Notre Dame v. Vandy v. GW v. WUSTL v. Emory Transfer Forum

[Top20TransferHopeful]

I'm already paying sticker at my school ranked in the 60's on the east coast so cost is not that important to me. I am around top 15-17% after my first semester. It seems like I have a decent shot at most of these looking at my GPA and the 509 ABA reports, give or take a little. I don't have a strong BigLaw preference because I basically have the job I want lined up, and it pays above market. I'm transferring mainly to go to a school with a better reputation because I'd basically pay the same by staying where I am. I think transferring is going to help me feel like I fit in at my firm and bring in business in the long run. Pretty much everyone at the firm I want to work for went to T25 schools. I don't want to be looked down on because I went to a TT. Now that I have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school, and it seems like there is little downside in my specific situation, I really want to transfer.

I've always loved Notre Dame and feel like Notre Dame is impressive to people even on the west coast. GW and Vandy would also be awesome. I know Vanderbilt is the highest ranked out of these, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make on the west coast. If you we're in my shoes, which one of these would you go to?

[Clearly]

None because you only have one semesters grades.

[Joscellin]

I'm already paying sticker at my school ranked in the 60's so cost is not that important to me. I am around top 15-17% after my first semester. It seems like I have a decent shot at most of these looking at my GPA and the 509 ABA reports, give or take a little. I don't have a strong BigLaw preference because I basically have the job I want lined up, and it pays above market on the western half of the US. I'm transferring mainly to go to a school with a better reputation because I'd basically pay the same by staying where I am. I think transferring is going to help me feel like I fit in at my firm and bring in business in the long run. Pretty much everyone at the firm I want to work for went to T25 schools. I don't want to be looked down on because I went to a TT. Now that I have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school, and it seems like there is little downside in my specific situation, I really want to transfer.

I've always loved Notre Dame and feel like Notre Dame is impressive to people even on the west coast. GW and Vandy would also be awesome. I know Vanderbilt is the highest ranked out of these, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make on the west coast. If you we're in my shoes, which one of these would you go to?

Is the school you're in in the same market as the job you have lined up? If so, I would stay where you are, aim for LR, and develop local connections. Further, you may be able to leverage your grades and any transfer acceptances into scholarship $$ to stick around. Assuming you're local to the job you have lined up, I'd view this as your best option.

...but that's not the question you asked. Purely based on the criteria you laid out, with money and job prospects taken out of the equation and purely chasing lay prestige? Vandy and ND probably have the best "name recognition" out of the group, nationally speaking, so that would be my answer.

I also don't think it would hurt to throw an EA app at GULC, as I imagine you're on the edge of their acceptance range, especially if you can bump those grades up a bit.

I have to emphasize though, you're a prime candidate to just leverage grades and transfer acceptances into scholarship money and stay local.

[run26.2]

I wouldn't transfer in your shoes. What difference does it make in this situation? Plenty of rainmakers went to lesser schools. The only reason it's justifiable here is because you perceive you will be looked down upon. I suggest you get over that, stay where you are and enjoy your friendships there.

[GreenJay]

I have heard that WUSTL gives transfers scholarships which might be a consideration.

[thricelawyer9]

None because you only have one semesters grades.

You can apply to all of these with only first semester grades.

[Top20TransferHopeful]

I'm already paying sticker at my school ranked in the 60's so cost is not that important to me. I am around top 15-17% after my first semester. It seems like I have a decent shot at most of these looking at my GPA and the 509 ABA reports, give or take a little. I don't have a strong BigLaw preference because I basically have the job I want lined up, and it pays above market on the western half of the US. I'm transferring mainly to go to a school with a better reputation because I'd basically pay the same by staying where I am. I think transferring is going to help me feel like I fit in at my firm and bring in business in the long run. Pretty much everyone at the firm I want to work for went to T25 schools. I don't want to be looked down on because I went to a TT. Now that I have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school, and it seems like there is little downside in my specific situation, I really want to transfer.

I've always loved Notre Dame and feel like Notre Dame is impressive to people even on the west coast. GW and Vandy would also be awesome. I know Vanderbilt is the highest ranked out of these, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make on the west coast. If you we're in my shoes, which one of these would you go to?

Is the school you're in in the same market as the job you have lined up? If so, I would stay where you are, aim for LR, and develop local connections. Further, you may be able to leverage your grades and any transfer acceptances into scholarship $$ to stick around. Assuming you're local to the job you have lined up, I'd view this as your best option.

...but that's not the question you asked. Purely based on the criteria you laid out, with money and job prospects taken out of the equation and purely chasing lay prestige? Vandy and ND probably have the best "name recognition" out of the group, nationally speaking, so that would be my answer.

I also don't think it would hurt to throw an EA app at GULC, as I imagine you're on the edge of their acceptance range, especially if you can bump those grades up a bit.

I have to emphasize though, you're a prime candidate to just leverage grades and transfer acceptances into scholarship money and stay local.

Thanks for the advice. I threw an EA app to GULC, but I just assumed it would be too much of a pipe dream. I also applied EA to USC, but I don't think I'm quite in their range.

I will definitely try to get some scholarship $$ from my school. I'm in a nearby market, but not in the exact market I want.

Do ND and Vandy have better name recognition than GW?

[Joscellin]

I'm already paying sticker at my school ranked in the 60's so cost is not that important to me. I am around top 15-17% after my first semester. It seems like I have a decent shot at most of these looking at my GPA and the 509 ABA reports, give or take a little. I don't have a strong BigLaw preference because I basically have the job I want lined up, and it pays above market on the western half of the US. I'm transferring mainly to go to a school with a better reputation because I'd basically pay the same by staying where I am. I think transferring is going to help me feel like I fit in at my firm and bring in business in the long run. Pretty much everyone at the firm I want to work for went to T25 schools. I don't want to be looked down on because I went to a TT. Now that I have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school, and it seems like there is little downside in my specific situation, I really want to transfer.

I've always loved Notre Dame and feel like Notre Dame is impressive to people even on the west coast. GW and Vandy would also be awesome. I know Vanderbilt is the highest ranked out of these, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make on the west coast. If you we're in my shoes, which one of these would you go to?

Is the school you're in in the same market as the job you have lined up? If so, I would stay where you are, aim for LR, and develop local connections. Further, you may be able to leverage your grades and any transfer acceptances into scholarship $$ to stick around. Assuming you're local to the job you have lined up, I'd view this as your best option.

...but that's not the question you asked. Purely based on the criteria you laid out, with money and job prospects taken out of the equation and purely chasing lay prestige? Vandy and ND probably have the best "name recognition" out of the group, nationally speaking, so that would be my answer.

I also don't think it would hurt to throw an EA app at GULC, as I imagine you're on the edge of their acceptance range, especially if you can bump those grades up a bit.

I have to emphasize though, you're a prime candidate to just leverage grades and transfer acceptances into scholarship money and stay local.

Thanks for the advice. I threw an EA app to GULC, but I just assumed it would be too much of a pipe dream. I also applied EA to USC, but I don't think I'm quite in their range.

I will definitely try to get some scholarship $$ from my school. I'm in a nearby market, but not in the exact market I want.

Do ND and Vandy have better name recognition than GW?

Totally depends on the market. On the east cost, sure GW probably carries more weight (specifically in Virginia/DC), but if you're on the west coast or Texas, no one would blink at GW. I mention ND and Vandy because they're both known and respected nationally by laypeople.

South - Vandy / Emory
East Coast - GW / ND
Midwest - WUSTL / ND / Vandy
West Coast - ND / Vandy
Southwest - ND / Vandy

At least that's my impression, but we're talking about really soft lines anyway. I'm not familiar with GULC's 509 well enough to know what it takes from your school, but I'd guess that top 15% or so is about right. Maybe top 10%?

I have to reitterate though - If you have a job lined up already, there's probably not a good reason to transfer in this range, especially if it would cost you a LR grade on. Leverage for scholarship $$. Once you have that job, keeping it will be based on your performance, not your school.

[Top20TransferHopeful]

I have heard that WUSTL gives transfers scholarships which might be a consideration.

Interesting. I suspect that WUSTL will have a larger transfer class this year too because they had a smaller 1L class.

[Top20TransferHopeful]

I'm already paying sticker at my school ranked in the 60's so cost is not that important to me. I am around top 15-17% after my first semester. It seems like I have a decent shot at most of these looking at my GPA and the 509 ABA reports, give or take a little. I don't have a strong BigLaw preference because I basically have the job I want lined up, and it pays above market on the western half of the US. I'm transferring mainly to go to a school with a better reputation because I'd basically pay the same by staying where I am. I think transferring is going to help me feel like I fit in at my firm and bring in business in the long run. Pretty much everyone at the firm I want to work for went to T25 schools. I don't want to be looked down on because I went to a TT. Now that I have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school, and it seems like there is little downside in my specific situation, I really want to transfer.

I've always loved Notre Dame and feel like Notre Dame is impressive to people even on the west coast. GW and Vandy would also be awesome. I know Vanderbilt is the highest ranked out of these, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make on the west coast. If you we're in my shoes, which one of these would you go to?

Is the school you're in in the same market as the job you have lined up? If so, I would stay where you are, aim for LR, and develop local connections. Further, you may be able to leverage your grades and any transfer acceptances into scholarship $$ to stick around. Assuming you're local to the job you have lined up, I'd view this as your best option.

...but that's not the question you asked. Purely based on the criteria you laid out, with money and job prospects taken out of the equation and purely chasing lay prestige? Vandy and ND probably have the best "name recognition" out of the group, nationally speaking, so that would be my answer.

I also don't think it would hurt to throw an EA app at GULC, as I imagine you're on the edge of their acceptance range, especially if you can bump those grades up a bit.

I have to emphasize though, you're a prime candidate to just leverage grades and transfer acceptances into scholarship money and stay local.

Thanks for the advice. I threw an EA app to GULC, but I just assumed it would be too much of a pipe dream. I also applied EA to USC, but I don't think I'm quite in their range.

I will definitely try to get some scholarship $$ from my school. I'm in a nearby market, but not in the exact market I want.

Do ND and Vandy have better name recognition than GW?

Totally depends on the market. On the east cost, sure GW probably carries more weight (specifically in Virginia/DC), but if you're on the west coast or Texas, no one would blink at GW. I mention ND and Vandy because they're both known and respected nationally by laypeople.

South - Vandy / Emory
East Coast - GW / ND
Midwest - WUSTL / ND / Vandy
West Coast - ND / Vandy
Southwest - ND / Vandy

At least that's my impression, but we're talking about really soft lines anyway. I'm not familiar with GULC's 509 well enough to know what it takes from your school, but I'd guess that top 15% or so is about right. Maybe top 10%?

I have to reitterate though - If you have a job lined up already, there's probably not a good reason to transfer in this range, especially if it would cost you a LR grade on. Leverage for scholarship $$. Once you have that job, keeping it will be based on your performance, not your school.

I really like the breakdown. So far I'm hoping for ND or Vandy, and keeping my pipe dream of GULC alive.

I think I can write on to LR, but they only grade on the top 5% or so at my school. Thanks for the input.

[Top20TransferHopeful]

I wouldn't transfer in your shoes. What difference does it make in this situation? Plenty of rainmakers went to lesser schools. The only reason it's justifiable here is because you perceive you will be looked down upon. I suggest you get over that, stay where you are and enjoy your friendships there.

That's true. Do you think it would be worth it to stay even if my school doesn't offer significant scholarship? E.g., under 50% tuition?

[run26.2]

It doesn't seem worth it to me to uproot and go to one of these places merely for a better name on your resume when you already have the job you want lined up. I would especially not be worried about it in terms of people looking down on you because of the school you went to. I think people judge you based on the quality of your work.

Where it might make a difference might be when you go to transfer jobs. But what you did at your last job will be more important than where you went to school. I also imagine that if you happen to be applying for a job where your connection is from your school. Yes, that gives an advantage to GW because of its size. The chances of that scenario coming to fruition is pretty slim, so I wouldn't transfer for that reason.

Since none of the transfer schools are in the region in which you want to be, and because none is really so good (aside from maybe Vandy) that people are going to be impressed by your school, I don't really see the value in transferring. I would try to bump my grades so I would have a good shot at LR and try for a clerkship or try to transfer to a T10. I think that is basically where the school you went to starts to have an impact when you go to find a second job.

[Top20TransferHopeful]

It doesn't seem worth it to me to uproot and go to one of these places merely for a better name on your resume when you already have the job you want lined up. I would especially not be worried about it in terms of people looking down on you because of the school you went to. I think people judge you based on the quality of your work.

Where it might make a difference might be when you go to transfer jobs. But what you did at your last job will be more important than where you went to school. I also imagine that if you happen to be applying for a job where your connection is from your school. Yes, that gives an advantage to GW because of its size. The chances of that scenario coming to fruition is pretty slim, so I wouldn't transfer for that reason.

Since none of the transfer schools are in the region in which you want to be, and because none is really so good (aside from maybe Vandy) that people are going to be impressed by your school, I don't really see the value in transferring. I would try to bump my grades so I would have a good shot at LR and try for a clerkship or try to transfer to a T10. I think that is basically where the school you went to starts to have an impact when you go to find a second job.

So you think it would still be worth it to stick it out where I am, even if I don't get significant scholarship money?

[run26.2]

I'm not saying you shouldn't transfer under some circumstances. It's just not worth it (in my view) if you're doing it solely for the increased prestige, where the actual difference in prestige is probably not enough to make a significant difference in your career. I transferred, but it was to a more highly ranked school. My advice is to get your grades up (you will be able to from where you're at) and see what your options are at that point.

As an aside, I have worked at multiple firms, and I have never noticed that, once someone was hired, there was any consideration given to where a person went to school in terms of things like assigning work, reviews, or promotions.

[pppp]

I'm already paying sticker at my school ranked in the 60's so cost is not that important to me. I am around top 15-17% after my first semester. It seems like I have a decent shot at most of these looking at my GPA and the 509 ABA reports, give or take a little. I don't have a strong BigLaw preference because I basically have the job I want lined up, and it pays above market on the western half of the US. I'm transferring mainly to go to a school with a better reputation because I'd basically pay the same by staying where I am. I think transferring is going to help me feel like I fit in at my firm and bring in business in the long run. Pretty much everyone at the firm I want to work for went to T25 schools. I don't want to be looked down on because I went to a TT. Now that I have the opportunity to go to a high ranked school, and it seems like there is little downside in my specific situation, I really want to transfer.

I've always loved Notre Dame and feel like Notre Dame is impressive to people even on the west coast. GW and Vandy would also be awesome. I know Vanderbilt is the highest ranked out of these, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that will make on the west coast. If you we're in my shoes, which one of these would you go to?

Is the school you're in in the same market as the job you have lined up? If so, I would stay where you are, aim for LR, and develop local connections. Further, you may be able to leverage your grades and any transfer acceptances into scholarship $$ to stick around. Assuming you're local to the job you have lined up, I'd view this as your best option.

...but that's not the question you asked. Purely based on the criteria you laid out, with money and job prospects taken out of the equation and purely chasing lay prestige? Vandy and ND probably have the best "name recognition" out of the group, nationally speaking, so that would be my answer.

I also don't think it would hurt to throw an EA app at GULC, as I imagine you're on the edge of their acceptance range, especially if you can bump those grades up a bit.

I have to emphasize though, you're a prime candidate to just leverage grades and transfer acceptances into scholarship money and stay local.

Thanks for the advice. I threw an EA app to GULC, but I just assumed it would be too much of a pipe dream. I also applied EA to USC, but I don't think I'm quite in their range.

I will definitely try to get some scholarship $$ from my school. I'm in a nearby market, but not in the exact market I want.

Do ND and Vandy have better name recognition than GW?

Totally depends on the market. On the east cost, sure GW probably carries more weight (specifically in Virginia/DC), but if you're on the west coast or Texas, no one would blink at GW. I mention ND and Vandy because they're both known and respected nationally by laypeople.

South - Vandy / Emory
East Coast - GW / ND
Midwest - WUSTL / ND / Vandy
West Coast - ND / Vandy
Southwest - ND / Vandy

At least that's my impression, but we're talking about really soft lines anyway. I'm not familiar with GULC's 509 well enough to know what it takes from your school, but I'd guess that top 15% or so is about right. Maybe top 10%?

I have to reitterate though - If you have a job lined up already, there's probably not a good reason to transfer in this range, especially if it would cost you a LR grade on. Leverage for scholarship $$. Once you have that job, keeping it will be based on your performance, not your school.

I really like the breakdown. So far I'm hoping for ND or Vandy, and keeping my pipe dream of GULC alive.

I think I can write on to LR, but they only grade on the top 5% or so at my school. Thanks for the input.

In NY it's definitely ND/Vandy. Not GW. As far as lay prestige goes. GW not really in the same league as the other two as far as overall/undergrad institutions. GW has its little niche in DC which is a huge market

[Top20TransferHopeful]

.

[thexfactor]

Vandy is the best in terms of chances of getting a big law job. I applied a couple of years ago coming a T50-60 with almost top 10% and I didn't get into Vandy, Texas, UCLA or any lower T14.

If your grades stay the same, you are a lock to ND.

Believe it or not, there is a huge difference between going to the schools you listed above and the lower T14 schools.

Figure out a way to get in the top 10% so you can transfer into a T14 school and have much better employment opportunities.

[Top20TransferHopeful]

Vandy is the best in terms of chances of getting a big law job. I applied a couple of years ago coming a T50-60 with almost top 10% and I didn't get into Vandy, Texas, UCLA or any lower T14.

If your grades stay the same, you are a lock to ND.

Believe it or not, there is a huge difference between going to the schools you listed above and the lower T14 schools.

Figure out a way to get in the top 10% so you can transfer into a T14 school and have much better employment opportunities.

I'd love to go to a lower T14 or even GULC, I just probably don't have the grades to get in. I'm gunna try and get them up this semester so I have a shot. I had all A's and one B last semester, so if I can just be consistent I might have a chance.

[NoDayButToday]

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