3.77 at T35 - Chances at T14? Outside shot at HYS? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I have a 3.77 at a regional T35; in the past, this GPA would have put me inside the top 10%. I have no ties to the region and no real interest in practicing here. I would like to try out biglaw if I could. Ultimately, I'd like to work in California (Bay Area > San Diego > LA). I have some family CA ties but they're not particularly strong.

Other areas I'm interested in: Miami, Texas, NYC, DC (in order of preference)

Accepted ED: GULC
Applied: Michigan, Berkeley, Duke, Penn, UVA, H
Considering: CCN / YS

Misc: Won Best Oral Argument; no grades below A-

1. Do I have any shot at the schools I listed above? If you could elaborate, that would be great
2. Should I stick around if I'm top 10% and law review? Or go to GULC? Or wait and try to see if I get any other T14s?

Thanks!

[juzam_djinn]

I'd bet good money you get in at least 2-3 of those T14's, also likely one of CCN if you apply to all (keeping in mind you need 2 prof recs for columbia...) but HYS is a real long shot unless you're firmly in top 10 (more like top 5) %. What region is your school in? that has a bit of impact for admissions (not much, but it could help if you're a borderline candidate)

[eastcoast_iub]

Likely in at UM (top 15% at T30 was sufficient for several people in my graduating class, although last year's class was a good deal smaller, don't know why). UVA is out if you're not from VA, Duke has a really small class, H is unlikely. Penn is on the fence (likely in if top 10%). Berkeley also probably depends on ties.

[dudley12]

I'm not at same school judging by GPA vs. class rank but similarly ranked school. I know someone in class before me xferred to Berkeley at I think about top 10%, and people in my class who xferred to UMich with as low as top 20%. Two classes ago someone xferred to HYS at top 5%. Unfortunately don't know any CCN xfers.
I'll add that if you really want to work at a big firm, you should probably transfer.