Berkeley if I want to work in Philly? Forum

[utopian_grrl]

I think I will have good enough scores to get into Berkeley. Though I'd like to go to school in California, there is no way I'd want to work there post JD. I'd like to settle in the Midwest or East Coast - Philadelphia, Chicago, DC.

In Chicago I'll be competing with 2 to 3 good-great schools in the area. Philly has UPenn. DC has a few - but I don't want to go to any schools in those cities. Maybe Chicago or NW. So, is it worth it to go all the way West and spend $ at Berkeley if I'll be moving east afterward? And if I could go to Ohio State for 2/3 the price even before any scholarships?

[legalease9]

You can go anywhere in the Country with a Berkeley degree. I would certainly pick just about any T6 school on the East Coast though before Berkeley, given your east coast preference. UPENN should be your dream school (unless you think you can make YHS). Chicago is probably a better choice for you unless you don't like the school's harsher culture (which many don't). Of course if you can get NYU or Columbia Laugh Berkeley off. So given your preferences I would preference in this order (not considering possible scholarships)

Yale
Harvard
Stanford
UPENN
Columbia/NYU (Depending on Preference)
Chicago/Berkeley (Depending on Preference)

By the way, have you taken the LSAT yet? For your own sanity, Don't get your hopes too high that you "will" have good enough scores to get into Berkeley if you haven't taken the LSAT yet. You very well may, but just don't think it will be a sure thing.

[legalease9]

For 2/3rd the price... Go Berkeley. You won't be able to get out of Ohio with an Ohio state degree. Remember that.

If they gave you a full ride (which if you DO manage to score Berkeley numbers they may) Then you would have to analyze how debt averse you are and what you want to do with your degree. Big Law? aim high rank. Public defender in Ohio, maybe you can justify Ohio state at free. I can't in good conscience recommend that you give up a T6 for a Tier 1 like Ohio State. This is especially true because Ohio is in the crowded (with law schools) midwest region.

[olanderp]

You can go anywhere in the Country with a Berkeley degree. I would certainly pick just about any T6 school on the East Coast though before Berkeley, given your east coast preference. UPENN should be your dream school (unless you think you can make YHS). Chicago is probably a better choice for you unless you don't like the school's harsher culture (which many don't). Of course if you can get NYU or Columbia Laugh Berkeley off. So given your preferences I would preference in this order (not considering possible scholarships)

Yale
Harvard
Stanford
UPENN
Columbia/NYU (Depending on Preference)
Chicago/Berkeley (Depending on Preference)

By the way, have you taken the LSAT yet? For your own sanity, Don't get your hopes too high that you "will" have good enough scores to get into Berkeley if you haven't taken the LSAT yet. You very well may, but just don't think it will be a sure thing.

Are you a 0L? Stop offering shitty advice.

It depends on if this girl wants biglaw in Philly or not. If she does, this is DEFINITELY not the order of preference. Philly doesn't even recruit at Boalt. Also, ITE, Chicago > NYU >>>>> Berkeley for biglaw.

For the Philadelphia, Chicago, and DC markets, I'd recommend HYSCCNPMVDN over Berkeley because far more firms at their OCIs will be from these markets.

[utopian_grrl]

Thanks for the insight. The fact that Philadelphia recruiting at Boalt is non-existent is definitely a downside.
I haven't taken the LSAT yet but I have been practicing at a 165+ level and have until next year to improve a few more points before taking it for the first time.

I really want to go to Berkeley because it has a mellow environment and the place is pretty beautiful. Atmosphere and vibe is essential for me if I want to be successful at law school. Unfortunately, I'm not into a West coast lifestyle post grad.

Yale and Harvard seem cut-throat and honestly, more trouble and expense than I think it's worth. They might have a scholarly environment, but I don't want to be consumed and suffocated by it in some university-dominated New England town. Not even planning on applying there - probably wouldn't get in anyway.

I am considering applying Chicago and Cornell but I want to visit the schools before deciding. While I love New York City, NYU and Columbia would be too much of an enjoyable/hectic distraction to study seriously...

[legalease9]

You can go anywhere in the Country with a Berkeley degree. I would certainly pick just about any T6 school on the East Coast though before Berkeley, given your east coast preference. UPENN should be your dream school (unless you think you can make YHS). Chicago is probably a better choice for you unless you don't like the school's harsher culture (which many don't). Of course if you can get NYU or Columbia Laugh Berkeley off. So given your preferences I would preference in this order (not considering possible scholarships)

Yale
Harvard
Stanford
UPENN
Columbia/NYU (Depending on Preference)
Chicago/Berkeley (Depending on Preference)

By the way, have you taken the LSAT yet? For your own sanity, Don't get your hopes too high that you "will" have good enough scores to get into Berkeley if you haven't taken the LSAT yet. You very well may, but just don't think it will be a sure thing.

Are you a 0L? Stop offering shitty advice.

It depends on if this girl wants biglaw in Philly or not. If she does, this is DEFINITELY not the order of preference. Philly doesn't even recruit at Boalt. Also, ITE, Chicago > NYU >>>>> Berkeley for biglaw.

For the Philadelphia, Chicago, and DC markets, I'd recommend HYSCCNPMVDN over Berkeley because far more firms at their OCIs will be from these markets.

1. Your Berkeley point is a good one. You could make a strong argument for many of the schools you've listed over Berkeley, especially if scholarships are in play.

2. I think it would be a poor choice to pick Chicago or Northwestern over UPENN, short of major schollys. Columbia is closer but still. I stand by UPENN being your best bet after YHS.

3. Drop the attitude. I respect that you have valuable experience and knowledge from your two years of law school, but that doesn't mean that those lacking your experience (at Michigan) are unable reply to OP's question about Philli and Berkeley law.

[legalease9]

That's for the insight. The fact that Philadelphia recruiting at Boalt is non-existent is definitely a downside.
I haven't taken the LSAT yet but I have been practicing at a 165+ level and have until next year to improve a few more points before taking it for the first time.

I really want to go to Berkeley because it has a mellow environment and the place is pretty beautiful. Atmosphere and vibe is essential for me if I want to be successful at law school. Unfortunately, I'm not into a West coast lifestyle post grad.

Yale and Harvard seem cut-throat and honestly, more trouble and expense than I think it's worth. They might have a scholarly environment, but I don't want to be consumed and suffocated by it in some university-dominated New England town. Not even planning on applying there - probably wouldn't get in anyway.

I am considering applying Chicago and Cornell but I want to visit the schools before deciding. While I love New York City, NYU and Columbia would be too much of an enjoyable/hectic distraction to study seriously...

Don't discount feel when you are choosing a law school. That is an important consideration.

And you will NOT be limited to the west coast with a Berkeley degree. It is a national school with a national reputation. It will still be a national school with a national reputation when you graduate. Targeting Philly is a more complicated question, but you can go anywhere in the nation with a Berkeley degree.

[mallard]

Philly is a very incestuous market. You want to be at Penn or a true T6 if Philly is your goal.

[03121202698008]

That's for the insight. The fact that Philadelphia recruiting at Boalt is non-existent is definitely a downside.
I haven't taken the LSAT yet but I have been practicing at a 165+ level and have until next year to improve a few more points before taking it for the first time.

I really want to go to Berkeley because it has a mellow environment and the place is pretty beautiful. Atmosphere and vibe is essential for me if I want to be successful at law school. Unfortunately, I'm not into a West coast lifestyle post grad.

Yale and Harvard seem cut-throat and honestly, more trouble and expense than I think it's worth. They might have a scholarly environment, but I don't want to be consumed and suffocated by it in some university-dominated New England town. Not even planning on applying there - probably wouldn't get in anyway.

I am considering applying Chicago and Cornell but I want to visit the schools before deciding. While I love New York City, NYU and Columbia would be too much of an enjoyable/hectic distraction to study seriously...

Don't discount feel when you are choosing a law school. That is an important consideration.

And you will NOT be limited to the west coast with a Berkeley degree. It is a national school with a national reputation. It will still be a national school with a national reputation when you graduate. Targeting Philly is a more complicated question, but you can go anywhere in the nation with a Berkeley degree.

Many firms tend to hire from the their alma maters. How many Berk degrees do you see in Philly on Martindale?

[yellowjacket2012]

Outside t6, #1 Penn, obviously - for Philly. After that, I'd say the east coast schools like Gtown, Cornell, etc. would give you a decent shot at Philly - if above median. Northwestern, Michigan, and Duke would be pretty good as well - if above median.

I would not recommend Boalt if you have any other t14 choices if all you're interested in is Philly - unless you're interested in patent law, or another field where Boalt readily places nationwide - although if thats a choice you make, going to Boalt that is, you wouldn't be "screwed" by any means. You'd still have options.

[underachiever]

Philly is a very incestuous market. You want to be at Penn or a true T6 if Philly is your goal.

Also, I turned down a full ride at Ohio State for UPenn and sometimes I do regret it. If I get an SA job through OCI I think it will go a long way to making me content with my decision.

[AJRESQ]

Philly is a very incestuous market. You want to be at Penn or a true T6 if Philly is your goal.

This. I practice in Philly. However, you can do fine from any local school here...

It's mostly Penn, Temple, Villanova, and Rutgers. Can't say I've ever come across anyone from Boalt. If Philly is your goal, I would go to Penn or tear it up at a local school. All the local Philly biglaw firms recruit at Villanova and Temple. Even some Widener graduates find jobs in biglaw, although mostly in DE. There are just so many local alumni.

Penn gives you a great shot at Philly biglaw. Keep in mind that this is an incestuous market. In terms of biglaw, I have ran into alums from Georgetown, Fordham, Pitt, Villanova, Temple, Dickinson (Penn State), Emory, etc. It's a pretty diverse group that is mostly from local schools in my observation. Mostly Villanova and Temple. The general presumption is Penn grads go to bigger markets.