USF to UT Chances Forum

[sf2tx]

Hi!

I know there was at least one transfer USF to UT last year from their 509, and would love to know if anyone on this forum has made this transfer, or one similar.

I have a 4.0 first semester, made moot court and am top 5% as of now (assuming higher than that since the cutoff was 3.73 for top 5% I believe, but USF doesn't rank.) I am spending my summer working at a firm in Austin/SA and really want to stay in Texas and try for BigLaw.

1. If anyone has made a move like this (TTT to UT), what do you think my chances are assuming I keep my grades up (Maybe not another 4.0, but I think I will be fine)? I have two strong LORs and only want to transfer to UT (want to be close to my family in TX, planning on living in TX long-term, would like to continue working at the firm I am working at this summer in Austin during the year).

2. UT transfers, what should I expect from OCI? I know it's unlikely I will get BigLaw being a transfer, but I want to at least give it a shot. I am from TX and have plenty of connections at large firms I will be reaching out to this summer (Pillsbury, Baker Botts, ect.) but also am aware that it's a long shot. How did you all fare at medium sized firms during OCR?

3. UT transfers, UT isn't doing conditional admission anymore from what I heard, but how long is the turnaround between when your grades got in and when you were admitted? Also, do they still do Skype interviews?

Thank you!

[mister logical]

Hi!

I know there was at least one transfer USF to UT last year from their 509, and would love to know if anyone on this forum has made this transfer, or one similar.

I have a 4.0 first semester, made moot court and am top 5% as of now (assuming higher than that since the cutoff was 3.73 for top 5% I believe, but USF doesn't rank.) I am spending my summer working at a firm in Austin/SA and really want to stay in Texas and try for BigLaw.

1. If anyone has made a move like this (TTT to UT), what do you think my chances are assuming I keep my grades up (Maybe not another 4.0, but I think I will be fine)? I have two strong LORs and only want to transfer to UT (want to be close to my family in TX, planning on living in TX long-term, would like to continue working at the firm I am working at this summer in Austin during the year).

2. UT transfers, what should I expect from OCI? I know it's unlikely I will get BigLaw being a transfer, but I want to at least give it a shot. I am from TX and have plenty of connections at large firms I will be reaching out to this summer (Pillsbury, Baker Botts, ect.) but also am aware that it's a long shot. How did you all fare at medium sized firms during OCR?

3. UT transfers, UT isn't doing conditional admission anymore from what I heard, but how long is the turnaround between when your grades got in and when you were admitted? Also, do they still do Skype interviews?

Thank you!

1. I transferred from a T2 but regardless, I think you'll be in with a very good shot if you emphasize your 1. close TX ties and 2. wanting to do big law in Texas in your personal statement. Obviously mention the 1L SA to solidify in their minds you're here for the long-haul.

2. OCI depends. First you have to get accepted before the bidding happens, so get your application to UT ASAP. Don't sell yourself short as a transfer. I know many transfers, myself included, who did very well during OCI. We were all top 5%-15% coming in. As long as you have prepared you should be fine. We have something like an 80%-20% pre-select v. lottery system, so use every single one of your bids to be considered.

3. That depends on your GPA. The higher your GPA the quicker they accept you basically. I think my turnaround was like 2-3 weeks, and got in with more than enough time to figure out my bidlist, finish my internships and move to Austin. As far as I know they still do the Skype interview. If you get the interview they're just checking you're not completely socially inept or insane, then usually a day or two later you get the letter.

GL OP, you're in a good place, kill it during the final stretch.

[sf2tx]

Thank you! This was all really helpful. Sent my app in a week ago but was told I needed final grades before they could review it. Regardless, hoping I get a quick turnaround.

[caseysho]

Hi!

I know there was at least one transfer USF to UT last year from their 509, and would love to know if anyone on this forum has made this transfer, or one similar.

I have a 4.0 first semester, made moot court and am top 5% as of now (assuming higher than that since the cutoff was 3.73 for top 5% I believe, but USF doesn't rank.) I am spending my summer working at a firm in Austin/SA and really want to stay in Texas and try for BigLaw.

1. If anyone has made a move like this (TTT to UT), what do you think my chances are assuming I keep my grades up (Maybe not another 4.0, but I think I will be fine)? I have two strong LORs and only want to transfer to UT (want to be close to my family in TX, planning on living in TX long-term, would like to continue working at the firm I am working at this summer in Austin during the year).

2. UT transfers, what should I expect from OCI? I know it's unlikely I will get BigLaw being a transfer, but I want to at least give it a shot. I am from TX and have plenty of connections at large firms I will be reaching out to this summer (Pillsbury, Baker Botts, ect.) but also am aware that it's a long shot. How did you all fare at medium sized firms during OCR?

3. UT transfers, UT isn't doing conditional admission anymore from what I heard, but how long is the turnaround between when your grades got in and when you were admitted? Also, do they still do Skype interviews?

Thank you!

They're still doing conditional transfers. I got in two weeks ago from first semester grades. I did a Skype interview that was really easy!

[sf2tx]

Congratulations! When I asked them (about a week before I sent my app in) they said they weren't doing conditional admittance anymore, so maybe they stopped with EA? I'll call again though and ask because on their website it says they do. Would love to know from them ASAP so I can know what to do about my lease in SF that goes up soon.

Excited to hear you got in though! Hoping for the same!

[oliv8518]

1. Anywhere inside the top 15% probably gives you a good shot from a TTT and some Texas ties.

2. OCI is going to be hit and miss coming from a TTT (4.0 should help though). You aren't going to get BB, V&E, NRF but you will certainly get a chance with +100 attorney firms. It's going to be really difficult and probably impossible to get Biglaw in Austin but you would have a shot with Houston and some Dallas firms. Just focus on the Big Tex firms and mid-sized firms. Texas firms seem to really care about fit so if you have a good personality and interview well then you might snag something. You will get plenty of interviews though so it will be up to you at that point.

3. Turnaround is pretty quick, maybe 2-3 weeks. They do a Skype interview but it's harmless. Just act like you're interested in moving back to Texas and working here and you will be fine. I feel like the interview is just a final checkup to see if you are somewhat normal.

[sf2tx]

That's what I expected from OCI, just wasn't sure. I'd like to stay in Austin rather than going to Houston or Dallas, but I get that larger firms in Austin probably just stick with people who went to UT from the start. I'd be happier at a smaller firm if it's in Austin rather than working in Houston or Dallas, but who knows what will happen.

Thank you for the info!

[mister logical]

That's what I expected from OCI, just wasn't sure. I'd like to stay in Austin rather than going to Houston or Dallas, but I get that larger firms in Austin probably just stick with people who went to UT from the start. I'd be happier at a smaller firm if it's in Austin rather than working in Houston or Dallas, but who knows what will happen.

Thank you for the info!

Staying in Austin is difficult even for people at UT who have great grades. The big law firms here are small offices and typically don't take many people. But don't let coming from T3 get in your head, with those grades you have a good chance of getting big law in Dallas/Houston during OCI as long as you prep for interviews.