Top Law Schools

Morning.

First semester grades just came out. I'm currently a 1L at a strong top-100 in Pennsylvania that is considered "on the rise". Its current ranking has fluctuated recently between 60-70. Its a good school with strong instruction.

I'm a bit older (31) so I am pretty focused on getting the most return I can out of my investment. I'm currently not receiving any scholarship money; and I'm very aware of my need to maximize my competitive return. While I get strong instruction here - I literally was very grateful to get into this school because my LSAT was 161 and while I went to a very strong, top 25 undergraduate school, I did not perform that well as a younger student - I was very surprised by my grades and am very open to the opportunities available.

My questions are two fold. First, I'm currently number 1 in my class with a GPA around 3.88. I want to consider transferring to a top-14 school if I'm going to pay this much money (60K). This is after one semester, so I'm well aware that I must remain in the top 2-5 range to be competitive. What are my chances with a 161 LSAT?

Two, do most schools award aid or scholarship money to students who perform extremely well after they are enrolled?

ttinpa1234 wrote:Morning.

First semester grades just came out. I'm currently a 1L at a strong top-100 in Pennsylvania that is considered "on the rise". Its current ranking has fluctuated recently between 60-70. Its a good school with strong instruction.

I'm a bit older (31) so I am pretty focused on getting the most return I can out of my investment. I'm currently not receiving any scholarship money; and I'm very aware of my need to maximize my competitive return. While I get strong instruction here - I literally was very grateful to get into this school because my LSAT was 161 and while I went to a very strong, top 25 undergraduate school, I did not perform that well as a younger student - I was very surprised by my grades and am very open to the opportunities available.

My questions are two fold. First, I'm currently number 1 in my class with a GPA around 3.88. I want to consider transferring to a top-14 school if I'm going to pay this much money (60K). This is after one semester, so I'm well aware that I must remain in the top 2-5 range to be competitive. What are my chances with a 161 LSAT?

Two, do most schools award aid or scholarship money to students who perform extremely well after they are enrolled?

lsat is irrelevant for transferring. keep your grades up and you have a good shot at the t14.

Agree with megatron. LSAT is relevant only when applying as a first year law student. Last year several TLS posters (whose LSATs were 161 & 159) transferred from low ranked law schools to Stanford, Chicago & other Top 14 law schools. Only real factor is first year law school performance.

What is a "T-1 1/2"? You're at a T2 school. An upper T2, from what it sounds like, but there's no need to try to redefine the rankings or the way we talk about schools just to try to make yours sound better.

That said, being #1 in the class at an upper T2 means you have a shot nearly everywhere. HLS took a couple upper T2 students at the top of their classes this past transfer cycle. I suspect that YLS is out (they have a tiny transfer class, 10-12 per year, and can usually fill that with people at T14 and upper T1 schools) but you probably have a chance anywhere else you'd want to go.

If you're already paying sticker, then transferring probably makes a great deal of sense, especially if you can move into the upper T14. Some schools do give scholarships to their very top students, and many have specific awards with money attached that are given to the #1 student in the class each year. If you can remain there then you might automatically get money, depending on your school, and they might also give you a scholarship based on negotiations if you're willing to go that route.

Whether or not transferring is a good idea really depends on your goals and whether the schools you're aiming for will help you fulfill those goals better than where you are now. However, given that you're not currently giving up a scholarship to go, I suspect there are plenty of reasons to transfer and few to stay in your case, given your potential to go nearly anywhere with that #1 ranking (if you can keep it).

Never really been sure what defines a tier 1 or a tier 2, honestly. Not an attempt to redefine the rankings.

Thanks for the input guys. I'm considering Georgetown early enrollment for transfers, actually along with the YLS and Virginia. W+M also because of the in state tuition benefits (i'm a resident of VA).

ttinpa1234 wrote:Never really been sure what defines a tier 1 or a tier 2, honestly. Not an attempt to redefine the rankings.

Aha.

T1 = Top 50
T2 = 51-100

ttinpa1234 wrote:Thanks for the input guys. I'm considering Georgetown early enrollment for transfers, actually along with the YLS and Virginia. W+M also because of the in state tuition benefits (i'm a resident of VA).

GULC EA is a good move because it's non-binding and could help you prepare for one piece of the puzzle (whether or not you're transferring at all) right away. If you get in there, you can always apply to other schools, but that way you're going into the summer knowing you're moving somewhere else and should probably pack up your stuff and be ready for that move. It's not at all like that last-minute oh-shit-it's-the-end-of-July-and-suddenly-I-have-to-move-all-my-stuff-right-now feeling.

If you've maintained your legal VA residency while going to school in PA, then you have an extremely strong shot with UVA. Strong 1L grades + VA residency = win. Nearly all the transfers they take are VA residents (this helps them boost their VA residency numbers) so you've got an advantage there.

I don't want to out you on your school if you are trying to avoid that, but I believe I know where you are going and if I am correct I transferred from there 2 years ago (now a 3L). PM me if you want and I may be able to give you some perspective on what it was like coming out of that school, etc.

If it helps you I know a kid that went to MSU, was number one in his class after 1L, had a 161 on his LSAT and got accepted to U of M (and I believe NYU but not positive).

I would say you can do it, but keep everything in mind. I know this guy was debt averse, amongst other reasons, and ended up keeping the full ride over sticker at U of M. Not sure if it was the right or wrong choice, nor do I care, I just thought his situation was similar to yours.

Good luck and keep up the hard work.