UC Hastings with no tuition - worth it? Forum

[mrclean17]

As the title says, is Hastings worth attending with a full ride? COL would be relatively low for Bay Area, rent would be around 400 and I would be 5 miles from campus. I was also waitlisted at UC Davis and UC Irvine, and accepted at Pepperdine which was my safety school. If I get into Davis it would be a tough choice only because I would have to move to Sac, and I would like to practice ADR, which is a concentration at UCH but not UCD.

Retaking the LSAT is theoretically possible but would be extremely undesirable.. Current stats are 3.1/162 (2nd attempt)

Thanks to all who respond

[Desert Fox]

If you really want to be a lawyer, sure.

But instead I'd rent that 400 dollar room for 1200 bucks and live in Goldengate park.

[SFSpartan]

As a current UCH 3L, let me start by saying that I am jealous, as I received a good deal less money than you with substantially better numbers.

Now that I'm over being jealous - I think that UCH will probably make sense for you so long as you are not URM and you have non-biglaw goals.

By the way, ADR is not a goal - it is a job that not very many people get unless they have been actually practicing law for 5-10+ years. Don't go to Hastings thinking it will get you a job as a mediator, because that isn't going to happen. Additionally, the administration is considering getting rid of some of the concentrations, and I believe ADR is on the chopping block (the perception seems to be that it doesn't add a lot of value, which is probably true).

If you are a URM or want Biglaw, however, that is a different story. If URM, you need to retake the LSAT - you can go somewhere better than UCH. If you want Biglaw, Hastings probably isn't going to get you there.

Feel free to PM me with specific questions.

[kellyfrost]

If you have a full ride and are able to swing COL for a reasonable amount, I think it could be a good deal for you.

I also echo the above comment about not believing you will specialize in ADR. As a lawyer, you will have the opportunity to participate in ADR when the situation presents itself, but it certainly isn't a practice area for a new lawyer to specialize in.

[mrclean17]

As a current UCH 3L, let me start by saying that I am jealous, as I received a good deal less money than you with substantially better numbers.

Don't be too jealous, it wasn't merit based. My dad was disabled when he was deployed in the Marine Corps, essentially I get free tuition at any UC. It makes retaking the LSAT seem like an even better choice than for the typical 0L to try and get into Davis or Irvine, but I cannot afford to do so (I'm restricted in how much I can earn while receiving the tuition fee waiver, can't afford to sit out for another cycle at this point without mooching off my SO)

As for ADR, I currently clerk at a small/medium Worker's Comp Defense firm and that's what the attorneys told me I should look into while attending law school. I would be perfectly content at a job like this, but that Biglaw salary would be nice. I'm pretty much open to any type of law

[miku015]

As a current UCH 3L, let me start by saying that I am jealous, as I received a good deal less money than you with substantially better numbers.

Don't be too jealous, it wasn't merit based. My dad was disabled when he was deployed in the Marine Corps, essentially I get free tuition at any UC. It makes retaking the LSAT seem like an even better choice than for the typical 0L to try and get into Davis or Irvine, but I cannot afford to do so (I'm restricted in how much I can earn while receiving the tuition fee waiver, can't afford to sit out for another cycle at this point without mooching off my SO)

As for ADR, I currently clerk at a small/medium Worker's Comp Defense firm and that's what the attorneys told me I should look into while attending law school. I would be perfectly content at a job like this, but that Biglaw salary would be nice. I'm pretty much open to any type of law

So what you're telling us is that you could retake for 5-6 more points and go to Berkeley or UCLA for free and being rolling in that sweet $160k without having to pay back any debt? I think you know what the answer is.

[cron1834]

Yeah, very misleading post. You have potential full rides at elite schools, and you're talking about Hastings and insurance defense? Dude raise your expectations in life and study/retake.

[kellyfrost]

Yeah, very misleading post. You have potential full rides at elite schools, and you're talking about Hastings and insurance defense? Dude raise your expectations in life and study/retake.

Get into Berkley and then practice insurance defense.

[californiauser]

retake. no question.

You probably won't get into Berkeley with a 3.1, but you can do a whole lot better than Hastings.

[jnwa]

As a current UCH 3L, let me start by saying that I am jealous, as I received a good deal less money than you with substantially better numbers.

Don't be too jealous, it wasn't merit based. My dad was disabled when he was deployed in the Marine Corps, essentially I get free tuition at any UC. It makes retaking the LSAT seem like an even better choice than for the typical 0L to try and get into Davis or Irvine, but I cannot afford to do so (I'm restricted in how much I can earn while receiving the tuition fee waiver, can't afford to sit out for another cycle at this point without mooching off my SO)

As for ADR, I currently clerk at a small/medium Worker's Comp Defense firm and that's what the attorneys told me I should look into while attending law school. I would be perfectly content at a job like this, but that Biglaw salary would be nice. I'm pretty much open to any type of law

So what you're telling us is that you could retake for 5-6 more points and go to Berkeley or UCLA for free and being rolling in that sweet $160k without having to pay back any debt? I think you know what the answer is.

neither berkeley nor UCLA is realistic even with a 3.1 and a 170. Check mylsn.

[cron1834]

I inputted a 170-171 range for LSAT and a 3.0-3.2 range for GPA, and it shows UCLA is a coin flip. AKA, the same odds for getting ANY LAW JOB from Hastings.

[benjaye]

OP: I'm using the same military benefit. Retake the LSAT in June to get off the wait lists for Davis or Irvine then go there. COL in the OC isn't terrible and the suburbs are a lot less exhausting than the city. (I went to UCI for UG)

TLDR; retake

[tigersunite]

Wait for Davis! Or reapply next cycle.

[zot1]

Hastings' latest employment stats were disappointing. I would definitely consider this twice. Any chance you'll get in off the WL at one of the other places? Have you sent LOCIs?

[rpupkin]

If OP wants to be a lawyer, and if OP want to work in SF, and if OP is fine not landing big law, then this actually seems like a good deal to me.

Because the full ride is tied to attending a UC, and because OP just has a 3.1, it's not a normal "retake" situation. Also, the OP has $400/month rent just five miles from Hastings. I doubt that rent (which is incredibly cheap for the area) will just magically follow him wherever he goes to law school.

I voted "worth it." Take that, TLS hive.

[mrclean17]

Yeah, very misleading post. You have potential full rides at elite schools, and you're talking about Hastings and insurance defense? Dude raise your expectations in life and study/retake.

I know, I'm feeling pretty lost right now. Still haven't heard from Davis or Irivine even after sending LOCIs, and deposit deadline for Hastings is this Thursday. Parents don't understand, and keep pushing me to attend Hastings "and just transfer out".

What's wrong with insurance defense? Genuinely curious, all the lawyers at my current firm seem to enjoy it enough and seem like they're doing okay financially

[Zyler]

As a current UCH 3L, let me start by saying that I am jealous, as I received a good deal less money than you with substantially better numbers.

Don't be too jealous, it wasn't merit based. My dad was disabled when he was deployed in the Marine Corps, essentially I get free tuition at any UC. It makes retaking the LSAT seem like an even better choice than for the typical 0L to try and get into Davis or Irvine, but I cannot afford to do so (I'm restricted in how much I can earn while receiving the tuition fee waiver, can't afford to sit out for another cycle at this point without mooching off my SO)

As for ADR, I currently clerk at a small/medium Worker's Comp Defense firm and that's what the attorneys told me I should look into while attending law school. I would be perfectly content at a job like this, but that Biglaw salary would be nice. I'm pretty much open to any type of law

So what you're telling us is that you could retake for 5-6 more points and go to Berkeley or UCLA for free and being rolling in that sweet $160k without having to pay back any debt? I think you know what the answer is.

neither berkeley nor UCLA is realistic even with a 3.1 and a 170. Check mylsn.

I got into UCLA (with a scholarship) with a 3.1 and a 169. I know that's anectodal, but it's certainly not impossible.

[rpupkin]

Yeah, very misleading post. You have potential full rides at elite schools, and you're talking about Hastings and insurance defense? Dude raise your expectations in life and study/retake.

I know, I'm feeling pretty lost right now. Still haven't heard from Davis or Irivine even after sending LOCIs, and deposit deadline for Hastings is this Thursday. Parents don't understand, and keep pushing me to attend Hastings "and just transfer out".

But if you transferred out you would lose your scholarship. One should never go to law school assuming he or she will transfer, but it makes even less sense in your circumstances.

Also, where do you want to work? All of the UC law schools except Berkeley are regional. If you want to practice in the Bay Area, it doesn't make sense to go to Irvine. And if you specifically want to practice in SF (and not the Sacramento area), I'm not sure it makes sense to go to Davis instead of Hastings.

[mrclean17]

But if you transferred out you would lose your scholarship.

Not if I transferred to another UC. I guess in my best case scenario I would place in the top 10 percent at Hastings and transfer to Berkeley, but I'm sure as hell not counting on that. I could see myself in SF, Sac, SD, or LA. I grew up in San Diego and went to undergrad in LA, so strong ties to SoCal. I love SF and the culture, the city lifestyle, pretty much everything except COL. I would be willing to live and practice in Sac, but only because I know my job prospects would be better graduating from Davis than Hastings

[rpupkin]

But if you transferred out you would lose your scholarship.

Not if I transferred to another UC. I guess in my best case scenario I would place in the top 10 percent at Hastings and transfer to Berkeley, but I'm sure as hell not counting on that. I could see myself in SF, Sac, SD, or LA. I grew up in San Diego and went to undergrad in LA, so strong ties to SoCal. I love SF and the culture, the city lifestyle, pretty much everything except COL. I would be willing to live and practice in Sac, but only because I know my job prospects would be better graduating from Davis than Hastings

You mentioned that "all the lawyers at my current firm seem to enjoy it [insurance defense] enough and seem like they're doing okay." By "current firm," do you mean you're working as a paralegal at an insurance defense firm in SF? Is it someplace that would hire you after you're done with law school?

[mrclean17]

But if you transferred out you would lose your scholarship.

Not if I transferred to another UC. I guess in my best case scenario I would place in the top 10 percent at Hastings and transfer to Berkeley, but I'm sure as hell not counting on that. I could see myself in SF, Sac, SD, or LA. I grew up in San Diego and went to undergrad in LA, so strong ties to SoCal. I love SF and the culture, the city lifestyle, pretty much everything except COL. I would be willing to live and practice in Sac, but only because I know my job prospects would be better graduating from Davis than Hastings

You mentioned that "all the lawyers at my current firm seem to enjoy it [insurance defense] enough and seem like they're doing okay." By "current firm," do you mean you're working as a paralegal at an insurance defense firm in SF? Is it someplace that would hire you after you're done with law school?

I'm a clerk at a mid sized insurance defense firm (worker's comp) in San Diego, but they have offices throughout CA, including one about an hour from SF/Sac. The managing attorney of my office and one of the firm's partners like me, I'm sure they would at least consider hiring me when I graduate/pass the Bar