Law School Do-Over

Law School Do-OverLaw School Do-OverTransferring to a different law school is like an intense breakup youve committed endless hours, the 1L path has been painful and confusing, youre not sure you really want to break it off, and its not as easy as saying goodbye. While breaking up is never easy, sometimes ditching your law school after 1L year is the best move for you. But as a transfer hopeful, youll be applying to law school all over again, which means preparation, research, personal statements, recommendations, and numbers. Get ready for the transfer process with these tipsShould You Transfer?The decision to transfer is a personal one and may be based on a number of factors better career prospects, prestige, location, tuition cost, family and other personal reasons. If you think that another school will be a better fit for you, you should seriously consider your options and weigh them against potential disadvantages of transferring.What Kind of Disadvantages?Youve spent your 1L ye ar building your own brand at your law school through your grades, relationships with professors, networking with fellow law students, contacts with alumni, and involvement in clubs and activities. As a transfer, youll start with a clean slate. Say goodbye to the sternfrmig grades you toiled for during 1L year, the connections youve developed (of course, you can continue your relationships with professors, students, and alumni, but youll probably be more likely to obtain job and research opportunities from connections at your new school), and the comfort of knowing the ropes. Youll have to prove yourself again reestablishing your GPA and rank, building connections, and getting involved in a world where everyone has already connected and bonded during 1L year. You also may have to relocate, find new housing, and figure out financial aid at your new school. Dont let the challenges dissuade you, though- look at it as an opportunity to add even more connections and experiences to your p rofessional arsenal.Now that the Negatives Are Out of the Way, How May Transferring Help Me?If you feel off-course, transferring is a great way to navigate your legal career toward your goals. For students who didnt have impressive LSATs or undergrad GPAs, but rocked the curve during 1L year, transferring provides an opportunity to move to a higher-ranked school. For those who used 1L year to figure out in which area of law they want to practice, transferring is the perfect opportunity to move to a school that specializes in that area. And for those with personal reasons (like relocation) or who just dont like their law schools, transferring is a great option.Is it Difficult to Transfer?Transferring is competitive- stellar 1L grades are particularly important. Below is a glimpse at what some of the top law schools generally look for in transfer applicantsColumbia Law top 5-10% of law school classBerkeley Law top 3-5% of law school classMichigan Law top 10% of law school classDuke La w Top quarter of law school classCornell Law top 10% of law school classGeorgetown Law top 15% of law school classWhat do I need to do to Transfer?Schools may request some or all of the following along with any institution-specific requirementsCompleted application formLetter(s) of recommendation (schools will likely want a recommendation from a current law school professor)Certification from your current law schoolCertification from your undergraduate schoolTranscript of your law school gradesLaw school class rankTranscript of your undergraduate gradesLSDAS report with LSAT scorePersonal statementApplication feeWhen Should I look Into Transferring?You should start thinking about transferring during your first semester of law school (just thinking) because your 1L grades are critical for your transfer application. Once you begin second semester of 1L year, you should begin selecting potential transfer options. Some law schools, like Georgetown and University of Chicago, offer early admission for transfers based on first-semester 1L grades. If you plan to apply for early admission, you have to be on top of your applications early in your second semester and submit them around the middle of your second semester.But even if youre applying for regular admission at the end of your 1L year, you should start preparing during second semester. Youll need to sit down with a professor and ask for a letter of recommendation, gather materials from your law school and undergrad, and work on a personal statement. Plus, its a good idea to submit your application early for schools with rolling admission- receiving an earlier decision will help you better prepare for problem interviewing and journal competitions.Where Should I Apply?Consider your reasons for transferring and which schools are the best fit for your professional goals. Also, research which schools are the most transfer-friendly in terms of transfer class size, transfer integration, Fall OCI interviewing for trans fers, and transfer journal participation.