Berkeley or UCI for Undergrad .. Does it matter? Forum

[Samms]

Hey guys, I'm not sure if this is the correct forum to post this in, but here goes.

I'm currently deciding between going to UC Berkeley or UC Irvine as a Political Science major. On the surface, this might seem like a very obvious choice, but upon further reflection and based on my current economic situation, it's becoming complicated. UCI offered me their highest scholarship award (which comes with 5 grand) plus a bunch of other perks if I accepted their invitation. I also still live with my parents rent free (which has allowed me to save tons of money) right near UCI, so I could live off campus , paying only tuition and books. Juxtaposed to this would be moving myself to Berkeley, CA and paying a total of about 60K in tuition, fees, and living expenses. The difference in cost between UCI and UCB is about 20K vs 60K, so I'd save 40 grand.

In addition to the above, the chances of me beating the bell curve at Berkeley are significantly lower than at UCI unless I devote much more of my time to study. I could go to UCI and have a much greater chance of maintaining my 4.0 (or above) than at UCB, while also during ECs and continuing to work. There would be no chance of me working, ECing, and maintaining a 4.0 at UCB. I always planned to take the LSAT during my Senior year and go to LS after I get my BA, so I know GPA is very important.

Here are my questions:

1) Would any of the T10 care of they saw me get a 4.0 from UCI as opposed to UCB, and;

2) During OCI or any of the various processes third years go through to get jobs at any of the V50 companies, would an employer be more impressed with a BA from Berkeley as opposed to UCI? Or put in a different way, would my investment of 40,000 more dollars to go to Berkeley and infinitely more time studying to remain ahead of my curve pay off in any meaningful way when it comes to getting employed in a law firm?

Thanks for any light that can be shed on this.

-Samms