Top 10% at a T2 -- Transfer Questions Forum

[NYVA311]

Debating whether it's worth it to transfer or not, as well as potential transfer options.

I'd like to be in DC, so my only options are GMU, American, GWU, GULC.

I'd guess I have no shot at GULC -- thoughts on the others?

Trying to determine if it's worth it or not. I'm not trying to get a Big Law job or DOJ or a federal clerkship or anything of that nature. Just hoping to get a decent job at a mid-sized firm/small firm, so I'm not sure if losing my grades to put any of those schools on my resume would really make that big of a difference.

I don't have any scholarship money so I thought one benefit of staying would be to try to get money. They give scholarships to people in the top 25% at the end of the year, but I wasn't sure if I could get more by getting into say GWU and using it as leverage. I could also try to get on LR (writing contest + grades), but was also wondering how beneficial that would be for what my goals are.

[mbusch22]

I don't have any good advice myself but this is an excellent post:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 22&t=82937

[patrickd139]

OP: where are you now? If it's close to DC or if you have ties to DC, I wouldn't transfer to anywhere other than GULC. I wouldn't say you have not shot, but you're not exactly a lock either. T2 schools run the gamut. I would imagine top 10% at 'Dozo is going to put one in a much better position than the same rank at SUNY-Buffalo.

Also, check out Arrow's post and megaTTTron's post, for sure. Lots of FAQs are answered there, though maybe not a direct answer to your question.

[NYVA311]

OP: where are you now? If it's close to DC or if you have ties to DC, I wouldn't transfer to anywhere other than GULC. I wouldn't say you have not shot, but you're not exactly a lock either. T2 schools run the gamut. I would imagine top 10% at 'Dozo is going to put one in a much better position than the same rank at SUNY-Buffalo.

Also, check out Arrow's post and megaTTTron's post, for sure. Lots of FAQs are answered there, though maybe not a direct answer to your question.

Catholic, and I have some ties to the area which is why I'd like to stay here. Read Arrow's post before, very helpful. Was just looking for some other advice specifically related to my situation, thanks!

[NYVA311]

To be honest, I think I'd be able to get the same offers as I would at GULC/GW if I stayed in the upper quartile here and made the best of my connections (mainly because I'm not looking for jobs right now that require a T14 degree). I'm just wondering if I'd regret not going to a school with a much better name down the line for whatever reason, as I've spent enough time on here to know how the legal field is full of prestige-whores haha.

An ultimate goal of mine might be in-house for a corporation if that changes anything, but I don't think it would.

[98234872348]

To be honest, I think I'd be able to get the same offers as I would at GULC/GW if I stayed in the upper quartile here and made the best of my connections (mainly because I'm not looking for jobs right now that require a T14 degree). I'm just wondering if I'd regret not going to a school with a much better name down the line for whatever reason, as I've spent enough time on here to know how the legal field is full of prestige-whores haha.

An ultimate goal of mine might be in-house for a corporation if that changes anything, but I don't think it would.

The best avenue into an in-house position is to work for a big firm then lateral into an in-house position. Therefore, it'd likely be in your best interests to transfer. I am not sure what class rank you'd need to transfer, but throw an application to GULC EA and see if they bite; at the very least, if you can bring your grades up a bit next semester, you will have good news to update your application with.

[patrickd139]

To be honest, I think I'd be able to get the same offers as I would at GULC/GW if I stayed in the upper quartile here and made the best of my connections (mainly because I'm not looking for jobs right now that require a T14 degree). I'm just wondering if I'd regret not going to a school with a much better name down the line for whatever reason, as I've spent enough time on here to know how the legal field is full of prestige-whores haha.

An ultimate goal of mine might be in-house for a corporation if that changes anything, but I don't think it would.

I'm going to caveat this post about going in-house by saying it's purely anecdotal, and I'll readily defer to someone with actual experience to answer your question. First, it seems unlikely that you will find the answer on the transfer forum. From my understanding it's fairly difficult to go in house and most anecdotal stories I hear about involve working biglaw first. Therefore, the answer might lay your biglaw chances.

Whether you'll regret it or not is entirely a personal decision with far too many factors for an intelligent prediction on my part. From my experience, I gambled by not transferring to GULC, staying at my T2, and it has paid off (for the most part) so far. My career aspirations seem to be drastically different for yours though, so YRMV. Either way, congrats on doing well first semester!

[NYVA311]

Thanks for the advice -- I hear big law --> in-house is generally the way to go. Again, I'm not certain what I'd like to do and think I'd be equally content in a small/mid-sized firm, so it's a tough decision.

Just another quick question regarding LR: does it make that big of a difference for someone with my goals? I know it can only help, but from what I've heard being on LR is not the deciding factor for a small/mid-sized firm. Being in the top 10-20% of your class alone is generally what gets you an offer. Any thoughts?

[patrickd139]

Thanks for the advice -- I hear big law --> in-house is generally the way to go. Again, I'm not certain what I'd like to do and think I'd be equally content in a small/mid-sized firm, so it's a tough decision.

Just another quick question regarding LR: does it make that big of a difference for someone with my goals? I know it can only help, but from what I've heard being on LR is not the deciding factor for a small/mid-sized firm. Being in the top 10-20% of your class alone is generally what gets you an offer. Any thoughts?

I'm at a mid-size firm next semester, though not one in DC. LR was almost certainly a requisite line on my resume for consideration. I don't remember anyone interviewing with this particular firm who was not on LR. It's a tough market out there, so if you have the opportunity to participate in LR, I would highly recommend it.

Your question seems to be more along the lines of "Catholic + LR" v. "GULC w/o LR or w/secondary journal." TBH, I have no idea how small and mid-size firms in DC would evaluate that one.

[98234872348]

Thanks for the advice -- I hear big law --> in-house is generally the way to go. Again, I'm not certain what I'd like to do and think I'd be equally content in a small/mid-sized firm, so it's a tough decision.

Just another quick question regarding LR: does it make that big of a difference for someone with my goals? I know it can only help, but from what I've heard being on LR is not the deciding factor for a small/mid-sized firm. Being in the top 10-20% of your class alone is generally what gets you an offer. Any thoughts?

Not in this economy, especially at a T2.