Berkeley Law (Boalt Hall) Class of 2015 Forum

[smokeylarue]

What are everyone's plans on Thursday? Is anyone going to that "Diversity Dinner"? Do you have to be... uhh diverse to go, as in can I attend if I'm white lol

[me!0712]

What are everyone's plans on Thursday? Is anyone going to that "Diversity Dinner"? Do you have to be... uhh diverse to go, as in can I attend if I'm white lol

Im going to the diversity dinner. Not sure what to wear though... And lol! I don't think that they would mind if you showed up even if your not "diverse"

[Rotor]

Welcome to Berkeley 0Ls! You've brought us crazy weather! It "never" thunders here.

Looks like we are getting our April's worth of rain over the next day or so! See you tomorrow.

[FryBreadPower]

100% of rain tomorrow. da fuck.

[ddalton22]

Has anyone here created a Facebook group?

[bigtexmex]

Has anyone here created a Facebook group?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/176573315788732/

Here you go.

[Genki]

So what was everyone's thoughts about Berkeley and ASW.
I was having a difficult time deciding between Columbia and Boalt before this weekend, but now I'm almost certain that I'll be in California this fall.
I met a lot of great people at the ASW (maybe some of you on this board) and was impressed by the faculty and various programs offered by the school.

[EvelynS]

I liked that current Boalt's students were very nice and helpful. I am so excited to be a part of this law school.

[smokeylarue]

I liked that current Boalt's students were very nice and helpful. I am so excited to be a part of this law school.

Loved the visit, also choosing betweeen Columbia and Berkeley. Does anyone know if it's too late to submit a matching scholarship thing?

[DBishops]

Went to ASW for Berkeley. Pretty great campus and faculty. Going to Columbia at sticker though (heard today), so it it looks... Unless Berkeley offers me a nice scholarship, but that seems to be unheard of huh?

[Redamon1]

Went to ASW for Berkeley. Pretty great campus and faculty. Going to Columbia at sticker though (heard today), so it it looks... Unless Berkeley offers me a nice scholarship, but that seems to be unheard of huh?

Nice scholarships from Berkeley are not unheard of... And, with regard to a question in another post, I don't think it's too late to submit a matching request. As far as I understand, sooner is definitely better, but merit and/or matching money is allocated or re-allocated all the way through June.

[DBishops]

So if people's matching offers expire you think Berkeley will still match? UVA was a bit ago...

[Redamon1]

So if people's matching offers expire you think Berkeley will still match? UVA was a bit ago...

I don't know but someone on a TLS Berkeley thread reported a call with the admissions office in which they were told that B can't always respond in time for people's deadlines (i.e. silence doesn't necessarily mean they don't like you) and B doesn't necessarily know or keep track of whose scholarship deadline was extended and whose wasn't.

[DBishops]

So if people's matching offers expire you think Berkeley will still match? UVA was a bit ago...

I don't know but someone on a TLS Berkeley thread reported a call with the admissions office in which they were told that B can't always respond in time for people's deadlines (i.e. silence doesn't necessarily mean they don't like you) and B doesn't necessarily know or keep track of whose scholarship deadline was extended and whose wasn't.

That is highly inconvenient. I'm done waiting though, looks like I'm gonna withdraw from Berkeley this week. If I hear nothing by Friday it looks like I'll be putting my deposit down at Columbia.

[curiouscat]

Does Berkeley let you know if they decide not to offer you money? Trying to figure out how long I should be hanging on and waiting.

[thebigspoon]

Does Berkeley let you know if they decide not to offer you money? Trying to figure out how long I should be hanging on and waiting.

+1. anyone get any offers this week yet?

[boaltbear]

Hey future 1Ls, I just wanted to say how awesome it was to meet and party with so many of you this weekend. I hope many of you have found your home now at Boalt.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions about Boalt or the Bay Area in general. It is finals time but I will try to respond ASAP.

-BoaltBear

[Aspen]

Just to confirm this for you all, I wasn't offered a scholarship until May last year. It came after I had already committed to Berkeley. It was actually a really substantial amount which was a nice surprise but I had already decided I was going to Boalt no matter what.

Thanks for this info! Was the scholarship you were offered in may a need based grant, or merit? And just to clarify further, was it a matching scholarship?

I believe it was merit. I had submitted matching scholarship info but the amount did not exactly match any of those so I am not sure if it was matching or not. The emails and forms I signed accepting it did not indicate it was matching but it could have been.

Also, this has not been talked about much on TLS but it is definitely worth mentioning that Boalt has been drastically reducing its class size.

292 for c/o 2013
254 for c/o 2014 (my amazing classmates)
235 is the projected class size for 2015 (this is you guys )

The actual reason for the reduction has to do with faculty retirement and class coverage but it will significantly enhance your job prospects. Less Boalt grads during OCI is a great thing for those of you that want big law. Many firms are use to hiring at least a couple Boalt grads every year and this reduction in the supply of Boalt grads can only benefit your class.

I spoke to Dean Tom yesterday and he said that the 235 plan actually didn't end up going through because of opposition by the faculty. His targeted class size for the Class of 2015 is 270.

[FryBreadPower]

Just to confirm this for you all, I wasn't offered a scholarship until May last year. It came after I had already committed to Berkeley. It was actually a really substantial amount which was a nice surprise but I had already decided I was going to Boalt no matter what.

Thanks for this info! Was the scholarship you were offered in may a need based grant, or merit? And just to clarify further, was it a matching scholarship?

I believe it was merit. I had submitted matching scholarship info but the amount did not exactly match any of those so I am not sure if it was matching or not. The emails and forms I signed accepting it did not indicate it was matching but it could have been.

Also, this has not been talked about much on TLS but it is definitely worth mentioning that Boalt has been drastically reducing its class size.

292 for c/o 2013
254 for c/o 2014 (my amazing classmates)
235 is the projected class size for 2015 (this is you guys )

The actual reason for the reduction has to do with faculty retirement and class coverage but it will significantly enhance your job prospects. Less Boalt grads during OCI is a great thing for those of you that want big law. Many firms are use to hiring at least a couple Boalt grads every year and this reduction in the supply of Boalt grads can only benefit your class.

I spoke to Dean Tom yesterday and he said that the 235 plan actually didn't end up going through because of opposition by the faculty. His targeted class size for the Class of 2015 is 270.

I had also noticed that he had pulled out the 270 number during his welcome speech.

[LeftCoast]

Thanks for this info! Was the scholarship you were offered in may a need based grant, or merit? And just to clarify further, was it a matching scholarship?

I believe it was merit. I had submitted matching scholarship info but the amount did not exactly match any of those so I am not sure if it was matching or not. The emails and forms I signed accepting it did not indicate it was matching but it could have been.

Also, this has not been talked about much on TLS but it is definitely worth mentioning that Boalt has been drastically reducing its class size.

292 for c/o 2013
254 for c/o 2014 (my amazing classmates)
235 is the projected class size for 2015 (this is you guys )

The actual reason for the reduction has to do with faculty retirement and class coverage but it will significantly enhance your job prospects. Less Boalt grads during OCI is a great thing for those of you that want big law. Many firms are use to hiring at least a couple Boalt grads every year and this reduction in the supply of Boalt grads can only benefit your class.

I spoke to Dean Tom yesterday and he said that the 235 plan actually didn't end up going through because of opposition by the faculty. His targeted class size for the Class of 2015 is 270.

I had also noticed that he had pulled out the 270 number during his welcome speech.

I asked about this at ASW and Dean Tom looked at me like I was crazy while he said, "No, 280. We always shoot for around 280." Also said apps were only down 3% this year.

[Aspen]

The only thing that's kinda stressing me out is the housing situation. I have no idea where to live and I definitely don't want to move in any earlier than late July.

[bigtexmex]

The only thing that's kinda stressing me out is the housing situation. I have no idea where to live and I definitely don't want to move in any earlier than late July.

Yeah, same here. It's the toughest part to figure out especially because I don't live in California.

[EvelynS]

The only thing that's kinda stressing me out is the housing situation. I have no idea where to live and I definitely don't want to move in any earlier than late July.

Yeah, same here. It's the toughest part to figure out especially because I don't live in California.

+1. Started looking for studios. Unfortunately, I cannot travel back and forth to attend open houses, so I would be doing that blindly (by viewing pictures)

[mcenteno]

The only thing that's kinda stressing me out is the housing situation. I have no idea where to live and I definitely don't want to move in any earlier than late July.

Yeah, same here. It's the toughest part to figure out especially because I don't live in California.

+1. Started looking for studios. Unfortunately, I cannot travel back and forth to attend open houses, so I would be doing that blindly (by viewing pictures)

Ugh! Housing I loathe thee!! Where is the one room for rent, all utilities included, cats allowed, across the street from the law school, low rent living situation!!! haha

[Aspen]

I think I might have found someplace actually. It's two blocks from Boalt. I'd be sharing a one bedroom with this girl where I'd have my own room and she'd be living in the living room but it's like $760 a month including utilities and $830 if I wanted a parking spot instead of street parking. It's a weird situation but it's hella cheap! Plus, the kitchen and bathroom are nice and the building is retrofitted! Soooo any of you guys who want to be my friend.....we can hang out at your place instead when we hang out BUT if there's a massive earthquake and your place collapses you can always come crash at my place!!!