Tough Decision: Berkeley$ vs Duke $$ Forum

[RationalHeretic23]

3.83 GPA, 170 LSAT

Duke's offered me 90k, Berkeley has offered me 67,500. I have 1 week to decide. I'm from the south, but I don't have a particularly strong interest in working in the south. I'm open to working pretty much anywhere.

Generally speaking, my career interests are consumer protection/advocacy, plaintiff-side firm, clerkship, academia. Family will be helping out a little bit with costs, the rest will be taken out in loans.

This is a very tough decision for me, so any advice you all can provide will be greatly appreciated!

[Clemenceau]

Given what you said, I see no reason to pick berkeley.

Only 90k for those stout numbers is a bit disappointing though. Should be a manageable COA is family is helping I guess, but I would consider sitting out and reapplying if you don't love the idea of duke. I think you underperformed your numbers a bit.

[Hikikomorist]

I don't see why this is a particularly hard decision. If you can't be convinced to retake and reapply, Duke seems like the right answer, since it's a fair amount cheaper, and you aren't set on CA.

[dodgers225]

Where do you see yourself longterm?

[RationalHeretic23]

Given what you said, I see no reason to pick berkeley.

Only 90k for those stout numbers is a bit disappointing though. Should be a manageable COA is family is helping I guess, but I would consider sitting out and reapplying if you don't love the idea of duke. I think you underperformed your numbers a bit.

My main reasons I'm not immediately choosing Duke is my concern that Berkeley might be better for academia and for consumer issues. Berkeley has a consumer rights workshop and a consumer advocacy student organization. Are these things irrelevant to succeeding in a career of consumer advocacy? I have wondered if my involvement in the consumer organizations at Berkeley would establish credibility about my passion to future employers.

[RationalHeretic23]

Where do you see yourself longterm?

I'm honestly incredibly open to anywhere. I suppose it might be nice to settle in the south at some point down the road to be close to family, but in the short term I have no preference.

[hairbear7]

I don't know what your background is, but are you 100% sure you want to do consumer protection/advocacy stuff? I was pretty passionate on what I wanted to do coming into law school and have changed my goals multiple times. I only say that because I'd be wary picking a school based on workshops and student orgs.

[jphiggo]

With no particular desire to be on the west coast, if I were you, I'd pick Duke (it's cheaper).

[jbagelboy]

Where do you see yourself longterm?

I'm honestly incredibly open to anywhere. I suppose it might be nice to settle in the south at some point down the road to be close to family, but in the short term I have no preference.

Duke

[Serett]

I seriously would not pick a school based on orgs/workshops. Use 1L summer to demonstrate your interest.

[RationalHeretic23]

I don't know what your background is, but are you 100% sure you want to do consumer protection/advocacy stuff? I was pretty passionate on what I wanted to do coming into law school and have changed my goals multiple times. I only say that because I'd be wary picking a school based on workshops and student orgs.

It seems like the general advice is not to choose a school based on student orgs and clinics. That makes sense. To answer your question, no I'm not 100% set on consumer protection issues. So you're probably right that I might change my goals while I'm in law school.

I guess the only reservation I still have is the grading system. I'm a little worried about the prospect of finding myself below median in the forced curve at Duke, whereas at Berkeley the P/H/HH system would protect against that. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but it just gives me a little anxiety and fear. Is this fear justified? Looking at Duke's employment numbers, it seems like those below the median don't have too hard of a time finding employment given Duke's prestige

[LoganCouture]

I don't know what your background is, but are you 100% sure you want to do consumer protection/advocacy stuff? I was pretty passionate on what I wanted to do coming into law school and have changed my goals multiple times. I only say that because I'd be wary picking a school based on workshops and student orgs.

It seems like the general advice is not to choose a school based on student orgs and clinics. That makes sense. To answer your question, no I'm not 100% set on consumer protection issues. So you're probably right that I might change my goals while I'm in law school.

I guess the only reservation I still have is the grading system. I'm a little worried about the prospect of finding myself below median in the forced curve at Duke, whereas at Berkeley the P/H/HH system would protect against that. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but it just gives me a little anxiety and fear. Is this fear justified? Looking at Duke's employment numbers, it seems like those below the median don't have too hard of a time finding employment given Duke's prestige

I'm sure employers know what's an above/at/below median transcript at Berkeley despite whatever they call their grades.

[Danny Mothers]

I don't know what your background is, but are you 100% sure you want to do consumer protection/advocacy stuff? I was pretty passionate on what I wanted to do coming into law school and have changed my goals multiple times. I only say that because I'd be wary picking a school based on workshops and student orgs.

It seems like the general advice is not to choose a school based on student orgs and clinics. That makes sense. To answer your question, no I'm not 100% set on consumer protection issues. So you're probably right that I might change my goals while I'm in law school.

I guess the only reservation I still have is the grading system. I'm a little worried about the prospect of finding myself below median in the forced curve at Duke, whereas at Berkeley the P/H/HH system would protect against that. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but it just gives me a little anxiety and fear. Is this fear justified? Looking at Duke's employment numbers, it seems like those below the median don't have too hard of a time finding employment given Duke's prestige

Berkeley has an enforced curve too. They just dress it up with friendlier letters.

[hairbear7]

I agree with the above re grades. I also think Berkeley and Duke are on the same prestige level, not that it matters. If you might end up in the south someday and aren't looking to go to CA I'd pick Duke.

[RationalHeretic23]

After discussing with my parents last night, it turns out they're going to be contributing significantly more than I initially thought they were. So money isn't as big of an issue, but is still relevant. I'd honestly prefer living in California for a while than the South, especially since Cali has plaintiff-friendly laws. I keep switching back and forth between Berkeley and Duke, thinking I've finally made up my mind.