Top Law Schools

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go to law school assuming you won't transfer
grades are too unpredictable
wait until next year, spread t14, youll get some hits i bet

While it's possible to transfer, don't bank on it. The reason I say this is because I urge you to attend the school with the best prospects in case something happens that bars you from transferring to one of the schools you listed (getting top grades only happens for 10 or so percent of the class).

Applying early will give you the best shot at admittance as far as data can tell. However, recent data suggests they are wling people more often now bc of less applicants.

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its highly unlikely you're going to get columbia or chicago with that gpa, best bets are probably gtown, virginia, northwestern

20140302 wrote:Ok, thanks for pointing out the unpredictable nature of grades and transfers...

In that case, if you were indifferent to attending in the 2014 or 2015 cycle, would you wait for 2015 to get a shot at the No. 4s Columbia and Chicago, or is the difference between No 4. and No. 7/10 insignificant? I see we've got 1 vote for wait...but if I apply to Virginia and Ann Arbor this year and get in, am I losing out if the alternative is potentially No. 4?

I think there is a difference in prestige but less of a difference in prospects. Me personally? I'd wait. Unless there is some reason that prohibits you from waiting, I don't see why you wouldn't. Get a job and save some money. You're going to need it (not to mention, WE looks good on a resume)

lakers180 wrote:its highly unlikely you're going to get columbia or chicago with that gpa, best bets are probably gtown, virginia, northwestern

Well yeah, tthis.regardless, what i previously said still applies even if we move down the list of schools.

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Definitely wait. You'll get some of the lower T14, maybe even a small scholly. There are small advantages at Chi for academia and fed clerkships, while Columbia gives you the best shot at biglaw, but you're probably not getting in at those two.

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You most likely won't get into CCN. I would do the best you can at MVP. Apply next year to have the greatest shot.

Are you a senior? If so sticking around to get your GPA up over 3.0 isn't a bad plan. The other problem with applying now is that you might not get as much money by doing so. On the other hand applying now doesn't mean you have to go; if you're ready with everything you can give it a shot and see what happens. If things don't go well give it another shot in six months.

This thread is pretty much the gold standard for transfer advice and makes no distinction between CCN and the rest of the T-14 for transferring to HYS.

Slight advantages for Col and Chi in the aforementioned ways. Besides that, I'd say differences in other T14s are regional advantages in certain markets (Berkeley in SF, Cornell in NY, NU in Chi), but I've been surprised by the lack of concrete distinctions between the lower half of the T14. Berk has a good IP reputation, NU has a good M&A and Corporate reputation, but all these schools seem capable of nearly equal placement in prestigious PI/Gov/clerkships considering differences in the interests of students attracted to each institution.

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No, the #4s place 10% more of their students in non school funded legal jobs than the 7/10s.

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If you want biglaw, especially in New York, I don't think the difference is negligible. But I think your best shot of upgrading your biglaw chances is to go to NYU and it sounds like they'll still take your app. Columbia and Chicago are very unlikely even if you apply on day one next cycle.

EDIT: Now that I see you're career goals I think the difference is fairly small.

Tiago Splitter wrote:If you want biglaw, especially in New York, I don't think the difference is negligible. But I think your best shot of upgrading your biglaw chances is to go to NYU and it sounds like they'll still take your app. Columbia and Chicago are very unlikely even if you apply on day one next cycle.

EDIT: Now that I see you're career goals I think the difference is fairly small.

I agree. NYU is best for your goals, if it comes through. The rest of the T14 will give you a shot if you do well.

If you have good reasons, definitely write a GPA addendum.