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What are my realistic chances of transferring with the below info:

Current School: T4
Status: 1L (part-time)
Current GPA: 3.24 (Fall semester of my 1L year) - which puts me in the top 37.4% of my class.

Undergrad: Top 50 colleges
GPA: 3.45
LSAT: 1st - cancelled, 2nd - 148, 3rd - 142

Desired Transfer School: T2

I don't think it's possible to transfer from a PT at one school to a FT at another. Probably not even possible to transfer from PT to FT at the same school. Also, to make the jump you're talking about you need to be at the very top. I'm not so sure that Top 40% will cut it.

bhan87 wrote:I don't think it's possible to transfer from a PT at one school to a FT at another. Probably not even possible to transfer from PT to FT at the same school. Also, to make the jump you're talking about you need to be at the very top. I'm not so sure that Top 40% will cut it.

What if I improve my GPA this semester? What's enough to transfer?

You can transfer to a tier two law school with a top third standing at a tier four without any problem. Certain tier two law schools, however, are quite difficult to get admitted to regardless of your class rank because they prefer in-state applicants.

bhan87 wrote:I don't think it's possible to transfer from a PT at one school to a FT at another.

Bullshit. PT students can transfer to FT, they're just at a bit of a disadvantage. However, SOME schools won't accept PT students because you won't have the requisite credits until the end of the summer. That being said, more information is needed to give you a good idea of what you realistically need to make the transfer.

What school do you go to or what state is the school you go to in?
What schools are you looking to make the transfer to?

These things all matter. Though as a general rule, you're going to need to be top 20ish percent to have a good shot at transferring from a FT to FT program. You'll probably need slightly better stats to transfer from a PT to FT program.

If you haven't looked yet, I'd see which schools have PT programs in the region in which you want to practice. This is probably going to give you the best chance to make the transfer assuming you can significantly raise your class rank over this semester.

Good luck.

Thanks for the input. I am transferring from PT to PT, not FT.

T4Lawstudent86 wrote:Thanks for the input. I am transferring from PT to PT, not FT.

You're going to need to hit Top 20% to have a GOOD shot at a Tier 2 PT Program. That being said, it's probably still worth the app if the school is in the same region and you can break top 25-30%.

I think the more realistic option is to transfer to a TTT where you wish to practice, if that is an option for you.

Thanks again. What if I don't get in. Can I try transferring in my second year, as a 2L? Any takes?

Most schools won't let you transfer in with more than 30 credits. I'm not completely sure of the answer to your question though. It couldn't hurt to talk to the admissions at a school you want to transfer to and just ask.

I did. That's why I want to get a second opinion. Is it that they won't take me, or they won't accept more than 30-35 credits?

T4Lawstudent86 wrote:I did. That's why I want to get a second opinion. Is it that they won't take me, or they won't accept more than 30-35 credits?

They would still take you if you met their criteria for transfer admission, but you would lose any credits you had earned in excess of whatever their limit is (i.e. 30-35).

rdcws000 wrote:

T4Lawstudent86 wrote:I did. That's why I want to get a second opinion. Is it that they won't take me, or they won't accept more than 30-35 credits?

They would still take you if you met their criteria for transfer admission, but you would lose any credits you had earned in excess of whatever their limit is (i.e. 30-35).

Not universally true. There are some T2 schools whose policy states you are ineligible for transfer after you have exceeded their maximum credit limit for transfers. OP should check with the schools he/she is interested in transferring to, if planning to do it after 2 years of part-time. Most of the schools state the policy on web page with transfer info.

T4Lawstudent86 wrote:I did. That's why I want to get a second opinion. Is it that they won't take me, or they won't accept more than 30-35 credits?

If you talked to them...why in the hell do you need a second opinion? Just go by whatever they say.