Berkeley v. Vanderbilt Forum

[clone22]

So it seems like Berkeley is offering me only need-based aid, so COA is 56K for 3 years, so around 168K total COA. Vandy's COA will be 117K over 3 years. I have 25K in undergrad debt. I'm from florida, and have absolutely no geographical preference for where to live (I'm good with staying in the south, I think I'd love to live in Cali). Considering I'd probably want to do biglaw to pay off the damn debt, which would be a smarter way to go? Are the (marginally?) better prospects from Berk worth additional 50K of debt?

And is the recent outperformance by Cornell a one year fluke, or a general trend? Also, did Cornell place almost exclusively in NYC, or does it have portability to other (smaller) markets as well?

Any opinions and input are welcome. Thanks.

edit: added poll

edit2: added option of Cornell at (most likely) sticker

[Fred_McGriff]

I'd go Vandy.

[stylishlaw]

Tough call. You can't really go wrong either way.

[Stonewall]

Personally I'd go Berkeley, but then again I'm not super debt adverse either

[Shaggier1]

Are the (marginally?) better prospects from Berk worth additional 50K of debt?

With the general disclaimer that it may depend on what you want to do (and will depend significantly on where you want to work), I don't think many people would call the difference between Vandy and Berkeley "marginal."

Also, you may want to throw a poll up. Helpful in situations such as these.

[northwood]

vandy- 50k is a lot of money

[kwais]

Go to Berkeley.

[clone22]

Are the (marginally?) better prospects from Berk worth additional 50K of debt?

With the general disclaimer that it may depend on what you want to do (and will depend significantly on where you want to work), I don't think many people would call the difference between Vandy and Berkeley "marginal."

Also, you may want to throw a poll up. Helpful in situations such as these.

Hey, just realized that you're a current berkeley student. How do you like it there? I'm hearing anecdotal stories that the school name alone can secure paid summer positions after 1L, especially in smaller hometown markets. Could you comment on how valid this is as a general rule?
thanks

[Shaggier1]

Hey, just realized that you're a current berkeley student. How do you like it there? I'm hearing anecdotal stories that the school name alone can secure paid summer positions after 1L, especially in smaller hometown markets. Could you comment on how valid this is as a general rule?
thanks

As per your first question, I love it. I could not be happier with my professors, my classmates, and the environment. I could go on about all the specific reasons I love Boalt, but I am pressed for time this morning. PM me if you have specific questions.

As for the employment prospects, I am hesitant to answer your question in depth since I am only a 1L. The struggling legal market has affected Boalt just as it has all top 10 law schools. However, every 2L I know who wanted a firm job and did not get straight P's in their first year has a firm job.

[clone22]

shameless bump at the addition of cornell.

help tls?

[sch0123]

That's tough. If you'd like to do BigLaw and are committed to working your ass off while in school, I'd probably go to Berkeley. Sure, 50 k is a large chunk of change, but I think your job prospects coming out of berkeley would be significantly better than Vandy (and I love Vandy, if they for some reason admit me I very well might end up there).

[Law Sauce]

I am pretty sure we met at Vandy last weekend. I dont know that answer to your poll, but there is a good chance that you will get money from Cornell still, if you submitted all the required information. Mine took a long time. If so, then its Berkeley for West Coast vs. cornell for east coast vs. Vandy for Southeast. At Berkeley or Cornell, I'm sure that you would have options elsewhere but the attorneys I talk to keep telling me that the school connections and pipeline are really far and away the easiest and surest ways to get jobs.