Applying early w/ only first semester grades? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Paying full price at a top 40 (recently fell from top 30), and did well. School only ranks top ten people, then gives grade cutoffs at 10, 33 and 50%. I'm solidly w/i top 10%, not sure beyond that but potentially top 5%. EDIT: should mention that I MAY be in top ten people, no idea, but list isn't released until after second semester.

Definitely going to submit a few transfer apps, probably to H, S, Duke and USC/UCLA. Barring dysentery during spring finals, figure I have a good shot at USC and UCLA, decent at Duke and of course a stretch/crapshoot at H/S, am I wrong? Any reason to NOT consider any of these?

Real question is...with rolling admissions, is it advisable to apply as soon as apps open in March/April or wait for spring grades, which theoretically should be out before app deadlines in early July?

[keg411]

Of the T14, only GULC EA and Chicago ED will only look at your first semester grades. Everywhere else is going to want to see both semesters.

As for where you're applying: you're probably going to need to be top 1-2% to have a shot a YHS. You definitely have a chance at CLS/NYU and even if you're only top 10%, you probably have a decent shot at Penn/Michigan/Northwestern. You're probably in at USC/UCLA if they keep taking transfers, but those are probably only worth it if you just want to work in SoCal and don't care about anything else. Duke barely takes any transfers and isn't worth an application.

[Anonymous User]

Of the T14, only GULC EA and Chicago ED will only look at your first semester grades. Everywhere else is going to want to see both semesters.

As for where you're applying: you're probably going to need to be top 1-2% to have a shot a YHS. You definitely have a chance at CLS/NYU and even if you're only top 10%, you probably have a decent shot at Penn/Michigan/Northwestern. You're probably in at USC/UCLA if they keep taking transfers, but those are probably only worth it if you just want to work in SoCal and don't care about anything else. Duke barely takes any transfers and isn't worth an application.

Thanks for the response.

Wasn't really asking about odds, I know HLS/SLS are long shots no matter class position-worth a shot though. Not really interested in CLS/NYU/anywhere other than those I mentioned, though might have to reconsider. Not set on geographic location or practice (actually looking at BigConsulting) either, but prefer SouthEast or CA.

I know the non-EA schools will want to see second semester grades, so I guess the question becomes do they admit anyone before spring grades come out considering transfer apps open mid-semester? i.e. is there any benefit to applying before spring grades are out?

[keg411]

Of the T14, only GULC EA and Chicago ED will only look at your first semester grades. Everywhere else is going to want to see both semesters.

As for where you're applying: you're probably going to need to be top 1-2% to have a shot a YHS. You definitely have a chance at CLS/NYU and even if you're only top 10%, you probably have a decent shot at Penn/Michigan/Northwestern. You're probably in at USC/UCLA if they keep taking transfers, but those are probably only worth it if you just want to work in SoCal and don't care about anything else. Duke barely takes any transfers and isn't worth an application.

Thanks for the response.

Wasn't really asking about odds, I know HLS/SLS are long shots no matter class position-worth a shot though. Not really interested in CLS/NYU/anywhere other than those I mentioned, though might have to reconsider. Not set on geographic location or practice (actually looking at BigConsulting) either, but prefer SouthEast or CA.

I know the non-EA schools will want to see second semester grades, so I guess the question becomes do they admit anyone before spring grades come out considering transfer apps open mid-semester? i.e. is there any benefit to applying before spring grades are out?

Transfer apps outside of the ED/EA schools don't usually open up until late May/early June, so it really depends on how early/late your school sends over your grades or you send over your own grades. Your best bet is to get stuff like your recommendations nailed down in March/April (from your first semester profs) and your PS done so that when you're done with finals and the apps open up, you can just send everything. But I haven't heard of anyone being admitted without second semester grades, and the schools need your official transcript anyway so they're going to see them no matter what.

[Anonymous User]

On a completely different note, does anyone know if any of the, say, T20 or so have simultaneous admissions for JD/MBA programs? My current school intimated that the work "requirement" for MBA entrance is largely waived for law students when they were recruiting me, but I've learned from some further investigation through the business school that this is generally not the case. Needless to say I'm not too enthused with the admissions/CSO office right now...

I'm willing to take the GMAT if I have to (though schools that simply grant admission to current JD students would be great), but I'm more concerned about at least having the opportunity to pursue the joint degree in spite of my lack of work experience.

[KidStuddi]

On a completely different note, does anyone know if any of the, say, T20 or so have simultaneous admissions for JD/MBA programs? My current school intimated that the work "requirement" for MBA entrance is largely waived for law students when they were recruiting me, but I've learned from some further investigation through the business school that this is generally not the case. Needless to say I'm not too enthused with the admissions/CSO office right now...

I'm willing to take the GMAT if I have to (though schools that simply grant admission to current JD students would be great), but I'm more concerned about at least having the opportunity to pursue the joint degree in spite of my lack of work experience.

The "waived" work experience requirement for MBAs is fairly common for individuals seeking joint professional degrees, but I'm not sure that would help you much.

Pretty much all of the joint degree programs I've seen require that you gain admissions to the separate schools independently.

I don't think any reputable business school simply "grants" admission to anyone, regardless enrollment status at another program within the university, and most T20 have pretty respectable business schools associated with them. At least it won't be that easy for a degree program anyway. You might be able to take courses at the business school by virtue of being at a law school there, but I wouldn't count on being able to just waltz into Wharton and get an MBA just because you managed to transfer to Penn. You'd have to be competitive for admission there in your own right based on your UGPA and GMAT, which I'm assuming would be difficult for most students at a T40, unless you've got a stellar UGPA and just bombed the LSAT (in which case you're probably in trouble for the GMAT too. And, BTW, when would you take the GMAT considering you're more than halfway through your 1L year and most joint degree programs require you to apply before the 1L year is finished?).

Even if you could find a school that would just let you in because you asked nicely, an MBA from there would be pretty worthless (certainly not worth the extra 70-80k you'd drop to get it). But then again, a lot of people (me included) would argue that a JD/MBA is always worthless. You may want to search around here for those JD/MBA threads if you haven't already seen them.

[Anonymous User]

On a completely different note, does anyone know if any of the, say, T20 or so have simultaneous admissions for JD/MBA programs? My current school intimated that the work "requirement" for MBA entrance is largely waived for law students when they were recruiting me, but I've learned from some further investigation through the business school that this is generally not the case. Needless to say I'm not too enthused with the admissions/CSO office right now...

I'm willing to take the GMAT if I have to (though schools that simply grant admission to current JD students would be great), but I'm more concerned about at least having the opportunity to pursue the joint degree in spite of my lack of work experience.

The "waived" work experience requirement for MBAs is fairly common for individuals seeking joint professional degrees, but I'm not sure that would help you much.

Pretty much all of the joint degree programs I've seen require that you gain admissions to the separate schools independently.

I don't think any reputable business school simply "grants" admission to anyone, regardless enrollment status at another program within the university, and most T20 have pretty respectable business schools associated with them. At least it won't be that easy for a degree program anyway. You might be able to take courses at the business school by virtue of being at a law school there, but I wouldn't count on being able to just waltz into Wharton and get an MBA just because you managed to transfer to Penn. You'd have to be competitive for admission there in your own right based on your UGPA and GMAT, which I'm assuming would be difficult for most students at a T40, unless you've got a stellar UGPA and just bombed the LSAT (in which case you're probably in trouble for the GMAT too. And, BTW, when would you take the GMAT considering you're more than halfway through your 1L year and most joint degree programs require you to apply before the 1L year is finished?).

Even if you could find a school that would just let you in because you asked nicely, an MBA from there would be pretty worthless (certainly not worth the extra 70-80k you'd drop to get it). But then again, a lot of people (me included) would argue that a JD/MBA is always worthless. You may want to search around here for those JD/MBA threads if you haven't already seen them.

Makes sense. Any idea which T14 (or even T20 I guess) don't have a work "requirement" or at lease waive it for joint degree candidates, and which allow admissions during second year? I'm confident I can get a GMAT score to get into the b-school independently, but at my current school the admissions office effectively said my chances were zero without 2yrs work experience. I was planning on taking the GMAT this summer because my current school allows admission either first or second year to the JD/MBA program.

And with those stats what would be my realistic chances ED Chicago? Based on my research I should be reasonably competitive, am I wrong? 50/50?