Harvard vs. Columbia vs. Boalt Forum

[MissElle]

I need help choosing between Columbia, Berkeley, and Harvard. I'm interested in Biglaw (for now...this is subject to change). I've been offered no money at any of these schools. I want to eventually work in the South or West (or basically just anywhere warm). I think I'd enjoy the quality of life at Berkeley and I'd fit in best there, but something about Columbia also appeals to me a lot. And then Harvard....I mean, its HARVARD. Enough said. Someone please give me legit reasons for choosing one over another...any feedback would be greatly appreciated

[YoungFogey]

With no money or serious family obligations in play, Harvard no question.

[balmina]

Harvard.

[alexb240]

If I were you, I'd choose Harvard. The key deciding factor (for me) is the omnipresence of the Harvard name -- no matter where you decide to practice, the Harvard name will carry cachet. Although the same may be true of Columbia and Boalt, their names just won't open the same doors as Harvard's -- especially in the South, where Boalt may not be well-known.

In the end, you should visit all three schools and consider how each 'feels' to you. Talk to some current and former students. If you have any BigLaw contacts, ask them about any possible relevant advantages or disadvantages coming from each school. These types of endeavors may help you to develop a clearer picture of what you'll be in for at each school.

[jas5076]

Harvard = Work anywhere you want, with that said Harvard would be my choice. Maybe you could try telling the other schools that without any scholarship money you could not pass up harvard for their school. Maybe they would then offer you a little bit of money who knows

[Ben Matlock]

I agree, go with Harvard. Columbia is a great school, but it doesn't have the same kind of prestige. Berkeley is on its way down, from what I hear.

[sellis]

Berkeley is on its way down, from what I hear.

Care to elaborate? Not to mindlessly parrot Berkeley's PR, but I actually had the impression they were on their way up, given their aggressive efforts to recruit new faculty, construction of a new facility, and increase in tuition costs.

And yeah, Harvard.

[Ben Matlock]

According to my source (who shall remain nameless but has a senior position at a school ranked ahead of Berkeley), Berkeley is offering retirement to its senior faculty, who are just taking the package and going elsewhere. New faculty costs less. There have also been cuts to the UC system in general since California's budget crisis.

[Formerbruin]

And yet, interestingly enough, Berkeley has gone from 13 to 8 after those cuts took place and Dean Edley came in.

[VogueMouse]

Nice! way to go formerbruin

[brokendowncar]

Harvard, without question.

[fearlesscowboy]

Harvard

Columbia 2nd

So now you have a better idea of where to withdraw from

[ZERO]

i dont get the harvard obsession. i get the impression that most students there will be super-competitive and set on biglaw. is that wrong? is there nothing to be said for the less high strung & competitive atmosphere of berkeley? then, too, i am biased because i want to get as far from the south as possible... and the snow... which leaves CA

[verdandi]

Columbia is a great school, but it doesn't have the same kind of prestige.

Ouch. Makes Columbia sound like chopped liver!

I'm going to buck the trend on this thread and say this -- visit the schools, talk to some current students, and see where you fit best. Then decide. I understand feeling like you HAVE to go to Harvard, but here's my opinion. If you don't care what your quality of life is, then go to the highest ranked school. If it is really important to you to enjoy your time in law school, enjoy your environment and study with people that you get along with, then go where you feel most comfortable. It is entirely possible in this situation that those places may be one and the same.

Frankly, for biglaw, I don't know if I see a HUGE gap between Harvard and Columbia when it comes to prestige. Harvard may be slightly more portable outside of NYC, since you said you wanted to study in the south and west. I have a feeling Berkeley would have a significant prestige boost out west. Frankly, they are all outstanding choices. Congrats!

[Maye]

i wish i had this kind of decision to make.

harvard.

[Ben Matlock]

Columbia is a great school, but it doesn't have the same kind of prestige.

Ouch. Makes Columbia sound like chopped liver!

I'm going to buck the trend on this thread and say this -- visit the schools, talk to some current students, and see where you fit best. Then decide. I understand feeling like you HAVE to go to Harvard, but here's my opinion. If you don't care what your quality of life is, then go to the highest ranked school. If it is really important to you to enjoy your time in law school, enjoy your environment and study with people that you get along with, then go where you feel most comfortable. It is entirely possible in this situation that those places may be one and the same.

Frankly, for biglaw, I don't know if I see a HUGE gap between Harvard and Columbia when it comes to prestige. Harvard may be slightly more portable outside of NYC, since you said you wanted to study in the south and west. I have a feeling Berkeley would have a significant prestige boost out west. Frankly, they are all outstanding choices. Congrats!

If you've been following my posts, you'll know I've been gushing about how great a school Columbia is. But it's no Yale, and it's no Harvard either. In terms of job placement, Columbia is just as good as Harvard. I'm less certain about career mobility. Yale and Harvard overall are more prestigious than Columbia with the community at large.

Look at the other grad school (and undergrad) rankings in USNWR. While each ranking by itself may not tell you much, look at the overall trend: Columbia is ranked respectably (usually in the top 20), but the only thing it's #1 in is for Teachers College. Harvard, by contrast, is #1 in business, medical research, biological science, and polisci, among others. Yale is #1 in history and fine arts (and of course law), and top 10 in most. Anyway, you get the picture.

[robinsrc]

One thing to add that hasn't been mentioned--money.

When I look at any choice in the t14, money becomes a huge issue. Columbia and Harvard are among the most expensive schools in the world. Boalt will give you residence after one year and that cuts your tuition down to about 25,000. In addition, you might be able to get more if you let them know you were considering the other two.

[bryguy]

i'd say columbia ... yeah yeah ... harvard has its "name" ... but so does columbia ... plus who would pass up the opp to live in NYC ... haha ... granted Columbia is in Harlem (and it really doesnt compare to cambridge) ... but harlem is an "up-and-coming" neighborhood ...

columbia! i'd go with columbia

[Katkins]

Columbia, due to its awesome location in NYC, expanding faculty in the next several years, excellent IP programs, and of course, devastatingly attractive student body

[yogatoga]

i'd say columbia ... yeah yeah ... harvard has its "name" ... but so does columbia ... plus who would pass up the opp to live in NYC ... haha ... granted Columbia is in Harlem (and it really doesnt compare to cambridge) ... but harlem is an "up-and-coming" neighborhood ...

columbia! i'd go with columbia

actually, Columbia is in Morningside Heights, which is just south of Harlem, but much safer

[Dschinghis Khan]

i dont get the harvard obsession. i get the impression that most students there will be super-competitive and set on biglaw. is that wrong?

And Columbia isn't? They're located in the BigLaw capital of the world!

Columbia and Harvard have the exact same grading system, I think. People are always going to be competitive under such a system, because it's simply the rational thing to do.

[awesomerossum]

I don't think CLS or HLS are that competitive at all, and I don't now where people get these silly notions from.

The movies might be a source, but if they're accurate, they're antiquated, and if they're inaccurate, well... nuff said.

[Dschinghis Khan]

I wouldn't characterize Harvard as "biglaw-oriented" either. A majority of us at HLS will go into BigLaw, sure, but we're the ones who never talk about our future plans. (Perhaps because we understand how depressing BigLaw is and want to not think about that until its time). There are tons of people here who want to be professors or do public interest law -- these are the people who talk about their future plans. So you'll actually feel like you are in the minority at HLS if you want to do BigLaw.

[woeisme]

For big law, CLS seems to have the best placement.

Still, if you choose Harvard, I can't imagine you'll have any trouble either. And Harvard is regarded as a superior school by most.

Berk is also good, but I'd only choose it if you knew you wanted San Fran (and even then, I'm not sure)..

[SteelersandGators]

Why not just do a year at each?