Top Law Schools

I have spent several hours reading through TLS regarding transfers, various schools, and employment. With that being said I am looking for some feedback concerning my two options. I realize "biglaw" isn't really on the table at this point but my goal is as close to biglaw as I can get, whether that be actual biglaw or regional/midlaw. I have strong ties to Seattle, and weaker ties via close family (siblings and aunts/uncles) in CA and AZ. I would like to stay in Seattle if possible, but I am not entirely opposed to moving to any large market.

1L Stats:
SU (t2/t3)
GPA 3.50
Rank T19%

Option 1:
Stay at SU T2/T3 $41k tuition-$16k scholarship= $25k
Did not do write on as I was intending to transfer

Option 2:
Transfer to UW T1 $31k tuition no scholarship = $31k
Able participate in write on and probably end up on a secondary journal.

The COL for both schools is nearly the same. Basically what it boils down to is the upgrade from SU-->UW worth the additional 12K in tuition? I have already petitioned SU for a scholarship increase given my performance, and they said they will reevaluate but it does not seem likely I will get an increase. I have tried to do some research regarding both school's placement in local firms and it seems SU places just as well regionally in midlaw as UW but I do not have any empirical data other than browsing through firm profiles.

Have you checked lawschooltransparency.com? Just glancing at the numbers, it seems like a transfer to UW would be worth it.

I would most definitely transfer.

For reference:

SU: http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/seattle/2014/
UW: http://www.lstscorereports.com/schools/washington/2014/

Given that Seattle is your preferred market and you want to keep biglaw an option, I would transfer.

TRANSFER

IMO this is a clear transfer situation