Transfer from T30? Forum

[lawschooliseasy]

Looking for quick advice. Top 5% at T30 with small scholarship (paying about $20-25k/yr). Should I transfer?

Goals: Appellate clerkship, firm job in major market close to school I attend.

[narayan1121]

A family friend transferred from Wisconsin to Duke after 1L and went on to a $160K/yr ($30K signing bonus) job in sports law in NYC a few years ago. I don't even think he was top 5%. Can't tell you if this is normal, but it certainly shows it's possible.

[3ThrowAway99]

Wow- congrats! Did you just get grades back?

I would transfer if I were you (assuming you get a bunch of T14 admits, but it definitely sounds like you should, including possibly some of the best), but I'm also kind of biased because I am hoping to be in that position.

Kind of confused though actually come to think of it- if you were top 5% first semester that will likely mean you'll be in a position to transfer after the full year, but unless your are applying early (e.g. Chicago) I think a lot will depend on your next semester in determining where you may or may not have a shot. Clarify?

EDIT: o.k. just saw you posted in the 1L grade waiting thread (shoulda thought to check there). Anyway, congrats on killing 1L 1sem.

[IAFG]

depends a lot on what the major market is, and if you get into a transfer school that places well in that market.

[vanwinkle]

Looking for quick advice. Top 5% at T30 with small scholarship (paying about $20-25k/yr). Should I transfer?

Goals: Appellate clerkship, firm job in major market close to school I attend.

It really depends on which major market you're in and which schools you can get into.

[lawschooliseasy]

Wow- congrats! Did you just get grades back?

I would transfer if I were you (assuming you get a bunch of T14 admits, but it definitely sounds like you should, including possibly some of the best), but I'm also kind of biased because I am hoping to be in that position.

Kind of confused though actually come to think of it- if you were top 5% first semester that will likely mean you'll be in a position to transfer after the full year, but unless your are applying early (e.g. Chicago) I think a lot will depend on your next semester in determining where you may or may not have a shot. Clarify?

Thank you, I'm very excited!

I just got grades back and basically have a 4.0, so I may be closer to top 1-2%, not sure. I did have Chicago ED in mind. I'm also of the impression that 1L grades tend to be relatively consistent (ie not many people go from median to top 5% or vice-versa), or at least that's what I'd like to believe!

[lawschooliseasy]

To clarify a bit, Chicago ED is binding. So, I'm wondering if I should pull the trigger. If I stay I might be in line for a big scholarship, will be on law review, almost certainly get something out of OCI, etc. But Chicago would be very hard to pass up. It would also take some serious pressure off. I would have to keep good grades, but not necessarily remain top 1-2%. However, there is a very small part of me that wants to hold out for the 1/1,000 chance that I could get into HYS.

[3ThrowAway99]

that's f-ing awesome. Def excited for you and good luck if you do ED Chicago (though i'd beware because it binds you but not them and you can always apply regular transfer at Chicago).

[vanwinkle]

I just got grades back and basically have a 4.0, so I may be closer to top 1-2%, not sure. I did have Chicago ED in mind. I'm also of the impression that 1L grades tend to be relatively consistent (ie not many people go from median to top 5% or vice-versa), or at least that's what I'd like to believe!

There's someone on here who got top 1%-ish at their T30 and ED'd to Chicago and regretted it, because they repeated their performance and could've had a shot at HYS. You'd be in that range if you can repeat that performance; and yes, if you put in the same work second semester, it's repeatable.

If you're in the top 1-2% you should be able to aim for HYS; polish your apps as much as possible during the spring, and make sure you don't miss the early deadline for S (like I did, oops).

[3ThrowAway99]

I think your chances at HYS are quite a bit better than 1/1000 if you keep it up. I'd def consider holding off on the Chicago ED, but am interested to hear what others think.

[lawschooliseasy]

I just got grades back and basically have a 4.0, so I may be closer to top 1-2%, not sure. I did have Chicago ED in mind. I'm also of the impression that 1L grades tend to be relatively consistent (ie not many people go from median to top 5% or vice-versa), or at least that's what I'd like to believe!

There's someone on here who got top 1%-ish at their T30 and ED'd to Chicago and regretted it, because they repeated their performance and could've had a shot at HYS. You'd be in that range if you can repeat that performance; and yes, if you put in the same work second semester, it's repeatable.

If you're in the top 1-2% you should be able to aim for HYS; polish your apps as much as possible during the spring, and make sure you don't miss the early deadline for S (like I did, oops).

Is consensus that:

1) If you get into HYS you're stupid not to go

and

2) Chicago would also be worth giving up top 1-5%, law review, scholly, etc.?

[lawschooliseasy]

I think your chances at HYS are quite a bit better than 1/1000 if you keep it up. I'd def consider holding off on the Chicago ED, but am interested to hear what others think.

I would be very curious to hear from anyone that has been dropped from Chicago ED due to low grades. Basically, I wonder how much security it buys you. For example, if I landed top 20-25% next semester, would I maintain my acceptance?

[Aqualibrium]

Def transfer because the money situation won't be much different than the one you entered law school in, and def don't ED at Chicago. Don't tie yourself to UC and have to wonder what could have been.

Congrats and keep it up.

(Also, that's what she said.)

[concurrent fork]

Do NOT ED to Chi. You have a realistic shot at H if you maintain next semester.

[lawschooliseasy]

Do NOT ED to Chi. You have a realistic shot at H if you maintain next semester.

You figure the security of an early Chicago acceptance is outweighed by a shot at the trinity?

[hokie]

Do NOT ED to Chi. You have a realistic shot at H if you maintain next semester.

You figure the security of an early Chicago acceptance is outweighed by a shot at the trinity?

I say so. Plus, if you continue to do well, you will get into Chicago RD anyways while still giving yourself some options. The way I see it, Chicago ED doesn't really give THAT much security [from your standpoint]. If you get in ED, you'll feel great but will still try to do very well 2nd semester, if even merely just out of fear of getting the acceptance rescinded (which I cannot personally say I have even seen/heard about). This sets you up nicely for a repeat performance, which then will set up up nicely for HYS. ITE, you're going to be working hard regardless; you might as well give yourself a shot at HYS. GL and congrats [on the grades]!

[concurrent fork]

Do NOT ED to Chi. You have a realistic shot at H if you maintain next semester.

You figure the security of an early Chicago acceptance is outweighed by a shot at the trinity?

I do, and this approach paid off in my cycle. I would only consider ED in your situation if you are dead set on the Chicago market, and even then I would probably still RD rather than spend my life wondering if I could have cracked HYS.

[lawschooliseasy]

Do NOT ED to Chi. You have a realistic shot at H if you maintain next semester.

You figure the security of an early Chicago acceptance is outweighed by a shot at the trinity?

I do, and this approach paid off in my cycle. I would only consider ED in your situation if you are dead set on the Chicago market, and even then I would probably still RD rather than spend my life wondering if I could have cracked HYS.

True. I don't know what I would do if I got into HYS... probably just run around in circles screaming. Thanks a lot for the advice. I guess I'll just try as hard as I can and hope for a repeat performance. Hypothetically, if grades slip (to say top 10-15%) do you think its worth shooting for Michigan or somewhere, or just stay put?

[kings84_wr]

While I get those who say don't ed at Chicago, it can be less risky then waiting for 2nd semester grades. the difference between top 1% or top 5% or 10% at some schools can essentially be one grade or one prof that just grades differently. I was at a T30 and went from around top 2% to about top 7%.

and i think things are a bit more competitive for transfers now too. 2 years ago the #1 at my old t-30 went to H, last year the #1 got shut out at HYS and CC.

[rayiner]

Wow- congrats! Did you just get grades back?

I would transfer if I were you (assuming you get a bunch of T14 admits, but it definitely sounds like you should, including possibly some of the best), but I'm also kind of biased because I am hoping to be in that position.

Kind of confused though actually come to think of it- if you were top 5% first semester that will likely mean you'll be in a position to transfer after the full year, but unless your are applying early (e.g. Chicago) I think a lot will depend on your next semester in determining where you may or may not have a shot. Clarify?

Thank you, I'm very excited!

I just got grades back and basically have a 4.0, so I may be closer to top 1-2%, not sure. I did have Chicago ED in mind. I'm also of the impression that 1L grades tend to be relatively consistent (ie not many people go from median to top 5% or vice-versa), or at least that's what I'd like to believe!

Apply ED Chicago.

[Alyosha]

Yeah, not everyone stays at the exact same rank. I was in a similar position first semester, but dropped in the second, due to one grade. A lot of people do maintain the same range, but when you are talking about top 1/2% there's not a lot of room for error.

[megaTTTron]

Wow- congrats! Did you just get grades back?

I would transfer if I were you (assuming you get a bunch of T14 admits, but it definitely sounds like you should, including possibly some of the best), but I'm also kind of biased because I am hoping to be in that position.

Kind of confused though actually come to think of it- if you were top 5% first semester that will likely mean you'll be in a position to transfer after the full year, but unless your are applying early (e.g. Chicago) I think a lot will depend on your next semester in determining where you may or may not have a shot. Clarify?

Thank you, I'm very excited!

I just got grades back and basically have a 4.0, so I may be closer to top 1-2%, not sure. I did have Chicago ED in mind. I'm also of the impression that 1L grades tend to be relatively consistent (ie not many people go from median to top 5% or vice-versa), or at least that's what I'd like to believe!

Apply ED Chicago.

Tough call. Keep in mind though, that there were several top 1-5% applicants this year from T30s who were rejected from chicago ED as transfers. (several also got rejected from HYS). Transferring is a crapshoot.

[seespotrun]

I would be very curious to hear from anyone that has been dropped from Chicago ED due to low grades. Basically, I wonder how much security it buys you. For example, if I landed top 20-25% next semester, would I maintain my acceptance?

I haven't heard of Chicago revoking its conditional acceptance due to a drop in grades, but that's more likely explained by the fact that people in your position often repeat their performance than by any unwillingness on Chicago's part in pulling the trigger. That being said, even with an ED acceptance in hand, I'd be remiss to feel secure by any means. That is, your incentives for dominating haven't drastically changed given that you will be evaluated, in large part, based on your "Top X% at T30" resume line at OCI, regardless of the transfer school.

[megaTTTron]

I would be very curious to hear from anyone that has been dropped from Chicago ED due to low grades. Basically, I wonder how much security it buys you. For example, if I landed top 20-25% next semester, would I maintain my acceptance?

I haven't heard of Chicago revoking its conditional acceptance due to a drop in grades, but that's more likely explained by the fact that people in your position often repeat their performance than by any unwillingness on Chicago's part in pulling the trigger. That being said, even with an ED acceptance in hand, I'd be remiss to feel secure by any means. That is, your incentives for dominating haven't drastically changed given that you will be evaluated, in large part, based on your "Top X% at T30" resume line at OCI, regardless of the transfer school.

Yea, most ED transfers did the same, if not better second semester. No one had ever heard of an offer being rescinded.

[lawschooliseasy]

I would be very curious to hear from anyone that has been dropped from Chicago ED due to low grades. Basically, I wonder how much security it buys you. For example, if I landed top 20-25% next semester, would I maintain my acceptance?

I haven't heard of Chicago revoking its conditional acceptance due to a drop in grades, but that's more likely explained by the fact that people in your position often repeat their performance than by any unwillingness on Chicago's part in pulling the trigger. That being said, even with an ED acceptance in hand, I'd be remiss to feel secure by any means. That is, your incentives for dominating haven't drastically changed given that you will be evaluated, in large part, based on your "Top X% at T30" resume line at OCI, regardless of the transfer school.

Yea, most ED transfers did the same, if not better second semester. No one had ever heard of an offer being rescinded.

*sigh* maybe I should just pull the trigger on Chicago.