Though it is very valid, I can't speak to your mental fatigue and the consequent unwillingness to transition, so I'll address more material concerns. I went to a T2 NLU ranking slightly below GNLU. 1. Don't worry too much about your age, sure, it's something people might notice, but it's nothing more than a slight raise of the eyebrow. A lot of my batchmates were two years behind the curve, one was three years behind. They all managed to get good placements. Age is not really a factor. 2. The difference between colleges can be VERY real. The opportunities it provides, the doors it opens. Yes, individual effort always accounts for more in the long run, but immediate opportunities available vary significantly. The faculty at GNLU is a mixed bag, some are v good, some are just bad, most are just average. But the alumni network is v strong, including Rhodes scholars, training contract holders (people who got placed at a UK law firm), an ICJ fellow, several partners at Indian law firms. These people help you discover opportunities and give you a lot of v important guidance. 3. The brand value can matter a lot. Especially with Indian law firms. IMO, they are likely to see a top-ranked student from a lower NLU as equal to an above-average student from GNLU. 4. Culture and exposure: at GNLU, you will get a more stimulating environment. They have a very good mooting culture. They also host several moots and conferences, giving you great exposure. At another college, even though you may want to do something, you may be pulled back by a lack of teammates or lack of exposure. And a lot of us don't have enough self-motivation to put in the effort required to overcome these challenges, we are a product of our environment.
It may seem like it, but I am not advocating for changing schools. I'm just saying that if, like you said, you're from an NLU ranking in the bottom three, there may be some very material benefits that shifting to GNLU would offer. And the prime concern you may have, about 'age' isn't that big a deal. After graduation, many people spend two-three years working at Tier-2 or Tier 3 firms to get into Tier-1 firms. So if you get a better launching pad, you may just avoid that.
There's a difference between having an offer in hand and aiming for it. Look at it this way: you'll be starting your third year now, this is when most people start interning at T2/T1 firms, taking up big moots/serious research. If you prep for CLAT, you'll have to compromise on all those. You might also jeopardise your rank/grades. So there is a significant cost. Though since the next CLAT is in December, you will only be sacrificing one more semester, not the whole year.
So what I will say is, at the very least, don't compromise on your rank/grades. If you decide to take CLAT again, study well for both things simultaneously. And make the switch only if you get into NLS/NALSAR/NLU-D/NUJS. Because NUALS isn't a bad college, really. And you do have a lot of time, more than half of your degree ahead of you. So you can still do well from NUALS.
I can tell you that age is not a factor that will handicap you at all. The thing to consider is opportunity cost. What is it you really want to achieve and does switching colleges offer a better chance at achieving it? If so, is the difference significant enough to drop two years? If your goal is to get a T1 Corp job, I do know people from NUALS who get PPOs. And even if you don't, people work for 1-2 years at T2 and T3 firms and then make the switch. So in that case, the chances of getting into a top firm by 2025 are the same, really.
Let's assume that, you do not get the Tier I job due to lack of opportunity in your college. But I am sure you would get through some tier 2-5 law firm. And frankly, once you have started working, it is only your work experience, which would count.
So, the following two possibilities can arise:
(a) You lose 3 years, joint GNLU and land a Tier I job; or
(b) you finish your current course, join a law firm (does not matter what tier is) and after 3 years, join a tier I.
Even if I assume that in the option (b), you would be inducted as A-0 and your entire PQE would be discarded, note the following:
(a) you would have actual work ex of 3 years. to a Tier I firm, you may be A0, but they cannot take away your actual work experience and you would get a head start amongst the freshly-minted A0s.
(b) you would (hopefully) be able to achieve some level of financial independence due to your initial years of engagement.
I went to a T2 NLU ranking slightly below GNLU.
1. Don't worry too much about your age, sure, it's something people might notice, but it's nothing more than a slight raise of the eyebrow. A lot of my batchmates were two years behind the curve, one was three years behind. They all managed to get good placements. Age is not really a factor.
2. The difference between colleges can be VERY real. The opportunities it provides, the doors it opens. Yes, individual effort always accounts for more in the long run, but immediate opportunities available vary significantly. The faculty at GNLU is a mixed bag, some are v good, some are just bad, most are just average. But the alumni network is v strong, including Rhodes scholars, training contract holders (people who got placed at a UK law firm), an ICJ fellow, several partners at Indian law firms. These people help you discover opportunities and give you a lot of v important guidance.
3. The brand value can matter a lot. Especially with Indian law firms. IMO, they are likely to see a top-ranked student from a lower NLU as equal to an above-average student from GNLU.
4. Culture and exposure: at GNLU, you will get a more stimulating environment. They have a very good mooting culture. They also host several moots and conferences, giving you great exposure. At another college, even though you may want to do something, you may be pulled back by a lack of teammates or lack of exposure. And a lot of us don't have enough self-motivation to put in the effort required to overcome these challenges, we are a product of our environment.
It may seem like it, but I am not advocating for changing schools. I'm just saying that if, like you said, you're from an NLU ranking in the bottom three, there may be some very material benefits that shifting to GNLU would offer. And the prime concern you may have, about 'age' isn't that big a deal. After graduation, many people spend two-three years working at Tier-2 or Tier 3 firms to get into Tier-1 firms. So if you get a better launching pad, you may just avoid that.
So what I will say is, at the very least, don't compromise on your rank/grades. If you decide to take CLAT again, study well for both things simultaneously. And make the switch only if you get into NLS/NALSAR/NLU-D/NUJS. Because NUALS isn't a bad college, really. And you do have a lot of time, more than half of your degree ahead of you. So you can still do well from NUALS.
I can tell you that age is not a factor that will handicap you at all. The thing to consider is opportunity cost. What is it you really want to achieve and does switching colleges offer a better chance at achieving it? If so, is the difference significant enough to drop two years? If your goal is to get a T1 Corp job, I do know people from NUALS who get PPOs. And even if you don't, people work for 1-2 years at T2 and T3 firms and then make the switch. So in that case, the chances of getting into a top firm by 2025 are the same, really.
Let's assume that, you do not get the Tier I job due to lack of opportunity in your college. But I am sure you would get through some tier 2-5 law firm. And frankly, once you have started working, it is only your work experience, which would count.
So, the following two possibilities can arise:
(a) You lose 3 years, joint GNLU and land a Tier I job; or
(b) you finish your current course, join a law firm (does not matter what tier is) and after 3 years, join a tier I.
Even if I assume that in the option (b), you would be inducted as A-0 and your entire PQE would be discarded, note the following:
(a) you would have actual work ex of 3 years. to a Tier I firm, you may be A0, but they cannot take away your actual work experience and you would get a head start amongst the freshly-minted A0s.
(b) you would (hopefully) be able to achieve some level of financial independence due to your initial years of engagement.