Top Law Schools

East Coast T1 40-50
3.7-3.8; Top 6%
4 years WE

What are my chances for Berkeley/Stanford/Chicago(ED)? Are my chances at UCB and S so small that I should fully commit to ED Chicago?

I definitely want to transfer to either the west coast or U of Chicago if possible. Have family in Chicago who went to undergrad there and friends out west. I don't think my chances are great at any of these schools, but I want to end up in NorCal/San Fran if at all possible. I have already applied to USC (EA) and will apply to UCLA, which I am relatively confident about. Not really feeling the NE, DC, or other Midwest schools.

Given that I want to end up in BigLaw/Corporate GC San Fran, are my chances so small at my preference schools (UCB and Stanford) that I should risk an ED to Chicago? Is Chicago even plausible in itself given my stats? Also, I am thinking Chicago would give me a better chance at BigLaw/GC in San Fran than UCLA/USC would. Is that wrong to assume?

given that one bad semester could destroy your chances of transferring at all, and given that you want BigLaw in the west coast, I would apply UChi ED. FWIW, a friend of mine got in from an east coast t1 without about your stats -- top 5% or so.

Got into B with those stats last year, but know of people with similar numbers who didn't. It can really be a black box.

If you were at a Cali law school, I'd say Stanford was possible. But it'll be really tough for a person at an East Coast school. I was at an East Coast school in the same range with top 1% grades last year and Stanford rejected me. I didn't have your work experience, though.

Berkeley and Chicago are both possible. If you're good with Chicago, nothing wrong with EDing now. Lessens the risk. If you really want Berkeley and California, I'd wait and take the risk.