UC Berkeley Class of 2014 Forum

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Just wanted to say that I stopped by Boalt Hall on Saturday to check the place out (believe it or not, I attended UCB as an undergrad but NEVER checked out Boalt--bizarre, right?).

Because it was the weekend, a holiday weekend at that, most of the facility was closed. I did get a chance to wander the halls and poke my head into a couple of the retrofitted classrooms. I also got a brief glimpse of the inside of the law library.

All in all, I am writing this post to say how excited I am to attend Berkeley for law school!

[Timberline]

Is anyone planning to go to the ASW in April? I'm in the process of making travel arrangements, and am looking into hotels in Berkeley.

Unfortunately, there aren't very many affordable places near campus. Has anyone found any good, affordable hotels? From the list on the "Visit Berkeley" website, there wasn't much besides the YMCA. Half of the reviews I read of it said it was great, and the other half warned of bedbugs -- has anyone (possibly current Berkeley students or people that visited last year) heard any advice about the YMCA?

Alternatively, would anyone who is planning to visit this year be interested in splitting the cost of a hotel room for the night of Thursday, April 7? I feel really weird asking a group of strangers on the internet about this, but I would definitely be interested in exchanging emails, etc, with anyone who might be interested in saving some money on a hotel fee. I'm a 21 year old male, current undergraduate from Colorado, and am a complete neat freak. I would be happy to supply roommate references, etc. I would feel comfortable sharing a room with either a man or a woman (there are 2-bed rooms available at the Holiday Inn fairly close to campus in the $120-140/night range, $60-70 if split between two people), depending, of course, on whatever a potential roommate is comfortable with.

Travel arrangements aside, I look forward to meeting the rest of the potential Berkeley class of 2014. I'm interested in domestic environmental law, and am currently debating between Stanford and Berkeley (with the University of Colorado and Georgetown as outside possibilities) -- what excites the rest of you about Berkeley?

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Is anyone planning to go to the ASW in April? I'm in the process of making travel arrangements, and am looking into hotels in Berkeley.

Unfortunately, there aren't very many affordable places near campus. Has anyone found any good, affordable hotels? From the list on the "Visit Berkeley" website, there wasn't much besides the YMCA. Half of the reviews I read of it said it was great, and the other half warned of bedbugs -- has anyone (possibly current Berkeley students or people that visited last year) heard any advice about the YMCA?

Alternatively, would anyone who is planning to visit this year be interested in splitting the cost of a hotel room for the night of Thursday, April 7? I feel really weird asking a group of strangers on the internet about this, but I would definitely be interested in exchanging emails, etc, with anyone who might be interested in saving some money on a hotel fee. I'm a 21 year old male, current undergraduate from Colorado, and am a complete neat freak. I would be happy to supply roommate references, etc. I would feel comfortable sharing a room with either a man or a woman (there are 2-bed rooms available at the Holiday Inn fairly close to campus in the $120-140/night range, $60-70 if split between two people), depending, of course, on whatever a potential roommate is comfortable with.

Travel arrangements aside, I look forward to meeting the rest of the potential Berkeley class of 2014. I'm interested in domestic environmental law, and am currently debating between Stanford and Berkeley (with the University of Colorado and Georgetown as outside possibilities) -- what excites the rest of you about Berkeley?

While you sound nice and while I love saving money, I've already got a place lined up and can't offer much help on the hotel front.

What excites me most? I'm not sure, but I look forward to hearing what others have to say. One thing that does excite me is the fact that the school is a part of such a bustling and productive university. There is always something going on on campus (brown bag lunch lectures, art happenings and the like), and I look forward to partaking in all that the university has to offer in this way.

Plus, the weather and location is pretty awesome.

[IzziesGal]

Hey guys - just so you all know, the school will be sending out information about new admits being able to stay with current law students. How much free housing is available will depend on how many of us decide to host a new admit, but usually a lot of law students choose to do it. So keep your eyes open for that option.

[Blindc1rca]

how lenient is berk with regards to deferrals? i know for a fact that i need one for work reasons (new development project popped up that i am morally obligated to seeing thru to completion). think they'd give me one if i crossed my heart and hoped to die that id go there and put in my seat deposit?

i am also wondering if i should go ahead and submit my matching scholarship app or if that would be disingenuous considering that i already know that i need to defer.

[unc0mm0n1]

On a side note, can anyone comment on the parking situation? How much of a pain in the ass would it be to commute and park on campus? Are the garages far away? etc. Any current students chiming in would be welcome

Personally, I would rather poke out my eye with a pencil than try to find parking in downtown Berkeley. You cannot count on finding parking on the street. I did see a a garage or two not too far from the law school when I visited a few weeks ago. Here is the UC Berkeley parking page:

http://pt.berkeley.edu/

With the student parking permit (the one you pay 327/semster for) is there a lot close to the law school?

edit: sorry I found it.

[IzziesGal]

how lenient is berk with regards to deferrals? i know for a fact that i need one for work reasons (new development project popped up that i am morally obligated to seeing thru to completion). think they'd give me one if i crossed my heart and hoped to die that id go there and put in my seat deposit?

i am also wondering if i should go ahead and submit my matching scholarship app or if that would be disingenuous considering that i already know that i need to defer.

Pretty lenient. There is a girl in my class who received two deferrals for work reasons. And I know of others, but she stands out with having two. Also, I know of several people who withdrew for a semester or two for personal reasons and then came back. The school understands that life happens.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Hey class of 2014,

Anyone have success getting into bearfacts?

I keep getting an "http status 500" error. I know the info won't be available for a while still, but I'm trying to see where financial aid and scholarship info will be listed.

[Tanicius]

Starting to get antsy. They still haven't emailed me a CalNet ID so I can't even request a scholarship match yet.

[clone22]

Hey guys - just so you all know, the school will be sending out information about new admits being able to stay with current law students. How much free housing is available will depend on how many of us decide to host a new admit, but usually a lot of law students choose to do it. So keep your eyes open for that option.

Sweet, you guys are awesome. Will buy booze in exchange for a place to sleep

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Hey class of 2014,

Anyone have success getting into bearfacts?

I keep getting an "http status 500" error. I know the info won't be available for a while still, but I'm trying to see where financial aid and scholarship info will be listed.

Anyone checked yet . . . ?

[r6_philly]

Hey class of 2014,

Anyone have success getting into bearfacts?

I keep getting an "http status 500" error. I know the info won't be available for a while still, but I'm trying to see where financial aid and scholarship info will be listed.

Anyone checked yet . . . ?

I have been able to get into bearfacts for a long while, but it says "student not found". I think April after ASW is when it would happen anyway. There is nothing to see BTW right now. Blank page, then the error.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Hey class of 2014,

Anyone have success getting into bearfacts?

I keep getting an "http status 500" error. I know the info won't be available for a while still, but I'm trying to see where financial aid and scholarship info will be listed.

Anyone checked yet . . . ?

I have been able to get into bearfacts for a long while, but it says "student not found". I think April after ASW is when it would happen anyway. There is nothing to see BTW right now. Blank page, then the error.

Cool. Sounds like what I have been able to access as well. Looking at last year's class of 2013 thread, it appears that students started hearing back in early April (like April 1st, 2nd, or 3rd if I remember correctly). I am not sure when their ASW was, though.

[IzziesGal]

Hey guys - we just got the sign-up sheet to host a new admit. You should be getting info on bunking with current law students soon!

[BackToTheOldHouse]

So, you know how you have three options once accepted (my wording and ordering, not theirs): 1) No thanks, I'm going to LS somewhere else; 2) Yes, I am definitely coming to Boalt, and as such I am completely committed; and 3) Please reserve a spot for me at Boalt, but I'm still not committing 100%.

Well, I'm tempted to use option 3 because I am waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. BUT, I AM WORRIED THAT IF I USE OPTION 3 THEY WILL GIVE MY SEAT AWAY AND I WON'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE AND THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL

Is this (completely) irrational thinking? Anyone else worried about not fully committing by April 15th?

[BackToTheOldHouse]

So, you know how you have three options once accepted (my wording and ordering, not theirs): 1) No thanks, I'm going to LS somewhere else; 2) Yes, I am definitely coming to Boalt, and as such I am completely committed; and 3) Please reserve a spot for me at Boalt, but I'm still not committing 100%.

Well, I'm tempted to use option 3 because I am waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. BUT, I AM WORRIED THAT IF I USE OPTION 3 THEY WILL GIVE MY SEAT AWAY AND I WON'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE AND THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL

Is this (completely) irrational thinking? Anyone else worried about not fully committing by April 15th?

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

[sarahh]

So, you know how you have three options once accepted (my wording and ordering, not theirs): 1) No thanks, I'm going to LS somewhere else; 2) Yes, I am definitely coming to Boalt, and as such I am completely committed; and 3) Please reserve a spot for me at Boalt, but I'm still not committing 100%.

Well, I'm tempted to use option 3 because I am waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. BUT, I AM WORRIED THAT IF I USE OPTION 3 THEY WILL GIVE MY SEAT AWAY AND I WON'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE AND THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL

Is this (completely) irrational thinking? Anyone else worried about not fully committing by April 15th?

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

I don't know what I will do if I don't hear back about the matching scholarship before the deadline. No chance I will go at sticker, but I would consider it if I got some money.

[unc0mm0n1]

So, you know how you have three options once accepted (my wording and ordering, not theirs): 1) No thanks, I'm going to LS somewhere else; 2) Yes, I am definitely coming to Boalt, and as such I am completely committed; and 3) Please reserve a spot for me at Boalt, but I'm still not committing 100%.

Well, I'm tempted to use option 3 because I am waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. BUT, I AM WORRIED THAT IF I USE OPTION 3 THEY WILL GIVE MY SEAT AWAY AND I WON'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE AND THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL

Is this (completely) irrational thinking? Anyone else worried about not fully committing by April 15th?

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

I don't know what I will do if I don't hear back about the matching scholarship before the deadline. No chance I will go at sticker, but I would consider it if I got some money.

All things being equal the only school that could possibly pull me away from Berk is Harvard. If I get equal money to the other schools I applied to I'm going to Berkeley.

[unc0mm0n1]

So, you know how you have three options once accepted (my wording and ordering, not theirs): 1) No thanks, I'm going to LS somewhere else; 2) Yes, I am definitely coming to Boalt, and as such I am completely committed; and 3) Please reserve a spot for me at Boalt, but I'm still not committing 100%.

Well, I'm tempted to use option 3 because I am waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. BUT, I AM WORRIED THAT IF I USE OPTION 3 THEY WILL GIVE MY SEAT AWAY AND I WON'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE AND THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL

Is this (completely) irrational thinking? Anyone else worried about not fully committing by April 15th?

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

I don't know what I will do if I don't hear back about the matching scholarship before the deadline. No chance I will go at sticker, but I would consider it if I got some money.

Just got a 100,000 offer from them.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

So, you know how you have three options once accepted (my wording and ordering, not theirs): 1) No thanks, I'm going to LS somewhere else; 2) Yes, I am definitely coming to Boalt, and as such I am completely committed; and 3) Please reserve a spot for me at Boalt, but I'm still not committing 100%.

Well, I'm tempted to use option 3 because I am waiting to hear back from a couple of other schools. BUT, I AM WORRIED THAT IF I USE OPTION 3 THEY WILL GIVE MY SEAT AWAY AND I WON'T GET IN ANYWHERE ELSE AND THERE WILL BE NOWHERE FOR ME TO GO TO LAW SCHOOL

Is this (completely) irrational thinking? Anyone else worried about not fully committing by April 15th?

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

Just got a 100,000 offer from them.

?

[unc0mm0n1]

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

Just got a 100,000 offer from them.

?

?

[pkt63]

Wow, I guess I am just completely paranoid . . .

Just got a 100,000 offer from them.

?

?

e.g.
in what form (email, letter?)
is it 33k per year?
is there a grade stip?
any other interesting/salient points?

[unc0mm0n1]

in what form (email, letter?)
is it 33k per year?
is there a grade stip?
any other interesting/salient points?

I got it in an email from Mrs. Alvarez, it is 34 the first year 33 the other two years. No grade stip (do T14 do this?) I just have to stay in good academic standing. It also said: Please note that we also make summer funding available to students working in the public interest if you choose to pursue that path. Oh and I have to decide by April 15th and if I accept it I have to withdraw from all other schools. Hope that helps.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

in what form (email, letter?)
is it 33k per year?
is there a grade stip?
any other interesting/salient points?

I got it in an email from Mrs. Alvarez, it is 34 the first year 33 the other two years. No grade stip (do T14 do this?) I just have to stay in good academic standing. It also said: Please note that we also make summer funding available to students working in the public interest if you choose to pursue that path. Oh and I have to decide by April 15th and if I accept it I have to withdraw from all other schools. Hope that helps.

Congrats! That's amazing. I didn't expect to hear of any scholarship stuff so soon.

[jtemp320]

in what form (email, letter?)
is it 33k per year?
is there a grade stip?
any other interesting/salient points?

I got it in an email from Mrs. Alvarez, it is 34 the first year 33 the other two years. No grade stip (do T14 do this?) I just have to stay in good academic standing. It also said: Please note that we also make summer funding available to students working in the public interest if you choose to pursue that path. Oh and I have to decide by April 15th and if I accept it I have to withdraw from all other schools. Hope that helps.

Congrats! That's amazing. I didn't expect to hear of any scholarship stuff so soon.

Same - still waiting on named scholarships from a couple of schools on their list then I can use to submit to the matching program. Starting to feel behind...