Berkeley 2010 Forum

[Kronk]

ugh, that SUCKS! I know the UCs are fucked right now (just graduated from one..) but really, part of their appeal is the lower tuition of course. Not that I think that would dissuade me from going to Berkeley or anything.

Berkeley isn't really known for being generous with merit aid, are they? Is their matching program their only source of merit aid, or do they occasionally throw a bone to people on their own initiative? I'm curious...

They give out very small amounts of aid. Generally, it's more like a "we'll make your first year in-state tuition but you don't get a scholarship 2L or 3L."

[triplecats]

That is brutal. (Granted, I'm cheap and thinking paying sticker anywhere is brutal...)

[crackberry]

Correction: HLS is BigLaw Central, Sr. Columbia is BigLaw Central, Jr.

Yeah except HLS is too good to be BigLaw Central, so many of their graduates clerk. Columbia seems more concerned with dolla dolla bills. They place like 75% of their class into NLJ250 firms.

Fair enough. Point conceded.

[worldtraveler]

ugh, that SUCKS! I know the UCs are fucked right now (just graduated from one..) but really, part of their appeal is the lower tuition of course. Not that I think that would dissuade me from going to Berkeley or anything.

Berkeley isn't really known for being generous with merit aid, are they? Is their matching program their only source of merit aid, or do they occasionally throw a bone to people on their own initiative? I'm curious...

They give out very small amounts of aid. Generally, it's more like a "we'll make your first year in-state tuition but you don't get a scholarship 2L or 3L."

Not really true. Berkeley gives out far more need based grants than peer schools, and is less stringent about economic requirements to get them. I got a grant from Berkeley and I couldn't get one from any other school. A lot of other people had the same thing.

[Kronk]

ugh, that SUCKS! I know the UCs are fucked right now (just graduated from one..) but really, part of their appeal is the lower tuition of course. Not that I think that would dissuade me from going to Berkeley or anything.

Berkeley isn't really known for being generous with merit aid, are they? Is their matching program their only source of merit aid, or do they occasionally throw a bone to people on their own initiative? I'm curious...

They give out very small amounts of aid. Generally, it's more like a "we'll make your first year in-state tuition but you don't get a scholarship 2L or 3L."

Not really true. Berkeley gives out far more need based grants than peer schools, and is less stringent about economic requirements to get them. I got a grant from Berkeley and I couldn't get one from any other school. A lot of other people had the same thing.

I believe he was talking about merit-based.

[Mr.Feeny]

out of curiosity, anyone know what the worst numbers are that have gotten accepted? (thats not a URM)

[Rotor]

Triplecats, the primary focus is the need-based aid. The matching program is out there, but I don't know of anyone who got matched (only anecdotal, I know, but it's all I have to go on).

I'll second WT and say they do tend to be fairly generous with that need based aid, but for a non-trad who had a decent paycheck before coming in, I got nothing.

One program I didn't know about coming in was the Berkeley Law Foundation grants. If you do public interest work over the summer (except judicial externships) you will get 4k. There are other requirements (pro-bono hours etc.), but everyone eligible collects. It's not a lot, but it'll pay the rent for the summer.

[wired]

out of curiosity, anyone know what the worst numbers are that have gotten accepted? (thats not a URM)

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/tabard

This individual had a 167 and a 3.4. That's a median LSAT with a significantly below median GPA.

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/mightyaphrodite

This is the lowest GPA I found. It's a 3.3 with a 171 to back it up.

Both profiles indicated they had significant softs.

[Kronk]

Somewhere there is a 159 person that got accepted and no one believes he/she is real, and there is a long explanation about how the only bad part of the app was the LSAT score and it goes to show it can be overcome.

[Veritas]

gosh I hope to be a below number-average admit. Please berk! love me!

[triplecats]

gosh I hope to be a below number-average admit. Please berk! love me!

If Dean Tom invites me to be on the faculty committee, I will admit you.

[Veritas]

gosh I hope to be a below number-average admit. Please berk! love me!

If Dean Tom invites me to be on the faculty committee, I will admit you.

thanks!!

[violaboy]

out of curiosity, anyone know what the worst numbers are that have gotten accepted? (thats not a URM)

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/tabard

This individual had a 167 and a 3.4. That's a median LSAT with a significantly below median GPA.

http://lawschoolnumbers.com/mightyaphrodite

This is the lowest GPA I found. It's a 3.3 with a 171 to back it up.

Both profiles indicated they had significant softs.

Mighty Aphrodite is a URM.

[bighead715]

been under review since the 19th - thought id join you guys in the pointless speculation

25th percentile lsat score andddd a 3.98 gpa with beast softs (in my mind at least and probably not others' :/ )

chances seem slim but there is a minute hope...

[bilbobaggins]

I don't think LRN works too well with Berkeley. Sure, it's a guide, but I know a lot of people who got in (myself included) that LSN gave very low chances.

[tintin]

I don't think LRN works too well with Berkeley. Sure, it's a guide, but I know a lot of people who got in (myself included) that LSN gave very low chances.

yeah I'm hoping to join that group. 168 (twice haha)/3.9. I think I have a shot, I'm hoping my obvious enthusiasm for berkeley will catch dean tom's attention....

[Kronk]

I don't know why you think 168 / 3.9 is not good enough for Berkeley. You're right at their medians, and LSP has you as a Strong Consider.

[Veritas]

I don't know why you think 168 / 3.9 is not good enough for Berkeley. You're right at their medians, and LSP has you as a Strong Consider.

+1

It's people like me that need to catch the eye of Dean Tom.

[kurama20]

Can you update your file if you are already "under review" ?

[Kronk]

Yeah I would go ahead and send stuff over. Although I sent a third LOR and they never showed up as getting it. You might want to send the email out.

Where all are you applying, Kurama?

[kurama20]

Yeah I would go ahead and send stuff over. Although I sent a third LOR and they never showed up as getting it. You might want to send the email out.

Where all are you applying, Kurama?

Basically everywhere in the top 25 since I have an LSAC fee waiver. The only schools that don't accept it are Stanford and Texas.

[tintin]

I don't know why you think 168 / 3.9 is not good enough for Berkeley. You're right at their medians, and LSP has you as a Strong Consider.

I think it's more my lack of impressive softs combined with my mediocre #'s that makes me nervous...

[clint4law]

just submitted my apps...i'm a 168/3.9.....best of luck to all you guys.

[Legacy316]

I'm starting to really regret not going the full four pages on my Berkeley PS, saying how UCB is my dream school! It's just my PS was so clean and concise.... still came out to 2 3/4 pages though. Maybe that will help?

[tintin]

just submitted my apps...i'm a 168/3.9.....best of luck to all you guys.

hey i have your exact stats!!! are you on LSN?