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Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:21 pm
by monathenomad
****NOTE: I've decided to update my original post to clarify some questions.
I've been trying to weigh all the different factors but keeping going back and forth between the two schools.
Georgetown Pros:
-in D.C. (I lived in California for 12 years and went to undergrad at Berkeley so I would like a new environment. Also I would like to work in D.C. with maybe a policy slant towards international trade or economic law. I studied in D.C. and loved the city.)
-strong international law program
-impressive faculty
Berkeley Pros:
-Smaller class size
-Better grading system
-can be combined with Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (I got accepted into the China Studies program and was offered a fellowship)
-seems to have a stronger international reputation (I'd like to keep open the option of working in China in the future)
Myself:
Fluent in Mandarin with extensive experience living and interning in China
Financially sound
I have D.C. experience (studied and interned in a Senate Office in D.C. for six months)
Culturally I'm set, I just need some formal education for what I'd like to do.
Bottom line of confusion: whether getting a law degree from a D.C. school is better for a career working on legal issues between the U.S.-China or within China
whosonfirst's feedback was very helpful and reminded me to factor in domestic politics. I'm not in the bit interested in campaigns or getting involved in partisan politics (learned this during my experience on the Hill). But I would not turn away from employment at partisan agencies if the issues were relevant.
What do you guys think?
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:22 pm
by Bronck
What is the CoA at each (include accrued interest) at graduation?
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:25 pm
by rad lulz
Bronck wrote:What is the CoA at each (include accrued interest) at graduation?
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:33 pm
by monathenomad
Berkeley: $25,211.75
Georgetown: $48,835
I should add that cost is not as important of a factor for me as the ones I listed above. (although seeing the discrepancy like this might change that...)
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:37 pm
by rad lulz
monathenomad wrote:Berkeley: $25,211.75
Georgetown: $48,835
I should add that cost is not as important of a factor for me as the ones I listed above. (although seeing the discrepancy like this might change that...)
That cannot be total CoA unless you are getting serious outside financing
$25k won't even cover cost of living at Berk for 3 yrs
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:42 pm
by monathenomad
The costs listed only cover tuition alone. Cost of living at Berkeley is likely around ~$15k/yr. Studios near campus are about $900/mo + food and extras.
I'm not as sure about D.C. but I would assume ~$20,000/yr.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:43 pm
by rad lulz
monathenomad wrote:The costs listed only cover tuition alone. Cost of living at Berkeley is likely around ~$15k/yr. Studios near campus are about $900/mo + food and extras.
I'm not as sure about D.C. but I would assume ~$20,000/yr.
Do me a favor and calculate total cost of attendance and add accrued interest
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:46 pm
by Golden Bear 11
Studios around campus are $900/month?!?!?!
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:51 pm
by monathenomad
Accrued interest from what exactly? Loans? I'm not in the habit of stating my financial situation but I most likely will not be taking any.
Also there is a reason I did not include cost of attending in my original list. If you can't make a decision focusing on the considerations I listed above then don't. Because you're likely not placing the same kind of emphasis on the factors I consider the most important to me personally.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:53 pm
by monathenomad
Golden Bear 11 wrote:Studios around campus are $900/month?!?!?!
Yeah. I graduated last May and paid around 900 for my studio that was 4 blocks from campus (about 5 min walk). I pretty much searched for two weeks and then moved in a week after signing my lease.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:54 pm
by rad lulz
monathenomad wrote:Accrued interest from what exactly? Loans? I'm not in the habit of stating my financial situation but I most likely will not be taking any.
Also there is a reason I did not include cost of attending in my original list. If you can't make a decision focusing on the considerations I listed above then don't. Because you're likely not placing the same kind of emphasis on the factors I consider the most important to me personally.
lol you can't direct people how to respond to you on the internet
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:58 pm
by monathenomad
rad lulz wrote:monathenomad wrote:Berkeley: $25,211.75
Georgetown: $48,835
I should add that cost is not as important of a factor for me as the ones I listed above. (although seeing the discrepancy like this might change that...)
That cannot be total CoA unless you are getting serious outside financing
$25k won't even cover cost of living at Berk for 3 yrs
My mistake on Berkeley tuition. $25,000 is for one semester, so one year tuition would put it over Georgetown. I knew I had to be off on that...
And no I can't control how you respond but I would like some sort of opinion. Just pick one and tell me why (you can talk about cost if that's how you want to justify your choice).
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 12:59 pm
by Dmini7
Choose Cal. Besides Georgetown being located in D.C, it offers no other benefits for you in your situation if you ask me. Besides, standing out in a class of 600 students is by no means easy. I would only pick Georgetown if you were sick of life at Berkeley. Also, most people on here are very debt averse which is why everyone wants to see the money and debt incurred. Both the schools you listed are notorious for not being generous for money (especially Georgetown this cycle), hence the heavy interest in understanding debt incurred. I should add, it would be hard to bank on getting international law anywhere that is not HYS, and I am not sure about in the legal field, but I know you are right that Berkeley has a much better reputation internationally in other fields.
Now, if you were focused on Gov't work only, and solely wanted D.C. then I may pick Georgetown over Berkeley.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:00 pm
by rad lulz
monathenomad wrote:rad lulz wrote:monathenomad wrote:Berkeley: $25,211.75
Georgetown: $48,835
I should add that cost is not as important of a factor for me as the ones I listed above. (although seeing the discrepancy like this might change that...)
That cannot be total CoA unless you are getting serious outside financing
$25k won't even cover cost of living at Berk for 3 yrs
My mistake on Berkeley tuition. $25,000 is for one semester, so one year tuition would put it over Georgetown. I knew I had to be off on that...
And no I can't control how you respond but I would like some sort of opinion. Just pick one and tell me why (you can talk about cost if that's how you want to justify your choice).
What do you want to do after you graduate
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:04 pm
by monathenomad
rad lulz wrote:monathenomad wrote:rad lulz wrote:monathenomad wrote:Berkeley: $25,211.75
Georgetown: $48,835
I should add that cost is not as important of a factor for me as the ones I listed above. (although seeing the discrepancy like this might change that...)
That cannot be total CoA unless you are getting serious outside financing
$25k won't even cover cost of living at Berk for 3 yrs
My mistake on Berkeley tuition. $25,000 is for one semester, so one year tuition would put it over Georgetown. I knew I had to be off on that...
And no I can't control how you respond but I would like some sort of opinion. Just pick one and tell me why (you can talk about cost if that's how you want to justify your choice).
What do you want to do after you graduate
International trade or business law most likely. Either with an international org. or private company that does transnational business (U.S.-China). I'm pretty flexible, just looking for something that will combine my J.D., economics (assuming I do SAIS), and language skills.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:05 pm
by monathenomad
Dmini7 wrote:Choose Cal. Besides Georgetown being located in D.C, it offers no other benefits for you in your situation if you ask me. Besides, standing out in a class of 600 students is by no means easy. I would only pick Georgetown if you were sick of life at Berkeley. Also, most people on here are very debt averse which is why everyone wants to see the money and debt incurred. Both the schools you listed are notorious for not being generous for money (especially Georgetown this cycle), hence the heavy interest in understanding debt incurred. I should add, it would be hard to bank on getting international law anywhere that is not HYS, and I am not sure about in the legal field, but I know you are right that Berkeley has a much better reputation internationally in other fields.
Now, if you were focused on Gov't work only, and solely wanted D.C. then I may pick Georgetown over Berkeley.
Thanks! That's some good feedback. This is my first time posting on the forum so this might be a silly question but what does HYS stand for?
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:07 pm
by Dmini7
monathenomad wrote:Dmini7 wrote:Choose Cal. Besides Georgetown being located in D.C, it offers no other benefits for you in your situation if you ask me. Besides, standing out in a class of 600 students is by no means easy. I would only pick Georgetown if you were sick of life at Berkeley. Also, most people on here are very debt averse which is why everyone wants to see the money and debt incurred. Both the schools you listed are notorious for not being generous for money (especially Georgetown this cycle), hence the heavy interest in understanding debt incurred. I should add, it would be hard to bank on getting international law anywhere that is not HYS, and I am not sure about in the legal field, but I know you are right that Berkeley has a much better reputation internationally in other fields.
Now, if you were focused on Gov't work only, and solely wanted D.C. then I may pick Georgetown over Berkeley.
Thanks! That's some good feedback. This is my first time posting on the forum so this might be a silly question but what does HYS stand for?
Harvard, Yale, Stanford.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 1:09 pm
by monathenomad
Dmini7 wrote:monathenomad wrote:Dmini7 wrote:Choose Cal. Besides Georgetown being located in D.C, it offers no other benefits for you in your situation if you ask me. Besides, standing out in a class of 600 students is by no means easy. I would only pick Georgetown if you were sick of life at Berkeley. Also, most people on here are very debt averse which is why everyone wants to see the money and debt incurred. Both the schools you listed are notorious for not being generous for money (especially Georgetown this cycle), hence the heavy interest in understanding debt incurred. I should add, it would be hard to bank on getting international law anywhere that is not HYS, and I am not sure about in the legal field, but I know you are right that Berkeley has a much better reputation internationally in other fields.
Now, if you were focused on Gov't work only, and solely wanted D.C. then I may pick Georgetown over Berkeley.
Thanks! That's some good feedback. This is my first time posting on the forum so this might be a silly question but what does HYS stand for?
Harvard, Yale, Stanford.
What about Columbia? Would Columbia be a better choice than Berkeley for my situation?
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 7:08 pm
by worldtraveler
monathenomad wrote:The costs listed only cover tuition alone. Cost of living at Berkeley is likely around ~$15k/yr. Studios near campus are about $900/mo + food and extras.
I'm not as sure about D.C. but I would assume ~$20,000/yr.
You are really bad at budgeting. I don't know anyone who lives on that little in Berkeley unless they eat ramen and share a bedroom with undergrads.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:01 pm
by BigZuck
You sound rich. Just go wherever makes you the most happy. YOLO bro. I mean that. You don't have to worry about money so happiness should trump all other concerns.
You probably won't do "international law" because from what I can tell that's not really a thing.
Columbia>Berkeley>Georgetown the vast majority of the time.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 8:10 pm
by ManoftheHour
worldtraveler wrote:monathenomad wrote:The costs listed only cover tuition alone. Cost of living at Berkeley is likely around ~$15k/yr. Studios near campus are about $900/mo + food and extras.
I'm not as sure about D.C. but I would assume ~$20,000/yr.
You are really bad at budgeting. I don't know anyone who lives on that little in Berkeley unless they eat ramen and share a bedroom with undergrads.
Sharing isn't bad. I lived in one of the most expensive apartment complexes in Orange County. $285/month (including utility!) because we had 7 people (two coworkers and the rest were studying for their MCATs) living in a two bedroom apartment. One of the best years of my life.
I voted for Berkeley. If your folks have money, just go to Cal.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:02 am
by monathenomad
worldtraveler wrote:monathenomad wrote:The costs listed only cover tuition alone. Cost of living at Berkeley is likely around ~$15k/yr. Studios near campus are about $900/mo + food and extras.
I'm not as sure about D.C. but I would assume ~$20,000/yr.
You are really bad at budgeting. I don't know anyone who lives on that little in Berkeley unless they eat ramen and share a bedroom with undergrads.
I came up with that "budget" on the spot and probably didn't account for many thing so I agree it probably isn't very accurate. But like I said, budget is not a big factor in my process of deciding where to go to study law and get my degree. I am in a fortunate financial situation and am grateful to my parents for their support and having worked so hard after emigrating to the United States. I don't want to invite attacks on the topic of money so some feedback geared more towards career option and networking tradeoffs between these schools would be welcome. To make my future goals more clear, I would like to have the flexibility to work either in legal or policy issues dealing with U.S.-China relations preferably for the government or international organizations. Bottom line: I would like a job that allows me to travel back and forth between these countries.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:16 am
by rickgrimes69
monathenomad wrote:worldtraveler wrote:monathenomad wrote:The costs listed only cover tuition alone. Cost of living at Berkeley is likely around ~$15k/yr. Studios near campus are about $900/mo + food and extras.
I'm not as sure about D.C. but I would assume ~$20,000/yr.
You are really bad at budgeting. I don't know anyone who lives on that little in Berkeley unless they eat ramen and share a bedroom with undergrads.
I came up with that "budget" on the spot and probably didn't account for many thing so I agree it probably isn't very accurate. But like I said, budget is not a big factor in my process of deciding where to go to study law and get my degree. I am in a fortunate financial situation and am grateful to my parents for their support and having worked so hard after emigrating to the United States. I don't want to invite attacks on the topic of money so some feedback geared more towards career option and networking tradeoffs between these schools would be welcome. To make my future goals more clear, I would like to have the flexibility to work either in legal or policy issues dealing with U.S.-China relations preferably for the government or international organizations. Bottom line: I would like a job that allows me to travel back and forth between these countries.
Go wherever makes you happiest.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:21 am
by mephistopheles
not georgetttown.
Re: Berkeley vs. Georgetown (difficult decision!)
Posted: Sun Mar 17, 2013 12:54 am
by whosonfirst
Berkeley because: at GT, lots of students have self-selected into the gov't/policy job market so you're more likely to stand out to a DC employer with a Berkeley degree than a GT one just because fewer Berkeley kids will be applying for the jobs you want. And employers won't take more than a handful from each school (except HYS)
GT because: you can do intern/externships with Hill year-round. If you don't have this background already, I would say DC just because right now, people are interning for 6+ months before getting their first job on the Hill. Having this experience already coming out of law school will make applying for, and getting, hill jobs so much easier. Though your JD will make you more valuable, not to mention your background in China, so you might not need as much experience to break into policy work (especially if you want to do committee work). If you want to work within an agency, you don't need to go to GT for the reason listed above about why Berkeley.
I would ultimately pick Berkeley though, if I was in your shoes, because it's a (much) better school and GT's class size is too big. It really, genuinely, is a diploma mill. And, lastly, because you might not want to work for the party in power in 2016 or there may be fewer jobs for you because your party lost seats, etc.