Another Transfer Odds Question..... Forum

[Annarbor21]

27 credits done at Cooley. Entered on full scholarship. Current Class rank 6/720 or so. 1L GPA 3.88. TA'ed for 2 professors already. Interned for a term at Bodman (reputable firm). LSAT 161. UGPA 3.85.



Chances of transferring to a top 20 school? I know Cooley is generally not respected by other schools, but given my strong performance will I have a real shot? or would I be wasting my time.


Thanks!

[Vronsky]

27 credits done at Cooley. Entered on full scholarship. Current Class rank 6/720 or so. 1L GPA 3.88. TA'ed for 2 professors already. Interned for a term at Bodman (reputable firm). LSAT 161. UGPA 3.85.



Chances of transferring to a top 20 school? I know Cooley is generally not respected by other schools, but given my strong performance will I have a real shot? or would I be wasting my time.


Thanks!

All that matters in the bolded statement above is your class rank. Top 1% is great, but its going to be an uphill battle coming from Cooley. Everything else about TAing and whatnot is only a soft factor, and LSAT/GPA is of no relevance at all. You're not wasting your time, but it will be difficult. I would apply only to schools that take big transfer classes and those in your region or where you have ties. I would certainly apply to UM and GULC. Also you should double check if any schools require more than 27 credits. GL.

[traehekat]

Congrats on the grades. Absolutely apply to UM as that should be your big target school (especially if you want to work in Chi/NYC). T4s, and Cooley in particular, are a little hard to predict. T6 is PROBABLY out of the question but if you really want somewhere like NYC and you don't mind spending the money/taking the time then go ahead and apply to Columbia/NYU. You never know - it may be Cooley, but 1% is elite no matter where you're at. I also agree with Vronsky that some of the schools you apply to should be where you have ties.

Where do you want to practice?

[Wholigan]

Is 27 credits counting fall of this year or no? My question is how many credits you will have finished by the spring, when you will be applying. If you will be around 40, that might be too much for some law schools.

[afterglow99]

Go big, it's worth a try. I transferred from a low T2 to Columbia and was barely in the top 10% 1L year. Two other 1L classmates transferred with me. There was even a transfer from Touro in the class ahead of mine.

[soitgoes9]

Try. but i would cast a wide net.

[Mox]

First off, congrats on the grades. I transferred from Cooley to a top 25 a few years ago. My class rank was just outside the top 5%. I didn't apply to any top 20's, though. From the information I gathered you should get into WUSTL. I'm sure you got a shot at GTown. Maybe Columbia, too. It's definitely worth a try. Make sure you apply to a lot of schools, at least 10. As you'll find out, tranferring is a very fickle process. I got dinged at a couple of TT's and got into three tier 1's. Also, I wouldn't take classes this semester if you were planning on it. You don't want to screw up your great transfer prospects you already have. Good luck!

[RodneyBoonfield]

3.85, 161 and you went to Cooley?

[vanwinkle]

Try. but i would cast a wide net.

This. Nobody has any exact data on your situation, but top 1% rank and a desire to transfer mean apply as broadly as possible. Hit up as many T25 and even lower T14 schools as you can (not UVA, they focus on VA residents). If you're feeling bold you can try the ED transfer app at Chicago or GULC; they're long shots but could wrap it up early for you.

Good luck.

[RodneyBoonfield]

3.85, 161 and you went to Cooley?

[random5483]

Apply to a ton of schools. Being from Cooley might hurt, but top 1% will give you options. I'd apply to MANY schools if I were in your situation.