Berkeley vs. UVA for NYC Biglaw Forum

[Smoking Gunner]

.

[Dipper]

http://www.lstscorereports.com/compare/uva/berkeley/

Virginia.

[Smoking Gunner]

.

[swampman]

They're close enough that you should make your decision based on cost of attendance or where you think you would be happier.

Also 16% of those jobs are university-funded so I think those numbers are a little misleading. .

Given that Berkeley has 8% unemployed and 8% school funded, not sure what your point is except that UVA is a better place to be bottom 8%.

[Smoking Gunner]

They're close enough that you should make your decision based on cost of attendance or where you think you would be happier.

Also 16% of those jobs are university-funded so I think those numbers are a little misleading. .

Given that Berkeley has 8% unemployed and 8% school funded, not sure what your point is except that UVA is a better place to be bottom 8%.

my point was just that I think that 95% employment number is slightly more inflated than Berkeley's 86.7%.

[Rigo]

Go off of whichever is less expensive (I have a feeling that will be UVA).
If basically equal COA, visit both and pick the one you like more.

[rpupkin]

Go off of whichever is less expensive (I have a feeling that will be UVA).
If basically equal COA, visit both and pick the one you like more.

This.

[Big Dog]

Virginia.

I'm guessing stats was not your strong suit!

OP: I also vote for whichever is cheaper. btw: it is really easy to obtain Cal residency for 2L & 3L, although the discount is not that much.

[Smoking Gunner]

Virginia.

I'm guessing stats was not your strong suit!

OP: I also vote for whichever is cheaper. btw: it is really easy to obtain Cal residency for 2L & 3L, although the discount is not that much.

UVA's definitely cheaper, I'm just not particularly interested in living in the middle of nowhere (though I've heard Charlottesville is nice). On the other hand, if UVA really is going to increase my chances for NYC (i.e. the stats aren't just a representation of self-selection, but are actually indicative of a boost to UVA students over Berkeley students, and the partners I've talked to aren't representative of most NYC firms) then I would be willing to stick it out for 3 years. Basically I really like Berkeley's location over UVA, but I'm willing to sacrifice location for 3 years if it means a better chance at my ideal location after graduation.

[rpupkin]

UVA's definitely cheaper, I'm just not particularly interested in living in the middle of nowhere (though I've heard Charlottesville is nice). On the other hand, if UVA really is going to increase my chances for NYC (i.e. the stats aren't just a representation of self-selection, but are actually indicative of a boost to UVA students over Berkeley students, and the partners I've talked to aren't representative of most NYC firms) then I would be willing to stick it out for 3 years. Basically I really like Berkeley's location over UVA, but I'm willing to sacrifice location for 3 years if it means a better chance at my ideal location after graduation.

Go to Berkeley then. No reason to spend three years of your life somewhere that you don't want to be. UVA won't increase your chances for NYC law.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Doesn't matter.

[thatsnotmyname]

Berkeley and UVA are pretty universally considered peer schools, neither one has a leg-up on the other in NYC. If cost isn't a factor, just pick the school you like more based on location, fit, school culture, etc. It sounds like you'd much rather go to Berkeley so I don't think there's much of a choice here for you. I would suggest visiting both schools to be sure though. Although, this is a bit premature as you're still waiting to hear back from NYU and CLS where you'd rather attend anyways.

[cron1834]

UVA is a demonstrably better bargain, but they're more or less peers and you really seem to prefer Berkeley, so just do that.

Caveat - if you have the numbers for UVA you are probably competitive for Penn. Are they involved here? Because P > the MVB Squad