Top Law Schools

Hi everyone, just wondering your thoughts on whether Berkeley is worth ticket price or whether a "higher ranked" tier 3 with a full ride (on the east coast) is the better choice. Things to keep in mind: I'll most likely end up doing public interest work (no interest in big law) and I want to practice in the Midwest. Thanks for your feedback!

Berkeley, not even close.

DO NOT choose a T3 school over a top 10 school

kaiser wrote:DO NOT choose a T3 school over a top 10 school

This.

Also, why are you deciding over an east coast school and a west coast school when you want to practice in the Midwest?

.

lol now I can go to sleep. My brain has overloaded by the hilariousness of this post. How the hell does someone wanting to work in the midwest have to choose between Boalt and a tier 3 full ride. Somehow couldn't get WUSTL $$$?

kaiser wrote:DO NOT choose a T3 school over a top 10 school

what about a T4 over a top 25?

April fools? if you get in to berkely I imagine you could get a full ride in a T2

mattviphky wrote:

kaiser wrote:DO NOT choose a T3 school over a top 10 school

what about a T4 over a top 25?

this might actually be a novel conversation on t l s.

PARTY wrote:

mattviphky wrote:

kaiser wrote:DO NOT choose a T3 school over a top 10 school

what about a T4 over a top 25?

this might actually be a novel conversation on t l s.

comeon say its Ken's house like it is.

Just to respond to some questions- I'm a reverse splitter. I got into many mid-western schools but my wife is out east. Berkeley is the dream school... but will education/job placement/income make up for the $300,000 in debt I'd have to take out? Thanks again for the advice!

Berkeley will almost assuredly have a better LRAP than whatever TTT you are going to and the ability to land a competitive PI job will in theory be exponentially better from Berkeley unless your resume absolutely blows.

UWSP2012 wrote:Just to respond to some questions- I'm a reverse splitter. I got into many mid-western schools but my wife is out east. Berkeley is the dream school... but will education/job placement/income make up for the $300,000 in debt I'd have to take out? Thanks again for the advice!

Damn this ain't med school. But for the love of God don't go to a TTT over Cal.

I'm kinda new around this scene but I do smell troll.

I can also help. I made the decision to choose Berkeley over a T2 several years ago, and I have never looked back. Sure, my debt is probably 3x what it would have been had I gone to my other choice (T2 in-state with scholly), but my job options would have been severely limited at that school as well. I would never have had the opportunities that I have had coming from Berkeley. The name carries a lot of weight. You will be able to pay back the money. If you get a firm job, it will happen slowly over time. If you go gov't or public interest, LRAP will kick in and save you. I have never regretted my choice (although the Direct Loan statements *do* tend to knock the wind out of me), and you shouldn't either!

OP: Why will you have to take out $300,000 in loans to attend Berkeley ? Seems a bit high.

Is this a joke? Hurry up and deposit at Berkeley!

IzziesGal wrote:I can also help. I made the decision to choose Berkeley over a T2 several years ago, and I have never looked back. Sure, my debt is probably 3x what it would have been had I gone to my other choice (T2 in-state with scholly), but my job options would have been severely limited at that school as well. I would never have had the opportunities that I have had coming from Berkeley. The name carries a lot of weight. You will be able to pay back the money. If you get a firm job, it will happen slowly over time. If you go gov't or public interest, LRAP will kick in and save you. I have never regretted my choice (although the Direct Loan statements *do* tend to knock the wind out of me), and you shouldn't either!

Thanks! I'm about 90% sure I'll be heading to Boalt this fall!

CanadianWolf wrote:OP: Why will you have to take out $300,000 in loans to attend Berkeley ? Seems a bit high.

Well $78,000 year for tuition and COL out of state- add interest and its pretty damn close. Also, not sure if I'll qualify for need based awards since Boalt considers you dependent until you're 30 (or until you can prove you've been self supporting for 5 years). I know its the best choice, that's obvious, but as another poster said getting a direct loan statement that high is scary as hell! *My entire undergrad cost me only $40,000...

UWSP2012 wrote:

CanadianWolf wrote:OP: Why will you have to take out $300,000 in loans to attend Berkeley ? Seems a bit high.

Well $78,000 year for tuition and COL out of state- add interest and its pretty damn close. Also, not sure if I'll qualify for need based awards since Boalt considers you dependent until you're 30 (or until you can prove you've been self supporting for 5 years). I know its the best choice, that's obvious, but as another poster said getting a direct loan statement that high is scary as hell! *My entire undergrad cost me only $40,000...

Yea, but this isn't college. Its an investment, and it is worth it not to limit yourself. I am sure that many people at boalt are paying sticker. Just work as hard as you can one you get there (because not everyone will).

I honestly think Berkeley is by far the better choice here. As for the cost, you should be able to get in state for 2L and 3L, and Berkeley has an amazing LRAP, which you should take into consideration since you want to do PI. Also, the school itself is just awesome...it's really a great place to be.

Thanks to everyone who left comments! Just got back from accepted students weekend and was absolutely blown away. Berkeley is an amazing place. Looks like I'm moving to California!

Haha how did you get back from ASW a month late?