Stanford vs. Berkeley vs. UCLA vs. USC Forum

[mj1989]

Curious what you folks think about how aid should play into this decision. First choice is/has always been Stanford, but it's pricey. Here's what I'm looking at for 1L grant money:

Stanford: ~24k (following years tbd)
USC: 40k (per year)
UCLA: 42k (per year)

Berkeley is my second choice but I'm not sure how much aid, if any, I'll get there yet.

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA, but have decided I want to stay here.

I'm open as far as career choices, including biglaw, but am not entirely sure how I want that to look yet. Big interest in health care law.

[lecsa]

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[mj1989]

What's total COA including interest? I can't tell much based on scholarship money.

If Stanford is under 160k (including interest) I'd probably go there. Not sure what you mean by healthcare law - doesn't seem like a field that's easy to get into since most firms don't practice it.

Around 80/year. Palo Alto's killing me. Grant equals almost half tuition (52k).

[ph14]

What's total COA including interest? I can't tell much based on scholarship money.

If Stanford is under 160k (including interest) I'd probably go there. Not sure what you mean by healthcare law - doesn't seem like a field that's easy to get into since most firms don't practice it.

Around 80/year. Palo Alto's killing me. Grant equals almost half tuition (52k).

How is Palo Alto "killing" you? I voted Stanford. Hard to pass down Stanford at half-price.

[mj1989]

What's total COA including interest? I can't tell much based on scholarship money.

If Stanford is under 160k (including interest) I'd probably go there. Not sure what you mean by healthcare law - doesn't seem like a field that's easy to get into since most firms don't practice it.

Around 80/year. Palo Alto's killing me. Grant equals almost half tuition (52k).

How is Palo Alto "killing" you? I voted Stanford. Hard to pass down Stanford at half-price.

Cost of living there is insane. But that's where I want to be, so I like your vote!

[aboutmydaylight]

Negotiate with Berkeley. Stanford vs UCLA and USC is no contest imo. Do you have any offers you can throw at Berkeley to see if they'll match? As of right now I'm going with S.

[xJD2017x]

Stanford is so easy unless berkeley gives you a full ride.

[PrideandGlory1776]

Stanford is so easy unless berkeley gives you a full ride.

+1 especially the ez part - Stanford is still probably the choice even with full ride at Berk but it's certainly much closer in that case

[ph14]

What's total COA including interest? I can't tell much based on scholarship money.

If Stanford is under 160k (including interest) I'd probably go there. Not sure what you mean by healthcare law - doesn't seem like a field that's easy to get into since most firms don't practice it.

Around 80/year. Palo Alto's killing me. Grant equals almost half tuition (52k).

How is Palo Alto "killing" you? I voted Stanford. Hard to pass down Stanford at half-price.

Cost of living there is insane. But that's where I want to be, so I like your vote!

Yes, it's expensive, but we're talking a relatively small marginal difference in the grand scheme of things.

[jbagelboy]

I mean, I would go Stanford all the way here if you want to stay in California, but I'm a bit of an SLS shill so take that for what it's worth.

[mj1989]

Thanks for all your responses!

[Winston1984]

Stanford is so easy unless berkeley gives you a full ride.

Agreed.

[rpupkin]

Stanford is so easy unless berkeley gives you a full ride.

This. If Berkeley gives you a full ride then you face a difficult choice. But as things stand now, you should have no doubt that SLS is the way to go.

[northwood]

stanford

[NoLieAbility]

First, I hate you, and I hope you get chlamydia.

Second, if you do get chlamydia, you'll be alright. There are good doctors in Palo Alto.

Enjoy Stanford.

[downinDtown]

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA

Why don't you just say YLS and HLS?

[kjones7]

Stanford at half price hands down. I'm extremely debt averse but I'd jump at the chance to go to Stanford for that amount

[ArtistOfManliness]

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA, but have decided I want to stay here.

I really don't see how this is relevant... your level of pompousness makes HLS seem like a better fit for you. Or USC/UCLA/Berkeley so you can always tell people, "I'm better than you because I only came here for the money."

On a more serious note, remember that finaid at SLS is gonna be cut by 1/2 of your summer earnings after the first 5K. (And since you're clearly hot shit, you'll have a 1L and a 2L SA so the next two years you'll only be getting 9K) USC/UCLA/Berkeley give merit, so it won't change - in fact, it could only go up if you apply to transfer after what I'm sure will be straight HHs or A+s and get re-admitted into all those better schools and then say that you'll leave for them unless they give you more money, which they will clearly do when they realize how insanely awesome you are.

[mj1989]

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA, but have decided I want to stay here.

I really don't see how this is relevant... your level of pompousness makes HLS seem like a better fit for you. Or USC/UCLA/Berkeley so you can always tell people, "I'm better than you because I only came here for the money."

On a more serious note, remember that finaid at SLS is gonna be cut by 1/2 of your summer earnings after the first 5K. (And since you're clearly hot shit, you'll have a 1L and a 2L SA so the next two years you'll only be getting 9K) USC/UCLA/Berkeley give merit, so it won't change - in fact, it could only go up if you apply to transfer after what I'm sure will be straight HHs or A+s and get re-admitted into all those better schools and then say that you'll leave for them unless they give you more money, which they will clearly do when they realize how insanely awesome you are.

why are you mad at me

[ph14]

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA, but have decided I want to stay here.

I really don't see how this is relevant... your level of pompousness makes HLS seem like a better fit for you.

[mj1989]

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA

Why don't you just say YLS and HLS?

Sorry, I see the confusion -- I meant higher-ranked than USC and UCLA. Should've been more clear. I have been accepted to schools ranked higher than USC/UCLA but lower than Stanford, but would consider USC/UCLA over them because I'd rather in stay in CA.

[whitefern22]

I've gotten into higher-ranked schools outside CA, but have decided I want to stay here.

I really don't see how this is relevant... your level of pompousness makes HLS seem like a better fit for you. Or USC/UCLA/Berkeley so you can always tell people, "I'm better than you because I only came here for the money."

On a more serious note, remember that finaid at SLS is gonna be cut by 1/2 of your summer earnings after the first 5K. (And since you're clearly hot shit, you'll have a 1L and a 2L SA so the next two years you'll only be getting 9K) USC/UCLA/Berkeley give merit, so it won't change - in fact, it could only go up if you apply to transfer after what I'm sure will be straight HHs or A+s and get re-admitted into all those better schools and then say that you'll leave for them unless they give you more money, which they will clearly do when they realize how insanely awesome you are.

Woah, you need to relax. That was not the impression I got from this user. It seemed more like he/she was simply eluding to the fact that he/she has ranked-options outside of CA, and wondering if those should play into the decision.

Anyways, I would vote Stanford.

[BigZuck]

I'm going to buck conventional wisdom here and say Stanford.

[Jay2716]

Just to add, Easy Bay and LA aren't exactly cheap COA areas either. With 1/2 off S, I think Stanford is defensible over even a full ride at berk.

[lecsa]

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