in the top 7%. When the current rankings came out, I think I slid to 12%. But it didn't really end up mattering.

Out of curiosity, where did you transfer from?

[stinger35]

Hey, thanks a lot for answering q's for us. Your last post made me wonder about grades vs. rank. Do you think Berkeley would look at your first semester GPA and rank and then infer that you only did much better if your GPA went up and possibly make a decision before second semester rankings are released?

When I sent my grades in at the beginning of June, I sent in a copy of last years rankings to show about where I stood. They made a decision almost immediately, without rankings being released. My actual ranking wasn't released until late August and they never asked for it. I never sent it.
The funny thing was, based on the prior year's rankings, my GPA put me in the top 7%. When the current rankings came out, I think I slid to 12%. But it didn't really end up mattering.

What method did you send them the rankings? Did you just mail them directly to the school? Also, when you emailed the grades, just to the admissions office? I am just trying to be prepared to contact schools since my grades wont come out until first week or so in June and rank until first week in July. Thanks.

[sjk]

Transfered from a T2 in California.
I emailed the prior years rankings with an unofficial copy of my grades directly to the admissions office.

[A'nold]

Transfered from a T2 in California.
I emailed the prior years rankings with an unofficial copy of my grades directly to the admissions office.

That's interesting. Schools seem so demanding that everything be "official."

[stinger35]

Transfered from a T2 in California.
I emailed the prior years rankings with an unofficial copy of my grades directly to the admissions office.

That's interesting. Schools seem so demanding that everything be "official."

Agreed. But I am starting to realize that if you lied, you'd be fucked anyways. Also, I've been told deadlines, credit requirements, etc. are all basically guidelines instead of rigid rules. Transfer just seems to go by different rules.


(I did look at Columbias supplemental form today...now that shit is wild)

[Danteshek]

I'll be throwing apps to USC and UCLA (only). I can't leave town because I'm working for a fed judge in the fall...