Top Law Schools

Is that possible? I got 2 grades back for the semester and they were both one of the highest in the class. I feel pretty good about my finals and feel like i might be able to pull off top 15%

I started looking at transfer information, and they basically all say that first year grades are paramount and undergrad/lsat won't be considered, which is great for me since my undergrad transcript is rocky and my lsat score was mediocre, but im wondering if that will prevent me from getting in a really good school. I would love BOALT or any top 10, but i feel like i am getting ahead of myself.

Do top 10/15 usually just accept transfers from tier 1 or high tier 2?

Just curious your thoughts i will probably end up applying anyhow, i don't have anything to lose but money which i already have lose plenty.

jimmycricket wrote:Is that possible? I got 2 grades back for the semester and they were both one of the highest in the class. I feel pretty good about my finals and feel like i might be able to pull off top 15%

I started looking at transfer information, and they basically all say that first year grades are paramount and undergrad/lsat won't be considered, which is great for me since my undergrad transcript is rocky and my lsat score was mediocre, but im wondering if that will prevent me from getting in a really good school. I would love BOALT or any top 10, but i feel like i am getting ahead of myself.

Do top 10/15 usually just accept transfers from tier 1 or high tier 2?

Just curious your thoughts i will probably end up applying anyhow, i don't have anything to lose but money which i already have lose plenty.

There's a detailed transfer thread. From past users, I know it's possible to transfer from a Tier 2 to a T14. I'm fairly certain top 15% is a minimum requirement for consideration, although it depends on which schools are involved (in some cases, top 1% is more realistic)

Possible to transfer into the T14 but also possible to strike out completely. I transferred to a T6 and its pretty much top 5% from those of us that came from T2 schools. I would imagine top 10% from T2 to Boalt is possible, but it will depend also on your ties to the region, letter of rec, etc. IMO the transfer cycle is more apt to deviate from the GPA/School-Rank baseline than the regular admission cycle is from UGPA/LSAT. I think more schools employ a "holistic" approach when cherry-picking transfer students because the sample size is smaller and easier to sort through (the exception is GULC which continues to be a factory). With all that said, grades are still the number one factor, so just make sure you kill your exams.

Also, anecdotal evidence on the board shows that you're going to have to be at a California T2 to have much of a shot at transferring to Boalt.

It is most definitely possible. But the best thread on this is:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 27&t=82937

It might be a little out of date with regards to some info, but generally good information. Also, feel free to pm for my personal experience.

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 7&t=186555

10% to any T14 is a big maybe

I was at a bottom T2 school and transferred to a T-14. Another in my class made the jump as well and wasn't #1. There have routinely been a couple every year that make the jump, and my old school isn't particularly well regarded for its rank.

There's a much bigger question of WHETHER you should transfer. Coming from a very low T2, you can't use the standard transfer metrics to predict how well you'll do at OCI. There's a big risk that you could end up jobless and multiply your debt five times over, especially if you can negotiate a scholarship at your old school.

I transferred to T14 from TTT. It can be done. I know of people from TTTT at T14, including CCN.

Also, the fact is that at T14 OCI will get you more interviews that you will at any TT/TTT. That alone is worth it and employers respect your ambition to transfer (provided that you give them a good reason for transferring that is not either I wanted a better shot at a job or I like prestige)

What is a top 15?

drmguy wrote:http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 7&t=186555

10% to any T14 is a big maybe

Yep. And you need even higher for EA it seems.

transferred83 wrote:I transferred to T14 from TTT. It can be done. I know of people from TTTT at T14, including CCN.

Also, the fact is that at T14 OCI will get you more interviews that you will at any TT/TTT. That alone is worth it and employers respect your ambition to transfer (provided that you give them a good reason for transferring that is not either I wanted a better shot at a job or I like prestige)

This is a perfectly fine reason for transferring. Why else in the world would you do it? In the infrequent case, it would be because of an S/O or a family member. But nearly everyone transfers because of job prospects. Employers understand this.

I am trying to remember if they even asked why I transferred. I am sure it did not come up all that often.

.

Jessuf wrote:I was asked in every single interview why I transferred. And they all expect you to say you did it for better opportunities.

i just said i preferred the region i transferred to. it's true, too, though probably not the main reason (which would be jerbs, of course).

transferred83 wrote:I transferred to T14 from TTT. It can be done. I know of people from TTTT at T14, including CCN.

Also, the fact is that at T14 OCI will get you more interviews that you will at any TT/TTT. That alone is worth it and employers respect your ambition to transfer (provided that you give them a good reason for transferring that is not either I wanted a better shot at a job or I like prestige)

I said "I wanted a better shot a job" in every interview and I did very well. I added some stuff about region/practice areas too but the gist of it was improved employment prospects and a rough job market. Employers know this. No reason to bullshit them.

No

shock259 wrote:

transferred83 wrote:I transferred to T14 from TTT. It can be done. I know of people from TTTT at T14, including CCN.

Also, the fact is that at T14 OCI will get you more interviews that you will at any TT/TTT. That alone is worth it and employers respect your ambition to transfer (provided that you give them a good reason for transferring that is not either I wanted a better shot at a job or I like prestige)

I said "I wanted a better shot a job" in every interview and I did very well. I added some stuff about region/practice areas too but the gist of it was improved employment prospects and a rough job market. Employers know this. No reason to bullshit them.

I said the same thing and had positive results as well. I don't know what other reasons to give, especially when interviewing with firms outside your new school's region. When you come from bottom TT or TTT employers know why you transferred.

jimmycricket wrote:I started looking at transfer information, and they basically all say that first year grades are paramount and undergrad/lsat won't be considered, which is great for me since my undergrad transcript is rocky and my lsat score was mediocre, but im wondering if that will prevent me from getting in a really good school.

Schools only really care about 1L grades. Think about it this way: Schools rely on UG GPA/LSAT because 1) for 0Ls they're the best predictor of law school performance, and 2) they get reported to USNWR for rankings. Transfers have 1L grades, which predict law school performance much more definitively, and their GPA/LSAT don't get reported to USNWR. So schools don't really care about GPA/LSAT, just 1L grades and the essay/LORs.

Also, it sounds like you might end up ranked higher than top 15%, which would improve your chances significantly.

buddingjd wrote:Also, anecdotal evidence on the board shows that you're going to have to be at a California T2 to have much of a shot at transferring to Boalt.

OP: This is true, and your chances at Boalt vary depending on whether you're in CA already.

Of the other T10s, only UVA is heavily biased toward other schools in their state. Unless your T2 is Richmond, I wouldn't waste time on a UVA app.

shock259 wrote:I said "I wanted a better shot a job" in every interview and I did very well. I added some stuff about region/practice areas too but the gist of it was improved employment prospects and a rough job market. Employers know this. No reason to bullshit them.

This. They want to know you can answer the question. They care if whether passes the smell test, not how original it is.

vanwinkle wrote:

shock259 wrote:I said "I wanted a better shot a job" in every interview and I did very well. I added some stuff about region/practice areas too but the gist of it was improved employment prospects and a rough job market. Employers know this. No reason to bullshit them.

This. They want to know you can answer the question. They care if whether passes the smell test, not how original it is.

I wish I had known this. It would have saved me the effort of making up a bullshit story.

Oglethorpe wrote:

shock259 wrote:

transferred83 wrote:I transferred to T14 from TTT. It can be done. I know of people from TTTT at T14, including CCN.

Also, the fact is that at T14 OCI will get you more interviews that you will at any TT/TTT. That alone is worth it and employers respect your ambition to transfer (provided that you give them a good reason for transferring that is not either I wanted a better shot at a job or I like prestige)

I said "I wanted a better shot a job" in every interview and I did very well. I added some stuff about region/practice areas too but the gist of it was improved employment prospects and a rough job market. Employers know this. No reason to bullshit them.

I said the same thing and had positive results as well. I don't know what other reasons to give, especially when interviewing with firms outside your new school's region. When you come from bottom TT or TTT employers know why you transferred.

I had one interview where that went over SERIOUSLY negatively. Guy wasn't offended, but he sure made me seem like an asshole for saying that in the interview.

jimmycricket wrote:Is that possible? I got 2 grades back for the semester and they were both one of the highest in the class. I feel pretty good about my finals and feel like i might be able to pull off top 15%

I started looking at transfer information, and they basically all say that first year grades are paramount and undergrad/lsat won't be considered, which is great for me since my undergrad transcript is rocky and my lsat score was mediocre, but im wondering if that will prevent me from getting in a really good school. I would love BOALT or any top 10, but i feel like i am getting ahead of myself.

Do top 10/15 usually just accept transfers from tier 1 or high tier 2?

Just curious your thoughts i will probably end up applying anyhow, i don't have anything to lose but money which i already have lose plenty.

I think it is possible. I mentored two students (now 2Ls) and both at Loyola (as 1Ls). One was to 10 and the other top 15. One transferred to UCLA and the other to University Michigan (both got into USC).