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Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:36 pm
by catharsis
Tangerine Gleam wrote:From what I remember from my visit, these were some of the features which made Boalt's LRAP particularly generous. Some of these traits may be shared with other schools, but I think the fact that Berkeley boasts them all makes its LRAP one of the best around.

- The income cap is much higher than other schools. I think it's $58,000 -- so if you make less than that in a public interest/non-profit job, Boalt will pay 100% of your loan for each year that you're there. I know many other T14 schools have much lower caps -- as low as $35k or thereabouts.

- Even if you exceed the income cap in a public interest/non-profit capacity, they will still help. They don't just cut you off...they start to vary the percentage they'll cover by how much above the cap you make.

- I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure that the Admissions rep told me that if you work in public interest for 10 full years after law school, they will automatically clear ALL remaining debt after 10 years. I specifically remember hearing this, but it's not anywhere on the LRAP site that I can find, so I'm not positive.

- You can leave the LRAP and come back. You're still eligible even if you don't take a PI job straight out of school. You could work in a firm for 6 years and then take a government job and the LRAP would still kick in at that time.

Any current Boalt students (or all-around Boalt knowledgeables) please correct me or chime in!
Tangerine, what an informative and helpful post! THANK YOU!! I remember reading somewhere though that the income cap was $100,000. I know that sounds insane but that's what I saw on their site a few weeks ago unless I read it wrong or it was about something else. I had a tough time believing it also and made sure I read it a million times but that's what my memory recalls.

Either way thanks for your post and I hope someone else can add to it!

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:38 pm
by amandap
I just got accepted via e-mail. I am freaking out!!! Boalt is my first choice (I am a current undergrad)

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:40 pm
by coollegemex
amandap wrote:I just got accepted via e-mail. I am freaking out!!! Boalt is my first choice (I am a current undergrad)
We were in the same batch! Congrats. Now I can stop freaking out about other schools with this amazing lock.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:50 pm
by Sakura3210
I'm in too!!! I'm insanely happy! Congrats to everybody! :D :D :D

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 6:05 am
by fidesverita
I want to get my login information for admitted students already! It's been more than a week!

Did anyone get an official Berkeley package in the mail?

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 1:26 pm
by Rotor
Congrats to all the Boalt admits. I put up an offer to answer questions on the c/o 2013 thread, but this appears to be more active at this point. Now that finals are over, I'll peek in every day or two. Looks like the LRAP questions have been answered--it is the best in the country from what I understand (haven't studied all the others).

As for the admit packet, you'll get a folder with a bunch if the standard stuff-- formal admission letter, info on ASD (including the travel stipend), viewbooks etc. Nothing out of the ordinary that some other schools did last year--thumb drives, etc. Tshirts are handed out at ASD, so not in the admit pack either.

Again congrats everyone. Ask away.

[most sincere apologies to the anxious masses awaiting word by bumpuing this thread and causing a little heart attack :-)]

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:01 pm
by violaboy
Wow, just got the call, so I guess I can join here as well!

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:07 pm
by coollegemex
Rotor wrote:Congrats to all the Boalt admits. I put up an offer to answer questions on the c/o 2013 thread, but this appears to be more active at this point. Now that finals are over, I'll peek in every day or two. Looks like the LRAP questions have been answered--it is the best in the country from what I understand (haven't studied all the others).

As for the admit packet, you'll get a folder with a bunch if the standard stuff-- formal admission letter, info on ASD (including the travel stipend), viewbooks etc. Nothing out of the ordinary that some other schools did last year--thumb drives, etc. Tshirts are handed out at ASD, so not in the admit pack either.

Again congrats everyone. Ask away.

[most sincere apologies to the anxious masses awaiting word by bumpuing this thread and causing a little heart attack :-)]
Thanks for the offer! So CAL is definitely the top on my list at the moment - can you share how the merit-aid process worked for you?

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:09 pm
by Amelie
violaboy wrote:Wow, just got the call, so I guess I can join here as well!
Congrats! Didn't you get the call at UVA today, too? Quite a day!

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:13 pm
by frankjones
Sorry if this has already been posted, but I don't want to look through old posts. This sucks, and could very well make the difference in my decision whether or not to attend:


"Under the new fee schedule, UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall law school will have the highest professional fee, a $31,355 surcharge that will bring total annual costs for California residents, not including room, board and books, to $44,200, up 21% from this year."

--LinkRemoved-- ... 7361.story

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 3:44 am
by Rotor
Either in your admit pack or soon thereafter, you'll get a form with instructionS on the merit based matching program. Essentially, if you receive a scholarship elsewhere, you can apply to have Boalt match the offer. Note: it's not a dollar for dollar match-- it's designed to make the cost of attendance equal.

Matching only applied to T14 (less NU). Since I didn't have another T14 admission (only applied to 2) I wasn't eligible. I know a few who applied, but only one who got matched. That said, the one is nearly a full ride.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 4:59 pm
by spiffypyro
Anyone get their info packet yet? My status checker says that my decision letter was mailed on 12/15, and I still haven't received it. I wanted to get it before I leave tomorrow for the holidays :(

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 5:08 pm
by crackberry
spiffypyro wrote:Anyone get their info packet yet? My status checker says that my decision letter was mailed on 12/15, and I still haven't received it. I wanted to get it before I leave tomorrow for the holidays :(
I live in SF and have not gotten it yet (my mail has already come for the day).

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 8:21 pm
by Tangerine Gleam
Got my packet! I live in SF. It arrived today after supposedly being sent on 12/15 (which doesn't sound right -- it must have been "mailed" that day but probably not processed until 12/16.

*SPOILER ALERT*

The packet includes (signed) letters from Dean Tom, Chris Edley, and Dennis K. Tominaga. Also a copy of the "Transcript" publication and a short brochure called "Welcome To Berkeley Law". The standard viewbook (which is available online) wasn't included.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 1:52 am
by fidesverita
Got my info pack today, except I didn't see anything about ASW or travel stipends... are they going to email us about that? I'm guessing they're also emailing us info for logging on to the admitted students' site?

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:03 pm
by prelaw10
I know this isn't the appropriate thread to ask these questions, but I wanted to ask recent successful applicants so if you would be so kind and generous during this holiday season...

1 - How many LORs did you submit? They're apparently optional. I have 1 strong and 1 maybe strong, should I just submit the 1 definately strong?

2 - Any particular advantages/disadvantages I should consider when choosing to "grant permission to have my file reviewed by student members of the admissions committee"?

Thanks so much and congratulations!!

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:06 pm
by JollyGreenGiant
prelaw10 wrote:I know this isn't the appropriate thread to ask these questions, but I wanted to ask recent successful applicants so if you would be so kind and generous during this holiday season...

1 - How many LORs did you submit? They're apparently optional. I have 1 strong and 1 maybe strong, should I just submit the 1 definately strong?

2 - Any particular advantages/disadvantages I should consider when choosing to "grant permission to have my file reviewed by student members of the admissions committee"?

Thanks so much and congratulations!!
I would grant permission. I don't think it had any effect for me as I don't think I went to committee review. And for LORs I did 2.

I also did a 4-page PS (usual 2 page plus 2 pages dedicated to Berkeley)

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 8:30 pm
by kumba84
prelaw10 wrote:I know this isn't the appropriate thread to ask these questions, but I wanted to ask recent successful applicants so if you would be so kind and generous during this holiday season...

1 - How many LORs did you submit? They're apparently optional. I have 1 strong and 1 maybe strong, should I just submit the 1 definately strong?

2 - Any particular advantages/disadvantages I should consider when choosing to "grant permission to have my file reviewed by student members of the admissions committee"?

Thanks so much and congratulations!!
I submitted 3 LORs, one very strong and two that are probably good but nothing special. I was not sent to committee, but I think you should let students review your file. I think most people probably check the box, and not checking may appear strange. As for the PS, I agree with what others have said. I expanded mine by 2 paragraphs but didn't end up writing 4 pages. Others have gotten in with a 2 pager, but I think at least making the effort to lengthen it can only help you.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 9:45 pm
by roxj
kumba84 wrote:
prelaw10 wrote:I know this isn't the appropriate thread to ask these questions, but I wanted to ask recent successful applicants so if you would be so kind and generous during this holiday season...

1 - How many LORs did you submit? They're apparently optional. I have 1 strong and 1 maybe strong, should I just submit the 1 definately strong?

2 - Any particular advantages/disadvantages I should consider when choosing to "grant permission to have my file reviewed by student members of the admissions committee"?

Thanks so much and congratulations!!
I submitted 3 LORs, one very strong and two that are probably good but nothing special. I was not sent to committee, but I think you should let students review your file. I think most people probably check the box, and not checking may appear strange. As for the PS, I agree with what others have said. I expanded mine by 2 paragraphs but didn't end up writing 4 pages. Others have gotten in with a 2 pager, but I think at least making the effort to lengthen it can only help you.
I agree that expanding your essay a bit is generally a good idea, but only if you have something to add. Don't throw in another page of fluff, they'll see through this. My PS was a little under 2 pages and I was admitted. I did have an additional diversity statement though.

I had submitted 2 LORs, and a third arrived a few weeks before I was admitted. I'd submit the 2 you have, so long as the second one isn't negative. I've heard Dean Tom say that it is very rare that an LOR really stands out, most of them are pretty bland/generic, which is probably why he doesn't even require them.

And I checked the box.

Good luck!

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sun Dec 20, 2009 10:33 pm
by Sakura3210
prelaw10 wrote:I know this isn't the appropriate thread to ask these questions, but I wanted to ask recent successful applicants so if you would be so kind and generous during this holiday season...

1 - How many LORs did you submit? They're apparently optional. I have 1 strong and 1 maybe strong, should I just submit the 1 definately strong?

2 - Any particular advantages/disadvantages I should consider when choosing to "grant permission to have my file reviewed by student members of the admissions committee"?

Thanks so much and congratulations!!
1. I submitted 3 - I'm thinking one was def. strong, not sure about the others.
2. I granted permission. I figured "it will look bad if I don't" and "who knows, maybe it'll get me through admissions faster".

-Good luck! :D

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Fri Dec 25, 2009 1:16 pm
by Tangerine Gleam
I submitted three LOR's as well. I also opted to give permission for student review -- I think you should, too.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:01 am
by FZJ80
Well, if it matters, one of the main reasons Boalt upped tuition was to increase their LRAP abilities. The law school works semi-independent of the undergrad UC system, of which I am a part, and part of their tuition increase was voluntary. Also, I recall them upping the maximum income to 65,000 while still receiving LRAP (don't quote me, but like I said, this is ringing true for some reason). also, i think between 65-100k receive proportional benefits. Cal has one of the best LRAPs in the nation, if that's your thing

For the rest of you guys also admitted, how are you comparing berkeley law to schools ranked above it? I am boalt > CCN for sure, boalt = harvard and probably boalt < stanfurd. granted, i am a west coaster and plan to work in the bay area

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:08 am
by crackberry
FZJ80 wrote:For the rest of you guys also admitted, how are you comparing berkeley law to schools ranked above it? I am boalt > CCN for sure, boalt = harvard and probably boalt < stanfurd. granted, i am a west coaster and plan to work in the bay area
Haha, go Cardinal!

Same ranking for me, although I probably would go YLS/SLS > HLS = Boalt > CCN, with HLS holding an ever so slight advantage over Boalt (not enough for a > but more than a = [probably a greater-than-or-equal-to sign if it existed]).

EDIT: I also am a West Coaster who wants to work in the Bay Area.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 3:33 am
by los blancos
Has anyone with 3.6x gotten in? Have any advice?

I think I'm putting together a decent application because I think I've got a decent diversity statement and I'm making it abundantly clear to them that they're my #1, but I still think I've got a ~5% chance.

Re: In at Berkeley Law!

Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:35 pm
by discobabe
boilercat wrote:Has anyone with 3.6x gotten in? Have any advice?

I think I'm putting together a decent application because I think I've got a decent diversity statement and I'm making it abundantly clear to them that they're my #1, but I still think I've got a ~5% chance.
PM'd