Top Law Schools

My school recently changed its median and they don't post class ranks until after the second semester so I cannot accurately predict my class rank, but I should be somewhere in the 7-10% range. My school is in the mid-40s.

The market I would most like to work in is Nashville so I'm definitely apply to Vanderbilt. I was wondering what everyone thought my chances of admission were at Vandy and then possibly what other schools I should consider applying to.

Thanks for your help!

GoTexans wrote:My school recently changed its median and they don't post class ranks until after the second semester so I cannot accurately predict my class rank, but I should be somewhere in the 7-10% range. My school is in the mid-40s.

The market I would most like to work in is Nashville so I'm definitely apply to Vanderbilt. I was wondering what everyone thought my chances of admission were at Vandy and then possibly what other schools I should consider applying to.

Thanks for your help!

good chances

Any chance at UVA or Duke?

GoTexans wrote:Any chance at UVA or Duke?

UVa only if you're a VA resident. Duke is a definite maybe.

vanwinkle wrote:

GoTexans wrote:Any chance at UVA or Duke?

UVa only if you're a VA resident. Duke is a definite maybe.

Great, thanks for the info! I guess I didn't think about how residency would play into the transfer game. I am a Michigan resident and have strong ties to Michigan. Considering this, would it worth my time to throw an app to U of M too?

GoTexans wrote:

vanwinkle wrote:

GoTexans wrote:Any chance at UVA or Duke?

UVa only if you're a VA resident. Duke is a definite maybe.

Great, thanks for the info! I guess I didn't think about how residency would play into the transfer game. I am a Michigan resident and have strong ties to Michigan. Considering this, would it worth my time to throw an app to U of M too?

With those numbers you have a very good shot at Michigan, especially as a resident.

vanwinkle wrote:

GoTexans wrote:Any chance at UVA or Duke?

UVa only if you're a VA resident. Duke is a definite maybe.

2 years ago I was told that they were really looking for NC connections. But the economy was worse then and they wanted to know that if you transferred, you'd have a decent shot at OCI with those connections. At least that was the impression I got from speaking to the dean.

keg411 wrote:

GoTexans wrote:

vanwinkle wrote:

GoTexans wrote:Any chance at UVA or Duke?

UVa only if you're a VA resident. Duke is a definite maybe.

Great, thanks for the info! I guess I didn't think about how residency would play into the transfer game. I am a Michigan resident and have strong ties to Michigan. Considering this, would it worth my time to throw an app to U of M too?

With those numbers you have a very good shot at Michigan, especially as a resident.

Very true. But if you're looking to get to Nashville, don't go to Michigan. Don't even consider it.

Nashville is extremely insular and without extreme ties, you won't get it. Not even from M. If you are absolutely serious about Nashville (and willing to give up the difference in career prospects from VULS and Michigan), then go to Vandy. If you're considering other markets and want to maximize your options, go to M.

Also, although Nashville is possible if your only tie is Vanderbilt, it is still pretty damn difficult to crack.

Grizz wrote:Also, although Nashville is possible if your only tie is Vanderbilt, it is still pretty damn difficult to crack.

TCR and on second thought, OP's ship may have sailed on Nashville. Even if you transferred to VULS, without ties, you would likely be SOL for 2L OCI at all Nash boutiques and almost all Nash biglaw.

I would say that I have stronger ties to Nashville than Michigan. My undergraduate career was at a school in Nashville so most of my professional contacts from before law school are based in Nashville. Also, my girlfriend (soon to be fiancé?)'s family has been in Nashville for something like five generations. I would like living in Nashville and Michigan equally but I feel like I have a better shot at a job in Nashville both because the economy is much better in Nashville right now and I have slightly stronger ties to Nashville.

With this is mind, do y'all still think that I would be SOL at Vanderbilt's OCI?

I've also heard of people doing OCI at their first law school and the school they transfer to… do you have any anecdotes of friends attempting this?

Received grade distribution information last week and there were more As given than in years past putting me closer to top 15% than the 8% or 9% that I originally thought. Do I still have a decent chance at Vandy?

I'm in a similar situation. same school rank/recent median shift. is it worthwhile to transfer to a t14 (in my target market) if likely to be in the top 5% at my current school? obviously i don't know if i'll keep this gpa next semester, but assuming i do: should i transfer? both schools are in the same region, but not the same state.