WCL Transfer Question Forum

[Anonymous User]

Here is the situation: I just finished in the top 5% of the class in the first semester at American WCL with a 3.9 GPA. I have been offered a fellowship with a significant amount of money to stay at the school, but I have to sign a form saying that I will not transfer out. I understand that the job prospects may increase should I transfer, but I find this fellowship enticing. I know that WCL has been getting bad press lately, but I have very much enjoyed my experience at the school so far regardless of what others think of it. I want to get as much advice as I can before making a final decision. Thoughts?

[runinthefront]

how much are you paying right now for school? how much is the fellowship worth?

[CanadianWolf]

Agree that more details are needed; nevertheless, you'll likely be accepted to several T-8 (including Penn & Virginia with T-6) as a transfer if you maintain a top 5% ranking.

[Anonymous User]

Including current total merit-based grants, I am paying half of the total tuition costs out of pocket. The fellowship would further reduce what I pay to about 25% of the total costs.

[CanadianWolf]

Then my opinion would lean toward transferring into one of the T-8 law schools. Top 5% after first semester can fall below top 10% after the second semester. Are you willing to take on substantial debt for T-8 career options ?

[Anonymous User]

I am willing to take on the debt if it is the better option.
Does anyone have any insight as to how WCL transfers fare at higher ranked schools (academically, OCI opportunities, law review, moot court, etc.)?

[chuckbass]

What in the world is this T8 nonsense

[CanadianWolf]

Based on most recent employment numbers. (Add 2 to T-6.)

[runinthefront]

Based on most recent employment numbers. (Add 2 to T-6.)

I think what the poster was referring to was the seemingly arbitrary cut-off. Why Berkeley instead of Duke?

[TheNextAmendment]

so you're getting 25k/year and then after getting top 5% grades they only offered you another 6k/year (25% of 25k). Nope, transfer. 31k/year at American isn't worth it.

[Longtimecoming19]

Transfer so hard

[chuckbass]

Transfer so hard

Only as long as it's to a T9 though.

[BankruptMe]

transfer.

[03152016]

Then my opinion would lean toward transferring into one of the T-8 law schools. Top 5% after first semester can fall below top 10% after the second semester. Are you willing to take on substantial debt for T-8 career options ?

UCLA if you did not get admitted to any of the top 10 law schools to which you applied as a transfer.

However, if you do score 168 or higher on the LSAT, then you should be admitted to several Top 17 law schools assuming an otherwise strong application.

OP: Three concerns about the liklihood of getting admitted to a Top 18 law school:

If you are admitted to a top 20 law school, then you need to consider seriously those options, in my opinion.

Otherwise you should be admitted to many, possibly most, Tier One (Top 50) law schools.

Minor point, but top (9) nine business schools at the most. OP will be admitted to several T-6 business schools with a 790/800 GMAT & 8 years substantial work experience.

With a 162 LSAT score & a 3.47 GPA, you should be admitted to all Tier Two, Three & Four law schools and be competitive for all but the top twenty Tier One law schools.

gotta hand it to you
you're dedicated to your schtick

[Total Litigator]

Transferrrr

At top 5% WCL should be offering you full tuition to stay, probably + a stipend. F them...

[Wouldliketotransfer2]

Harvard accepted 1 person from AU last year....
You have a lot of opportunities with that GPA. I think it all depends on what was your dream school and what do you want to do? If you want to work in corporate law, I work at a big law firm and we have lots of people from AU. It has a good rep in DC.

[BVest]

Harvard accepted 1 person from AU last year....

(a) According to their 509, 2 transfers matriculated from American. (b) Don't confuse matriculated transfers with accepted transfers. Yes, it's safe to assume that H has a very high transfer yield relative to most, but that doesn't mean that everyone who gets in will definitely go.

[MagicMike80]

You should not pay WCL even one more dollar. Even if they give you a full ride, however, you should leave. Even if you don't get H, you'll get something t6.

[MarkfromWI]

Transfer so hard

You should not pay WCL even one more dollar. Even if they give you a full ride, however, you should leave. Even if you don't get H, you'll get something t6.

Consider them not offering you a full ride a slap in the face, because that's exactly what it was.

[rogerrogerson]

Transfer. You are in a great position.

[forumofinterest]

I'm not sure about the financial component, but do you want to give up top 5% (or even higher if some others transfer)? What for? I can see if you want to be a professor and maybe some of the Ivys do a better job, but I'd think you can write your own ticket at WCL at that academic level. Even WCL must hire into the private sector; who are they taking if not you? Seems a bird in the hand here...

[Ron Don Volante]

I'm not sure about the financial component, but do you want to give up top 5% (or even higher if some others transfer)? What for? I can see if you want to be a professor and maybe some of the Ivys do a better job, but I'd think you can write your own ticket at WCL at that academic level. Even WCL must hire into the private sector; who are they taking if not you? Seems a bird in the hand here...

No. American is a raging dumpster fire. You have a golden ticket here. Absolutely have to transfer.

[MarkfromWI]

I'm not sure about the financial component, but do you want to give up top 5% (or even higher if some others transfer)? What for? I can see if you want to be a professor and maybe some of the Ivys do a better job, but I'd think you can write your own ticket at WCL at that academic level. Even WCL must hire into the private sector; who are they taking if not you? Seems a bird in the hand here...

Just no. Use that GPA to get the hell out of there. American is a sinking ship, don't go down with it.

[jk148706]

.

[InTheHouse]

Including current total merit-based grants, I am paying half of the total tuition costs out of pocket. The fellowship would further reduce what I pay to about 25% of the total costs.

So you're essentially getting an extra %25 of COA to stick around?

I have been offered a fellowship with a significant amount of money to stay at the school, but I have to sign a form saying that I will not transfer out.

Doesn't AU's behavior tell you what the right move is? Even they don't think what they're offering should be enough to keep you around.

Transfer. You'll have great options.