<p>I just got accepted to UChicago as a transfer, but I'm having second thoughts.. I'm worried that I'll hate it and miss my current school so much I'll want to transfer back. However, I can't bring myself to turn down such an opportunity... UChicago was my dream school last year when originally applying. This decision is really ripping me apart :(</p>
<p>Me too.</p>
<p>Also, I plan to apply to law schools and graduate schools, and as much as I hate to admit it, GPA matters.</p>
<p>I am not afraid of working hard. I applied to UChi because of its rigour; however, I have the feeling that no matter how much effort I put into my work, I will still end up with A-s and B+s.</p>
<p>but nspeds won't colleges and employers know the rigour of Uchigao and therfore accept the gpa you attain at that institution?</p>
<p>definitely, Uchicago is a huge name for employers, especially in economics. It easily rivals the Ivy league, HYPSM- trust me, if they don't know the name, you might not want to be applying for a job there</p>
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but nspeds won't colleges and employers know the rigour of Uchigao and therfore accept the gpa you attain at that institution?
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<p>Law Schools do not care.</p>
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<p>What about Chicago's own law school ranked (I think) 6th in the nation? I have a feeling that they would realize how its own undergrad program works.</p>
<p>From "Preparing for a Career in Law in the 21st Century"
Bryan K. Fair
Thomas E. Skinner Professor of Law
The University of Alabama School of Law</p>
<p>"Law school admissions personnel believe that a student who consistently earns high grades is a dedicated learner and will make the necessary commitment to be successful in law school and in the legal profession. In addition, many schools will evaluate the quality of an applicants undergraduate school and rigor of the applicants course of study when making admission decisions. Therefore, I recommend that you go to the best college that you can afford and that you choose a major that has a reputation for academic rigor."</p>
<p>
[quote]
"Law school admissions personnel believe that a student who consistently earns high grades is a dedicated learner and will make the necessary commitment to be successful in law school and in the legal profession. In addition, many schools will evaluate the quality of an applicants undergraduate school and rigor of the applicants course of study when making admission decisions. Therefore, I recommend that you go to the best college that you can afford and that you choose a major that has a reputation for academic rigor."
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<p>It is an unfortunate that the numbers of accepted students at Harvard Law School tend to differ. If you are above a 3.75 and have a 172+, you are fine; however, if you have anything below that, it does not matter where you go, you will have a tougher time.</p>
<p>Here is a table of "average" LSAT & GPA for many Law Schools, outside of Harvard & Yale a 3.5 to 3.6 range will get you into a top school. Northwestern: 3.57, Stanford 3.67, Michigan 3.45, Chicago: 3.57, Columbia 3.64, Cornell 3.57, Duke 3.51, etc. </p>
<p>I believe Fair's point is that if one is at the lower end of the GPA distribution for a particular law school and from an undergrad school with a reputation for rigor, one will have a better chance of acceptance than if one is not. Similarly, if one has a 3.7 and is from a school with a reputation for rigor, ones chances are enhanced.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Here is a table of "average" LSAT & GPA for many Law Schools, outside of Harvard & Yale a 3.5 to 3.6 range will get you into a top school. Northwestern: 3.57, Stanford 3.67, Michigan 3.45, Chicago: 3.57, Columbia 3.64, Cornell 3.57, Duke 3.51, etc.
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<p>That is my point, a 3.5-3.6 is not good enough for Harvard and Yale, and unfortunately those are my top picks. I want to go into legal teaching.</p>
<p>Edit: I want to go to the University of Chicago; however, I have also always wanted to go to Harvard Law School. I am going to be majoring in philosophy and something tells me that it is easier to earn a 3.7+ in the humanities at UChicago than it is in the mathematics or sciences. </p>
<p>I love hard work. However, if that hard work is going to slam doors, then practicality becomes an issue.</p>
<p>One is competing not just with students with 3.7's, but 3.7's from top Universities. Harvard admits about 40% from the Ivy League and about 60% outside. A Chicago 3.7 will help. As to whether it is easier to get a 3.7 in the Humanities, I could not say.</p>
<p>this thread has turned into a giant digression... but seriously, how is the social life at UChicago? I want to work hard, but I guess I'm spoiled at my current school with the great fun I have outside of class. I'm afraid I'll be crushed with work at UChicago and have no time to appreciate other aspects of college life. I'm also worried simply that I'll miss my current school too much... :/</p>
<p>"That is my point, a 3.5-3.6 is not good enough for Harvard and Yale, and unfortunately those are my top picks. I want to go into legal teaching."</p>
<p>nspeds, while I cannot comment on Harvard's admission process, I do know that YL admissions evaluates your gpa relative to your class. If you are in the top 5% of your class at Yale, great. If you are in the top 5% in your class at another school, you will be given a shot too. A 3.5-3.6 at a great school may be adequate to gain consideration, particularly if you have a strong resume and excellent essays. </p>
<p>1Ls at Harvard Law have always seemed distinctly less happy/down-to-earth/relaxed than the 1Ls at Yale. I've lived in Cambridge and New Haven and had friends who went to both. The atmosphere at Yale is concentrated more on learning and theory than Harvard's, from what I gather. Cal also has a pretty solid preparation for teaching as well, if I remember correctly. Also, my grandfather went to HL. He said everyone was miserable there, himself included. Actually, I think his words were a bit stronger.</p>
<p>sub_atomic, I know you're at St. Andrews now. (Actually, my sis was admitted there as a transfer.) Are you from the UK or the US to begin with?</p>
<p>I'm afraid I'm still waiting to hear back from Chicago myself, but what made you want to apply to transfer there in the first place?</p>
<p>pip-pip,</p>
<p>YLS is my top choice: )</p>
<p>nspeds: Are you going to Chicago?</p>
<p>I do not know yet. I am waiting for my credit eval.</p>
<p>pip-pip, I'm originally from the US. UChicago was my dream school last year and I applied partially because I couldn't completely let it go. There are programs there I can't get at St A's, and I want Chicago's challenging academic experience. I had a lot of fun this year, but I didn't have to work very hard...</p>
<p>I understand that sentiment. I'll try to respond to this as objectively as I can, seeing as I am still waiting to hear back from U of C. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>If you made it through the transition from the US to St. A's, I wouldn't think leaving your friends there and moving to U of C would be too hard. If it's what you really want to do. It's easy to keep in touch and even visit. Seriously, I have buttload of friends from my 1st year at the University of Toronto that I still keep in touch with. That was 5 years ago; most of them were from the UK to begin with; I just saw one a few weeks ago, and we're having a reunion in Toronto in a few weeks. Basically, I wouldn't be too concerned about losing your friends at St. A's; or making new ones at Chicago for that matter. You seem pretty resourceful and well-adjusted.</p></li>
<li><p>From what I gather from my British friends, and my friends who went through St. A's and other UK unis, your first year is OK, and then the second and third years involve a big jump in academic rigor. I'm pretty sure you'll see your recreational possibilities curve shift left, and your academic demands curve shift right--no matter where you go. </p></li>
<li><p>Chicago's core is incredibly challenging (that's why I like it, too) and they have an incredibly broad curriculum (which I really love). I mean, the academics are really tough to beat there. What programs are you interested in?</p></li>
<li><p>On the one hand, St. A's traditions and its history are pretty badass. I mean, if you step on some guy's place of execution, you'll flunk all your finals--unless you swim the North Sea?! Holy wow. Plus, I hear you go skiing in Switzerland to beat the winter blues there; which doesn't suck. On the other hand, scavenger hunts?! Dinosaurs in library lobbies?! Amazing! </p></li>
</ol>
<p>I guess the questions to ask yourself would be:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Why did I apply to U of C this time around? What does U of C have that St. A's doesn't? </p></li>
<li><p>If I transfer to U of C, how will it be different/better from St. A's?</p></li>
<li><p>Why does U of C seem like such an amazing oppty to me now? (Not why did it seem like that as a HS senior. I'm assuming that you have probably covered a fair amount of "personal growth" territory in the last year.)</p></li>
<li><p>If I transfer there, will I take advantage of those opptys?</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I guess what I'm saying is, just be sure, for your own sake, that you applied to U of C to attend it; not just to be accepted to it. I'm not saying that this is what you did; I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with it, either--I've known plenty of people who have done the same thing. But it's something to be considered. </p>
<p>I'm sure no matter what you choose, you'll be really successful. Adjusting to cultural differences and uni life is a challenge, no matter where you go, and regardless of whether or not that shift is lubricated by fine ale and fried Mars bars. That you've done well so far is impressive in and of itself; and don't sell yourself short on that one. Regardless of your decision, I wish you the best of luck.</p>
<p>pip-pip: A very nice well thought out response.</p>