Top Law Schools

Hi all,

I can attend W&M for nothing, or Berkeley for about 15k/year out-of-pocket.

What say you, TLS gods?

FWIW, I'm looking for goverment work.

What is total debt at each and where do you want to work

FLEP. Debt will only be difference in tuition/books/fees.

I won't be out of the military for another 10-15 years (looking for that retirement... if it's still around by then)

Berkeley is way more fun of an area. W&M is kind of in the middle of nowhere. If your costs are going to be that low, and you might someday change your mind, I think Berkeley is the choice.

goldeneye wrote:Berkeley is way more fun of an area. W&M is kind of in the middle of nowhere. If your costs are going to be that low, and you might someday change your mind, I think Berkeley is the choice.

I'd chose "middle of no where" over "fun area." In the latter I would be too distracted. What's the point of being in a fun area when you're going to spend the majority of your time studying?

nmon wrote:FLEP. Debt will only be difference in tuition/books/fees.

I won't be out of the military for another 10-15 years (looking for that retirement... if it's still around by then)

Geez man.. 10-15 years? You sure you will still want this when the time comes?

Dmini7 wrote:

nmon wrote:FLEP. Debt will only be difference in tuition/books/fees.

I won't be out of the military for another 10-15 years (looking for that retirement... if it's still around by then)

Geez man.. 10-15 years? You sure you will still want this when the time comes?

your LSAT is only good for 5 years so.....

All,
Thanks for the info.

Just to be clear, I'm accepted to both and will be a JAG if/when I graduate.

Berkeley is over my funding cap, to the tune of ~15k a year. Living costs are covered under FLEP. In 15 years when I'm looking to retire, will it matter? Should I take on the $45k debt for a Cal degree vs W&M? They have a pretty good loan repayment program, but it doesn't cover everything.

nmon wrote:All,
Thanks for the info.

Just to be clear, I'm accepted to both and will be a JAG if/when I graduate.

Berkeley is over my funding cap, to the tune of ~15k a year. Living costs are covered under FLEP. In 15 years when I'm looking to retire, will it matter? Should I take on the $45k debt for a Cal degree vs W&M? They have a pretty good loan repayment program, but it doesn't cover everything.

45k in debt with a T10 JD.Go to berk. You already have a job lined up with JAG and T10 will only help your exit options.

Jredelman15 wrote:

nmon wrote:All,
Thanks for the info.

Just to be clear, I'm accepted to both and will be a JAG if/when I graduate.

Berkeley is over my funding cap, to the tune of ~15k a year. Living costs are covered under FLEP. In 15 years when I'm looking to retire, will it matter? Should I take on the $45k debt for a Cal degree vs W&M? They have a pretty good loan repayment program, but it doesn't cover everything.

45k in debt with a T10 JD.Go to berk. You already have a job lined up with JAG and T10 will only help your exit options.

Saw this, and I was wondering after 15 years of law experience, would that trump where you went to school?

hoogs23 wrote:

Jredelman15 wrote:

nmon wrote:All,
Thanks for the info.

Just to be clear, I'm accepted to both and will be a JAG if/when I graduate.

Berkeley is over my funding cap, to the tune of ~15k a year. Living costs are covered under FLEP. In 15 years when I'm looking to retire, will it matter? Should I take on the $45k debt for a Cal degree vs W&M? They have a pretty good loan repayment program, but it doesn't cover everything.

45k in debt with a T10 JD.Go to berk. You already have a job lined up with JAG and T10 will only help your exit options.

Saw this, and I was wondering after 15 years of law experience, would that trump where you went to school?

0L, so I have no idea. I imagine the experience will be a major boost to potential employers, but a T10 can never hurt, right?

After 15 years, where you went to school will be a secondary factor in your next career move, far behind your job performance, your experience, and your network. Go to W&M, dominate like most FLEP students do here, and have no debt whatsoever.
W'burg is not the Bay area, but it is a very pleasant place to live, if you're looking for that.
Just an alternative perspective.

Didn't know you would be going into the military AFTER you graduate. If the job is already lined up, go for free. I envy you dawg, congrats

AP-375 wrote:After 15 years, where you went to school will be a secondary factor in your next career move, far behind your job performance, your experience, and your network. Go to W&M, dominate like most FLEP students do here, and have no debt whatsoever.
W'burg is not the Bay area, but it is a very pleasant place to live, if you're looking for that.
Just an alternative perspective.

this.

As much as I would love to say I graduated from a T10, if I had a guaranteed job lined up, I would not pay 45k just to be able to boast to friends or have relatives boast about where I went to school. (Well...Maybe for Harvard )

nmon wrote:All,
Thanks for the info.

Just to be clear, I'm accepted to both and will be a JAG if/when I graduate.

Berkeley is over my funding cap, to the tune of ~15k a year. Living costs are covered under FLEP. In 15 years when I'm looking to retire, will it matter? Should I take on the $45k debt for a Cal degree vs W&M? They have a pretty good loan repayment program, but it doesn't cover everything.

Not sure what kind of FLEP you are doing, but most services of the military DONT allow you to cover the difference of the Cap and actual tuition because it would then not be "funded legal education program" ...ie FLEP. What branch of service are you?

matrim wrote:

nmon wrote:All,
Thanks for the info.

Just to be clear, I'm accepted to both and will be a JAG if/when I graduate.

Berkeley is over my funding cap, to the tune of ~15k a year. Living costs are covered under FLEP. In 15 years when I'm looking to retire, will it matter? Should I take on the $45k debt for a Cal degree vs W&M? They have a pretty good loan repayment program, but it doesn't cover everything.

Not sure what kind of FLEP you are doing, but most services of the military DONT allow you to cover the difference of the Cap and actual tuition because it would then not be "funded legal education program" ...ie FLEP. What branch of service are you?

This.

I know, at least for the Army, you are strictly prohibited from paying anything out-of-pocket. S'pose it may be different for Air Force or Navy.

matrim wrote:
Not sure what kind of FLEP you are doing, but most services of the military DONT allow you to cover the difference of the Cap and actual tuition because it would then not be "funded legal education program" ...ie FLEP. What branch of service are you?

Sorry, but don't want to put myself out there too much. Suffice it to say that my branch WILL let me do a cost share for the difference. My funding from Uncle Sam is ~$30k/year. Feel free to PM if you would like more info about the particular program.

nmon wrote:

matrim wrote:
Not sure what kind of FLEP you are doing, but most services of the military DONT allow you to cover the difference of the Cap and actual tuition because it would then not be "funded legal education program" ...ie FLEP. What branch of service are you?

Sorry, but don't want to put myself out there too much. Suffice it to say that my branch WILL let me do a cost share for the difference. My funding from Uncle Sam is ~$30k/year. Feel free to PM if you would like more info about the particular program.

If you haven't already, I would try to bargain with Berkeley. Explain the FLEP program and how you really want to go there but may not be able to because it's over the cap limit. See if you can get them down to 30K.

If not, I think it's really all about your financial situation and long-term goals. If you want to settle down in CA and practice law (after your military service), then it may be worth it to pay out-of-pocket. If not, go to W&M and crush it there.

JCGibson10 wrote:

nmon wrote:

matrim wrote:
Not sure what kind of FLEP you are doing, but most services of the military DONT allow you to cover the difference of the Cap and actual tuition because it would then not be "funded legal education program" ...ie FLEP. What branch of service are you?

Sorry, but don't want to put myself out there too much. Suffice it to say that my branch WILL let me do a cost share for the difference. My funding from Uncle Sam is ~$30k/year. Feel free to PM if you would like more info about the particular program.

If you haven't already, I would try to bargain with Berkeley. Explain the FLEP program and how you really want to go there but may not be able to because it's over the cap limit. See if you can get them down to 30K.

If not, I think it's really all about your financial situation and long-term goals. If you want to settle down in CA and practice law (after your military service), then it may be worth it to pay out-of-pocket. If not, go to W&M and crush it there.

Isn't tuition at Berkeley like 55K/year If you're only getting 30K/year, that'd leave 25K/year in tuition alone, not to mention COL. Am I missing something? Did Berk give you a scholarship?

What are your other options? I am assuming you have applied to more than these two schools. Is there anything between these two schools? Have you tried to negotiate scholarships?

I can see both sides of the argument here. I mean, if you have a job lined up, why pay any $ for school if you don't have to? OTOH, your degree follows you around for the rest of your life, and law is a very prestige-driven field and is getting moreso by the day. Sure, your experience is more important, but the degree from a top school is a further plus. Plus Berk gives you more geographical diversity. I think I'd take Berk at 45K (if it is really only 45K) over W&M personally.

somewhatwayward wrote:

JCGibson10 wrote:

nmon wrote:

matrim wrote:
Not sure what kind of FLEP you are doing, but most services of the military DONT allow you to cover the difference of the Cap and actual tuition because it would then not be "funded legal education program" ...ie FLEP. What branch of service are you?

Sorry, but don't want to put myself out there too much. Suffice it to say that my branch WILL let me do a cost share for the difference. My funding from Uncle Sam is ~$30k/year. Feel free to PM if you would like more info about the particular program.

If you haven't already, I would try to bargain with Berkeley. Explain the FLEP program and how you really want to go there but may not be able to because it's over the cap limit. See if you can get them down to 30K.

If not, I think it's really all about your financial situation and long-term goals. If you want to settle down in CA and practice law (after your military service), then it may be worth it to pay out-of-pocket. If not, go to W&M and crush it there.

Isn't tuition at Berkeley like 55K/year If you're only getting 30K/year, that'd leave 25K/year in tuition alone, not to mention COL. Am I missing something? Did Berk give you a scholarship?

What are your other options? I am assuming you have applied to more than these two schools. Is there anything between these two schools? Have you tried to negotiate scholarships?

I can see both sides of the argument here. I mean, if you have a job lined up, why pay any $ for school if you don't have to? OTOH, your degree follows you around for the rest of your life, and law is a very prestige-driven field and is getting moreso by the day. Sure, your experience is more important, but the degree from a top school is a further plus. Plus Berk gives you more geographical diversity. I think I'd take Berk at 45K (if it is really only 45K) over W&M personally.

Cal gives instate tuition for active military, minus health fee (still will be covered) puts it at about $45k/yr. COL is covered through salary/allowances. Allowances are different depending on the area to offset COL, ie housing allowance is much higher in Berkeley.

No trolling here, just would like the insight on the question as posted. W&M for free or Berkeley for $45/yr (if no scholly). Cal hasn't releases financial aid info, and won't until ASW. Not expecting much since I will be making more than the average law student and my numbers aren't amazing.

Dude, the Berkeley bump is definitely worth 45k. Especially since you have a GUARANTEED JOB WITH LRAP lined up. (Im fairly sure JAG is eligible for LRAP, correct me if I'm wrong). if you go to W&M instead of Berkeley over 45k you'll regret it for the rest of your life/career.

Go to Berkeley, dude. IMO it's easily worth 45k in the first place, and you don't have to worry about post-grad job security like the rest of us.