My Transfer Experience
Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 10:58 pm
I am writing this in an attempt to help future 1L's who are going through the transfer process.
It is worth noting that regardless of getting the grades needed to transfer which is work in and of its self, but the entire process is extremely both mentally and physically draining. Just know this going in, you must be committed to going through the transfer process it is not easy.
Background on my decision:
I went to a low tier-2 law school in a major market with a lot of competition. I had a half scholarship with a above average LSAT and a fair UGPA. While I definently do not encourage planning to transfer prior to entering law school, I feel like most people who transfer have the idea in the back of there head somewhere. Although it is true that most people who plan on transferring do not get the grades high enough to do so.
At the end of my first year, my grades were above average but a little low for what I wanted based on a low grade (B-) in Conlaw. The biggest problem with planning on transferring is that there is some luck to law school grades. If I got one more of these "unlucky" grades my transfer dreams would have been dead. I finished top 18% and was offered an increased scholarship and a spot on all of the journals including law review. After applying to schools I was accepted at Washington and Lee and Emory and was rejected at Georgetown and GW (I never heard from W&M).
I will be moving to Atlanta and attending Emory this fall, a school I would have never imagined going to only a few years ago!
My First Year
My 0L prep was fairly limited, I was nervous so I bought Glannon's E&E Civ Pro ahead of time and thumbed through it a few nights. I didn't really read too much in depth and I didn't really understand it too much. Study aids make way more sense when you actually start law school so I don't recommend doing this. I did however, read Getting To Maybe. I do recommend this as the book is very helpful.
My study schedule was fairly standard, although pretty intense compared to most of my classmates. Although there were people who worked more than me. I generally worked from 8 till 8 or 9 and took Saturdays and Sundays off until the last month, which became lockdown time. I took notes differently depending on the class and used old outline templets and various study aids and worked on my outline throughout the semester. I truly believe that only you can know how you will do well in your class and your study techniques and use of study aids will be different depending on the teacher and class. I am happy to go more depth in to what I did that allowed me to do well in the classes. I think the advantage I had in taking exams was that I am a very strong legal writer and was able to pick up the skill fairly early into the semester.
The Transfer Process
I started my applications in June and sent all of my applications off at the end of June when my class rank was calculated. As you will learn the process is a very, very quick turnaround. I asked two professors to write letters of recommendation, who were more than happy to help. Additionally, my school did not really put up much of a fight when I told them I was thinking of leaving. They did however try to schedule meets etc. to dissuade me. For me it was purely geographical and regional reputation mixed with the saturation of my old market. My grades were probably the lowest I could have gotten to make a jump as big as I did. I had no special softs but, my personal statement did have ties to the south and a desire for me to be there, no real compelling reason though.
I am happy to answer any questions about my process. I just think it is important to know going in to transferring that it is not easy, both mentally and physically. It will drain you. Good Luck.
It is worth noting that regardless of getting the grades needed to transfer which is work in and of its self, but the entire process is extremely both mentally and physically draining. Just know this going in, you must be committed to going through the transfer process it is not easy.
Background on my decision:
I went to a low tier-2 law school in a major market with a lot of competition. I had a half scholarship with a above average LSAT and a fair UGPA. While I definently do not encourage planning to transfer prior to entering law school, I feel like most people who transfer have the idea in the back of there head somewhere. Although it is true that most people who plan on transferring do not get the grades high enough to do so.
At the end of my first year, my grades were above average but a little low for what I wanted based on a low grade (B-) in Conlaw. The biggest problem with planning on transferring is that there is some luck to law school grades. If I got one more of these "unlucky" grades my transfer dreams would have been dead. I finished top 18% and was offered an increased scholarship and a spot on all of the journals including law review. After applying to schools I was accepted at Washington and Lee and Emory and was rejected at Georgetown and GW (I never heard from W&M).
I will be moving to Atlanta and attending Emory this fall, a school I would have never imagined going to only a few years ago!
My First Year
My 0L prep was fairly limited, I was nervous so I bought Glannon's E&E Civ Pro ahead of time and thumbed through it a few nights. I didn't really read too much in depth and I didn't really understand it too much. Study aids make way more sense when you actually start law school so I don't recommend doing this. I did however, read Getting To Maybe. I do recommend this as the book is very helpful.
My study schedule was fairly standard, although pretty intense compared to most of my classmates. Although there were people who worked more than me. I generally worked from 8 till 8 or 9 and took Saturdays and Sundays off until the last month, which became lockdown time. I took notes differently depending on the class and used old outline templets and various study aids and worked on my outline throughout the semester. I truly believe that only you can know how you will do well in your class and your study techniques and use of study aids will be different depending on the teacher and class. I am happy to go more depth in to what I did that allowed me to do well in the classes. I think the advantage I had in taking exams was that I am a very strong legal writer and was able to pick up the skill fairly early into the semester.
The Transfer Process
I started my applications in June and sent all of my applications off at the end of June when my class rank was calculated. As you will learn the process is a very, very quick turnaround. I asked two professors to write letters of recommendation, who were more than happy to help. Additionally, my school did not really put up much of a fight when I told them I was thinking of leaving. They did however try to schedule meets etc. to dissuade me. For me it was purely geographical and regional reputation mixed with the saturation of my old market. My grades were probably the lowest I could have gotten to make a jump as big as I did. I had no special softs but, my personal statement did have ties to the south and a desire for me to be there, no real compelling reason though.
I am happy to answer any questions about my process. I just think it is important to know going in to transferring that it is not easy, both mentally and physically. It will drain you. Good Luck.
