Top 7% class rank, 3.75 GPA. What are my chances? Forum

[shmantieantie]

I've been a lurker for quite some time now and I really appreciate how much this forum has helped me throughout my law school career. Most of my questions have been answered by simply visiting the site, but now I have a more specific situation that I hope someone can shed some insight on.

I started law school in January 2010. After completing 1 full year as a part-time student at a Tier 4 school in Chicago, I'm left with a 3.75 GPA and ranked in the top 7%. I will be applying to transfer for the Fall 2011 semester.

I'd like to get a feel for how successful I will likely be in attempting to transfer to the following schools:

Chicago-Kent
Loyola Chicago
UIUC
Notre Dame
Northwestern (probably a stretch)
DePaul

Since I already have 1 year under my belt, I want to try to get my transfer application submitted as early as possible. Would it be beneficial form me to submit my transcript now or should I wait until this semester's (Spring 2011) grades?

Anyone who has been through a similar situation, or who has any knowledge about this, I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

[lovelaw27]

If you are not applying ea or ed anywhere than those schools are going to need your spring grades before they make a decision about admitting you, assuming you are taking classes this semester. Also, I would say you would be competitive to all those schools with the exception of Northwestern. Good Luck

[Aberzombie1892]

You could apply EA (or equivalent) to U of Chicago or Georgetown. I'm not sure what your chances would be, however.

[patrickd139]

Chances: I would say you're in at DePaul, Loyola and Kent, with an outside shot at UIUC and ND. Northwestern is probably out of the picture, but you could still apply with a straight face if it's your dream school or whatever. If you're at JMLS, you should at least consider transferring, given the dismal job prospects reported on this forum and elsewhere.

As for when to apply: wait. First, most transfer applications are not available until April or May. Therefore, you couldn't apply now even if you wanted to. Second, assuming you're already enrolled and taking classes this semester, schools will likely require you to submit this semester's grades anyway before they consider you, (giving them another semester's worth of grades to evaluate you on).

The earliest schools are going to let you enroll is this fall. However, it would be in your best interest to submit the applications just as soon as they become available, and then supplement with your spring 2011 grades when they become available. To do this, you'll likely want to start assembling strong LORs and crafting a well thought-out PS that will set you apart from those at your school who will be attempting the same transfer.

[dcpolitico]

GULC 90% chance. They take numerous transfers from *Chicago* area schools with your creds. Same does not apply to other geo regions. NU and UChi probably unlikely but GWU 99% chance! Go to DC.

[LogosEther]

I know people who went JMLS/Kent --> Northwestern, some with worse grades. They had a few other creds, though (IP or URM). Still, I personally think that it's worth the app fee. Got anything that sets you apart?

[random5483]

GULC 90% chance. They take numerous transfers from *Chicago* area schools with your creds. Same does not apply to other geo regions. NU and UChi probably unlikely but GWU 99% chance! Go to DC.

90% chance to GULC and 99% chance to GWU with a top 7% from a T4? Your numbers are way off from most of the statistics I have seen, even if the schools give significant weight to applicants from "Chicago" schools.

Top 7% from a T4 (part time) has a shot at GULC, but I would not go as far as saying the chance is anywhere close to 90%.

[shmantieantie]

Big thanks to everyone for their input!
Just a bit more info about my situation: I do actually want to stay in the midwest. Preferably, I'd like to stay in the Chicago area for school in order to continue working (with this economy, it's tough to give up a decent job, even though it's not in the area of law). But, if I were admitted to UIUC or ND, I might be inclined to take a plunge.

You could apply EA (or equivalent) to U of Chicago or Georgetown. I'm not sure what your chances would be, however.

Aberzombie: I would apply EA to U of Chicago if I thought I had somewhat of a shot

Chances: I would say you're in at DePaul, Loyola and Kent, with an outside shot at UIUC and ND. Northwestern is probably out of the picture, but you could still apply with a straight face if it's your dream school or whatever. If you're at JMLS, you should at least consider transferring, given the dismal job prospects reported on this forum and elsewhere.

As for when to apply: wait. First, most transfer applications are not available until April or May. Therefore, you couldn't apply now even if you wanted to. Second, assuming you're already enrolled and taking classes this semester, schools will likely require you to submit this semester's grades anyway before they consider you, (giving them another semester's worth of grades to evaluate you on).

The earliest schools are going to let you enroll is this fall. However, it would be in your best interest to submit the applications just as soon as they become available, and then supplement with your spring 2011 grades when they become available. To do this, you'll likely want to start assembling strong LORs and crafting a well thought-out PS that will set you apart from those at your school who will be attempting the same transfer.

Patrickd: This is great advice. I'm just about finished with my PS and I have a LOR meeting set up with a prof. I'm going to try to get my apps in asap and then re-submit an updated transcript once I receive Spring 2011 grades. NW is actually my dream school, so depending on this semester's grades, I'll give it a shot.

I know people who went JMLS/Kent --> Northwestern, some with worse grades. They had a few other creds, though (IP or URM). Still, I personally think that it's worth the app fee. Got anything that sets you apart?

LogosEther: wow that's encouraging! The one thing that might set me apart from other applicants is my work experience. Upon graduating with a Bachelor's in Finance, I began working a bank as an Analyst. I've been doing that for nearly 3 years-- and for the past year I've continued working there on a part-time basis while attending school. I've heard on numerous occasions that NW prefers students that have work experience, but I'm not sure if my type of work is something they are looking for?

[Rule11]

Congratulations and good luck. Others have advised you pretty well, so I don't have much to offer on that score.

I would however suggest to you that you consider editing out some of the more specific details here, such as exactly where you worked before law school. At this point, someone could probably figure out who you are without too much trouble, and you might not want that.

[moakdaddy]

I transferred from your school to GULC. I was Top 2%. If you are in the Top 5% after next semester you're in at UIUC and probably ND, too. You might take a look at Wash U if you want to stay decently close to Chicago. No chance at Northwestern or U of C. Not worth transferring to the other schools you listed. You would be wise to stay at your school for free. Good luck.

[XxSpyKEx]

I've been a lurker for quite some time now and I really appreciate how much this forum has helped me throughout my law school career. Most of my questions have been answered by simply visiting the site, but now I have a more specific situation that I hope someone can shed some insight on.

I started law school in January 2010. After completing 1 full year as a part-time student at a Tier 4 school in Chicago, I'm left with a 3.75 GPA and ranked in the top 7%. I will be applying to transfer for the Fall 2011 semester.

I'd like to get a feel for how successful I will likely be in attempting to transfer to the following schools:

Chicago-Kent
Loyola Chicago
UIUC
Notre Dame
Northwestern (probably a stretch)
DePaul

Since I already have 1 year under my belt, I want to try to get my transfer application submitted as early as possible. Would it be beneficial form me to submit my transcript now or should I wait until this semester's (Spring 2011) grades?

Anyone who has been through a similar situation, or who has any knowledge about this, I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

Hmmm...I wonder what school you do to. lol.

Anyways, despite what people are saying this thread, I think you have an excellent shot at UIUC, and a shot at NU. A couple years ago when I was looking at it, Dean Pless told me top 1/3 would be sufficient to transfer from my t3 to UIUC. I think that’s probably the extreme (on the low side), and I know there’s slightly more of an uphill battle moving from a t4 --> t3, but nonetheless I think you’ll get into UIUC with top 7% at JMLS. I think you have a shot at NU because there is definitely a regional advantage by being at JMLS and wanting to transfer to NU. I think it would be a different story if you were applying from a t4 in Nevada (or something like that), wanting to transfer to NU.

That’s just my 2 cents. Good luck.

[Veyron]

I've been a lurker for quite some time now and I really appreciate how much this forum has helped me throughout my law school career. Most of my questions have been answered by simply visiting the site, but now I have a more specific situation that I hope someone can shed some insight on.

I started law school in January 2010. After completing 1 full year as a part-time student at a Tier 4 school in Chicago, I'm left with a 3.75 GPA and ranked in the top 7%. I will be applying to transfer for the Fall 2011 semester.

I'd like to get a feel for how successful I will likely be in attempting to transfer to the following schools:

Chicago-Kent
Loyola Chicago
UIUC
Notre Dame
Northwestern (probably a stretch)
DePaul

Since I already have 1 year under my belt, I want to try to get my transfer application submitted as early as possible. Would it be beneficial form me to submit my transcript now or should I wait until this semester's (Spring 2011) grades?

Anyone who has been through a similar situation, or who has any knowledge about this, I'd appreciate your input.

Thanks!

I knew someone with similar grades who did U Chicago but that was back in the day.

[uzpakalis]

My predictions...

Chicago-Kent - yes
Loyola Chicago - yes
UIUC - no
Notre Dame - no
Northwestern (probably a stretch) no
DePaul - yes

I hope you get more bites! I base my predictions on the fact that many students from Kent, Loyola, and DePaul will also be trying to transfer to ND, Northwestern,and UIUC. I could be wrong though...