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Currently top 20% at T1 on full scholly. Haven't gotten second semester grades and I have a feeling they could go down. If that is the case, would it be worth it to transfer into a higher T1 like UT/Vandy/WUST? Goal is federal clerkship, thanks for your help!

Current school ranked in 30's

no bro.

Anonymous User wrote:Currently top 20% at T1 on full scholly. Haven't gotten second semester grades and I have a feeling they could go down. If that is the case, would it be worth it to transfer into a higher T1 like UT/Vandy/WUST? Goal is federal clerkship, thanks for your help!

I don't think that'd be worth it, but you can probably get in somewhere in the T14.

eyeofvigilence wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Currently top 20% at T1 on full scholly. Haven't gotten second semester grades and I have a feeling they could go down. If that is the case, would it be worth it to transfer into a higher T1 like UT/Vandy/WUST? Goal is federal clerkship, thanks for your help!

I don't think that'd be worth it, but you can probably get in somewhere in the T14.

And it's still probably not worth it. (Which may be what you meant).

Not worth it b/c transfers don't fare well at their new school or just b/c of the cost of the new school compared to the old?

My concern is that at my current school, if I'm outside the top 20%, then big law / fed clerkships are no longer an option. I realize it's a risk to pay 100+k to reopen these doors, but it may be the only chance left to land one of these jobs.

Depends on the T1... If you're at one of the T1's that have decent ~30% Big Law/Fed Clerk or better I would stay and keep the scholly.

Pomeranian wrote:Depends on the T1... If you're at one of the T1's that have decent ~30% Big Law/Fed Clerk or better I would stay and keep the scholly.

Current School has about 20% (or less) placement in those jobs over the past few years.

The problem is, even if the OP transfers, they are not likely to be any more competitive for biglaw spots at the new school during OCI.

It's possible they'll be more competitive for clerkship spots, but only if they perform better at the new school than they are at their current school, because at a school with 10% fed clerkships, top 20% has a shot at a clerkship, but it's probably 50/50 or less. But (1) they won't get any fed clerkships without grades at new school -- at least not any they couldn't have gotten without transferring -- and (2) there's no assurance of being top 20% at the new school.

So my fears came true. Dropped just outside the top 20%. Tbh, I'm leaning toward transferring. Seems as though the IBR options can make large sums of debt manageable, assuming I secure a job. Additionally my regional school is not in my home state. Transfer school would have more recognition where I'm from.

Is the consensus here to still stay at current school?

In at T20, still unsure what I should do. Since my GPA dropped, I don't think getting into a T14 is going to happen. Anyone think the jump could be worth it? I'd really like to land a clerkship (maybe even a state one).

Anonymous User wrote:In at T20, still unsure what I should do. Since my GPA dropped, I don't think getting into a T14 is going to happen. Anyone think the jump could be worth it? I'd really like to land a clerkship (maybe even a state one).

Even if you transfer to a T20, your 1L grades and school do still matter for purposes of a clerkship. You're not likely to get a federal clerkship. And if you're in a flyover state, wouldn't it be better to apply to state clerkships there? A little outside top 20% isn't competitive for state (non-SSC) clerkships in your flyover state?

Did you end up applying to any T14 schools? I think you'd probably still get in at GULC. Should you go? Probably not. I'd also at least send an application to Northwestern and Michigan, since it sounds like your 1L school might be in the Midwest.

I don't think transferring to a T20 is worth it at all. A T14 might be worth it if you can participate in OCI and their OCI is lottery. I transferred to Northwestern, and the majority of people in my transfer class were just outside the range of biglaw at their 1L school but got it at our OCI. Just an anecdote, but I think sometimes if you're near the borderline of biglaw at your 1L school, transferring to a school with lottery OCI and having good interview skills can get you a biglaw job. It is a big risk though, and I don't think I'd advise it in your situation (i.e.: with a full scholarship).