Help Me Choose! Forum

[tib1389]

Here are my choices:

UC Berkeley
UPenn
Northwestern
Boston University ($$$)

I would like to have the OPTION to do whatever I'd like to after law school, but I my current interests / plans revolve around entertainment law (I have experience and a music background), corporate law, and mental health advocacy. (While these interests may seem disparate, if you knew me, you'd understand completely.)

Anyway, I don't know exactly where I want to live yet, but I always envision myself in New York (the romanticized version, not the break-neck pace, get-in-or-get-lost version), but I'd also probably love LA or any other major city that will allow me to explore some great opportunities.

I'd appreciate some insight--I'm pretty lost at the moment. All the schools are selling the same vibe (i.e., collegial, great career prospects, great access to major markets), and I have only visited Northwestern so far.

I'm assuming minimal financial aid from all except for BU, whose money is already on the table.

HELP! Thanks!

[CanadianWolf]

Based on immediate financials, the obvious answer is BU. With a 155/3.9, you received a substantial admissions boost for being an AA male. Berkeley may be the least cut-throat competitive of your listed schools while also matching your outside interests.

P.S. If you want NYC, then Penn or Northwestern. Willing to live in Boston, then BU. West Coast cities, then it's a toss-up between Boalt Hall and Berkeley.

[rotel]

I voted Berkeley because it has good diverse placement, can place in SF and LA, and based on your comments about NYC I think you would absolutely love to live in SF. But keep in mind this bias: I think Chicago and Boston are intolerable places to live and can't imagine how anyone could ever disagree.

Second option, Penn because NYC and Philly both fit your preferences.

Edit: Also: Congrats. These are good options. Even BU with money is alright. I just personally know four people who went there--all great intelligent people who did well; one in IP--and none got legal jobs soon after graduation. One got a job eventually. Anecdotal and inadmissible. But the others schools are worth the extra money, I think.

[tib1389]

Thanks for the responses!