Date: January 27th, 2006 5:58 PM Author: Electric prole crotch
You could probably transfer to Harvard with a ~3.5 if you really want to. But unless you don't like Michigan, why leave? Take your top of the class grades, parlay it into the firm job of your choice, finish with honors and all that, and be on your way.
The effect of non-randomness (e.g., people more likely to deliver consistent performances) would result in a slightly wider spread, with (at a wild guess) 3.8 being top 10% after 1L year.
Date: January 27th, 2006 10:10 PM Author: Mewling son of senegal fat ankles
Okay, I'll spell it out:
There are always several people with GPAs >> 4.0. More than you'd think. 3.9 is really awesome, but it's not "potentially first in the class" and it's probably not Supreme Court material (although it's in the non-zero chance area). It could be, if the person involved here has a number of extremely superb semesters hereafter. But they'll have to do *better* to have all the doors open.
Date: January 27th, 2006 6:04 PM Author: Electric prole crotch
i agree with that if the OP isnt sure he/she wants to be a firm lawyer. but this is not a good reason to transfer on the off chance that some point down the road you might not want to practice, if you're positive you see yourself at a firm after law school and think you'll like it.
Date: January 27th, 2006 6:08 PM Author: Razzle-dazzle dark becky
I don't think the teaching rational holds. Mich doesn't place as many professors as some schools, but if you are ranked that high in the class, it doesn't really matter. Chicago, for example, has hired 4 top Mich grads in the last six years.
My goals are to clerk for a circuit judge, then the supreme court. Afterwards, I would like to do trial litigation.
I am so so about michigan. I really think the people are "normal," which counts for a lot. However, it could also be decieving since most lawyers are assholes.
Eventually I would like to run for political office. That might be helped significantly by a HLS degree.
Date: January 27th, 2006 6:14 PM Author: Razzle-dazzle dark becky
Well, I would think you are on track if you can keep the momentum up. If I were making the decision, I guess it would come down to what school I best liked. I think you'll have every option either way.
Date: January 27th, 2006 6:10 PM Author: Obsidian House
lots of lawyers who think they want to be lawyers for the rest of their lives end up doing something else eventually.
it follows you around forever. There is a reason that there are many HLS grads running corporations. Business people respect the HLS degree immensely, more so than any other JD.
Date: January 27th, 2006 6:24 PM Author: sexy orchestra pit
Graduating potentially first in your class at Michigan is far more esteemed than having Harvard or Yale on your resume. In fact, you will probably lose legal opportunities by transferring.
Date: January 27th, 2006 6:37 PM Author: sexy orchestra pit
Another thing Wayfare, you will find that there is a significant amount of randomness to grading. A 3.9 is tremendous, but things certainly went your way as far as what issues the professors raised, how you answered the questions and managed your time, the quality of students in your section, and how the professors engaged your ideas. I'm sure you are brilliant, but I can only presume that a 3.9 entails every aspect of the examination period going your way.
If you transfer you will start anew and there is no telling whether the sun will shine so brightly on you during your first semester at Harvard. A 3.4 brought on by an illness or missed issue and your SCOTUS dreams go poof. By staying at Michigan you allow this 3.9 semester to work for you, and even with a 3.5 next semester you are looking at Magna and a realistic shot at SCOTUS.
Grading absolutely contains a large element of luck. However, I would say that my real advantage this semester was my experience in writing actual legal memos for my job last year, which emphasized clarity and elemental thinking.
I am intelligent but not brilliant, and while many of the students might know the material better than I did. However, I was more consistent in presenting what I knew clearly than they were.
I really didn't work at all in college (HYP), and that's why I am at michigan instead of HYS. I see a lot of kids that are nowhere near as qualified there, and so I want to prove to myself that I could be there too.
I think I will apply for the transfers and then make my decision. My focus for the second semester will be consistency. I am so far slacking off. Thanks for all your advice
A 3.9 does NOT necessarily indicate that every aspect of the examination period went your way. I'm sure you've had classes where you came out of the exam knowing you've made a mistake, and yet you got an A. If you haven't, many others have. A students needn't be perfect, they simply need to be better than everyone else. Wayfare has clearly separated him/herself from the masses. There is no reason to believe that Wayfare could not continue to carry this gpa if he renews his dedication to his studies and continues to stay ahead of his peers. Additionally, there is no reason to think these same writing skills and study habits could not net him a similar gpa at other law schools.
Date: January 27th, 2006 10:07 PM Author: Mewling son of senegal fat ankles
If you want to have a better idea where you stand in the class, you should probably send me an e-mail. 3.9 is really great, but it's probably not first in your class, and at this point, I'm guessing it's probably not the top 1%, either.
If you don't know my e-mail, you can find it elsewhere.
Date: January 27th, 2006 10:12 PM Author: Mewling son of senegal fat ankles
My estimates at that range are probably worse than my estimates on the high range, but I'd say it's easily top 25%. At this point -- when people have only had classes on a curve -- I'd say it's probably closer to 15-20. But I'm guessing.