Decision - American + LR or Georgetown Forum

[louisiana]

Hey Everyone -

Has anyone made this decision? I made the main journal (AULR) but I'm not sure whether or not to stay if I get into GULC EA. I have a 3.9X at this point so I figured have a decent shot. I can still write-on to GULC mid-summer.

Any advice (ok, most advice!) is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[MrKappus]

If you have a 3.9x from American after 2 semesters, you will get callbacks for jobs (even DC ones) that will be yours to lose. Georgetown is decidedly not worth it. That said, depending on what % of the class your in, a T6 transfer might be possible (and worth it).

[louisiana]

Ok - thanks for the advice. I think I'm just stuck on the "prestige" of GULC over American. Is this all in my head? I don't want my this (irrational) insecurity to follow me throughout my career, if that makes sense.

[Aqualibrium]

If you're giving up a near 4.0 and automatic LR it better be for something more solid than Georgetown (kappus suggested t6, I agree). In the event that you decide to stay, if you have your employment apps ready to go by July of this summer you should have no problem finding a job at a good firm.

[Big Shrimpin]

Ok - thanks for the advice. I think I'm just stuck on the "prestige" of GULC over American. Is this all in my head? I don't want my this (irrational) insecurity to follow me throughout my career, if that makes sense.

LOL. If you're stuck on prestige, then by all means, apply to T6 transfer. Depending upon your class%, an app to H might not be out of the question. Vanwinkle could tell you more about that, however.

I think you've got to get your priorities in-line before deciding to do anything. Where do you want to work? What do you want to do? Can you handle the stressful transfer timeline? Can you handle starting over again at a new school?

Repeat performance spring semester, then come back and ask your question. I'm assuming that 3.9x is inside top 10% (maybe even 5%), so you've got a pretty good shot at GULC EA. You can still apply to other schools, notwithstanding that acceptance. If you're gunning for biglaw, then GULC might not be such a great idea, especially when your grades could get you into CLS/NYU/etc... Get the picture?

[louisiana]

Good points. I'm not worried about the stressful transfer timeline, although I would like to stay in DC for personal reasons.

When I came to law school, I envisioned myself working in the public interest sector - either DOJ or DC Public Defender. Both GULC and American have incredible Clinical Programs, and I wanted to have that experience before diving into the "real world" of law. GULC also has a kickass LRAP to help folks going into public interest (less than $70K, they'll pay a portion of your loans).

Of course, now that I'm here, I am thinking about holding off on those goals, making some money, trying out more transactional work, and paying off my debt. Maybe firm life wouldn't be such a bad idea... I'm afraid this "problem" couldn't be more cliche...

[Aqualibrium]

Do you have a scholarship? GULC just doesn't make much sense for someone in your position, imo...

[louisiana]

No - no scholarship. The cost of the schools is about the same.

[Aqualibrium]

No - no scholarship. The cost of the schools is about the same.

Hmmm, I still wonder if it's worth it to go with GULC. I think trying for a t6 is a much safer bet than giving up your class standing and law review for GULC.

[louisiana]

Yeah, I hear you. I think I would be fine if I stayed - I've spoken to multiple people who got great jobs after OCI, and they're very glad they stayed. Of course, I don't know many people who've transferred and felt the same way.

So, I'm really only getting one-side-of-the-story. I haven't wrapped my head around going to a T6 school. Maybe I'll look into moving... thanks so much for your advice. You wouldn't happen to know any transfers who gave up LR for a higher ranked school, would you?

[orm518]

No - no scholarship. The cost of the schools is about the same.

Does American do what some schools do and award top students in each section with a scholarship for 2 and 3L years. (Basically a "please don't transfer" award.)

It may help to ask/negotiate, it would allow you to stay at AU with stellar grades and perhaps save some debt.

Ok, now I slip out the back door before anyone realizes I'm a 0L.

[Aqualibrium]

Yeah, I hear you. I think I would be fine if I stayed - I've spoken to multiple people who got great jobs after OCI, and they're very glad they stayed. Of course, I don't know many people who've transferred and felt the same way.

So, I'm really only getting one-side-of-the-story. I haven't wrapped my head around going to a T6 school. Maybe I'll look into moving... thanks so much for your advice. You wouldn't happen to know any transfers who gave up LR for a higher ranked school, would you?

I do. In some situations it made sense, in some of them it didn't (you shouldn't leave a scholarship, good grades, and law review at UGA for sticker at Emory or Vandy when your goal is to work in Georgia. You should leave sticker and a scholarship/LR at T4 Cumberland for sticker at Alabama).

BTW, DO NOT rely solely on OCI. Like I said earlier, have your apps sent out to employers by mid July.

[Big Shrimpin]

Yeah, I hear you. I think I would be fine if I stayed - I've spoken to multiple people who got great jobs after OCI, and they're very glad they stayed. Of course, I don't know many people who've transferred and felt the same way.

So, I'm really only getting one-side-of-the-story. I haven't wrapped my head around going to a T6 school. Maybe I'll look into moving... thanks so much for your advice. You wouldn't happen to know any transfers who gave up LR for a higher ranked school, would you?

Tons of people give up LR and a great GPA for a higher-ranked school. From my 1L class last year (middling TT), I know of at least 7-8 (including myself) who graded-on to LR and transferred...to CLS/NYU/Penn/GULC/GW/Minn. Most of these people, however, were looking for firm jobs.

If you really have no desire for a firm job, and you REALLY want to be in DC, then it doesn't really make sense to transfer. GULC is a good school, but giving up a stellar GPA+LR for GULC and with no/little interest in a firm job is definitely the wrong move. Use your GPA (since OCSs like to help those with good GPAs...but don't rely solely on OCS, as somebody else indicated...gotta utilize EVERY possible means of getting a jerb), and try for your gubmint jerb. If you're "not sure" whether you'd like biglaw, I'd hazard to guess you'll end up miserable. Some people go to LS to save the world/public interest/whatever. Some people go to LS to do the biglaw grind...until they get the boot/get sick of it. You definitely seem like the former (which is by no means a bad thing, but rather a very important variable in the transfer calculus), so I'd suggest you stay put...unless you have a revelation that biglaw is the life for you, then T6 or stay.

GL!

Oh, and see if they'll give you $ to stay, as the other poster indicated.

[louisiana]

Thanks again for your input. I've been told my chances of getting $$ my 2-3L year are slim to none. I've also thought that since I don't really want BigLaw then GULC might be a better option b/c of their loan repayment program and large number of clinics. Decisions, decisions... this may be moot of course if I don't get into GULC.

I'll keep you posted! I'm hoping to hear back something this week. Fingers crossed.

[quiver]

if your gpa puts you in the top 5-10% I don't see why GULC wouldn't accept you.

high gpa + high rank + chance to steal a grad from another school in the same market = acceptance

like the above posters I'd say stay put and shoot for T6 after next semester. IMHO only a transfer to the T6 (maybe T10 depending on your goals) would be worth it for you. Obviously your decision though and the fact that you don't have a scholarship at your current school definitely weighs in favor of transferring. congrats on the excellent performance so far!

[patrickd139]

LOL at this thread pre-decision. Someone must not have read the GULC EA thread from last year.

OP: Chances are good, but I'd take a chill pill and worry about finals.

[j7108]

I would suggest staying at your current school because not only is it a great school, there is no guarantee you will be able to accomplish what you've already accomplished at your new school. If you stay top of the pack and do the extracurricular activities you already have, you will definitely be in a great position to work anywhere you want, big law or otherwise. Moreover, OCI will be very easy for you with those stats.

However, if you go to the higher ranked school, you'll be starting fresh. There is no guarantee that you'll be able to do as well in OCI, get onto a journal, or even get into Moot court. In fact, there is no guarantee that you'll even do well in this new environment. Remember, what it took to be successful at your current school may not be what it takes to be successful at a new one.

Top of your class with all of your achievements will definitely be better career wise than middle of the road at a higher ranked school. With this economy there is no "golden ticket" school. Furthermore, with the debt load you're likely to have from a T14, I think it would be a better decision to stay. FWIW

[vanwinkle]

When I came to law school, I envisioned myself working in the public interest sector - either DOJ or DC Public Defender.

Harvard is better for both. In fact, because I transferred to Harvard, I will have personally interned for both by the end of this year. Several Harvard faculty are former DC PDS, too.

I'm not just saying this for no reason. I wouldn't just drop into a thread and be like "Harvard is better" if you had no chance of going to Harvard. You can get into Harvard. I'm not saying it's guaranteed but I'm saying your numbers are potentially good enough and you could build a solid PS explaining why transferring here makes sense for your future goals. You have enough of a chance that you should be applying here.

[dood]

Yeah, I hear you. I think I would be fine if I stayed - I've spoken to multiple people who got great jobs after OCI, and they're very glad they stayed. Of course, I don't know many people who've transferred and felt the same way.

So, I'm really only getting one-side-of-the-story. I haven't wrapped my head around going to a T6 school. Maybe I'll look into moving... thanks so much for your advice. You wouldn't happen to know any transfers who gave up LR for a higher ranked school, would you?

I know transfers who made LR from GW to Gtown and T6. All were happy. My friends with good grades who were thinking of transfer but didnt apply are also happy. if lay prestige of gtown makes u happy, go for it - there's nothing wrong with transferring especially when cost is same.

[rehtulx]

No - no scholarship. The cost of the schools is about the same.

Why not try to negotiate a scholarship? If you're on the fence, that may help you decide.