Top Law Schools

Hi Everyone! Im a 1L at American and just got my grades back. I have a 3.77. I dont know what my ranking is since we don't get ranked until the end of this semester but the past two years rankings have been 3.72 and 3.73 for top 10%. Should I try to transfer to GULC? Is there a big difference in job prospects?

If anyone can give me insight on transferring to GULC (ED v. RD) and their thoughts on whether its a good/bad idea, Id appreciate it!

Thanks!

If anyone can give insight on my chances of getting it, that would be nice too!

I think you have a pretty good shot at Gtown, esp. if you apply EA so if you don't do as well in the Spring, it won't effect your decision. You should transfer b/c your opportunities out of Gtown are going to be a lot better than AU. AU's not top 5 in DC pecking order and questionable if it's even top 10.

ran12 wrote:I think you have a pretty good shot at Gtown, esp. if you apply EA so if you don't do as well in the Spring, it won't effect your decision. You should transfer b/c your opportunities out of Gtown are going to be a lot better than AU. AU's not top 5 in DC pecking order and questionable if it's even top 10.

I'm not entirely sure about this. Highly class rank at lower ranked school does not necessarily mean you're worse off than transfer at higher ranked school. I don't know enough about the DC market to advise OP on this, but I do know that the bolded statement above is not nearly convincing enough to base an entire decision whether to transfer or not.

For example, I fail to see how top 5% at AU with LR is worse off than median at GULC with no professor contacts and a truckload more debt.

What I'm trying to say: OP please research this using more than overall school pecking order in DC as your only metric.

ETA: You're probably going to get in to GULC, though maybe not EA, with that GPA. Congrats on a job well done and keep on truckin'.

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mardimar wrote:I was able to get in via EA from WCL. I had a 3.9X. My buddy got in with a 4.0. Everyone else I know, with lower gpas got hosed, but they applied during the regular app cycle. My recommendation would be to apply EA to GULC, it is not binding, but you will lose about $1,200 in deposits, if you don't end up going. Everyone in the top 10% at WCL applies to GULC.

good luck!

Did you end up transferring? Do you think it was a good decision or do you think staying at WCL would have been better? Wondering if being top of my class here (hoping I do better this semester) would be better than transferring to GULC?

Apply, but consider staying at WCL unless you are paying sticker there. Top 10% and LR at American is as good as anything outside the top 20% at Georgetown. In fact, if your goal is to join a V100 firm and make $160,000, you will not see a substantial benefit by transferring - you could possibly end up being in a worse situation (not getting a V100 firm).

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Transferred from AU to NU. I was in the top 6% at AU, and I am even higher here (4.0) + LR. I do miss the ultra liberal politics of AU. NU is primarily business and economics, and I never factored that into my transfer decision.

On the plus side (lol), classes are very small here. Only 20 people in criminal procedure. NU is very laid back overall, except when it comes to ensuring you have a job at top big law firm. No joke. The NU career center is huge and extremely active with students.

Thanks! I'm planning on applying to other T14 schools depending on my grades this semester but don't think I have much of a chance any higher than GULC at this point (now not so sure considering people with under a 3.9 got "hosed"). Nothing to lose though, I guess!

I was accepted to four T-14 schools with a GPA slightly under 3.7. Of course, AU constantly re-ranks by estimated percentages based on part-time, full-time, spring, fall, if someone moves from pt to ft, etc.... It seemed like rankings changed everytime I dropped by the registrar's office.

dcpolitico wrote:Transferred from AU to NU. I was in the top 6% at AU, and I am even higher here (4.0) + LR. I do miss the ultra liberal politics of AU. NU is primarily business and economics, and I never factored that into my transfer decision.

On the plus side (lol), classes are very small here. Only 20 people in criminal procedure. NU is very laid back overall, except when it comes to ensuring you have a job at top big law firm. No joke. The NU career center is huge and extremely active with students.

Not the OP, but this is very good to know . Did you go back to DC for your 2L summer or somewhere else?