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I am currently attending Seattle U, and I applied to transfer to UW. But, if I get onto law review at Seattle U, is it worth it to transfer to UW and not be on law review? From what I've seen of the OCI options at Seattle U, a lot of firms ask for Law Review.

I currently have a scholarship at Seattle U that makes tuition there the same as in-state tuition at UW (actually, it's a little less than at UW), so the cost isn't an issue.

I would be happy with a big law job, but I'm not concerned with it (I'm a few years older than most other law students, and want to have time with my family). I'm really happy at Seattle U, but, in this economy, I want to have every advantage I can get.

I'm top 10% at Seattle U and I currently have a job at a mid-size firm for my 1L summer.

So, I just found out I got into UW. I don't yet know if I'm on Law Review at SU.

You left out an important consideration that one of your prior posts revealed---that the top 3 Seattle firms in your field have a lot of SU law grads.

My field being patent law (the username makes it pretty obvious, I imagine)? Yes, that adds an important fact. But, one of the reasons for the number of Seattle U grads at those firms is that many of the patent/IP attorneys I know at the big(ger) firms who when to SeattleU did so at night while working at their engineering job (UW doesn't have an evening program). Employers look on those graduates differently than they do the day/full-time Seattle U students.

Also, a patent attorney I spoke to emphasized UW's involvement in the IP community in Seattle -- it's a much more visible school with many more patent opportunities.

I'm going to ask the other patent attorneys I know for their advice. But, I didn't want to bother them until I was actually admitted to UW. I've only known for about 15 minutes that I am -- now I'll start asking the attorneys in the area for their advice.

SeattleU top 20% + Law Review > UWash unknown rank + no law review

Thanks. I'm going to try to wait this out to see if I actually get on Law Review at SU. From what I've been hearing, it sounds like I likely did -- but this isn't certain.

If I don't get on LR at Seattle U, then I think I should pretty clearly transfer.

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Go UW is my vote. Employers will still go by your first year grades at OCI/for hiring purposes, and if you do get the invite to LR you can put your were LR invited on resume. That wouldn't be as good as actually doing LR from employer's perspective of course, but UW is a much better school and for Seattle I don't think worst case scenario is probably that it is a wash.

See next post...

You didn't mention you can't do OCI at UW... Pretty big factor. Yet still, I don't think UW transfer would nec be a bad move for you if you do go for it (although objectively staying might be wise, at least in terms of short term job outcome).

lawschoolisfun2012 wrote:Same boat. WE missed OCI at UW. Therefore, need to apply to firms directly. HOwever, you can consider applying to SU OCI as long as you intend to stay when accepted to law review....

Oh.. I see. In that case... not so sure about the transfer.

My acceptance letter stated that I will be able to do OCI with all the other UW students without a problem. Once I submit a seat deposit I will gain access to all the OCI applications that the other UW students do!

I did miss the Law Review deadline, though.

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Here's an update: I am officially on law review at Seattle U and officially accepted to UW. Also, I spoke to UW's career center, and transfers are able to participate in OCI -- but transfers must send the application materials directly to the employers (rather through Symplicity), but they get selection decisions, etc. at the same time as other students. The employers at OCI know you're a transfer student from your resume, so I don't think submitting materials directly is too terrible as long as the materials are submitted before employers have reviewed many applications from the other students (so, the materials would be submitted this weekend for the best shot). Does anyone think it woul be a significant disadvantage?

So, there's the whole story -- any opinions are much appreciated!!

patentlaw2011 wrote:Also, I spoke to UW's career center, and transfers are able to participate in OCI -- but transfers must send the application materials directly to the employers (rather through Symplicity), but they get selection decisions, etc. at the same time as other students.

This is true but conceals the fact that they will all but surely overlook you because you were "late" and "outside OCI". Wash U told me the same thing and I was totally screwed.

I cannot decide if you should still transfer and use your IP cred. IP goes a long way to helping ppl gets jobs, no matter what the circumstance.

I would be much more discouraged and concerned about the issue of submitting my OCI materials sepately, but I've either already interviewed with or have contacts at most of the firms I am applying to. I hope that'll help?

I'm hoping the technical background will also help. Too, I'm working at a mid-size firm this summer, which may set me apart a little. Also, I'm a URM.

I know I'm taking a gamble either way, but I'm leaning towards transferring.

I wish some transfers to UW from previous years would see this and chime in!

Hey I know this thread has been dead for a while but I am starting at SU this fall and looking to do exactly what you did. If you are still a member here I'd love to ask you for advice.