Top Law Schools

So, I know the drill. I'm 2 months in, transferring is a crapshoot, etc. I'm not asking about my chances. I'm curious what the limits are.

Does a student who finishes #1 or #2 in their class at a TTT have a legitimate shot at T14? Or a pretty good shot? Or no chance in hell? Does it make a difference whether or not your LSAT was in the legitimate range of the target school in the first place? I checked the yahoo group stats, but there's almost no info from my school there...

One person transferred to Berkeley from Southwestern this year. A few others transferred to UCLA and USC. All were in the top 5%.

tier 4 to t10 transfer here, same state. LSAT does not matter at all. The formula is: Grades / Rank + Strong LOR + good reason to transfer (that is beyond USNews). Top 5% will give you a good shot at t14's near your TTT. This isn't a hard and fast rule but I think generally, the closer you are geographically to the transfer school the better shot you have.

What kinds of things qualify as a good reason? Is "I want to live in that area of the country" good enough? Or do you need something more substantial or school-specific?

More substantial but that could definitely help if the school is far away. You should have a reason for wanting to live there though, ex: family, grew up there, etc.

School related is much better. Specific programs/journals/professors. If you have profs from schools you are looking at, talk to them AFTER you get an A (at least, but preferably the highest grade) in their class about their experience at school X and why they liked it.

Just wanted to add, in addition to JPU's post, clinics, clerkship opportunities, and possibly academia (assuming you are shooting for a top 3 or possibly top 6 school) are also good reasons. Location is a good reason, but I wouldn't spend too much space on it (a sentence or two is sufficient).

JPU wrote:tier 4 to t10 transfer here, same state. LSAT does not matter at all. The formula is: Grades / Rank + Strong LOR + good reason to transfer (that is beyond USNews). Top 5% will give you a good shot at t14's near your TTT. This isn't a hard and fast rule but I think generally, the closer you are geographically to the transfer school the better shot you have.

It certainly is possible. Like JPU, I made the T4 to T10 jump, could not be happier with my choice. I "interviewed" at schools by calling and scheduling admissions visits throughout the summer. It seemed to help quite a bit. Also, I think another compelling reason is wanting a particular type of academic culture.

Make sure your summer job is somewhere that demonstrates you will be employable upon graduation.

Apply broadly, and good luck!

Danteshek wrote:One person transferred to Berkeley from Southwestern this year. A few others transferred to UCLA and USC. All were in the top 5%.

This begs the question whether it is better to graduate top 5% from a TTT or top 50% from a T14.

GettingReady2010 wrote:

Danteshek wrote:One person transferred to Berkeley from Southwestern this year. A few others transferred to UCLA and USC. All were in the top 5%.

This begs the question whether it is better to graduate top 5% from a TTT or top 50% from a T14.

No. No it doesn't.

naterj wrote:

GettingReady2010 wrote:

Danteshek wrote:One person transferred to Berkeley from Southwestern this year. A few others transferred to UCLA and USC. All were in the top 5%.

This begs the question whether it is better to graduate top 5% from a TTT or top 50% from a T14.

No. No it doesn't.

While I agree that it doesn't, I believe that is a good thought.

If the T3/T4 is located in the market you want to work in post graduation, then it may be a good idea. You will have opportunities with local NLJ250s and midlaw. If not, then no.

Read this thread and follow the links postyed therein, and you will have your answer.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p3540676

Here are some good links to follow:

--LinkRemoved--
http://abovethelaw.com/2010/10/the-aba- ... nsparency/
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202473544557)

PDaddy wrote:Read this thread and follow the links postyed therein, and you will have your answer.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p3540676

Here are some good links to follow:

--LinkRemoved--
http://abovethelaw.com/2010/10/the-aba- ... nsparency/
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202473544557)

The last article is very interesting. I would love it if the apathetic ABA would actually do something about all the fraud.

PDaddy wrote:Read this thread and follow the links postyed therein, and you will have your answer.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p3540676

Here are some good links to follow:

--LinkRemoved--
http://abovethelaw.com/2010/10/the-aba- ... nsparency/
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202473544557)

Not that I disagree with the sentiment, but do you usually post this stuff in random threads?

thrillerjesus wrote:

PDaddy wrote:Read this thread and follow the links postyed therein, and you will have your answer.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p3540676

Here are some good links to follow:

--LinkRemoved--
http://abovethelaw.com/2010/10/the-aba- ... nsparency/
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202473544557)

Not that I disagree with the sentiment, but do you usually post this stuff in random threads?

Nope. It's just relevant. I actually saw these links posted in another related discussion today. I rarely post links period.

I didn't read the articles, but from what I've heard, most transfers end up doing very well. Quite a few end up Order of the Coif. This is most likely because they know how to excel at law school exams. Therefore, you should not anticipate on ending up at median if you transfer. But that's no guarantee...

At UVA you cannot be Order of the Coif if you transfer no matter what your class rank is. In Georgetown you can never be summa cum laude no matter how high your GPA is.

PDaddy wrote:

thrillerjesus wrote:

PDaddy wrote:Read this thread and follow the links postyed therein, and you will have your answer.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6#p3540676

Here are some good links to follow:

--LinkRemoved--
http://abovethelaw.com/2010/10/the-aba- ... nsparency/
http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202473544557)

Not that I disagree with the sentiment, but do you usually post this stuff in random threads?

Nope. It's just relevant. I actually saw these links posted in another related discussion today. I rarely post links period.

rel·e·vant
-adjective
bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark.

At Berkeley you can be Order of the Coif.

concurrent fork wrote:
rel·e·vant
-adjective
bearing upon or connected with the matter in hand; pertinent: a relevant remark.

lol @ the possibility that PDaddy could be reasoned with