So You Want To Transfer? Let MegaTTTron Holler At You.
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 10:25 pm
As you most likely guessed the first thing I am going to do here is send you to Arrow's fabulous post on transferring (http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=82937). Much like his thread on law school success (http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =2&t=77628) his transfer thread is largely regarded as Biblical here on TLS. My aim is to supplement his sections on LORs and Personal Statements, similar to my comment/ response to his law school success article (http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=104810). I'm going to keep this short. PM me if you want any more specifics or any advice.
So You Want To Transfer? Let MegaTTTron Holler At You.
I. Background
II. Letters of Recommendation
III. Personal Statement
IV. Conclusion
I. Background
I am from a t40 law school. I was top 15% after my first semester (when I applied) and was top 10% after my first year. Top 15% is nothing to write home about, however, my school has a high curve. The lowest grade I received was an A-, which make my case a little unique. I am sure the admissions committees took this into consideration.
I applied to both Georgetown and Chicago early action. I was deferred at Georgetown and accepted to Chicago. The only difference between the two applications was (1) an additional LOR to Chicago, and (2) different Personal Statements.
My LORs and PS must have had an impact for me to have been accepted over other applicants with truly exceptional credentials -- people whose resumes put mine to shame. This is why I am posting my method, in the hope that others who are driven enough can make some transfer magic happen (lookin' at you A'nold).
II. Letters of Recommendation
Arrow's advice on this is spot on. Especially walking into a meeting with a professor having everything she or he will need to write you a LOR, including a stamped and addressed envelope and the LSAC form.
What I want to discuss here are additional letters. I treated this process much like hustling a waitlist, except without LOCIs. I was very lucky, in that one of my second semester professors was an alumnus of Chicago. I got to know her throughout the semester and we met several times to discuss her experience and subsequent career. I rarely miss class or skip out on reading (as I respect my professors too much to blow off classes) and so I felt comfortable asking her for an LOR. To my surprise she nearly pre-empted my request and enthusiastically agreed. I asked her to send it directly to the school, which she then did. I am confident that her letter was paramount to my acceptance. Networking with and getting to know your professors can be a powerful tool, especially when you make a good impression on them and they feel comfortable enough to write LORs -- this is especially true when it's their alma mater you're applying to!
Not earth shattering, I know, but keep this in mind and comb your network for potential contacts. Even a call or e-mail to a dean can make a big difference. Don't be afraid to do things like this to set yourself apart, or to truly show your interest in a school -- it's hard to do that among the masses of applicants.
III. Personal Statement
I did this a little differently than Arrow. I wrote a new statement for each school. I knew I was going to apply the moment I got my grades back (although I loved my T1, I was paying sticker and ITE sometimes you gotta make money decisions). I spent two or so months on my Chicago statement, and a little less on Georgetown's. I approached this the same way I did my LOCI's last year. I was simple, clear, honest, and avoided any possible HINT of a "save the world" or "make a difference" cliche that I was SURE was in every other statement. I did the following:
- discussed my grades/ rank
- discussed my career goals, short term and long term
- discussed how I was unable to attain my goals where I was (BUT I never badmouthed my school)
- discussed how I could do so at the transfer school
- discussed my feelings from my meetings with alumni
- remained humble and wrapped it up quickly
My statement was about 1.5 pages long, double-spaced, size 12 font.
The main differences were that I spent more time researching for Chicago, I spoke with several alumni who were professors at my school, and I just wanted it more. Now that I think about it, I spent a huge amount of time on it. The same straight forward, no bullshit attitude I employed for LOCIs I used again here.
The bottom line is that now you've had a semester or two of law school, and presumably your research and writing skills have improved. Do your research -- this includes more than the website. Stuff like finding alumni, talking to students, and determining for yourself what you truly want. And above all else writing clearly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am confident that my additional LOR and well worked PS were driving factors in my acceptance. I understand that Chicago accepts 3-5 early decision applicants, and 15-25 total transfers. Despite my immediate thoughts, my acceptance was not a mistake.
I recall sitting at my computer last year trying to rethink my life plan after blowing the LSAT with a 3.8 GPA. However, I got in off the waitlist at a great T1 school. I out performed more than 85% of the class, and then transferred to CCN. If you did well your first semester or first year of law school and you want to transfer, for any reason, take a chance. The rules are out the window here. TLS and transferapps are great resources, but they are not dispositive.
Word.
So You Want To Transfer? Let MegaTTTron Holler At You.
I. Background
II. Letters of Recommendation
III. Personal Statement
IV. Conclusion
I. Background
I am from a t40 law school. I was top 15% after my first semester (when I applied) and was top 10% after my first year. Top 15% is nothing to write home about, however, my school has a high curve. The lowest grade I received was an A-, which make my case a little unique. I am sure the admissions committees took this into consideration.
I applied to both Georgetown and Chicago early action. I was deferred at Georgetown and accepted to Chicago. The only difference between the two applications was (1) an additional LOR to Chicago, and (2) different Personal Statements.
My LORs and PS must have had an impact for me to have been accepted over other applicants with truly exceptional credentials -- people whose resumes put mine to shame. This is why I am posting my method, in the hope that others who are driven enough can make some transfer magic happen (lookin' at you A'nold).
II. Letters of Recommendation
Arrow's advice on this is spot on. Especially walking into a meeting with a professor having everything she or he will need to write you a LOR, including a stamped and addressed envelope and the LSAC form.
What I want to discuss here are additional letters. I treated this process much like hustling a waitlist, except without LOCIs. I was very lucky, in that one of my second semester professors was an alumnus of Chicago. I got to know her throughout the semester and we met several times to discuss her experience and subsequent career. I rarely miss class or skip out on reading (as I respect my professors too much to blow off classes) and so I felt comfortable asking her for an LOR. To my surprise she nearly pre-empted my request and enthusiastically agreed. I asked her to send it directly to the school, which she then did. I am confident that her letter was paramount to my acceptance. Networking with and getting to know your professors can be a powerful tool, especially when you make a good impression on them and they feel comfortable enough to write LORs -- this is especially true when it's their alma mater you're applying to!
Not earth shattering, I know, but keep this in mind and comb your network for potential contacts. Even a call or e-mail to a dean can make a big difference. Don't be afraid to do things like this to set yourself apart, or to truly show your interest in a school -- it's hard to do that among the masses of applicants.
III. Personal Statement
I did this a little differently than Arrow. I wrote a new statement for each school. I knew I was going to apply the moment I got my grades back (although I loved my T1, I was paying sticker and ITE sometimes you gotta make money decisions). I spent two or so months on my Chicago statement, and a little less on Georgetown's. I approached this the same way I did my LOCI's last year. I was simple, clear, honest, and avoided any possible HINT of a "save the world" or "make a difference" cliche that I was SURE was in every other statement. I did the following:
- discussed my grades/ rank
- discussed my career goals, short term and long term
- discussed how I was unable to attain my goals where I was (BUT I never badmouthed my school)
- discussed how I could do so at the transfer school
- discussed my feelings from my meetings with alumni
- remained humble and wrapped it up quickly
My statement was about 1.5 pages long, double-spaced, size 12 font.
The main differences were that I spent more time researching for Chicago, I spoke with several alumni who were professors at my school, and I just wanted it more. Now that I think about it, I spent a huge amount of time on it. The same straight forward, no bullshit attitude I employed for LOCIs I used again here.
The bottom line is that now you've had a semester or two of law school, and presumably your research and writing skills have improved. Do your research -- this includes more than the website. Stuff like finding alumni, talking to students, and determining for yourself what you truly want. And above all else writing clearly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I am confident that my additional LOR and well worked PS were driving factors in my acceptance. I understand that Chicago accepts 3-5 early decision applicants, and 15-25 total transfers. Despite my immediate thoughts, my acceptance was not a mistake.
I recall sitting at my computer last year trying to rethink my life plan after blowing the LSAT with a 3.8 GPA. However, I got in off the waitlist at a great T1 school. I out performed more than 85% of the class, and then transferred to CCN. If you did well your first semester or first year of law school and you want to transfer, for any reason, take a chance. The rules are out the window here. TLS and transferapps are great resources, but they are not dispositive.
Word.
