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4.0 from CCN, considering attempting to transfer to HLS or YLS. Obviously a bit premature before I get second semester grades, but is it worth it?

I want to work in DC after graduation, and my understanding is that DC biglaw is easiest to get from HLS and YLS. I also want to clerk, and am strongly considering a career in academia as well.

My initial thought is that HLS and YLS would be better for everything. However, I question whether and to what extent I'd actually be hurting myself by transferring--would lose my relationships with professors, lose law review, etc., and I think it might be better to be where I am at CCN rather than being less prominent academically at HLS or YLS. I'm not unhappy at CCN--really like it here--just considering whether it makes more sense from a business perspective to try and move up.

This transfer is dumb. If your grades stay that high, DC and clerking will both be pretty likely so long as you interview reasonably well. Transferring gives up your relationships with professors and law review, which are more important than anything else for feeder judges and academia at this point. Plus, if you stay at the top of your class, expect to get extra attention from the faculty at your current school if you express an interest in clerking (because schools want clerking stats even more than they want job stats).

I would stay. Why become just another one in the herd when you are clearly distinguishing yourself at a school that is pretty great.

I could see transferring for more money via need based aid but even that may not be worth it.

Not worth transferring. You'd need a pretty good story to explain it.