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EDIT: Finished my first year with a 4.0

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:00 pm
by JeffBuckley
I go to a school ranked in the 40's. I may want to practice in TN after graduation.

I had the good fortune of finishing last semester at the top of my class with a 4.0.


But now, I have to at least consider the possibility of transferring to some of those schools that I didn't get into the first go-round.

Do you think that I'd have a chance to transfer to Vanderbilt? What's the highest my first semester of law school could take me in the USNWR rankings?


Is it worth the transfer stress, extra money (I have a nice scholarship at my current school), etc. . . to get a JD from Vandy as opposed to my current school?

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:01 pm
by Anonymous0L
JeffBuckley wrote:I go to a school ranked in the 40's. I may want to practice in TN after graduation.

I had the good fortune of finishing last semester at the top of my class with a 4.0.


But now, I have to at least consider the possibility of transferring to some of those schools that I didn't get into the first go-round.

Do you think that I'd have a chance to transfer to Vanderbilt? What's the highest my first semester of law school could take me in the USNWR rankings?


Is it worth the transfer stress, extra money (I have a nice scholarship at my current school), etc. . . to get a JD from Vandy as opposed to my current school?
Stay in Indy. You will have no problem getting the top firms in TN if you stay in the top %.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:02 pm
by mallard
I would say you're almost a lock at Vanderbilt. You should be considering T6 if you're interested.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:02 pm
by 06072010
Vandy?

Harvard.

What mallard said.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:04 pm
by JeffBuckley
Do I have to sustain this for this semester, as well?

Or could I apply now?

Or does that kind of thing vary from school to school?

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:05 pm
by 06072010
You need to sustain, but a 4.0 is baller. Georgetwon has an early app program that will admit you on your first semester grades.

Most apps require two semesters. WUSTL, one of the Boston Schools, and GULC have EA programs

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:08 pm
by JeffBuckley
Thanks, PK.

I suppose it ain't a bad problem to have.

Although, the thought of going through Applications again is sickening.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:10 pm
by 06072010
No sweat -- I went T40 - T14 so if you have any burning questions, just let me know.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:11 pm
by zettsscores40
Transfer up to Cooley. T16 FTW!

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:14 pm
by Daico
zettsscores40 wrote:Transfer up to Cooley. T16 FTW!

T12 now, mate.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:15 pm
by DerrickRose
Just out of curiosity for all the folks that have pulled this off. If you are receiving a scholarship to your lower-ranked school, will the transfer school consider matching it? Or give you SOMETHING?

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:23 pm
by JeffBuckley
That's a great question -- I'd be curious to hear the answer.

PKSebben?

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:30 pm
by underdawg
dude 40's ranked school v. HYSCCN

money should not sway you, unless you plan on being a lawyer in the TN boondocks, spending your free time tipping cows

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:41 pm
by AmicusCuriae
DerrickRose wrote:Just out of curiosity for all the folks that have pulled this off. If you are receiving a scholarship to your lower-ranked school, will the transfer school consider matching it? Or give you SOMETHING?
From what I can tell, transfer students generally don't get any money at all from the new school (scholarship wise). Not to say that it never happens, but from what I've seen on the Yahoo Transfer Apps board, and from the other transfers I know, transfer students don't get money. Some schools even explicitly state that transfer students are ineligible for scholarships at the time of admission. I think the idea is you're getting the opportunity to study at a better school that you couldn't have gotten into to begin with, that in theory will provide you with better career opportunities.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:52 pm
by markakis
JeffBuckley wrote:I go to a school ranked in the 40's. I may want to practice in TN after graduation.

I had the good fortune of finishing last semester at the top of my class with a 4.0.


But now, I have to at least consider the possibility of transferring to some of those schools that I didn't get into the first go-round.

Do you think that I'd have a chance to transfer to Vanderbilt? What's the highest my first semester of law school could take me in the USNWR rankings?


Is it worth the transfer stress, extra money (I have a nice scholarship at my current school), etc. . . to get a JD from Vandy as opposed to my current school?
How did you pull off a 4.0? what is your advise as per study strategy?

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 8:56 pm
by JeffBuckley
markakis wrote:
JeffBuckley wrote:I go to a school ranked in the 40's. I may want to practice in TN after graduation.

I had the good fortune of finishing last semester at the top of my class with a 4.0.


But now, I have to at least consider the possibility of transferring to some of those schools that I didn't get into the first go-round.

Do you think that I'd have a chance to transfer to Vanderbilt? What's the highest my first semester of law school could take me in the USNWR rankings?


Is it worth the transfer stress, extra money (I have a nice scholarship at my current school), etc. . . to get a JD from Vandy as opposed to my current school?
How did you pull off a 4.0? what is you advise as per study strategy?

E & E's for every class.

Read every single case, every single note. Briefed for 1/2 the classes, bought canned briefs for the others.

Outlined early so I could cram around finals time.

I don't really feel like I have a "secret" study method--nor do I feel like I worked harder than most others . . . Just fortunate, I suppose.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:08 pm
by underdawg
markakis wrote:
JeffBuckley wrote:I go to a school ranked in the 40's. I may want to practice in TN after graduation.

I had the good fortune of finishing last semester at the top of my class with a 4.0.


But now, I have to at least consider the possibility of transferring to some of those schools that I didn't get into the first go-round.

Do you think that I'd have a chance to transfer to Vanderbilt? What's the highest my first semester of law school could take me in the USNWR rankings?


Is it worth the transfer stress, extra money (I have a nice scholarship at my current school), etc. . . to get a JD from Vandy as opposed to my current school?
How did you pull off a 4.0? what is your advise as per study strategy?
you could've said "congrats" before hounding him for tipz

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:08 pm
by 06072010
JeffBuckley wrote:That's a great question -- I'd be curious to hear the answer.

PKSebben?
Generally, no. Also, I see a lot of bad advice floating around about need aid. Every transfer I know was considered for or received need aid. I know transfer at most of the T25.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:12 pm
by legends159
JeffBuckley wrote:
E & E's for every class.

Read every single case, every single note. Briefed for 1/2 the classes, bought canned briefs for the others.

Outlined early so I could cram around finals time.

I don't really feel like I have a "secret" study method--nor do I feel like I worked harder than most others . . . Just fortunate, I suppose.
He worked hard and stayed dedicated. That's the secret to law school success--dedication. It's easy to bust your ass in the beginning of the semester for a week or 2. But keeping it up all semester is the real trick.

Congrats OP, a 4.0 anywhere is impressive.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:13 pm
by underdawg
uh no

it's about maximizing your study time. OP is just being modest; he's probably very very smart

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:14 pm
by 06072010
underdawg wrote:uh no

it's about maximizing your study time. OP is just being modest; he's probably very very smart
Dude, I'm a retard and get decent grades. I just work (somewhat) hard. Have you ever read my posts? Can you believe that they even let me into ANY law school?

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:15 pm
by 06072010
legends159 wrote:
JeffBuckley wrote:
E & E's for every class.

Read every single case, every single note. Briefed for 1/2 the classes, bought canned briefs for the others.

Outlined early so I could cram around finals time.

I don't really feel like I have a "secret" study method--nor do I feel like I worked harder than most others . . . Just fortunate, I suppose.
He worked hard and stayed dedicated. That's the secret to law school success--dedication. It's easy to bust your ass in the beginning of the semester for a week or 2. But keeping it up all semester is the real trick.

Congrats OP, a 4.0 anywhere is impressive.
Your mom is impressive.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:15 pm
by underdawg
the 1000 pound elephant in the room: it has a lot to do with BEING SMART

no one wants to say it, but it's true

the person i know who studied the hardest did pretty bad

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:16 pm
by legends159
PKSebben wrote:
legends159 wrote:
JeffBuckley wrote:
E & E's for every class.

Read every single case, every single note. Briefed for 1/2 the classes, bought canned briefs for the others.

Outlined early so I could cram around finals time.

I don't really feel like I have a "secret" study method--nor do I feel like I worked harder than most others . . . Just fortunate, I suppose.
He worked hard and stayed dedicated. That's the secret to law school success--dedication. It's easy to bust your ass in the beginning of the semester for a week or 2. But keeping it up all semester is the real trick.

Congrats OP, a 4.0 anywhere is impressive.

Your mom is impressive.
Word. She's like my hero dude. Came from a poor farm in China to America based on her wit and personality alone. No formal education but taught herself how to read and write Chinese.

Re: So I Made a 4.0 my First Semester in Law School

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 10:18 pm
by 06072010
underdawg wrote:the 1000 pound elephant in the room: it has a lot to do with BEING SMART

no one wants to say it, but it's true

the person i know who studied the hardest did pretty bad
Ugh - do you even attend law school? Smart =/= good grades. Legal analysis isn't rocket science, dooder. You still have to put in the work to put it in an analytical framework.