Top Law Schools

I'm currently attending a school ranked between 40 and 60, and I did alright during my first semester. I did extremely well in one class, above average in a couple others, but very poorly in another class (it was only worth two credits and the professor admitted to me behind closed doors that he should have read the exams more closely, but just didn't have time). Anyway, I'm actually working my ass off this semester and hope to do much better.

That said, I'm looking to transfer to a school in NYC. I'm working on a couple projects outside of law school, and without divulging too much information, I just think that it would be in my best interest to be in New York. Moreover, my family and friends are all from the area, and it has just been an emotional nightmare being over a thousand miles from everyone. It's to the point where I've been flying home on weekends more often than I'd care to admit. I've made a lot of friends and stuff at this school, which is to say I'm socially normal and get along fine with everyone. However, I can just tell that this city isn't right for me or my future. I don't want to practice law in this state.

Right now, I'm thinking that Fordham would be a very strong match for me. It'd be about a 10-30 increase in rankings, which I realize is rough, considering a lack of straight A+'s, but this transfer is more for personal reasons than strictly gunning for the top. I also plan to submit applications to CLS/NYU, just for the hell of it, since the previously mentioned project outside of law school are huge, and would probably make me marketable for other reasons. Additionally, I would be fine taking a hit in rankings and attend Brooklyn; I was actually set to attend Brooklyn last summer, but I thought that a change in scenery, culture, and everything else would be good for me.

I'm just looking for any input that anyone may have for someone who's transferring for personal reasons, instead of a rankings jump. I guess what I'm really asking is for some advice on how to distinguish my application from those submitted by people motivated by the $$$ increase in moving up the rankings ladder. Additionally, I'm curious whether schools would be wary or suspicious of someone transferring from a higher ranked school.

Thanks, everyone!

Your vague discussion of grades means nothing. If you tell us your approximate rank, and approximate rank of your school, we can give you actual advice. What you just posted was like 6 paragraphs of "I have grades and would like to go do a school that I do not currently attend, please do be advising".

If you're not comfortable providing that info, cruise over to the database in the yahoogroup transferapps. It'll give you a good idea of what grades you need to have what chances.

disco_barred wrote:Your vague discussion of grades means nothing. If you tell us your approximate rank, and approximate rank of your school, we can give you actual advice. What you just posted was like 6 paragraphs of "I have grades and would like to go do a school that I do not currently attend, please do be advising".

If you're not comfortable providing that info, cruise over to the database in the yahoogroup transferapps. It'll give you a good idea of what grades you need to have what chances.

I was top 1/3 last semester at a school ranked between 40 and 60. If it helps, my school doesn't grade on a 4.0 scale, but instead issues numerical grades based on a really tight curve. That means it's numerically possible for me to go from top 1/3 to top 10-15% (I've done the calculations). I also have a couple *major* soft factors (I'm planning to announce one within the next month) that could make me viable at CLS/NYU if they care about that kind of thing.

engineer wrote:I also have a couple *major* soft factors (I'm planning to announce one within the next month) that could make me viable at CLS/NYU if they care about that kind of thing.

Will you be holding a press conference?

engineer wrote:

disco_barred wrote:Your vague discussion of grades means nothing. If you tell us your approximate rank, and approximate rank of your school, we can give you actual advice. What you just posted was like 6 paragraphs of "I have grades and would like to go do a school that I do not currently attend, please do be advising".

If you're not comfortable providing that info, cruise over to the database in the yahoogroup transferapps. It'll give you a good idea of what grades you need to have what chances.

I was top 1/3 last semester at a school ranked between 40 and 60. If it helps, my school doesn't grade on a 4.0 scale, but instead issues numerical grades based on a really tight curve. That means it's numerically possible for me to go from top 1/3 to top 10-15% (I've done the calculations). I also have a couple *major* soft factors (I'm planning to announce one within the next month) that could make me viable at CLS/NYU if they care about that kind of thing.

Wait a second......did you find the cure for cancer too? That was MY in to CLS!

Any reason why you've left out Cardozo from your discussion? A lateral transfer is probably a better idea than settling for Brooklyn.

BobSacamano wrote:Any reason why you've left out Cardozo from your discussion? A lateral transfer is probably a better idea than settling for Brooklyn.

Nope- it just slipped my mind when I was typing. It's just as much in the running as any of the others. In the interest of full disclosure, I'm not particularly interested in attending St. John's/Hofstra/etc., since I'd prefer to be living in Manhattan and attending a T1-2 school. Taking a 20 USNWR-point hit is about the most with which I'd be comfortable; any more than that, and I'd have better chances landing a job in that region with a degree from the school I'm currently attending.

apper123 wrote:

engineer wrote:I also have a couple *major* soft factors (I'm planning to announce one within the next month) that could make me viable at CLS/NYU if they care about that kind of thing.

Will you be holding a press conference?

LOL I was wondering the same thing

apper123 wrote:

engineer wrote:I also have a couple *major* soft factors (I'm planning to announce one within the next month) that could make me viable at CLS/NYU if they care about that kind of thing.

Will you be holding a press conference?

Certainly revealing that you are URM warrants a press conference. Very rare in law schools.

OP you go to Wake Forest, don't you?

Aberzombie1892 wrote:OP you go to Wake Forest, don't you?

How did you guess?

this thread is so bizarre

ZXCVBNM wrote:this thread is so bizarre

Sorry, I wrote the post half asleep, clearly because I've been trying to memorize the E&Es.

I guess what I'm really trying to ask is whether law schools place a lot of faith on the "so why do you wanna transfer" statement. I'd hate for Brooklyn to be like "wtf is he doing taking a ranking hit like that? law is about critical thinking and someone like that clearly hasn't critically thought through the process" and the other schools to just reject me for some other plethora of reasons. Moreover, I know that nothing is guaranteed and that the inevitable randomness of the grading procedure may preclude transferring altogether.