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I've given thought about transferring several times and haven't applied yet. Well, upon news of hearing that my friend got into Ohio State with slightly lower grades, I all of a sudden feel like I have the balls to transfer as well.

First, something that will be hard to equate for all you TLSers is the emotional attachment I have to Ohio State. My grandpa graduated undergrad from there in 1948; my mom in 1979; and me in 2010. It's more than just a university to me and my family. It's really impossible to explain, so I'll just save you the time and stop.

BUT, I eventually want to practice in Cleveland. Cleveland Marshall places really well in Cleveland, perhaps better than Ohio State. But Ohio State places better in all other Ohio cities, at least giving me options.

Furthermore, here is my resume at Cleveland Marshall:
Ranked top 10%
Graded onto Law Review
Have a small firm clerk position lined up until next May
Going to be a Legal Writing Tutor next year
$12k/year scholarship, making tuition about $10k

Ohio State would be about $25k/year. But, because I'd have a roommate, I'd save about $5k/year in COL. So you're looking at about $10k more per year to go to Ohio State.

Edit: I've already missed the formal deadlines for Ohio State's OCI. I would have to contact firms individually.

So, all that said, is it worth it to transfer? With Ohio State, I have the better school, and more importantly, the emotional/family attachment. But, with Marshall, I have maybe a better chance at Cleveland firms and some solid things lined up.

All help and advice is appreciated.

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bloobook wrote:What is the estimated cost of attendance for each school?

Can't believe I excluded probably the most important factor. Updated the original post to reflect difference in COA.

Also, since this is such a close call, I'd appreciate it if you guys posted your logic/rationale for voting the way you did.

You are asking for advice as to whether to apply? Yes apply. If you get in, I dunno, my first impulse is that you should transfer. You will probably do well at Ohio State, but I don't really know anything about either school,

I'm a sucker for the intangibles, and for what the extra cost is I think it would be worth it to go to Ohio State. Would much rather say I graduated from Ohio State 10 years down the line than CM. However, there is risk involved financially but the reward for doing well at Ohio State could be worth it?

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Jessuf wrote:It's end of July, and you haven't applied yet??

Ya, I know I'm last minute.

I actually spoke to somebody in career services and I've basically already missed the deadlines for Ohio State's OCI.

Still, I can contact recruiting coordinators individually and set up interviews that way. Will that put me at a significant disadvantage with the people who are doing the more formal OCI?

I'm really, really torn here.

AVBucks4239 wrote:

Jessuf wrote:It's end of July, and you haven't applied yet??

Ya, I know I'm last minute.

I actually spoke to somebody in career services and I've basically already missed the deadlines for Ohio State's OCI.

Still, I can contact recruiting coordinators individually and set up interviews that way. Will that put me at a significant disadvantage with the people who are doing the more formal OCI?

I'm really, really torn here.

What are you so torn about? You don't even know if you are accepted yet. Just apply and see what happens. You are trying to make decisions that aren't even on the table yet, and you are screwing yourself over in the process.

sunynp wrote:What are you so torn about? You don't even know if you are accepted yet. Just apply and see what happens. You are trying to make decisions that aren't even on the table yet, and you are screwing yourself over in the process.

+1

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Jessuf wrote:Too bad you waited so long. You could have gone T20 with those numbers.

I appreciate the compliment, but the only school I would transfer to is Ohio State. I'm not gunning for BigLaw, I just want to pursue a career here in Ohio.

You can get the letters of rec in enough time, too? They actually accept transfer applications this late...?

in_reverie wrote:You can get the letters of rec in enough time, too? They actually accept transfer applications this late...?

Yep. I have a professor I'm close with and he's gonna get it to me by tomorrow.