Top Law Schools

-Transferring from 40s school at sticker. Top 15%
-STEM background and only want to work in IP law in California
-Has 1L SA doing IP law in California, but want to have options of other firms
-Cannot fathom working outside of California

Accepted to:

- Michigan
- UCLA (with an unbelievable transfer scholarship of $10k for only 2L year)

I'm awaiting decisions from Berkeley or Stanford. Either of those schools would end this inquiry. Edit: rejected from Berkeley. Not expecting Stanford admission.

Please help me decide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With a STEM background and a 1L SA in hand, UCLA is fine if you want to do IP law in Southern California.

But if you're interested in leaving Southern California--even if you're just thinking about Northern California--I'd probably go to Michigan, especially with that scholarship. UCLA + STEM would be fine for Northern California as well, but Michigan will give you a few more options.

Obviously, Berkeley or Stanford would be ideal if you get in.

Yeah UCLA over Michigan would make sense if you're SoCal or die.

Lol just based on your bullet points it sounds like you want to go to UCLA. Who cares what everyone else thinks! It's your life. You already have great opportunities wherever you go.

Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Have you reached out to Berk and told them all of this? It might help you

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Since it looks like you have a bunch of CA ties, do you get in-state tuition at UCLA? (Granted, I'm not sure if this is a significant discount at graduate schools in the UC system).

In-state tuition + 10k for 2L would be a great option.

buhbuhbuhbruinplease wrote:

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Have you reached out to Berk and told them all of this? It might help you

Yes, I did, and rather passionately so although still within the boundaries of good taste. So far I have not been rejected yet!

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

If you're limiting yourself to the world of patent prosecution, UCLA Law is fine, even for SV. But if you're perhaps interested in joining the patent litigation group of a general lit firm in the Bay Area, then a Michigan degree could help at least a bit.

foregetaboutdre wrote:

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Since it looks like you have a bunch of CA ties, do you get in-state tuition at UCLA? (Granted, I'm not sure if this is a significant discount at graduate schools in the UC system).

In-state tuition + 10k for 2L would be a great option.

Yes, in-state tuition at UCLA. Out-of-state at Michigan.

But when you consider the housing costs at each location, and the relatively minimal difference in the context of big law salaries (when I'm repaying this debt), perhaps it's not such a pivotal aspect in the decision-making...

rpupkin wrote:

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

If you're limiting yourself to the world of patent prosecution, UCLA Law is fine, even for SV. But if you're perhaps interested in joining the patent litigation group of a general lit firm in the Bay Area, then a Michigan degree could help at least a bit.

I'm much more interested in lit.

Interestingly enough, the attorneys in the big law office here seem to be less impressed with Michigan than I expected...they are not saying I should definitely take Michigan over UCLA, which somewhat surprised me...the consensus seems to be that only Berkeley or Stanford really makes a difference...

Dynamite wrote:

buhbuhbuhbruinplease wrote:

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Have you reached out to Berk and told them all of this? It might help you

Yes, I did, and rather passionately so although still within the boundaries of good taste. So far I have not been rejected yet!

Hahaha this is how I feel about UCLA. Good luck! Know that no matter what, you're in an awesome position.

Dynamite wrote: I'm much more interested in lit.

Interestingly enough, the attorneys in the big law office here seem to be less impressed with Michigan than I expected...they are not saying I should definitely take Michigan over UCLA, which somewhat surprised me...

You'll find a lot of anecdotal variation. I mean, I know a Bay Area partner who prefers Hastings grads to non-HYSB T14 grads, but that's obviously not representative of how most firms hire.

I think you'd be fine at UCLA. But there are at least a few Bay Area big law offices that would give at least a slight preference to Michigan grad over a UCLA grad. For that reason alone, you may want to go to a Michigan if you're interested in big law litigation.

buhbuhbuhbruinplease wrote:

Dynamite wrote:

buhbuhbuhbruinplease wrote:

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Have you reached out to Berk and told them all of this? It might help you

Yes, I did, and rather passionately so although still within the boundaries of good taste. So far I have not been rejected yet!

Hahaha this is how I feel about UCLA. Good luck! Know that no matter what, you're in an awesome position.

Thanks! If you get into Berkeley, let's trade lol

rpupkin, thanks for the responses, I am thinking all of this over.

Dynamite wrote:

foregetaboutdre wrote:

Dynamite wrote:Thanks for the feedback, I am very torn with this decision and have to let UCLA know by Tuesday...

That said, I would much rather be in NorCal than SoCal, although I'd certainly be perfectly happy in SoCal if that's where I ended up working. My 1L SA in IP is in Silicon Valley

Since it looks like you have a bunch of CA ties, do you get in-state tuition at UCLA? (Granted, I'm not sure if this is a significant discount at graduate schools in the UC system).

In-state tuition + 10k for 2L would be a great option.

Yes, in-state tuition at UCLA. Out-of-state at Michigan.

But when you consider the housing costs at each location, and the relatively minimal difference in the context of big law salaries (when I'm repaying this debt), perhaps it's not such a pivotal aspect in the decision-making...

I agree. I noticed the tuition difference is like 6k a year. That's your housing expenses (roughly). However, Ann Arbor rent is actually somewhat expensive for the Midwest. If you have any questions about Ann Arbor, I went to UM undergrad so drop me a line.

Good luck! Interested in seeing what you do. I was in same position but did not apply Berkeley. (No Stanford shot T20, 15%)

Chose UCLA > Mich, GULC and NU but just like you I have strong CA ties + in state.

Seems like the dilemma here is you got into a great T10 school, BUT you got into a strong regional in your market and don't want to leave. Hard to give up admission at a top school and choose a weaker one.

I'd say go to UCLA. UCLA is a very, very strong regional school. And if CA is where you want to be, I think you'll do well. UCLA also has great biglaw placement, and you have strong qualifications for your intended practice.

Would be a shame to go to Mich only because you feel bad not attending a high-ranked school. At the end of the day, I think you'll be happier at UCLA, and the job prospects will be minimally different (esp. since Mich is so far away from CA).

clshopeful wrote:Seems like the dilemma here is you got into a great T10 school, BUT you got into a strong regional in your market and don't want to leave. Hard to give up admission at a top school and choose a weaker one.

I'd say go to UCLA. UCLA is a very, very strong regional school. And if CA is where you want to be, I think you'll do well. UCLA also has great biglaw placement, and you have strong qualifications for your intended practice.

Would be a shame to go to Mich only because you feel bad not attending a high-ranked school. At the end of the day, I think you'll be happier at UCLA, and the job prospects will be minimally different (esp. since Mich is so far away from CA).

This is exactly my dilemma. I am leaning toward UCLA at this point. Thanks for all of the replies everyone.

I was just rejected by Berkeley via email about twenty minutes ago. I am not at all expecting admission to Stanford (but I had to try given my interests), so I really do need to make a decision among these two schools.

clshopeful wrote:Seems like the dilemma here is you got into a great T10 school, BUT you got into a strong regional in your market and don't want to leave. Hard to give up admission at a top school and choose a weaker one.

I'd say go to UCLA. UCLA is a very, very strong regional school. And if CA is where you want to be, I think you'll do well. UCLA also has great biglaw placement, and you have strong qualifications for your intended practice.

UCLA is indeed a strong regional school. But its "region" is Southern California. OP wants to practice in a different region: Northern California. That's why he should seriously consider Michigan.

Any more opinions out there on UCLA's reputation in Bay Area IP lit? Must I move to Michigan?

I feel very fortunate that I have made it to this point despite coming from a 40s school for 1L.

this is anecdotal, but from what I have seen from my friends who went to Michigan, they seem to have a fairly impressive record wrt placement in NorCal.

rpupkin wrote:

clshopeful wrote:Seems like the dilemma here is you got into a great T10 school, BUT you got into a strong regional in your market and don't want to leave. Hard to give up admission at a top school and choose a weaker one.

I'd say go to UCLA. UCLA is a very, very strong regional school. And if CA is where you want to be, I think you'll do well. UCLA also has great biglaw placement, and you have strong qualifications for your intended practice.

UCLA is indeed a strong regional school. But its "region" is Southern California. OP wants to practice in a different region: Northern California. That's why he should seriously consider Michigan.

This.

I would take Michigan.

Michigan for sure. Congrats on the acceptances

Thanks everyone. I have received a lot of feedback today that I should enroll at Michigan. I can always visit LA.