UCLA (full ride) v. Berkeley (sticker?) Forum

[Kaleidoscope16]

First time poster, long time lurker here. The goal is SoCal big-law and a clerkship. At UCLA, I would only be paying living expenses and I haven't received a financial aid offer from Berkeley yet, so I'm assuming sticker at the moment (I've reached out to them multiple times regarding my UCLA offer with no response yet). The decision seems semi-obvious to me, but any insight before I make a final decision would be appreciated!

[nimbus cloud]

UCLA and it's not even close.

[ambrajdurbra131313]

UCLA and it's not even close.

[guynourmin]

UCLA and it's not even close.

[ponderingmeerkat]

UCLA and it's not even close.

If you were to post a poll, I'd be shocked if it wasn't unanimous for UCLA.

[Kaleidoscope16]

Thanks for the fast responses everyone, you're all fantastic. Seemed obvious to me but just wanted to confirm I wasn't crazy for some reason!

[Rigo]

I have a chip on my shoulder for UCLA, but you should def pick it.

[Itiswritten]

I have a chip on my shoulder for UCLA, but you should def pick it.

UCLA unanimously

[Kaleidoscope16]

Following up on this, what would you guys consider the tipping point in terms of making this decision? How much aid would you need from Berkeley?

[Rigo]

Following up on this, what would you guys consider the tipping point in terms of making this decision? How much aid would you need from Berkeley?

Hard to say but I might take Berk if $50k more? Idk. Not might higher than that imho.

[goldenbear2020]

Following up on this, what would you guys consider the tipping point in terms of making this decision? How much aid would you need from Berkeley?

TBH, at this late stage in the game, Berkeley is unlikely to offer you an amount that will make that worth it. I'd plan on UCLA.

[OneHandedEconomist]

.

[Nebby]

UCLA and it's not even close.

[presidentspivey]

UCLA and it's not even close.

[Kaleidoscope16]

Following up on this, what would you guys consider the tipping point in terms of making this decision? How much aid would you need from Berkeley?

TBH, at this late stage in the game, Berkeley is unlikely to offer you an amount that will make that worth it. I'd plan on UCLA.

They got back to me and, surprisingly, they offered me a solid amount so I think the decision is less obvious than before.

[presidentspivey]

Following up on this, what would you guys consider the tipping point in terms of making this decision? How much aid would you need from Berkeley?

TBH, at this late stage in the game, Berkeley is unlikely to offer you an amount that will make that worth it. I'd plan on UCLA.

They got back to me and, surprisingly, they offered me a solid amount so I think the decision is less obvious than before.

What's a solid amount? i might value Berk at a little more than rigo's 50k number but not that much more

[Mikey]

Definitely UCLA

[gaddockteeg]

Definitely UCLA.

[Rigo]

Can we get an update on your Berkeley offer in more objective terms than "solid"?

[Kaleidoscope16]

Can we get an update on your Berkeley offer in more objective terms than "solid"?

Around 100k

[Rigo]

Can we get an update on your Berkeley offer in more objective terms than "solid"?

Around 100k

What's the merit and need breakdown or is it all merit?

[Kaleidoscope16]

Can we get an update on your Berkeley offer in more objective terms than "solid"?

Around 100k

What's the merit and need breakdown or is it all merit?

Merit, non-conditional

[Rigo]

Well that puts you right around the $50k threshold I said earlier. That's the point where I would at least seriously consider Berkeley. Not positive what I would do if I were in your position honestly.

It's not an easy call like before.

[Redfactor]

Can we get an update on your Berkeley offer in more objective terms than "solid"?

Around 100k

I take it that "around 100k" is enough to cover two years of in-state tuition?

If that's the case, you're now at the break even point, in my opinion. It depends on what you want to do and where you want to practice. If you're looking to practice SoCal, then UCLA.

If you're looking to do biglaw anywhere other than SoCal, then Berkeley.

If you're looking to do something other than biglaw (+ non-unicorn), then UCLA.

If you state your goals, you'll get better advice.

[Kaleidoscope16]

Can we get an update on your Berkeley offer in more objective terms than "solid"?

Around 100k

I take it that "around 100k" is enough to cover two years of in-state tuition?

If that's the case, you're now at the break even point, in my opinion. It depends on what you want to do and where you want to practice. If you're looking to practice SoCal, then UCLA.

If you're looking to do biglaw anywhere other than SoCal, then Berkeley.

If you're looking to do something other than biglaw (+ non-unicorn), then UCLA.

If you state your goals, you'll get better advice.

Yeah, it'll be enough for two years of in-state tuition.

I ultimately want to practice in SoCal and want to do a clerkship and biglaw, but would like to eventually get out of biglaw to work at either a smaller firm with potentially more manageable hours or as in-house counsel somewhere. I also have an interest in taking entertainment law courses and that's one of UCLA's strengths, but obviously not a deciding factor.

Based on this, all signs point to UCLA (I assume). I guess my hesitation is my job prospects if I choose UCLA -- I know that, realistically, I have no idea how well I'll do in law school so I'm afraid maybe I won't perform well enough at UCLA to attain my goals. At Berkeley, I assume I'll have a bit more "room for error" if I don't do as well as I'd like (given prestige, higher employment numbers, even grading system) but I'm very aware that isn't a golden ticket either. Obviously going to try to do as well as possible no matter where I end up but I know law school is a whole different beast.