Chapman Law To T14 Transfer....Possible?? Forum

[Concept2]

Any thoughts on a making such a move after 1L? Is it possible to jump that many spots if you are in the top 10%?

[rgucsb]

Def Possible, but you will most likely need to be in the top 10 of your class at least, not 10%, top 10 to have a realistic shot

[lawfuture10]

Spoke to a prof at Chapman about this subject at an ASD a couple weeks back. He claims they have transferred students to Stanford, UCLA, Boalt, etc. About 5 students in the last +-5 years he claims. Of course, you have to be in the top 2-3% of the entire class to possibly make this happen.

I'll say it, even though I probably do not need to since it is beaten to death on this website, but planning on transferring is NOT a smart plan. Re-take the LSAT and try again, or be content with being at that institution for 3 years.

[arhmcpo]

Anything is possible*

*but not from top 10% at Chapman

[bconly]

Spoke to a prof at Chapman about this subject at an ASD a couple weeks back. He claims they have transferred students to Stanford, UCLA, Boalt, etc. About 5 students in the last +-5 years he claims. Of course, you have to be in the top 2-3% of the entire class to possibly make this happen.

I'll say it, even though I probably do not need to since it is beaten to death on this website, but planning on transferring is NOT a smart plan. Re-take the LSAT and try again, or be content with being at that institution for 3 years.

100% +1

[SoCal123]

The direct answer to your questions is clearly a "Yes".

Such transfers from Chapman are a regular occurrence, albeit for only 1-2 students each year.

However, if you are going to any school with the idea of transferring, then you are going to the wrong school. You should go to the best school that will accept you, based on your grades, LSAT, and life experience. Your chances of transferring out of that school should not even be part of the equation, in my opinion.

And the "best school" does not mean the most highly ranked school. Just because Chapman is now Tier 2 does not make it a better a school than it was when it was ranked Tier 4 just a few years ago. The only difference is that it will be able to attract top caliber students without spending as much on scholarship money to entice the students to attend, and it will be much easier for Chapman students to get jobs.

Considerations for what law school you should attend:

1) Cost. If cost is an issue, you need to go where you can afford to go. If cost is no issue, ignore this one.
2) Location. Go where you plan to practice.
3) Reputation. National reputation is less important than the reputation in the city where you plan to work.
4) Size. Some students do well in a large school, whereas some get lost.
5) Extracurricular - Summer Jobs, Competition teams, Clerkship opportunities, Law Review.

Transfer opportunity should not ever be a consideration, maybe an afterthought when you get your 1st semester 1L grades. You can transfer from anywhere. If you choose the best school for you then you cannot lose because regardless of what happens, you made the BEST choice for you.

Good Luck!