Top Law Schools

How does Berkeley compare to UVA in regards to:
- The Social Scene
- The Student Body
- Student Life
- The Job Search/Preparation Process
- Friendliness of Faculty Members
- Feasibility of Paving Your Own Path (external study abroad/taking classes outside the school)
- What the first year classes are like
- What the living situation is like
- Stress over grades

I think the biggest difference between these schools is where they place. Obviously they're both good schools and can get you a job anywhere, but I have to think that if you want DC, you should pick UVA and if you want California, you should pick Berkeley.

All of the things you mentioned are going to be comparable at both schools. What you really need to look at is location. If you want the warm weather all year, or currently live on and wish to work on the West Coast, Berkeley is the obvious choice. Are you looking at any scholarship money?