Top Law Schools

I am currently about top 13-15% at a school ranked at 45-50. Do I have a good shot at UCLA if I have strong ties to the area (does this even matter? I heard it's solely based on grades)? I just started the application process and would like to transfer to a school in CA, or possibly a T14 if anyone thinks I have a shot. What are some safeties I should look at and what other schools do you recommend besides UCLA? I want to practice in a big city.

I think you have a shot at UCLA-- conventional TLS transfer wisdom says that top 10-20% at a T1 school should get you into some of the T14, and UCLA is a teensy bit easier.

Grades are most important, but ties to the area do matter, since you can make that a big part of your personal statement. More importantly, if you transfer and do OCI at your new school, you can explain to employers why you felt transferring was necessary. "My wife/ailing parents live here" sounds better than "I'm a rankings whore."

I was top 13% at a mid-60s T2 school and got into UCLA last year as a transfer. I had strong ties to the area, and definitely emphasized that in my PS. I submitted my app in mid-June when my last 1L grade came in, and got an acceptance call the next day.

I think you should have a really good shot at UCLA, as long as this year's transfer cycle doesn't end up being much more competitive.

UCLAtransfer wrote:I was top 13% at a mid-60s T2 school and got into UCLA last year as a transfer. I had strong ties to the area, and definitely emphasized that in my PS. I submitted my app in mid-June when my last 1L grade came in, and got an acceptance call the next day.

I think you should have a really good shot at UCLA, as long as this year's transfer cycle doesn't end up being much more competitive.

T3, 8-10%? Ties to area. Any shot?

A'nold wrote:T3, 8-10%? Ties to area. Any shot?

I wish I had better firsthand knowledge/insight for you. The majority of the transfers I know came from T1 and T2 schools. I think there may be a few people who transferred from Southwestern/Whittier/McGeorge. Other than that I'm not really sure.

My best advice would be to spend at much time on your personal statement as you can, emphasizing why you want to be in LA and why UCLA Law is the end-all-be-all for you. (Include references to programs/professors/clinics/etc.) Just purely based on my recollection of all things transfer-related though, I think you are certainly in the running if you target your PS well. That may just be what it takes to put you into acceptance territory.

Definitely keep me updated, I'd love to hear how things are going with your cycle!!!

UCLAtransfer wrote:

A'nold wrote:T3, 8-10%? Ties to area. Any shot?

I wish I had better firsthand knowledge/insight for you. The majority of the transfers I know came from T1 and T2 schools. I think there may be a few people who transferred from Southwestern/Whittier/McGeorge. Other than that I'm not really sure.

My best advice would be to spend at much time on your personal statement as you can, emphasizing why you want to be in LA and why UCLA Law is the end-all-be-all for you. (Include references to programs/professors/clinics/etc.) Just purely based on my recollection of all things transfer-related though, I think you are certainly in the running if you target your PS well. That may just be what it takes to put you into acceptance territory.

Definitely keep me updated, I'd love to hear how things are going with your cycle!!!

So true. For so many schools.