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uchastings.edu
University of California, Hastings College of the Law is located in San Francisco, CA. It appears on the Top Law Schools Rankings page.

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Below is a quote from me about Hastings. I attended nearby Boalt Hall in Berkeley:

In contrast, those who attended U.C. Hastings generally felt it was a very miserable three years, for there is intense competition there, for students felt that they had to graduate at the top of their class to compete for the same jobs as Stanford and Boalt grads. Thus, there was little friendship and sharing by students during these three very intense years.

In response to my quote, the following was posted:

I'm a Hastings grad ('98) and, while there is some truth to this, it's a bit exaggerated.

I would say that the first year probably qualifies as miserable for many, and it is due to a high level of competition, but people tend to calm down after a few months. That doesn't mean that there won't be some students who try to get any advantage they can, including intercepting outlines or hiding Reporters in some rarely-used corner of the library, but it's rare and probably about as prevalent as at any other law school. People do form study groups and close friendships that they maintain long after graduation.

And, honestly, we really didn't think about or feel intimidated by Stanford and Boalt students. Law firms and other employers recruit heavily at Hastings, and while, yes, large firms generally only want those in the top 30% of the class or those on Law Review, that is true for every school at which they recruit (except in the cases of those schools which require that firms wanting to use OCI interview any student who wants an interview). We felt competitive with each other, but we generally believed--and I think the hiring community bears out--that we were as qualified (and in some cases, because of our extensive clinical programs, more qualifed than) Stanford and Boalt students. So, yes, Stanford and Boalt rank higher than Hastings and they are both extraordinary law schools, but I don't know anyone who ever actively worried that they were going to lose out on a job (or who ever actually lost out on a job) because they went to Hastings instead of one of those schools.

As for quality of life while there, that's not great. Hastings is located in the Tenderloin, which is probably the worst part of the city. There is a large homeless population and panhandlers can be aggressive. You do not want to be walking around alone after dark (the daytime is generally fine), although you can get school security to escort you to nearby parking lots, apartments, and bus stops if you don't have someone to walk with you. I think it's somewhat better now than when I was there because they've reopened City Hall and the new courthouses have opened, but it's still a rough area. It's not like you're taking your life in your hands by going to class or anything, but you do need to be sensible and exercise caution.

An in-depth profile of UC Hastings Law School with photos can be viewed at: http://www.top-law-schools.com/hastings-law-school.html

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Read about law school personal statements at http://www.top-law-schools.com/statement.html

Read an interview with the Dean of Admissions at UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall at http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... .php?t=950

Or view the home page at http://www.top-law-schools.com

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Yes, I mailed mine too, but I doubt I will attend there. U of A is offering way more money, and I am not too hot about big city life.

i just made my deposit too, although my financial aid could be better.

sent in my deposit a few weeks ago. my fin. aid package was pretty decent. see you guys there this fall

I'm a month in and I'm loving this place. The city is awesome and the students/staff are great. If anyone is thinking about applying to Hastings and has any random questions, shoot me a message and I'll see what I can do to help.

Anyone have anything else to say about UC Hastings? I got my acceptance letter yesterday. Mostly interested in international law. Trying to decide between Hastings and SCU (significantly lower ranked I know). I could use any input on hastings anyone has to give.