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I've got a 3.521 gpa and am ranked in the top 12% at a school ranked in the 80s by USNWR and am looking to transfer into schools ranked in the 70s or 60s for financial/geographic reasons. I applied to these schools originally and was wait listed at both, but not accepted. Can anyone give me an estimate as to what my chances are? Any advice would also be appreciated.

Thanks!

If you maintain your current rank, I think you're a lock (greater than 90% chance). Make sure you have all of the application materials completed prior to the end of spring semester, so that once your final grades are posted you can submit your transcript request. Some schools already have their fall 2011 applications for transfers up on LSAC. I would go ahead and complete as much of those as you can now. You may even want to submit a transcript for your first semester to help get the ball rolling...

Aim higher if it satisfies your criteria.

CanadianWolf wrote:Aim higher if it satisfies your criteria.

This is also good advice. If you can crack the top 10%, cast a wide net...

CanadianWolf wrote:Aim higher if it satisfies your criteria.

Absolute +1. Anecdotally, a median student at my school transferred 1L year from the mid 70s to the mid 40s. For instance, if you're looking to transfer to the DC area, you could apply to GULC with a straight face. I wouldn't get my hopes up, but yeah, CW's advice is solid.

Why does GULC always come up in these threads?

Because they accept 100 transfers?

ndirish2010 wrote:Because they accept 100 transfers?

The guy/gal didn't ask about where to transfer. Didn't express a desire to be in DC. Didn't express a desire to transfer up solely for ranking purposes. If this person cared at all about moving up for purposes of rank or prestige, they would have said so. For whatever reason though, TLS decided and always decides that any kid who makes it into the top 10% and is looking to transfer, regardless of their reasons, should "shoot an app to GULC."

I suppose it's akin to "ed UVA."

Aqualibrium wrote:Why does GULC always come up in these threads?

FWIW, I did not go out of my way to suggest OP apply to GULC unless OP a) wanted DC and b) could raise his/her GPA. It was based off the assumption that one would generally not want to transfer to American when s/he could transfer to GULC (hence the phrase "For instance, if [OP is] looking to transfer to the DC area...").

It had nothing to do with what you insinuate about GULC/TLS's Transfer forum in your post. (Though GULC does, admittedly get play on this board; possibly because of some combination of its T14 status, EA process and large transfer class size.)

If you maintain your current rank you probably have a very good shot at transferring as high as a T20-ish school.

If there are any schools that fit your geographic/financial criteria that are higher ranked than the 60s school you mentioned, I would DEFINITELY at least throw in an app.

Above poster is absolutely right in suggesting you have everything ready to go when the apps become available, and then supplement with spring grades when they come in. That will give you the best chance of success across the board.

Thank you all for your very helpful advice.

One more question: I am concerned that my current school would be "hostile," so to speak, toward me if I disclose my intentions to transfer too early. I may just be paranoid, but what if this negatively effects my grades because of bias etc or professor refuse to write LORs for me. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks again.

clavell45 wrote:Thank you all for your very helpful advice.

One more question: I am concerned that my current school would be "hostile," so to speak, toward me if I disclose my intentions to transfer too early. I may just be paranoid, but what if this negatively effects my grades because of bias etc or professor refuse to write LORs for me. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks again.

No experience with professors refusing to write LORs, but I doubt you will have trouble with professors. Just avoid asking a professor who has stuck with your school for 20 years or has a degree from you school, unless you have good reason for asking them. You might want to avoid professors who are also deans/assistant deans/etc at your school.


I would avoid letting the dean know you are transferring till the last moment possible. This might not work out well due to the need for registrar to send transcripts/letter of good standing, but you dean is unlikely to know even if the registrar does. Don't advertise your plans to transfer, but the profs you ask for recommendations and the registrar are going to know.

random5483 wrote: Don't advertise your plans to transfer, but the profs you ask for recommendations and the registrar are going to know.

+1. The only people you need to discuss transfer plans with at your current school are the professors from whom you are seeking LORs. Don't talk to your friends, random professors, office staff, etc. Unless you're applying EA, you might hold off before talking to professors until later in the semester. Caveat: don't wait too late or professors might not finish them before deadlines.