Top Law Schools

Would transferring from WUSTL(19) to USC(18) or Vanderbilt(17) be considered a lateral transfer.

Maybe a stupid question but I haven't seen many people who have done it. I have seen successful T10 lateral transfers that were only at the top 40%-50% of there class, could the same be true for T20???

Why are you thinking of transferring?

Sorry I didn't make this clear I am a 0L. I was just researching transferring and came across this question.

ENGINEERD wrote:Sorry I didn't make this clear I am a 0L. I was just researching transferring and came across this question.

Top 30-40% would seem to do it, but unless you were absolutely wedded to the region (e.g., Nashville, SoCal, etc.), I don't see what possible advantage would be had from giving up your class rank and chance at law review at a peer school.

For someone who wishes to practice in California I'm speculating that transferring to USC (or maybe Vanderbilt) could have major OCI employment advantages over top 30-40% at Wash U?

Im just a 0L so I am just guessing here?

If you want to practice in california, I'm not sure Wash U is the best school choice for you. Generally, don't go to a school you wouldn't be happy at for 3 years, and with the intent to transfer.

icydash wrote:If you want to practice in california, I'm not sure Wash U is the best school choice for you. Generally, don't go to a school you wouldn't be happy at for 3 years, and with the intent to transfer.

I know your right. I am just thinking theoretically if someone wanted to make such a transfer, would it be lateral (would 30-40% be good enough). If someone is fine with graduating from there, 30-40% is not an impossible feat and could be great inspiration to do well 1L.

Bump

only reason to transfer would be if you got rejected during your initial application process, and you want to live/work in the transfer school's region. even then you should look at each school's placement data prior to any decision. I really can't think of any other reason to leave top 30-40% at WUSTL for those schools. I suppose if you want biglaw desperately it's a different story. the most recent data I can find has WUSTL placing 27.5% of graduates in the nlj250 in 2009. Vandy and USC placed 47.1% and 41.3% respectively. I could see an advantage there if you were confident you'd be top 40% at the new school. in my opinion, that's a pretty big risk while you're top 40% at WUSTL already.

Do not go to a school you will not be okay graduating from. If you want to be in Cali, then you should go to USC instead of WUSTL. If you didn't get in, then take a year off, re-take, and reapply. There are lots of people who would love to have your seat and wouldn't squander it by going there just to transfer.

And transferring from WUSTL to USC/Vandy is a terrible idea unless you really want Cali or the south, even if it is possible. And once again, if you really want Cali or the south, you shouldn't be going to WUSTL in the first place.