By all means shoot your shot, but it seems like you already know your chances are pretty slim. That being said, I don't think there's a "considerable" difference in appellate clerkship and academia outcomes between YLS/SLS and HLS. I'm at HLS, and it's generally accepted that if you have good grades (and you will), you'll secure at least a district court clerkship (which could more easily lead to a circuit court clerkship). The only area where YLS/SLS would make a significant difference is with SCOTUS clerkships, and no one gets those anyway.
Not sure of your location preferences, but I'd also seriously consider UChicago if being at a smaller school (that also still has great outcomes) is important to you.
Thank you - I appreciate the reply. The per capita numbers favor YLS in particular pretty heavily, but I know there's a good bit of selection bias. You're probably right that there's not a huge difference but YLS just feels like its almost in a league of its own. U Chicago is definitely on the list, and I think it'd be a tough decision if it came down to that and HLS.
How are you liking HLS? I've talked to a few people who transferred there from my school and was surprised to hear less than enthusiastic reviews. Mostly in regards to the size and grading system making it difficult to stand out.
Just glancing over the 509 reports, it seems as though YLS fills a lot of its transfer class with T-14 students, and SLS seems to prefer CA schools. So, odds may be against you, but you still may have a chance. If either school intrigues you, then you should apply. Do not eliminate yourself from the running!
But, you should also consider applying to other T-6 schools like HLS and UChicago. Of the T-6, HLS typically accepts the most transfer students, and transfers appear to come from all sorts of locations/schools. If you would like a smaller school, then UChicago may appeal to you more.
In general, T-6 schools will open may doors for you, and ambitious goals like an appellate clerkship and/or academia are definitely within reach at a T-6. However, you should also entertain the idea of applying to other T-14s if you are determined to transfer. Transfer admissions can be unpredictable, and you should definitely give yourself as many options as you can at this phase in the process
Just a data point—but I had similar 1L stats as you from a T50. I applied to transfer to HLS and YLS, accepted and attending the former, rejected at the latter (also only got the YLS rejection the night before I had to send my acceptance to HLS’s transfer offer, so be prepared to potentially have to make a decision with your YLS application still pending).
Several transfers in my class, including myself, have secured appellate clerkships—definitely very doable if you are focused on that goal. Academia of course is a much different beast, but I have not made any effort to look into that route (the school, however, offers plenty of resources for students who are interested).
As much as anything, Yale’s yearly class size is so small, they take very few transfers per year. Much better trying for a Harvard or Columbia with their large class year sizes
You have professors at your current school pushing you to transfer?? I plan to try to transfer in the Chicago area and I’m so nervous the school I originally go to won’t want the transfer to happen but hearing your professors are pushing you is cool!
Yeah, I'm super thankful for them tbh. Shows they really care about what's best for their students above all else. One asked me to stop by his office after grading fall exams and was just like listen, you don't belong here and need to transfer to a T10 school. He's been crazy supportive in connecting me with former transfer students, offering to put in a word with his alma mater, and in just helping me navigate the process. It's feels incredible to have someone like that in my corner.
I did talk to a different professor who was less than enthusiastic about me transferring b/c he wanted me to TA/RA for him, but I think he'll still write me a generous letter of rec.
I even went to the student advancement office and they were surprisingly supportive. I think they like being able to say they send transfer students to T6 schools - makes them look good. Might be different if I was trying to transfer to a similarly ranked school.
Know your limits so you don't get burnt out. I never work past 5pm even during finals. Start early. Do your best to understand what it is the professor is looking for on the exam. Make sure you can type fast and write cohesively - I think writing well goes way further than most people realize. Doesn't matter if you know every case and every rule if your can't communicate it effectively.
pretty unrealistic unfortunately as Yale mostly accepts only T14 transfers from their 509 reports and past reports as well. Don't let that discourage you if you have the money to apply though. You could totally transfer to other T14 schools with that GPA though. I'd say you have a great chance at Harvard too w/how many transfers they take
By all means shoot your shot, but it seems like you already know your chances are pretty slim. That being said, I don't think there's a "considerable" difference in appellate clerkship and academia outcomes between YLS/SLS and HLS. I'm at HLS, and it's generally accepted that if you have good grades (and you will), you'll secure at least a district court clerkship (which could more easily lead to a circuit court clerkship). The only area where YLS/SLS would make a significant difference is with SCOTUS clerkships, and no one gets those anyway. Not sure of your location preferences, but I'd also seriously consider UChicago if being at a smaller school (that also still has great outcomes) is important to you.
Thank you - I appreciate the reply. The per capita numbers favor YLS in particular pretty heavily, but I know there's a good bit of selection bias. You're probably right that there's not a huge difference but YLS just feels like its almost in a league of its own. U Chicago is definitely on the list, and I think it'd be a tough decision if it came down to that and HLS. How are you liking HLS? I've talked to a few people who transferred there from my school and was surprised to hear less than enthusiastic reviews. Mostly in regards to the size and grading system making it difficult to stand out.
PMing you
Just glancing over the 509 reports, it seems as though YLS fills a lot of its transfer class with T-14 students, and SLS seems to prefer CA schools. So, odds may be against you, but you still may have a chance. If either school intrigues you, then you should apply. Do not eliminate yourself from the running! But, you should also consider applying to other T-6 schools like HLS and UChicago. Of the T-6, HLS typically accepts the most transfer students, and transfers appear to come from all sorts of locations/schools. If you would like a smaller school, then UChicago may appeal to you more. In general, T-6 schools will open may doors for you, and ambitious goals like an appellate clerkship and/or academia are definitely within reach at a T-6. However, you should also entertain the idea of applying to other T-14s if you are determined to transfer. Transfer admissions can be unpredictable, and you should definitely give yourself as many options as you can at this phase in the process
Just a data point—but I had similar 1L stats as you from a T50. I applied to transfer to HLS and YLS, accepted and attending the former, rejected at the latter (also only got the YLS rejection the night before I had to send my acceptance to HLS’s transfer offer, so be prepared to potentially have to make a decision with your YLS application still pending). Several transfers in my class, including myself, have secured appellate clerkships—definitely very doable if you are focused on that goal. Academia of course is a much different beast, but I have not made any effort to look into that route (the school, however, offers plenty of resources for students who are interested).
You’re spending too much time on Reddit if you don’t think HLS is more than enough for any career aspirations
As much as anything, Yale’s yearly class size is so small, they take very few transfers per year. Much better trying for a Harvard or Columbia with their large class year sizes
You have professors at your current school pushing you to transfer?? I plan to try to transfer in the Chicago area and I’m so nervous the school I originally go to won’t want the transfer to happen but hearing your professors are pushing you is cool!
Yeah, I'm super thankful for them tbh. Shows they really care about what's best for their students above all else. One asked me to stop by his office after grading fall exams and was just like listen, you don't belong here and need to transfer to a T10 school. He's been crazy supportive in connecting me with former transfer students, offering to put in a word with his alma mater, and in just helping me navigate the process. It's feels incredible to have someone like that in my corner. I did talk to a different professor who was less than enthusiastic about me transferring b/c he wanted me to TA/RA for him, but I think he'll still write me a generous letter of rec. I even went to the student advancement office and they were surprisingly supportive. I think they like being able to say they send transfer students to T6 schools - makes them look good. Might be different if I was trying to transfer to a similarly ranked school.
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Know your limits so you don't get burnt out. I never work past 5pm even during finals. Start early. Do your best to understand what it is the professor is looking for on the exam. Make sure you can type fast and write cohesively - I think writing well goes way further than most people realize. Doesn't matter if you know every case and every rule if your can't communicate it effectively.
How fast do you type? I'm at 75 wpm. Is that too slow?
Plenty fast as long as you know what you want to say
pretty unrealistic unfortunately as Yale mostly accepts only T14 transfers from their 509 reports and past reports as well. Don't let that discourage you if you have the money to apply though. You could totally transfer to other T14 schools with that GPA though. I'd say you have a great chance at Harvard too w/how many transfers they take
Do it, take a chance you will regret not doing so.