Transfer Help: Miami to UF Forum

[UMFSUUF]

I am in a bit of a dilemma. I just finished my 1L year at UM law and, as a FL resident, am forced to consider transferring to UF. I received my xfer acceptance letter today, but have not yet heard back from UM in regards to scholarship $. I am in the top 10 % of my class and was told that I can expect money but could not yet be told how much. UF would cost me $16k/yr while Miami currently costs me 40k/yr + living expenses. I am anticipating something around 20k from UM, making UF $16k and UM $20k. I intend on practicing in South Florida (not somewhere north in the state, I mean West Palm beach - Miami)

Factors to Consider:

For Miami:
- Proven success at UM
- Law Review
- Friends / Networking / Relationship with professors
- Strong alumni network / job placement in South Florida
- Gables > Gainesville

For UF:
- Better reputation / prestige
- Lower tuition
- More mobility within Florida
- More national recognition

Please respond if you have an idea about the south florida job market and the relative opportunities for graduates of both universities from experience or a reliable source. Thanks!

* I think that if I remain in the top 10% of Miami I will have the same job opportunities as I would at the top 10% at UF. My concern is that because my GPA / Rank are essentially erased upon my transfer and lose my 'walk-on' law school eligibility, it may be possible to finish in the top 10% at UF / Have the same opportunities @ OCI. Thanks again!

[CanadianWolf]

Top 10% & law review plus scholarship at Miami beats Florida for South Florida.

[UMFSUUF]

Thanks for the quick reply. That's kind of the direction I'm leaning.

[duckmoney]

Top 10% & law review plus scholarship at Miami beats Florida for South Florida.

This.

Although did you apply to any higher-ranked schools? I don't know what your odds would be at Vandy, or possibly Duke / UVA, or if you even applied, but these would no doubt be better than Miami or UF.

[Norwood]

Both football programs are good. UF's basketball team breaks the tie.

[UMFSUUF]

I haven't applied to xfer elsewhere. I haven't really considered my chances of acceptance at any t-20 school but do you have any insight as to what they might be?

[starchinkilt]

I haven't applied to xfer elsewhere. I haven't really considered my chances of acceptance at any t-20 school but do you have any insight as to what they might be?

You prob have a decent chance at the T-20, but you're top 10% and have LR at a school in the market you want to work in. Stay.

[Mitch McDeere]

If you get the scholarship money you should absolutely stay. It would not make much sense to give up law review and your class rank for job prospects that are similar to the ones you already have. Transferring may actually end up hurting you.

Of course, without a significant scholarship, the question becomes a little more difficult.

Also, you would definitely have a shot at some t-20s, but it's kinda late in the game.

[taxguy]

I graduated from University of Miami Law School and have a friend who is very familiar with a number of faculty members. Let me tell you what he said,which I agree with.

Although Miami has a decent reputation among law schools and especially for South Florida law firms, it really isn't "student centric." They try to cram as many people as possible into lecture halls. In addition, many faculty, most of which attended top law schools, are looking to leave Miami in order to teach at a top 15 law school.

With that said above,I do think that you are in a dilemma. I am not sure what to advise you. Personally, I am not sure I would transfer to Florida if you can get 20K from Miami and you have had tremendous success at Miami. This becomes particularly true if you want to stay in south florida. If , however, you can transfer to a top 15 law school such as Cornell, NYU, Georgetown etc., it might be worth it for you to have access to other Big Law firms outside of Florida.

[UMFSUUF]

Thanks for the insight everybody. Taxguy, just curious, did you do an LLM at Miami? Tax is one area which I am considering (doesn't really help my UF/UM dilemma (#2 and #5 respectively).

[UMFSUUF]

I dont mean to limit the conversation to Tax. If anyone else has insight into what I should do either for UF/UM or my chances at a t-20 school (and which school). I started applying to Cornell after this thread, but the more I think about it the less I think its an actual possibility. Can someone shed some light on my chances / bring me back to earth. Thanks

[keg411]

I haven't applied to xfer elsewhere. I haven't really considered my chances of acceptance at any t-20 school but do you have any insight as to what they might be?

You prob have a decent chance at the T-20, but you're top 10% and have LR at a school in the market you want to work in. Stay.

+1
I went to undergrad at UM and know a number of Miami Law grads. The top 10% + LR people did well for themselves. So as long as UM gives you a decent enough scholarship, no reason to leave.

[UMFSUUF]

Thats what I'm thinking, unless I apply quickly to a t-20. Think its more likely 15-20 than 10-15?