UC Hastings - 2011 Forum

[BioLaw]

Great info, thanks.

[emilyk]

Anything notable from the alumni? Did they head out to Boston directly out of school, or did most work in CA for a few years and transfer out? How did they feel their degree held up against some of the bigger name schools from the east coast?

Most seemed to have worked on the west coast for a few years and moved out east afterwards. Generally agreed that a Hastings degree carried to this coast, but not as powerfully as it carried on the west coast (obviously). At least one of the alumni did their SA at a firm with offices on both coasts and ended up asking for an internal transfer before starting at the west coast office.

Generally opinion seemed positive about where a Hastings degree can carry. They felt it carried weight against the regional schools in the Boston area. Most agreed that Hastings grads were competing against Berkeley and Stanford grads, but that there were more jobs in the SF Bay area than worthwhile grads coming from any of the three schools -- and that Hastings grads seemed to be known for their more "hands on" knowledge of the law, rather than the Ivory Tower law found at the other Bay Area institutions.

Thanks so much for posting this!

[metaomni]

Thanks so much for posting this!

No problem! I should add: all the alumni mentioned how much they loved the location of the school. While all agreed it was kind of in the "bad part of town", being a couple of blocks from the all sorts of levels of the judiciary was apparently a huge plus (both personally and in getting jobs). Many suggested doing externships/internships the third year, apparently Hastings has a long history with the 9th circuit and the other courts and you can get all sorts of credit for your time there.

Two alumni suggested NOT living in the Tower, arguing that it was too "high stress" and that they felt it was good to "get away sometimes". One alumni liked the proximity and didn't think the stress was too bad.

Alumni agreed that Hastings was competitive, but not as much as the rumors suggest. They all agreed that the people who were super-stressful and competitive tended to congregate together and all recommended "avoiding them like the plague" as they felt the "stress and competition were definitely contagious". Basically they all agreed that the competitive nature of Hastings was actually a good thing, as it made the students more involved / active participants than the Berkeley/Stanford crowd.

Everyone loved the city, and most felt that any Hastings grad who ended up on the East Coast was "probably here for a very specific reason" and many felt that people who ended up leaving San Fran were "dragged kicking and screaming".

All in all I felt it was a VERY positive experience, and made me even more confident about Hastings

HTH!

[thereisnospoon]

Thank you for great info...very helpful. I'm visiting Hastings this week and can't wait to sit in on a class.

It's nice to know there are jobs outside SF for grads!

[metaomni]

Has anyone heard anything from the financial aid office at Hastings yet (besides the scholarship email notifications some received a couple days ago)?

I know they said April 1st... but it's just driving me crazy!

[brizz9]

Has anyone heard anything from the financial aid office at Hastings yet (besides the scholarship email notifications some received a couple days ago)?
I know they said April 1st... but it's just driving me crazy!

They said decisions will go out beginning April 1st again.

[metaomni]

What are y'all doing about housing? Trying to get into the tower... trying to find an apartment in the city... etc.?

My fianceé and I are looking at East Bay apartments... much cheaper, and only a 25-30 minute commute makes it seem like a really attractive option.

[kevsocko]

my first year i'm in the tower if i get in. i need to send them my $ ASAP.

[metaomni]

my first year i'm in the tower if i get in. i need to send them my $ ASAP.

No kidding... I'm hoping they send out an email with the financial aid information, rather then just snail mailing it. Supposedly info is going out tomorrow (Apr 1st) but who knows if that's accurate or not.

C'mon Hastings, I need to know how poor I'm going to be for the next three years

[metaomni]

Looks like the first round of financial aid packages have been posted to the Electronic Award site:
--LinkRemoved--
(or follow the same link from the UC-Hastings Financial aid site)

[brizz9]

Looks like the first round of financial aid packages have been posted to the Electronic Award site:
--LinkRemoved--
(or follow the same link from the UC-Hastings Financial aid site)

Thanks for posting that. Got mine today.

[BioLaw]

Did you guys get an e-mail first telling you that it was up?

[kevsocko]

I dont understand my award letter. It says the following:

.

[silveri]

I dont understand my award letter. It says the following:



FALL SPRING TOTAL
Expected Assistance $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $40,000.00
Unsub Stafford Loan $3,897.00 $3,896.00 $7,793.00
TOTAL $23,897.00 $23,896.00 $47,793.00



What is "expected assistance"? I am PANICKING right now, because there is no Hastings Grant listed. does expected assistance mean I am expected to pay $20,000 out of my own pocket each semester? there's no room for loans or anything?

Yeah that doesn't make a lot of sense. There was no "expected assistance" line on my award.

A few things that might clarify the situation:
-Have you defaulted on any major loans or done anything else that would destroy your credit?
-What was your EFC on the FAFSA?

I would call the financial aid office tomorrow. Don't panic until you've talked to a live person.

[silveri]

Also, I think you can always take out GRADplus loans to cover your EFC.

Where is sockpuppet when you need him?

[bocifious]

I dont understand my award letter. It says the following:



FALL SPRING TOTAL
Expected Assistance $20,000.00 $20,000.00 $40,000.00
Unsub Stafford Loan $3,897.00 $3,896.00 $7,793.00
TOTAL $23,897.00 $23,896.00 $47,793.00



What is "expected assistance"? I am PANICKING right now, because there is no Hastings Grant listed. does expected assistance mean I am expected to pay $20,000 out of my own pocket each semester? there's no room for loans or anything?

The way that is set up would lead me to believe that you will be getting $20,000 in assistance each semester (no promises). I don't get why, if that wasn't the case, they would only list the unsub stafford (and not even the full amount that you can take out in a year). Definitely call them tomorrow and find out.

[kevsocko]

i can't take it. i'd think that "expected assistance" would be some kind of award, because if i am being "assisted," it shouldn't be out of my own pocket, right? or, is it the expected assistance from my parents, who aren't even going to give me anything at all...is anyone else willing to copy what their's looks like?

[kevsocko]

here are my efcs, ect.

Estimated Cost of Education: $47,793
Estimated Student/Family Contribution: $10,075
Eligibility for Need-Based Aid: $37,718






No, I have never defaulted on any type of loan. i don't have good credit- i owe a few thousand bucks here and there, but nothing major.

[silveri]

I'll PM you

[emilyk]

.

[kevsocko]

so "expected assistance" is a grant of some type?

[high4ever2008]

It seems like it is some sort of grant or scholarship. I did not know any of the UC's gave out 40k grants though. Do you have a very high LSAT and GPA? That would explain a lot of things because it might be a scholarship.

[BioLaw]

It seems like it is some sort of grant or scholarship. I did not know any of the UC's gave out 40k grants though. Do you have a very high LSAT and GPA? That would explain a lot of things because it might be a scholarship.

I think Hastings includes federal loans as well as grants in the "need-based aid" category.

[silveri]

I don't think it is a grant or a scholarship. See: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =7&t=18907

Also, I received both grants and scholarships and they were listed discreetly by the award type.

[high4ever2008]

I don't think it is a grant or a scholarship. See: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =7&t=18907

Also, I received both grants and scholarships and they were listed discreetly by the award type.

In that case, the wording is pretty confusing and they should change it. The good news is that you guys got into a good school. Congrats.