Berkeley ($$$) vs. NYU ($$) Forum

[alexMar]

Berkeley COA: 110k (135k scholarship)
NYU COA: 180k (75k scholarship)

Hey folks, I'm hesitating between Berkeley and NYU and any opinion on the issue would be appreciated. Some specifics about my situation:
- I'm a broke non-US citizen, so it'll all be financed by private loans.
- I'm pushing NYU for more money but I'm assuming the 75k scholarship will be it.
- I'm interested in corporate & tax law and want to work in a big law firm in NYC. I'm not interested in a career in California.
- I've lived in San Diego for the past 7 years and my partner will be here (in grad school) for 3-4 more years.
- I'm a big city kid and living in New York is a big draw for me.
- My family is in Europe and my partner's family is in DC.

I'm leaning NYU and my partner is supportive of this view, but everybody else is shouting "Berkeley!" in my ear.

Thanks!

[krads153]

I vote Berkeley too.

But I'm also a Californian who lives in NYC and thinks the East Coast kind of sucks.

[ih8makingscreennames]

How serious are you and this partner? I'm generally not one to tell people to make life choices based on others, but combined with the fact that Berkeley gave you more money and the boo is there, I don't see why you wouldn't. If the dollars were reversed, I would think this would be tougher, unless there is something about Berkeley that you hate.

[ponderingmeerkat]

If you want to NYC Big law, you'll be able to get it out of Berkeley if you're anywhere around median-ish. At this level (T10 and up), if NYC biglaw is the goal, simply try to keep that debt level as low as possible. You aren't closing that particular door to yourself at Berkeley.

The fact SO is in the general area is a nice bonus. If it lasts, you'll be making your East Coast transition at approximately the same time.

This is a no-brainer.