Columbia vs. Berkeley (Biglaw,working in Asia,international) Forum

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

I am thinking about transferring to either Columbia (COA - 230K) or Berkeley (COA - 200K). I would be financing through family loans and some private loans. These are pre-interest amounts and I haven't adjusted these figures for the SA income. I am an international student and want to work in US biglaw (location in the US doesn't matter - might have slight preference for Cali but I don't mind NYC at all) and then move back to Asia (lateral to move to another US firm in Singapore or any other location that doesn't require Mandarin) or to Middle-East. I am interested in M&A/CapM/finance because of my business background and because it will help me move back to Asia.
I am particularly interested in understanding if there's a meaningful difference between these two brands in Asia in terms of opening doors in the medium to long term for in-house roles, moving to local firms, obtaining clients, etc.
Please let me know your thoughts. Happy to clarify or answer any questions that would help you provide insightful advice.

[mab9ve]

Are these two your only choices? How about Harvard?

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Are these two your only choices? How about Harvard?

Don't have Harvard. Ruled out other choices because they are almost as expensive as Columbia.

[cavalier1138]

I left Berkeley a year ago because it was the worst place I have ever lived.

The area is infested with homelessness, violence, and drugs. It is absolutely disgusting.

That's why you moved to NYC!

(Honestly, have you lived in any American city? Ever?)

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

I left Berkeley a year ago because it was the worst place I have ever lived.

The area is infested with homelessness, violence, and drugs. It is absolutely disgusting.

That's why you moved to NYC!

(Honestly, have you lived in any American city? Ever?)

For some reason, I can't find the post you quoted. Any advice for me?

[gunner10001]

First of all, congrats! Both schools are amazing! Personally, as a fellow Asian, I feel like Cali has a much more robust Asian community and that might help you with placement in Asia eventually. In terms of school prestige in Asia I feel they are basically the same. I had lived in Cali as well as NYC, and I would personally choose Cali because of the nice weather and the quality of life. This is just my 2 cent. Good luck!

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

First of all, congrats! Both schools are amazing! Personally, as a fellow Asian, I feel like Cali has a much more robust Asian community and that might help you with placement in Asia eventually. In terms of school prestige in Asia I feel they are basically the same. I had lived in Cali as well as NYC, and I would personally choose Cali because of the nice weather and the quality of life. This is just my 2 cent. Good luck!

Thanks gunner. I am torn been the potentially better opportunities at CLS and the great place that NorCal is. Especially because I am moving with spouse and child.

[KPUSN07]

I am thinking about transferring to either Columbia (COA - 230K) or Berkeley (COA - 200K). I would be financing through family loans and some private loans. These are pre-interest amounts and I haven't adjusted these figures for the SA income. I am an international student and want to work in US biglaw (location in the US doesn't matter - might have slight preference for Cali but I don't mind NYC at all) and then move back to Asia (lateral to move to another US firm in Singapore or any other location that doesn't require Mandarin) or to Middle-East. I am interested in M&A/CapM/finance because of my business background and because it will help me move back to Asia.
I am particularly interested in understanding if there's a meaningful difference between these two brands in Asia in terms of opening doors in the medium to long term for in-house roles, moving to local firms, obtaining clients, etc.
Please let me know your thoughts. Happy to clarify or answer any questions that would help you provide insightful advice.

I mean honestly - there is really no better place to explore that "interest" than NYC and CLS is probably one of if not the best school to help there.

[namefromplace]

Berkeley is better for NorCal BigLaw and Columbia is better for NY BigLaw. Given your goal to move to an Asian satellite office, I think your best shot would be to start out at the flagship office of a big firm, where you'd be more likely to interact with satellite offices. Given that NorCal offices tend to be smaller (and the market harder to break into for a Berkeley student than NY is for a CLS student) and most law firms have larger NY offices, CLS seems like a safer bet.

Now, it seems like you would be happier in NorCal, but you're at more of a risk of not accomplishing your goals. Whether you think that risk (slightly lower chance of a biglaw job, slightly lower chance of moving back to Asia) is worth the increase in livability is up to you.

[dnjohsnton93]

If you haven't already, it might be a good idea to pose this exact question to both schools and see what they say.

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Thanks, everyone for sharing their thoughts. I am leaning Columbia. Waiting for Berkeley to sway me with a generous need-based aid offer.

[mab9ve]

Given ICE’s order, wouldn’t CLS make more sense given their commitment to hybrid? Berkeley is fully remote, right?

[decimalsanddollars]

Congrats on your offers! Given your interests and priorities, I think Columbia is the better move here. Either school would give you some good options for your goals, but Columbia opens more doors internationally and places better (if only marginally) in biglaw both in NYC and in other markets besides NorCal.

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Given ICE’s order, wouldn’t CLS make more sense given their commitment to hybrid? Berkeley is fully remote, right?

Hi, yes. Berkeley is fully remote. But they are making arrangements to allow internationals to continue to stay.

[BEng,MBA,FRM,JD(?)]

Congrats on your offers! Given your interests and priorities, I think Columbia is the better move here. Either school would give you some good options for your goals, but Columbia opens more doors internationally and places better (if only marginally) in biglaw both in NYC and in other markets besides NorCal.

Thank you so much! Thanks for your advice earlier, too.