BU for free vs. Berkeley w/ full tuition, vs. Michigan w/150k
Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2016 11:06 pm
thanks for the advice all
Law School Discussion Forums
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/
https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=261921
Sadly, noVandy2bforrealz wrote:With those nice scholarships did you get accepted into Harvard? Their LRAP would pull you through with your goals.
You really think it's a slam dunk? I can see the argument for BU here, but turning down a full ride to a T14 should not be done lightly. With OP's Boston ties and URM status, getting a job in Boston shouldn't be a problem out of Berkeley, regardless of grades. And if OP's interests change while in law school—something that happens all the time—Berkeley will open up more doors. Although the question is close, I lean toward Berkeley.fliptrip wrote:This is a lot of fun.
I want to tell you to go to Berkeley because that seems like such a refreshing way to spend 3 years in school, but honestly, you have no reason not to take BU. I think you're underselling your odds of scoring BigLaw as a URM and you want to stay in the Bean. I think this one's a slam dunk.
That's info I didn't feel too confident in. That definitely changes things...definitely not a slam dunk.rpupkin wrote:You really think it's a slam dunk? I can see the argument for BU here, but turning down a full ride to a T14 should not be done lightly. With OP's Boston ties and URM status, getting a job in Boston shouldn't be a problem out of Berkeley, regardless of grades. And if OP's interests change while in law school—something that happens all the time—Berkeley will open up more doors. Although the question is close, I lean toward Berkeley.fliptrip wrote:This is a lot of fun.
I want to tell you to go to Berkeley because that seems like such a refreshing way to spend 3 years in school, but honestly, you have no reason not to take BU. I think you're underselling your odds of scoring BigLaw as a URM and you want to stay in the Bean. I think this one's a slam dunk.
Vandy2bforrealz wrote:BU is a clear winner in your situation. You will sill have to perform but you can't lose due to the "free" degree. I personally think outside of HYS that it doesn't really matter where you attend as long as it's a respected school in your desired practice area and they offer you a ton on money to attend. With HYS off the table you still have amazing and almost equivalent options and at this time you should just select the best fit.
Yeah...If I take on another 3 years of school and come out working long hours to fight my way up from 50-70k, I won't be too happy.Tiago Splitter wrote:BU is fine if you get comfortable with an outcome that isn't what you are looking for. Otherwise you have to go T-14.
To be blunt, Vandy is a 0L whos opinion and thoughts have no effect on legal hiring. I too am a 0L, but youre playing with different odds here. In the market + URM (diversity positions?) or market ties + t14 + urm? If youre gonna be upset about not getting biglaw (ie career outcome>location), boalt is probably a better choice, just to hedge against the likelihood of your class rank. And its free, other than COL, which isnt a huge amount of debt/cost.180kickflip wrote:I guess what scares me about looking at the BU offer as "free" is the opportunity cost. I'm 30+ (and w/ a kid), so if I go to school for 3 years and don't come out with the position I'm shooting for (biglaw or bigfed), I'll definitely feel like I paid a price.Vandy2bforrealz wrote:BU is a clear winner in your situation.You will sill have to perform but you can't lose due to the "free" degree.I personally think outside of HYS that it doesn't really matter where you attend as long as it's a respected school in your desired practice area and they offer you a ton on money to attend.With HYS off the table you still have amazing and almost equivalent options and at this time you should just select the best fit.
Because you have the same options does not mean you have the same goals, nor does not mean that your opinion affects the legal hiring process. OP has conveyed that his interest is more in a biglaw/fed position than specifically living in Boston. And while fed may have different hiring practices to biglaw, theres a better chance of OP getting a biglaw gig from Boalt than BU.Vandy2bforrealz wrote:"Vandy" is a 0l(I hate 3rd person references to myself) but I too am an urm (probably the same as op) with a couple of top 14 options and ties to the area of the school I desire to attend. There is no point in going to a state school in California just so you can work in Boston. None. He may have to do a little more legwork at BU or BC than he would at Michigan or Boalt for a big law job but he is in a good enough school to land a job by leaning on ties and interviewing well. Op will likely be fine.
How much "legwork" do you think he will need? I can't even find the biglaw stats of BU on LST. Maybe I made an error but it looks like the school declines to give the data?Vandy2bforrealz wrote:"Vandy" is a 0l(I hate 3rd person references to myself) but I too am an urm (probably the same as op) with a couple of top 14 options and ties to the area of the school I desire to attend. There is no point in going to a state school in California just so you can work in Boston. None. He may have to do a little more legwork at BU or BC than he would at Michigan or Boalt for a big law job but he is in a good enough school to land a job by leaning on ties and interviewing well. Op will likely be fine.
I think as a URM at t-14 with strong ties to Boston, getting Boston big law is pretty close to a "slam dunk." Whereas, at BU, grades might come into play to a certain extent (although I doubt they'd need to be tippy top).fliptrip wrote:That's info I didn't feel too confident in. That definitely changes things...definitely not a slam dunk.rpupkin wrote:You really think it's a slam dunk? I can see the argument for BU here, but turning down a full ride to a T14 should not be done lightly. With OP's Boston ties and URM status, getting a job in Boston shouldn't be a problem out of Berkeley, regardless of grades. And if OP's interests change while in law school—something that happens all the time—Berkeley will open up more doors. Although the question is close, I lean toward Berkeley.fliptrip wrote:This is a lot of fun.
I want to tell you to go to Berkeley because that seems like such a refreshing way to spend 3 years in school, but honestly, you have no reason not to take BU. I think you're underselling your odds of scoring BigLaw as a URM and you want to stay in the Bean. I think this one's a slam dunk.
If OP were single, sure. But OP has a spouse and a kid in Boston.Iwanttolawschool wrote:This is so easily Berkeley that its not funny reading you think about BU. Berkeley is one of the most respected schools in the world, having that on your resume will open doors in both the short-term and long-term.
fliptrip wrote:Well, then, this breaks down pretty simply kick if you look at downside risk.
At BU, your downside is striking out on biglaw.
At Berkeley, your downside is getting biglaw in your less than ideal location.
Seems like you do care a lot more about your employment outcome than the location of your employment, so Berkeley it is.