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I was accepted EA to GULC and am trying to decide if it's worth the transfer. I'm top 10% at a Chicago T2 with 6+ years WE, no IP. I want biglaw in SF, where I'm from, but would consider a few years in Chicago or NYC before moving back. I really do want SF, though. After consideration for lost scholarship and higher tuition, my degree would cost an extra $40k. Plus extra for DC's higher cost of living.

I think the top 10% at my school are competitive for biglaw, but very few firms come to OCI and the ones that do are all in the Midwest. I'm just not willing to live in Michigan, Wisconsin, or whatever. Aside from that, I'm LGBT/URM and plan to go to Lavender Law and the Cook County Minority Job Fair to get my resumes out. Transferring to GULC would give me access to significantly more firms at OCI than at my current school, obviously. But, not that many CA firms are represented at GULC, and I've heard that coming back to Chicago may be difficult. And would it be bad if I went to the Cook County Minority Job Fair and was like, "Hey, guys. I'm leaving Chicago for 2 years, but hire me anyway!"? And there's also the issue of transfer stigma and/or being looked at as median at GULC, as opposed to top 10% if I stay. But if I strike out, having GULC on my resume is better than my T2 that means nothing to anyone in SF, right?

I will apply to Berkeley and NU, but GULC may be my only option if I can't bump up to 5% this semester.

What do you guys think? Worth it? Also, please explain your answer in comments! Thank you!

Normally, T2--> T14 is a no-brainer, but:

1) Being a double-minority is killer for OCI. That alone gives you a high probability of landing a firm job.

2) G-Town is a sketchy proposition for transferring for many people, but esp. if you're trying to go to SF. Cal would obviously be a good choice for you, but I would try Michigan as well. They place surprisingly well in CA.

I would pay the deposit(s) and wait and see. But if you don't get in anywhere else I would take Georgetown. Top 10% at Kent or Loyola is not going to be enough to get you a great job. Even if you do interview with Chicago firms at Georgetown's OCI, it's pretty easy to explain to them why you transferred.

You forgot the Bay Area Diversity Fair. Pretty much all the big Bay Area firms show up there. It's a great way to augment your interview schedule.

jbiresq wrote:I would pay the deposit(s) and wait and see. But if you don't get in anywhere else I would take Georgetown. Top 10% at Kent or Loyola is not going to be enough to get you a great job. Even if you do interview with Chicago firms at Georgetown's OCI, it's pretty easy to explain to them why you transferred.

You forgot the Bay Area Diversity Fair. Pretty much all the big Bay Area firms show up there. It's a great way to augment your interview schedule.

OP here: I actually just found out about that today. Thanks for the tip!

Does anyone have experience with job fairs as a transfer? How would I deal with the fact that bidding starts before all acceptances/rejections are in, and I wouldn't be able to reflect my new school (if I transfer) on my resume? Also, specific to the Cook County one, how do I handle the fact that I may transfer out of the Midwest?

OP again: also, are there any other job fairs that I may have missed?

Anonymous User wrote:

jbiresq wrote:I would pay the deposit(s) and wait and see. But if you don't get in anywhere else I would take Georgetown. Top 10% at Kent or Loyola is not going to be enough to get you a great job. Even if you do interview with Chicago firms at Georgetown's OCI, it's pretty easy to explain to them why you transferred.

You forgot the Bay Area Diversity Fair. Pretty much all the big Bay Area firms show up there. It's a great way to augment your interview schedule.

OP here: I actually just found out about that today. Thanks for the tip!

Does anyone have experience with job fairs as a transfer? How would I deal with the fact that bidding starts before all acceptances/rejections are in, and I wouldn't be able to reflect my new school (if I transfer) on my resume? Also, specific to the Cook County one, how do I handle the fact that I may transfer out of the Midwest?

For the resume issue, I would deposit into GULC and stick it on your resume. When you go into the interview room, just give them a new copy of your resume and explain that you had an offer from x school (hopefully ranked higher) and had to take it for x reasons. They'll understand.

With the Midwest stuff, I wouldn't worry about it. You'll need to come up with a convincing speech about more opportunities, etc. but it's not something that you should base the decision whether to transfer on. They'll understand why you chose a higher ranked school. Just keep the speech short and sweet; one transfer who had success at OCI simply told firms he transferred because the school was ranked higher, though I wouldn't go that way. On the other hand, you should base the decision on "where" to transfer on these factors.

Pay the seat deposit and throw in an app to Chicago early decision. They like taking transfers from Chicago-area schools.

buddingjd wrote:Pay the seat deposit and throw in an app to Chicago early decision. They like taking transfers from Chicago-area schools.

Top 10% from Loyola/Kent will not get you into Chicago, especially ED. A deferral at best.

jbiresq wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

jbiresq wrote:I would pay the deposit(s) and wait and see. But if you don't get in anywhere else I would take Georgetown. Top 10% at Kent or Loyola is not going to be enough to get you a great job. Even if you do interview with Chicago firms at Georgetown's OCI, it's pretty easy to explain to them why you transferred.

You forgot the Bay Area Diversity Fair. Pretty much all the big Bay Area firms show up there. It's a great way to augment your interview schedule.

OP here: I actually just found out about that today. Thanks for the tip!

Does anyone have experience with job fairs as a transfer? How would I deal with the fact that bidding starts before all acceptances/rejections are in, and I wouldn't be able to reflect my new school (if I transfer) on my resume? Also, specific to the Cook County one, how do I handle the fact that I may transfer out of the Midwest?

For the resume issue, I would deposit into GULC and stick it on your resume. When you go into the interview room, just give them a new copy of your resume and explain that you had an offer from x school (hopefully ranked higher) and had to take it for x reasons. They'll understand.

With the Midwest stuff, I wouldn't worry about it. You'll need to come up with a convincing speech about more opportunities, etc. but it's not something that you should base the decision whether to transfer on. They'll understand why you chose a higher ranked school. Just keep the speech short and sweet; one transfer who had success at OCI simply told firms he transferred because the school was ranked higher, though I wouldn't go that way. On the other hand, you should base the decision on "where" to transfer on these factors.

OP here: This is solid advice. Thank you.

jbiresq wrote:

buddingjd wrote:Pay the seat deposit and throw in an app to Chicago early decision. They like taking transfers from Chicago-area schools.

Top 10% from Loyola/Kent will not get you into Chicago, especially ED. A deferral at best.

I was planning on applying to Chicago anyway, especially if I can boost up to 5% this semester. But it's a way, way longshot, and I'm not looking at it as any sort of possibility until I have an acceptance in hand.

I will definitely put the seat deposit down for now, register for the job fairs, and see what other acceptances come (if any). All of this is so stressful, especially if I'll need to move on a moment's notice.

Relax, send the check and get to studying . The GULC acceptance screwed up my studying last year and I dipped a bit.

jbiresq wrote:Relax, send the check and get to studying . The GULC acceptance screwed up my studying last year and I dipped a bit.

LOL, the best advice yet. Thanks.