Top Law Schools

Hi all!

I know there are quite a few posts asking for transfer advice so sorry for adding the the pile but I’m very conflicted!

I‘m ranked #2 at my T3 with a 3.76 (median: 2. for first semester which kind of shocked me and got me thinking about transferring because I’m obsessed with the idea of getting into Big Law (business litigation, I think).

I know firms have hired students from my school previously, but only to the firms in Orange County and I want to move to LA and work in an office there. Basically, the only school I’d be interested in transferring to would be UCLA (if it would have me) and it would be for Big Law potential in LA.

The most obvious pro of transferring is that I could actually get in contact with the firms and offices I’m interested through OCI, where I’d be cold sending my resume if I stayed at my T3.

However, UCLA’s OCI program happens at the end of July; would I even get to participate so soon after receiving a decision on my transfer app? And transfers have to do a write-on for Law Review in August so I wouldn’t know about that through OCI time where my T3 will offer it to me based on grades. Lastly, I’d be leaving a full scholarship

I have loved my T3 and I have a few strong connections with the faculty (and being in the top percent feels pretty darn good) but I can’t help this nagging feeling that a move now may benefit my career immensely.

Any advice would be great/questions I should ask because I’m going for a class sit-in and one-on-one with a UCLA Law admissions advisor next week. Thanks!

Other stats: under grad gpa: 3.78 overall, 4.0 major and 158 LSAT ( )

Undergrad grades and LSAT no longer matter. If you want to work in LA and your school doesn't get people hired in LA, then you should transfer. You should also look into Cal, although the GPA is a little low at the moment--UCLA can be hit or miss either way.

Don't have any advice on the OCI process for transfers-in at UCLA.

With respect to speculating on your chances, just glancing at the 509s, it doesn't look like UCLA accepts many T3 transfers. That said, there was 1 transfer from Chapman last year. Being #2 gives you a shot (hopefully #1 doesn't also apply).

That said, I think you should broaden your geographic scope if you want to assure a transfer - at least to all of CA. For LA, while USC doesn't accept many transfers, but of those that they do accept, there are a few from local T3s (Southwestern).

Current UCLA transfer here from T2. Feel free to PM me.