Top Law Schools

Hey, so I currently go to a top-14 law school (actually, it's in the top 6 or 7, I think). I'm a rising 2L. I did fine first semester, but I completely bombed second semester and I have a GPA of 2.7 which is significantly below the median.

I'm also not fit to live in a big city. I have an anxiety disorder and the over-stimulation that comes from living in a big city often interrupts my work. My doctor suggested transferring to a less competitive school in a quieter area.

So, I decided that there's only one school I would want to transfer to and that's the University of Wisconsin Law School. I like the University of Wisconsin for many reasons but especially because once you graduate, you're exempt from the Wisconsin Bar Exam. I'd still take a Bar exam for another state upon graduation, but I like the idea that I would only have to take one exam and I'd be eligible to practice in 2 states, plus DC.

What do you guys think of "downgrading" your school when you transfer?

Also, do you think I'll even get into Wisconsin?

Stats:
-UG: Princeton University
-UGPA: 3.4
-Major: Sociology (wrote 2 theses) Minor: Latin American Studies
-Varsity Athlete in UG
-I am a URM (Puerto Rican). I also wrote my law school admissions essay on being disabled. I use a service dog.
-Speak, read, write proficient Spanish
-I had 2 UG internships. One working abroad in a non-profit in Mexico and one working abroad in a regional UN center.
-I spent a year after UG working as a paralegal for a boutique firm in DC. I was the only paralegal working for my employer and we represented two foreign governments in all their domestic appeals. I helped write briefs for cases in the D.C. Circuit Court, D.C. District Court, 2d Circuit, 7th Circuit. I also wrote for the firm's law blog which is fairly popular.
-LSAT: 165 (I'm not going to retake)
-LSGPA: 2.7
-Senior Mediator at local small claims court
-Staff Editor on secondary journal
-Treasurer of the Women of Color student group
-Received Merit Scholarship to LS
-Spent summer between 1L and 2L at the AG's office for the State of Alaska

BoriquaEsquire wrote:Hey, so I currently go to a top-14 law school (actually, it's in the top 6 or 7, I think). I'm a rising 2L. I did fine first semester, but I completely bombed second semester and I have a GPA of 2.7 which is significantly below the median.

I'm also not fit to live in a big city. I have an anxiety disorder and the over-stimulation that comes from living in a big city often interrupts my work. My doctor suggested transferring to a less competitive school in a quieter area.

So, I decided that there's only one school I would want to transfer to and that's the University of Wisconsin Law School. I like the University of Wisconsin for many reasons but especially because once you graduate, you're exempt from the Wisconsin Bar Exam. I'd still take a Bar exam for another state upon graduation, but I like the idea that I would only have to take one exam and I'd be eligible to practice in 2 states, plus DC.

What do you guys think of "downgrading" your school when you transfer?

Also, do you think I'll even get into Wisconsin?

Stats:
-UG: Princeton University
-UGPA: 3.4
-Major: Sociology (wrote 2 theses) Minor: Latin American Studies
-Varsity Athlete in UG
-I am a URM (Puerto Rican). I also wrote my law school admissions essay on being disabled. I use a service dog.
-Speak, read, write proficient Spanish
-I had 2 UG internships. One working abroad in a non-profit in Mexico and one working abroad in a regional UN center.
-I spent a year after UG working as a paralegal for a boutique firm in DC. I was the only paralegal working for my employer and we represented two foreign governments in all their domestic appeals. I helped write briefs for cases in the D.C. Circuit Court, D.C. District Court, 2d Circuit, 7th Circuit. I also wrote for the firm's law blog which is fairly popular.
-LSAT: 165 (I'm not going to retake)
-LSGPA: 2.7
-Senior Mediator at local small claims court
-Staff Editor on secondary journal
-Treasurer of the Women of Color student group
-Received Merit Scholarship to LS
-Spent summer between 1L and 2L at the AG's office for the State of Alaska

So is this switch going to actually cost you money, since you will lose the scholarship?

I personally wouldn't transfer from NYU to Wisconsin and I love Wisconsin.

I'd only go to Wisconsin if I were planning to work in Wisconsin. Which wouldn't be terrible if you hate cities; I happen to like it. And Spotted Cow.

BoriquaEsquire wrote:Hey, so I currently go to a top-14 law school (actually, it's in the top 6 or 7, I think).

I'm also not fit to live in a big city. I have an anxiety disorder and the over-stimulation that comes from living in a big city often interrupts my work. My doctor suggested transferring to a less competitive school in a quieter area.

Top 6 or 7. First time I've heard that.
I wonder which of PMVB thinks they are maybe 6. B was actually tied for 6 in the rankings a year ago, so maybe it is them.

So is this switch going to actually cost you money, since you will lose the scholarship?

No. I actually checked and the amount I save in room and board and tuition by transferring to Wisconsin is almost the exact amount that I got in my scholarship. So, really, I'll be paying the same thing.

Is NYC so bad for you that you need to get out now and can't wait 2 years?

If yes, why is Wisconsin the only option you are considering? If no, why would you transfer rather than wait it out?

Do you want to work in Wisconsin? Also, how would you explain the transfer to employers during OCI?

FLAME!

Why mention the possibility of retaking the LSAT? Why move from NY, Philly or Chicago to Wisconsin?

Transferring won't do anything for your job prospects at this point, and there's no guarantee that the competition won't be nearly as stiff at Wisconsin. The students there are smart, and the professors are notoriously supportive but tough.

I call flame. I don't think anyone in your position would pick not only an urban law school but THE urban law school and not have some idea of what kind of "fit" it was up front. If this story is true, it's astounding.

Secondly, your first year at a "top 6 or 7" is done, and your GPA isn't that bad by law school standards. You're better off staying put. If I were a recruiter interviewing a transfer from NYU/Chicago/Penn to Wisconsin, who did so for no reason other than he wanted a change of pace, the interview would quickly be over. I would question your judgment.

Yeah, I'm about 80% sure this is a flame.

It's not a flame. Why would I lie about this? It's not like I'm proud of my GPA or anything.

If you are serious, don't transfer. Your opportunities from a T6 or T10 school will still be better than any advantage Wisconsin could give you. Plus, explaining the transfer would be really hard, especially since most employers will see both grades (well till after you graduate). Your position is not optimal, but you are still better off than the tens of thousands of law students at the bottom 50% of non-T10 schools.


People assume this is a flame post only because of some of the misinformed comments. For instance, retaking the LSAT has almost no bearing on a transfer related post. Plus, if you have not applied for a transfer yet, most deadlines have passed (unless you want to sit out a year which could look worse).

I'm 98.4% sure that this is a flame, but in any case, just to shut it down I'll go ahead and point out that any transfer apps would have been due LONG ago, so it's moot unless OP already applied (which isn't apparent from the OP).

On the unlikely possibility it's not a flame, and OP did apply already, no you won't get in if you haven't heard yet and any school would be crazy to admit you with a 2.7, which has got to be literally the absolute bottom of the class.

Also, I just want to point out that OP sounds like a puerto rican version of Maggie Lizer from Arrested Development.

That is all.

Not a flame. OP has a non-flaming post history which is consistent with what is ITT.

OP - If you like your Alaskan government type summer job, does that mean you'd be okay with working in legal services or for state goverment in a flyover state? If so, just stick it out at NYU and you will be able to get something along those lines, where you could use LRAP/IBR. Other people here in the transfer forums would kill to be able to pay full tuition to NYU. Why go to a rando state school where you'll have the same debt, little to no chance at a firm job which will cover the debt, and not nearly as good of a LRAP? Being exempt from the bar exam is not a good reason. If you got a 165 on the LSAT, you can pass the bar.

Can also confirm with certainty that this is NOT a flame. OP, forgive me if this is something you've already discussed with a therapist/counselor or have otherwise decided won't provide a fix to your bind, but have you tried brainstorming ways to alter your experience while continuing on at your school? I'm thinking of things like scheduled downtime for socializing, and possibly moving into an outer borough for a slower pace of life. Perhaps it would be a good idea to spend every other weekend outside of the city entirely if that is feasible. As somebody mentioned above, it is too late to submit transfer applications at this point. Additionally, a 2.7 from a law school that grades to a 3.3 curve will probably be looked upon unfavorably, even by lower-ranked schools. And Wisconsin isn't terribly far down the list. Another consideration might be the LRAP at your current school vs Wisconsin's. If you get halfway through the year and just know you can't do your third in NYC, perhaps you could apply to be a visiting student at UW-Madison for 3L year.

Isn't it far too late to apply?

I'd suggest looking into a medical leave to start off with. call it Anxiety and chill on an island if you have to, it doesn't sound like you're in a good place right now.

clintonius wrote:Can also confirm with certainty that this is NOT a flame. OP, forgive me if this is something you've already discussed with a therapist/counselor or have otherwise decided won't provide a fix to your bind, but have you tried brainstorming ways to alter your experience while continuing on at your school? I'm thinking of things like scheduled downtime for socializing, and possibly moving into an outer borough for a slower pace of life. Perhaps it would be a good idea to spend every other weekend outside of the city entirely if that is feasible. As somebody mentioned above, it is too late to submit transfer applications at this point. Additionally, a 2.7 from a law school that grades to a 3.3 curve will probably be looked upon unfavorably, even by lower-ranked schools. And Wisconsin isn't terribly far down the list. Another consideration might be the LRAP at your current school vs Wisconsin's. If you get halfway through the year and just know you can't do your third in NYC, perhaps you could apply to be a visiting student at UW-Madison for 3L year.

I'm being 100% sincere in saying that it is nice to see that there are posters like yourself on TLS who are kind and post well thought-out advice.

But...I'm pretty confident that OP is a flame. I'm not sure what he or she is after though.

I am almost 100% sure I know who OP is... and I don't think this is a flame.

It sounds like the main motivation to move is stress, but I don't see how being a transfer student at Wisconsin with shitty grades from your original school is going to be any less stressful than chilling at your T6 and pumping for IBR/LRAP. Mid T1 schools are more grade-competitive, not less, because nobody gets jobs.

Rock-N-Roll wrote:I'm being 100% sincere in saying that it is nice to see that there are posters like yourself on TLS who are kind and post well thought-out advice.

But...I'm pretty confident that OP is a flame. I'm not sure what he or she is after though.

I'm trying to say, without outing OP, that I know who the OP is and therefore the high likelihood that this post is legit.

But hey, it's the internet, so we should fight about it.

It's odd that OP would have so much anxiety and stress considering she was a varsity athlete in UG and some of the things in her background.

notlearnedhand wrote:FLAME!

ALT!

This has to be a flame. He missed the transfer app deadline and why would he discuss retaking the LSAT. He's talking about getting in to WI as if he's completely clueless...either he's gotten in, rejected or is on some sort of waitlist/defacto waitlist.

Regionality wrote:This has to be a flame. He missed the transfer app deadline and why would he discuss retaking the LSAT. He's talking about getting in to WI as if he's completely clueless...either he's gotten in, rejected or is on some sort of waitlist/defacto waitlist.

I kind of felt like that at first but I think OP is just clueless (based on other NYU people vouching for him/her). I mean if you don't pay a lot of attention to the admissions process and just take the LSAT and apply it seems pretty easy to just not know much about stuff.