Top Law Schools

I'm applying to transfer, and I'm wondering if anyone has had experience transferring from a tier 4 school to a top school? I'm looking into school in NYC like Columbia, NYU and Fordham. I did really well at my current school. I'm top of my class and have a 4.0 at a C curve school. I booked four classes as well. However, my school is barely known in Miami, let alone in NY. I wonder if that's going to be a big issue. Also, my undergraduate stats are mediocre (3.29 GPA, LSAT 154).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

*Edit: I just received my second semester grades back, and I'm still at a 4.0, still ranked 1, and booked 3 more classes. Does that do much more for my chances?

I put moderate, only because T4 to Columbia is a big jump. However a rank 1 at a T4 will almost definitely land acceptance in the lower T14.

Is there a reason you need to be at school in NYC? You're probably on the outside of the bubble for CCN, but you're in good shape for other T14s and thus can do better than Fordham.

CounselorNebby wrote:I put moderate, only because T4 to Columbia is a big jump. However a rank 1 at a T4 will almost definitely land acceptance in the lower T14.

Thanks

BVest wrote:Is there a reason you need to be at school in NYC? You're probably on the outside of the bubble for CCN, but you're in good shape for other T14s and thus can do better than Fordham.

Yea I'm specifically trying to get into NYC schools.

justgottabezen wrote:

BVest wrote:Is there a reason you need to be at school in NYC? You're probably on the outside of the bubble for CCN, but you're in good shape for other T14s and thus can do better than Fordham.

Yea I'm specifically trying to get into NYC schools.

Is there a better reason than "I want to be in NY" though? "NYC is cool" is not a great reason to take on crushing debt for a middling law school when you could take on crushing debt for an excellent law school.

You can probably transfer to most T14s that aren't in NY and end up in NY (I have a friend that came from a midwest school, transferred to B, and is now headed to NY). It's fairly likely to happen at a T14 with small transfer sizes outside NY (I.E. not GULC). However, transferring to Fordham and then getting a job that pays enough to cover your sticker Fordham debt - and you will pay sticker when you transfer - seems unlikely, whereas transferring to a non-NY T14 and getting a NY job that will pay off your debt is totally possible.

justgottabezen wrote:I'm specifically trying to get into NYC schools.

Yeah, I got that from your OP:

justgottabezen wrote:I'm looking into school in NYC like Columbia, NYU and Fordham.

My question was is there a reason you need to be at school in NYC?

I wouldn't give up a #1 rank for Fordham. If you can hang onto that or even hang onto top 5% and law review that's something that sticks with you. I'd much rather be top 5% and law review from a T4 than a middle of the class transfer at Fordham.

I have a family situation, and I need to be in NY. I would rather not loose my rank and all that, but it is what it is. I understand that Fordham is an outlier in the list of schools I'm applying to, but it's a last resort if I don't get into NYU or Columbia.

I was kind of hoping my book awards could help my chances...and maybe good LORs. I got an amazing LOR from my professor who was also the dean of my school. He seemed to think I have a shot. Another couple of profs are willing to write ones. Would it help if I had many LORs? I'm just trying to do whatever I can.

Family problems suck. But T4 to Columbia is going to be a long-shot.

I was in your same position at this time last year (other than the geographic restrictions due to family problems). Applied to two T14s -- one towards the top and one towards the bottom. Denied from the former and accepted at the latter. I also know some 1L classmates who got into a different lower T14. But I agree with the majority of posts here about Columbia being a tough nut to crack, even with your outstanding 1L performance (which you should be extremely proud of, by the way). Best of luck!

I understand; I transferred for family reasons (outside of T14). Not knowing the exact need you have I don't know if this is an option, but if you haven't already, you might also consider whether Penn would suit your purposes. IIRC, it's about a 100-minute train ride, and it couldn't be more than about 5 blocks from the school to the station. They don't tend to take as many transfers as NYU and CLS, and apparently don't tend to dip beyond TT much, but if it works for your purposes then it might increase your odds of getting T14 while getting close to family.

BVest wrote:I understand; I transferred for family reasons (outside of T14). Not knowing the exact need you have I don't know if this is an option, but if you haven't already, you might also consider whether Penn would suit your purposes. IIRC, it's about a 100-minute train ride, and it couldn't be more than about 5 blocks from the school to the station. They don't tend to take as many transfers as NYU and CLS, and apparently don't tend to dip beyond TT much, but if it works for your purposes then it might increase your odds of getting T14 while getting close to family.

Thanks, I'll fill out that app as well.

koolsk8erboi wrote:I was in your same position at this time last year (other than the geographic restrictions due to family problems). Applied to two T14s -- one towards the top and one towards the bottom. Denied from the former and accepted at the latter. I also know some 1L classmates who got into a different lower T14. But I agree with the majority of posts here about Columbia being a tough nut to crack, even with your outstanding 1L performance (which you should be extremely proud of, by the way). Best of luck!

Thank you for your input, and the compliment.

My school actually allows students to take 2L classes at another school, so I might see if I can do that and still graduate from here.

Did you get in?
I'm currently in STU in Miami and also looking to transfer to NYC. I'm top 5%.

I would love to know what my chances are.
Thanks

Hi @justgotbezen! I was wondering if you ever ended up transferring?