Top Law Schools

I know what I want to do, but I need reassurance that it's the right choice, or at least a reasonable one.

I'm thinking that I want to do public interest/environmental law, but it could definitely change; it will mainly depend on what I like during law school. I would also love a chance at a clerkship, but I'm trying not to base my choice on it. Biglaw isn't out of the question either. I'm from the South and plan on returning down the road, but it's not a priority right after law school.

I think that I could handle Michigan winters, but I'm not excited about it, and I imagine the area is great. Yes, I applied for Berkeley's matching scholarship, but I'm not holding my breath... Also, I'm concerned about the tuition hikes and budget cuts at Berkeley, but it was always one of my top choices and I love the area. At the same time, I know Emory is a good deal, especially wanting to be in the South eventually. UCLA is a good deal too, maybe better, but I'm worried about the national placement. Also, cost of living isn't much of a factor because my SO will be working.

Overall, I'm kind of confused, so what do you think TLS?

Scholarships: $ = 1/3 tuition, $$ = 1/2 tuition, $$$ = 3/4 tuition

Yikes, you need to write more about your pros and cons, can't get a clear picture!

You need to live there for 3 years, pay the tuition/ loans and end up with a degree from that school/ region. Try to weigh all those options together.

I'd vote for UCLA, but that's me.

Michigan. You don't know what you want nor where you want to do it. Michigan provides the most mobility, and happens to be the cheapest.

UMich it is.

Michigan.

It's cheapest out of Mich and Berkeley. So are you saying UCLA and Emory are out of the picture?

Michigan and it's not even close. It's much easier to handle 3 years of winters than 30 years of loan payments with terrible employment prospects.

I don't think Berkeley has terrible employment prospects. And would it really take 30 years to pay off $30,000 to $75,000 from Emory or UCLA? I concede that Michigan is the best deal, but is it really that much better than Berkeley with $40,000 off, especially with Berkeley's LRAP? It's fine if you think it is, I honestly don't know.

1stHorseman wrote:I don't think Berkeley has terrible employment prospects. And would it really take 30 years to pay off $30,000 to $75,000 from Emory or UCLA? I concede that Michigan is the best deal, but is it really that much better than Berkeley with $40,000 off, especially with Berkeley's LRAP? It's fine if you think it is, I honestly don't know.

If you really want Boalt, go. It's not that much worse in job placement, and the cost isn't that big of a difference.