1L, Top 14%, Research Assistant, Has a Great Internship Forum

[WanderLustrous]

Here's the problem: I don't like my school. I would really like to transfer, but I'm not sure what school is realistic.

I had a brief classical music career, travelled the world, and studied overseas. My undergrad GPA was a 3.88, but my LSAT wasn't great. After meeting with a few professionals, it turns out I have several learning disorders and disabilities that require accommodations, such as extended time. This would explain my low LSAT.

However, I'm in the top 14% of my class, I'm working as a research assistant for a professor, and I was hired as an intern for a great company. I'd like to stay in Chicago, but would consider leaving my internship if I could really jump the rankings.

Advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[Rowinguy2009]

What school do you go to? If you did transfer, where would you consider going to?

[Shot007]

What school are you in and what schools are you interested in transferring into, those are probably the most important questions

[WanderLustrous]

I go to John Marshall in Chicago. I'd like to go to Kent, I'd love to go to Northwestern, and I'd die if I got into UCLA. I was also thinking about U of I because they take a fair amount of transfers. I'm very open-minded. However, I do have this great internship that may turn into something long term, so I don't think I should leave Chicago unless it's for a very highly ranked school.

[patrickd139]

I go to John Marshall in Chicago. I'd like to go to Kent, I'd love to go to Northwestern, and I'd die if I got into UCLA. I was also thinking about U of I because they take a fair amount of transfers. I'm very open-minded. However, I do have this great internship that may turn into something long term, so I don't think I should leave Chicago unless it's for a very highly ranked school.

Not sure what your long-term career goals are, but your long-term career options are going to be severely limited by JMLS. Especially if you're not on substantial scholarship (and maybe even if you are, depending on your goals), I would recommend transferring up if possible.

The bad news: given your rank, compounded by your school's rank (or lack thereof), you're by no means a lock at any of the schools you've mentioned in this post. Your best shot is Kent, followed by a distant, distant second at Illinois. Assuming you don't improve this semester, I would guess that your chances of admission at UCLA, Northwestern or UChi are asymptotically approaching zero. Not trying to discourage you, but just giving you the numbers. (For instance, not being close to the number one person in my class, I will not be entertaining thoughts of transferring to HYS. I will, however, be applying to a more realistic range of still good schools.)

The good news is that you're relatively near the top of your class, so you haven't dug yourself into a hole. If you crack down hard this semester and really kill your exams, you can put yourself at the top of your class. This would exponentially increase your chances of admission to Kent, Loyola and DePaul if you want to stay in Chicago. At, say, top 5%, you've got a shot at U of I and maybe bringing UCLA into the picture.

Congrats on doing well at JMLS with that many motivated students. Keep up the good work and good luck with your transfer cycle!

[presh]

.

[ToTransferOrNot]

Here's the problem: I don't like my school. I would really like to transfer, but I'm not sure what school is realistic.

[strike]I had a brief classical music career, travelled the world, and studied overseas[/strike].[strike]My undergrad GPA was a 3.88, but my LSAT wasn't great. After meeting with a few professionals, it turns out I have several learning disorders and disabilities that require accommodations, such as extended time. This would explain my low LSAT.[/strike]

However, I'm in the top 14% of my class,[strike]I'm working as a research assistant for a professor, and I was hired as an intern for a great company.[/strike] I'd like to stay in Chicago, [strike]but would consider leaving my internship if I could really jump the rankings[/strike].

Advice would be much appreciated. Thank you.

No one in the transfer process will care about the striked-out stuff.

Northwestern isn't going to happen.

TBH, unless you jump considerably in class rank, you're not going to be competative anywhere in the T14, aside from possibly GULC, and even that probably isn't going to happen. UCLA isn't going to happen. Kent might be realistic, UoI might be realistic if you do much better this semester.

Edit: Congrats at doing fairly well at JMLS, though. There are worse positions to be in (85% of your classmates, to start with)

[dood]

...

[ToTransferOrNot]

Coming from someone with years of classical music career behind him: A classical music career is not the type of work experience NU is looking for. Furthermore, 15% at JMU for Northwestern just isn't even in the ballpark--it isn't a matter of the numbers being close.

Nothing bad could come from applying, but eh.

[AmicusCuriae]

Northwestern isn't going to happen.

TBH, unless you jump considerably in class rank, you're not going to be competative anywhere in the T14, aside from possibly GULC, and even that probably isn't going to happen. UCLA isn't going to happen. Kent might be realistic, UoI might be realistic if you do much better this semester.

Edit: Congrats at doing fairly well at JMLS, though. There are worse positions to be in (85% of your classmates, to start with)

I transferred out of JMLS, so I feel like I should add my $.02 here...

I agree that Northwestern is virtually an absolute no. If you look through the databases on the TransferApps Yahoo group, you will notice that NU simply does not take transfers from JMLS. Even the top, top, top of the class doesn't transfer to NU. Those students go to GULC. Further, if you're outside the top 5%, GULC is a no too. You've got a good shot at Kent, but you have to ask if it's really worth it, especially if you have a scholarship at JMLS. Also, IIRC, you can't get on LR at Kent until your 3rd year if you transfer.

[sanpiero]

I don't know why Northwestern couldn't happen. They really like the work experience thing, and a "brief classical music career" definitely sounds interesting. While he doesn't have auto-admit numbers, it seems like he is at least on the border and has several soft factors that could play to his advantage.

No

[Bankhead]

I don't see why Illinois wouldn't happen...

[ToTransferOrNot]

I don't see why Illinois wouldn't happen...

14% really isn't that good for transfer applications. It isn't like John Marshal-> Illinois isn't a significant jump.

[WanderLustrous]

Northwestern isn't going to happen.

TBH, unless you jump considerably in class rank, you're not going to be competative anywhere in the T14, aside from possibly GULC, and even that probably isn't going to happen. UCLA isn't going to happen. Kent might be realistic, UoI might be realistic if you do much better this semester.

Edit: Congrats at doing fairly well at JMLS, though. There are worse positions to be in (85% of your classmates, to start with)

I transferred out of JMLS, so I feel like I should add my $.02 here...

I agree that Northwestern is virtually an absolute no. If you look through the databases on the TransferApps Yahoo group, you will notice that NU simply does not take transfers from JMLS. Even the top, top, top of the class doesn't transfer to NU. Those students go to GULC. Further, if you're outside the top 5%, GULC is a no too. You've got a good shot at Kent, but you have to ask if it's really worth it, especially if you have a scholarship at JMLS. Also, IIRC, you can't get on LR at Kent until your 3rd year if you transfer.

My friend's study party from last year transfered from JMLS to NU. She was in the top 10%, though.