GULC (25k scholly) v. Boalt (sticker) Forum

[SkeeterV]

Subject says it all. I have no really strong preference for practice location after graduation.

My biggest concern is having the best chance of finding a job (read: Biglaw) that will allow me to pay down the massive debt that both of these options will require.

I guess it boils down to this: Is a Berkeley JD worth $75k more than a Georgetown JD?

[Nelson]

25k per year or 25k total?

If 25k total, both of these options are incredibly risky. What are your numbers and what are your other options?

[SkeeterV]

25k per year.

[Nelson]

25k per year.

Then GULC.

[Tiago Splitter]

Oh damn if 25K per year it's gotta be Georgetown.

[Bronck]

GULC, and I don't think it's even close. I wouldn't pay sticker at Boalt.

[SkeeterV]

Follow-up question: At what point do you think it becomes worth it to go to Berkeley over GULC? (Only 20k more a year from GULC? 15k more per year from GULC?)

Given Berkeley's NLJ 250 placement relative to that of GULC, there has to be some point at which it becomes worth it to pay the extra for Boalt.

Thoughts?

[Br3v]

25k per year or 25k total?

If 25k total, both of these options are incredibly risky. What are your numbers and what are your other options?

Even if 25 flat at GULC, that's risky?

[Tiago Splitter]

25k per year or 25k total?

If 25k total, both of these options are incredibly risky. What are your numbers and what are your other options?

Even if 25 flat at GULC, that's risky?

Still 200K debt.

[CanadianWolf]

Totally different experiences. Visit both before deciding. If unable to visit, then decide based upon East Coast versus West Coast.

[bk1]

Follow-up question: At what point do you think it becomes worth it to go to Berkeley over GULC? (Only 20k more a year from GULC? 15k more per year from GULC?)

Given Berkeley's NLJ 250 placement relative to that of GULC, there has to be some point at which it becomes worth it to pay the extra for Boalt.

Thoughts?

I think they are roughly peer schools. GULC gets a lot of shit on TLS. It is slightly worse than other T14's but I think TLS makes it seem larger than it really is. Quoting something I wrote in another GULC thread:

I'll agree that GULC gets hurt by its large class size but I feel that TLS exaggerates the difference between it and the rest of the T14 (consider that GULCers are more likely to want govt work and are more likely to target DC, one of the hardest markets, rather than NYC, one of the easiest markets). I could be wrong but I feel that it is a lot of conjecture on either side of the argument. I understand that this is a simplistic analysis but looking at NLJ250 data (which of course doesn't account for clerkships and a myriad other things): GULC was within 0.5% of UMich in 2011, within 0.5% of Duke in 2010, over 1% ahead of Cornell in 2009, roughly 5% behind UMich (50vs55) in 2008, roughly 5% behind Berkeley (48vs53) in 2007, almost 5% ahead of Berkeley (53vs49) in 2006, and tied with Berkeley in 2005. Yes GULC is the laggard at the tail end of the T14 because it has a lot of students, but I would not say that the difference is substantial enough to dismiss it outright when compared to another lower T14 at similar cost.

To be clear, it's not about how much scholly money you're getting but about how close the debt levels will be at graduation. Assuming no preference for CA, I'd say that any difference greater than 30k+ in debt merits the cheaper of relatively peer schools. Once you're within 30k of each other I can see an argument for Berkeley if you truly prefer it. Also if you have a huge preference for CA that changes the calculus as well. I'd probably be willing to eat a 50k or less difference between the two if you wanted CA, but >50k it's hard to justify Berkeley over GULC even for someone who wants CA, imo.

[bk1]

25k per year or 25k total?

If 25k total, both of these options are incredibly risky. What are your numbers and what are your other options?

Even if 25 flat at GULC, that's risky?

Still 200K debt.

And there is still a substantial risk of underemployment that makes it hard to cover debt (I'd hazard a guess somewhere in the 30-40% range).