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Like the subject line says, #1 at a T25-T35 after 1st semester. Two awards for highest grade in class.

Currently I am at close to a full ride; I will be in roughly $50k of debt if I stay at current school.

I would love to end up at big law in DC doing IP litigation (BS in biochem). It's not impossible from my current school, but not common. Big law in my current region is definitely within reach as things stand. I do have family ties in my current region so I wouldn't be upset.

I feel like my main reason for considering a transfer is for career options further down the road, but maybe that makes no sense.

Obviously I have to keep my grades up, but is it worth trying to transfer? And if so which schools could/should I transfer to?

Appreciate any advice. I never expected to do so well so I hadn't put much thought into this before grades came out.

I think this depends on which T25-35 and which of the T6 - HYS or CCN?

Getting into IP lit with only a BS in biochem is going to be a bitch, but I think keeping that #1 ranking up will really help you stand out. I think it's silly to focus on IP Lit vs. general lit if the goal is DC big law, which should be easy from #1. Transferring and paying sticker means basically going from 50k in debt to 175k in debt at graduation, or an extra $1500/month off your income. Obviously you know your school numbers better than I do since you haven't said your school, but I can't imagine you not being highly competitive as is. I'd also think that maybe you might wanna consider just finding a big firm taht has good general lit and also good IP, and sneaking your way over to their group over the summer.

Top 1% at a T1 will get you into CCN and HLS, as well as a good chance at YS.

Transfer. If in doubt, just review placement stats of your current law school with those of the T-6 law schools.

passwordistaco wrote: I would love to end up at big law in DC doing IP litigation (BS in biochem).

If that's your goal, then there's something you should be prioritizing over transferring: getting a 1L SA in DC at a firm that does patent lit. Apply everywhere...Finnegan, Fish, etc.

If you're #1 in your class with a B.S. in biochem, someone will hire you. Do the transfer-or-not-to-transfer calculation after landing the SA.

CanadianWolf wrote:Transfer. If in doubt, just review placement stats of your current law school with those of the T-6 law schools.

That's great advice for a 0L considering between a T6 and a T25, but not really relevant for a 1L who is #1 in his or her class (and who has close to a full ride at the 1L school).

Depends upon the current school & whether or not OP maintains a high rank at the end of the first year. Best to fill out the transfer apps & see what happens. A T-6 degree is worth the effort.

P.S. Not sure if this is still accurate, but Chicago may evaluate your transfer app based on your first semester grades,