Yale, Stanford, or Don't Transfer? Forum

A forum for those current students who are or may be transferring from one school to another. Post any questions, advice, or other transfer related comments here.
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Yale, Stanford, or Don't Transfer?

Yale
19
73%
Stanford
3
12%
Don't Transfer
4
15%
 
Total votes: 26

Anonymous User
Posts: 427957
Joined: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:32 am

Yale, Stanford, or Don't Transfer?

Post by Anonymous User » Sat Jul 14, 2018 12:49 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm currently top 1-3% at a T10. I was accepted to Yale and Stanford, and I'm wondering if you'd recommend that I transfer or stay put. They both offered me about $15K/year MORE than my current school. I've already made law review at my current school, and I would need to participate in the writing competition to make journal at either Yale/Stanford. I want to maximize my chance at a good feeder judge clerkship, and I'm interested (although not hard-set) on legal academia. Is transferring a good decision?

sparkytrainer

Silver
Posts: 807
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:32 am

Re: Yale, Stanford, or Don't Transfer?

Post by sparkytrainer » Sat Jul 14, 2018 1:24 pm

Yale or stay. Its cheaper for Yale, so go.

BlackAndOrange84

Bronze
Posts: 396
Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:06 am

Re: Yale, Stanford, or Don't Transfer?

Post by BlackAndOrange84 » Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:44 pm

sparkytrainer wrote:Yale or stay. Its cheaper for Yale, so go.
Yeah, if Yale is cheaper than your current school and you want to keep the door open on academia, that's the smart move. But that may be prioritizing academia over a feeder clerkship.

I don't know how much it'll affect your chances with feeders. I don't think the name over any T10 will give you a strong boost, and timing-wise, being a transfer is kind of awkward. As a clerk reviewing applications, with Yale transcripts it can be hard to figure out who really sticks out, whereas someone clearly at the top of their class at a T14 pretty much immediately catches the eye. If anything, you'd have to build new relationships with professors to have a good shot at feeders. Also, outside of the DC Circuit I'm not sure how many are following the new hiring plan (which would give you some time to build those relationships). Insofar as many feeders are still hiring right out of school, or at most a year out, you may find it hard to get letters together for applications for the year you graduate.

ETA: Don't discount reducing your total indebtedness by $30k (assuming costs are relatively constant). That may not seem like a lot, but it's real money, particularly if you're going to be on IBR for a year or two clerking while the principal increases.
Last edited by BlackAndOrange84 on Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.

mecarey

New
Posts: 86
Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:32 pm

Re: Yale, Stanford, or Don't Transfer?

Post by mecarey » Sat Jul 14, 2018 4:45 pm

Anonymous User wrote:I'm interested (although not hard-set) on legal academia.
Yale is in an entirely different league when it comes to placement in legal academia, whether you're looking early career, mid career, or late career. If you want that door to be open for you, Yale.

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