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Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:18 pm
by legalalbatross
I attend one of the schools in the mid-teens (I don't know if I should say which one, since people seem concerned about "outing" themselves for some reason) and am wondering if transferring would make any sense for me. This is a good school, and I enjoy going here, but its connections are mostly in-state, and I think I would rather work in Chicago, NY, or DC.
I finished last semester with a 4.08 GPA (we give out some A+'s). I don't know exactly what percentage that puts me in, but I feel like it's got to be pretty high. I know kids in the top 10% can go to the big markets from here, but would it be worth it to transfer up to one of the Top 6 schools that really owns those markets?
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:25 pm
by Aberzombie1892
Wash U, USC, UCLA, U of Tex?
You will definitely have the opportunity to gain meaningful employment in major markets with that GPA from one of those schools.
If you want to transfer, I would argue not doing it for anything less than HYS because you are essentially giving up a guarantee to transfer - thus it makes no sense to transfer without another guarantee waiting for you.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 7:27 pm
by lawloser22
Whoa, congrats! Keep it up and you have a great shot at all of YHS. No idea if it's worth it or not, but i'd pm xeoh (former #1 at UCLA who got into all 3 and transferred). I'm assuming you'll get a job anywhere you want with those numbers though.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 8:20 pm
by legalalbatross
Would transferring to Columbia not really make sense? I would partly want to go just because that was my top school when I was first applying (but I didn't have the LSAT for it), but would the trade-off of top of my class/LR here for a school more focused on the markets I'm interested in not be worth it?
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:23 pm
by vanwinkle
legalalbatross wrote:Would transferring to Columbia not really make sense? I would partly want to go just because that was my top school when I was first applying (but I didn't have the LSAT for it), but would the trade-off of top of my class/LR here for a school more focused on the markets I'm interested in not be worth it?
I think CLS
might make sense if you're willing to focus on the NYC market. Apparently transfers into CLS are doing very well lately.
However, you should really aim for HYS if you want to transfer, and they are within your reach.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:28 pm
by Verity
I think you're at Vanderbilt. With a 4.08, you're probably more like in the top 1-2%. A transfer to Columbia would be highly possible, and a good decision, not factoring in scholarships (which you would have to decide).
vanwinkle is right, HYS is a worthy shot.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:35 pm
by stratocophic
Verity wrote:I think you're at Vanderbilt. With a 4.08, you're probably more like in the top 1-2%. A transfer to Columbia would be highly possible, and a good decision, not factoring in scholarships (which you would have to decide).
vanwinkle is right, HYS is a worthy shot.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:36 pm
by Verity
stratocophic wrote:Verity wrote:I think you're at Vanderbilt. With a 4.08, you're probably more like in the top 1-2%. A transfer to Columbia would be highly possible, and a good decision, not factoring in scholarships (which you would have to decide).
vanwinkle is right, HYS is a worthy shot.
Only wish he would look at me that way...
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:39 pm
by stratocophic
Verity wrote:stratocophic wrote:Verity wrote:I think you're at Vanderbilt. With a 4.08, you're probably more like in the top 1-2%. A transfer to Columbia would be highly possible, and a good decision, not factoring in scholarships (which you would have to decide).
vanwinkle is right, HYS is a worthy shot.
Only wish he would look at me that way...
Well that went in an entirely creepy/unexpected/oblivious direction
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:44 pm
by Verity
stratocophic wrote:Verity wrote:stratocophic wrote:Verity wrote:I think you're at Vanderbilt. With a 4.08, you're probably more like in the top 1-2%. A transfer to Columbia would be highly possible, and a good decision, not factoring in scholarships (which you would have to decide).
vanwinkle is right, HYS is a worthy shot.
Only wish he would look at me that way...
Well that went in an entirely creepy/unexpected/oblivious direction
I wanna GTL with TLJ.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:51 pm
by 3ThrowAway99
legalalbatross wrote:I attend one of the schools in the mid-teens (I don't know if I should say which one, since people seem concerned about "outing" themselves for some reason) and am wondering if transferring would make any sense for me. This is a good school, and I enjoy going here, but its connections are mostly in-state, and I think I would rather work in Chicago, NY, or DC.
I finished last semester with a 4.08 GPA (we give out some A+'s). I don't know exactly what percentage that puts me in, but I feel like it's got to be pretty high. I know kids in the top 10% can go to the big markets from here, but would it be worth it to transfer up to one of the Top 6 schools that really owns those markets?
It sounds like you'll have the option of transfer, but I think you'll prob have just as good a shot at BigLaw from your school now. Especially if you're on a nice scholly I question whether it will be worth it. If you want to be able to take a job anywhere in the world and have the name on your resume I think it could be worth it though (unless you are on a large scholly). Even if you have fairly expansive goals though I'm not sure you'll be limited due to where you're at now.
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:31 pm
by legalalbatross
I actually don't have scholarships, though I do have cheaper tuition and housing. I'm not sure if I can try to get some merit scholarships from my current school based on my first semester performance. Would any of the top schools give merit scholarships to transfer students?
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:46 pm
by lawloser22
legalalbatross wrote:I actually don't have scholarships, though I do have cheaper tuition and housing. I'm not sure if I can try to get some merit scholarships from my current school based on my first semester performance. Would any of the top schools give merit scholarships to transfer students?
No, though your current school may give a retention scholarship to keep you, and HYS (and possibly B) all offer need-based aid to transfers
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:21 am
by legalalbatross
vanwinkle wrote:
I think CLS might make sense if you're willing to focus on the NYC market. Apparently transfers into CLS are doing very well lately.
Is Columbia really that focused on NYC? I know there is a big drop off from HYS to CCN, but isn't Columbia still a sought-after, portable degree?
I know I have a good shot at BigLaw from where I am right now, but the more opportunities that I could open up for the future, the better. I would like to be able to get a federal clerkship and am very interested in working for the DoJ. I know HYS could open all those doors, but if I didn't get into one of those, would I be better off staying up, or trying Columbia?
Re: Transfer from Mid-teens?
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 12:38 am
by missinglink
I have to imagine you're a pretty good candidate for HYS. Beyond that, I'm not sure whether it would be worth it.
In any case, go through the motions, if only to negotiate for a retention scholarship. If you do end up staying, you should receive something in return.