Berkeley C/O 2019 Applicants (2015-2016) Forum

[Budfox55]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

LOL I live in NY right now. It hurts that you just said that. I'm paying 3x that.

[skimmilk]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

LOL I live in NY right now. It hurts that you just said that. I'm paying 3x that.

My cousin once told me I wouldn't be able to afford a cardboard box in Boston with what I pay in rent.. I am sure that is true for NY too (if not more so). In all honesty, without a decent scholarship I will probably stay in the South and go to UVA. There is no way I am paying over $1000 to live in shambles in Cali or up north without some serious financial incentives.

[redsxfan2010]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

Sweet jesus that is cheap. I have been near big cities for too long. Also bumping this because I hope someone can give a decent idea of rent costs etc

[tappatappatappa]

Post removed...

[Lawcat11]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

Sweet jesus that is cheap. I have been near big cities for too long. Also bumping this because I hope someone can give a decent idea of rent costs etc

As a general resource, padmapper is pretty helpful in figuring out the average housing costs in a given geographical area.

You should also note that however bad Berkeley rent is now, it's probably going to get worse throughout law school. SF recently overtook NYC as the most expensive city in the nation, and a lot of upper middle class people are leaving for the East Bay which is making rent prices spike throughout the Bay Area.

[jtg21]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

Sweet jesus that is cheap. I have been near big cities for too long. Also bumping this because I hope someone can give a decent idea of rent costs etc

As a general resource, padmapper is pretty helpful in figuring out the average housing costs in a given geographical area.

You should also note that however bad Berkeley rent is now, it's probably going to get worse throughout law school. SF recently overtook NYC as the most expensive city in the nation, and a lot of upper middle class people are leaving for the East Bay which is making rent prices spike throughout the Bay Area.

But as a Cal grad and general lover of the Bay Area, I will say that Berkeley is such an amazing city to live in if you can overlook the rent. If you get a chance to visit, hit up Cheeseboard...it will change your life.

[cranburial]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

Sweet jesus that is cheap. I have been near big cities for too long. Also bumping this because I hope someone can give a decent idea of rent costs etc

It is possible to pay less than $700 in rent and utilities a month (thought not much less), but that involves sharing a room in a 2/3 br apartment in Southside (the cheaper, louder, more undergrad-y side of town), which I don't think many grad students do. A more realistic cost for your own room in a studio or shared 2 br is $1200-1400. I've seen some people split a 1br for two people, with the living room as a bedroom, and that could be ~$800. Note that this only applies to private apartments. I'm not sure how much the school housing is, but I think most grad students who live in school housing live in University Village, which is pretty far from the law school and requires bus or bike. There are also co-ops, but those are really hard to get into, and I don't know if grad students ever live there.

[gobears!!]

I know I've seen a few people mention that they went to Berkeley for undergrad on here. Would anyone be able to make some recommendations for housing? I live in the South sooooo my rent is currently under $600 with utilities. As you can imagine looking at the cost of living in Cali is currently killing me. Any help would be appreciated!

Sweet jesus that is cheap. I have been near big cities for too long. Also bumping this because I hope someone can give a decent idea of rent costs etc

As a general resource, padmapper is pretty helpful in figuring out the average housing costs in a given geographical area.

You should also note that however bad Berkeley rent is now, it's probably going to get worse throughout law school. SF recently overtook NYC as the most expensive city in the nation, and a lot of upper middle class people are leaving for the East Bay which is making rent prices spike throughout the Bay Area.

But as a Cal grad and general lover of the Bay Area, I will say that Berkeley is such an amazing city to live in if you can overlook the rent. If you get a chance to visit, hit up Cheeseboard...it will change your life.

If you want to live alone in a studio, you may be looking at 1400 as a minimum around the campus. A single in a shared apartment could still be anywhere from 800-1300 depending on the apartment and proximity to the campus. A lot of cheap housing is on the MLK side of campus (Southwest Berkeley), where people tend to share a house. A lot of grad students also live in various places within Oakland. I know Lake Merritt area has become popular, however, the costs are getting to be astronomical because SF gentrification has pushed into that area big time.

Berkeley does have graduate apartments available but those may be about 13-15k a year. A lot of out-of-state and international students typically live there, but tbh cheaper options can be found outside of the residence halls.

There is also a north and south divide around the campus. The south side is where most of the undergrads live. North side of campus is a lot quiter and tends to be a bit more expensive/residential.

There are good deals in the area, you just have to look around a bit within your budget. The bus system in the area is convenient so grocery stores and campus are readily accessible. The bus system is not as good as places like Chicago, but it gets the job done.

All of these thoughts are a brain dumb so another Berkeley resident can correct me.

[KiltedKicker]

But as a Cal grad and general lover of the Bay Area, I will say that Berkeley is such an amazing city to live in if you can overlook the rent. If you get a chance to visit, hit up Cheeseboard...it will change your life.

As a Bay Area resident, I want to make sure this gets noticed. Obviously I'm biased, but I don't think there is a better place to live in the country. I've yet to meet anyone who has moved here and regretted it.

[wellitsover]

But as a Cal grad and general lover of the Bay Area, I will say that Berkeley is such an amazing city to live in if you can overlook the rent. If you get a chance to visit, hit up Cheeseboard...it will change your life.

As a Bay Area resident, I want to make sure this gets noticed. Obviously I'm biased, but I don't think there is a better place to live in the country. I've yet to meet anyone who has moved here and regretted it.

I would fall within the camp of someone who LEFT it and regretted it, haha... the bay is really wonderful.

[gobears!!]

But as a Cal grad and general lover of the Bay Area, I will say that Berkeley is such an amazing city to live in if you can overlook the rent. If you get a chance to visit, hit up Cheeseboard...it will change your life.

As a Bay Area resident, I want to make sure this gets noticed. Obviously I'm biased, but I don't think there is a better place to live in the country. I've yet to meet anyone who has moved here and regretted it.

I would fall within the camp of someone who LEFT it and regretted it, haha... the bay is really wonderful.

It really is a great place to live. The hardest part about not getting admitted to Berkeley is the fact that it forces me to consider leaving the bay. After 20+ years of it and all of its sunshine, it will be bittersweet saying goodbye.

[KiltedKicker]

But as a Cal grad and general lover of the Bay Area, I will say that Berkeley is such an amazing city to live in if you can overlook the rent. If you get a chance to visit, hit up Cheeseboard...it will change your life.

As a Bay Area resident, I want to make sure this gets noticed. Obviously I'm biased, but I don't think there is a better place to live in the country. I've yet to meet anyone who has moved here and regretted it.

I would fall within the camp of someone who LEFT it and regretted it, haha... the bay is really wonderful.

It really is a great place to live. The hardest part about not getting admitted to Berkeley is the fact that it forces me to consider leaving the bay. After 20+ years of it and all of its sunshine, it will be bittersweet saying goodbye.

Ya, to offer some consolation I went to undergrad in the Midwest, and while I chose to return afterward I actually thought it was a great experience to see another part of the country and live in a place that was different culturally.

And if you decide to return afterward, I'm sure you will have that opportunity!

[invgr8]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows if you have a better chance to get in if you get waitlisted right away or to get sent to FR1? And also, can you get waitlisted off FR?

[blueberryoatmeal]

I have a few ASW Qs if someone with access to the admitted student website would be able answer.. for travel stipends do they require pre-approval? and how long does it take to get your login info? I know it took a long time at first but with new admits is the turnaround faster? I want to plan my trip out asap!

[jtg21]

I have a few ASW Qs if someone with access to the admitted student website would be able answer.. for travel stipends do they require pre-approval? and how long does it take to get your login info? I know it took a long time at first but with new admits is the turnaround faster? I want to plan my trip out asap!

Not sure about the stipend bit, but it took two days for my login info. Congrats!

[shineoncrazydiamond]

Congratulations to everyone who has good news, condolences to those who don't, and good luck to all still waiting! I just wanted to chime in and echo the sentiment that the bay area is a fantastic place to live (especially the east bay). It also seems to be getting more expensive every year. I attended Berkeley for grad school and lived there for two years and just since I left a few years ago (I only left because of a post-grad opportunity elsewhere I couldn't turn down, not because I didn't love the area) rents have skyrocketed in my old neighborhood (quieter, less undergrad-y but also more expensive north side). My one-bedroom was 1600.00 a month (total) but I was splitting that cost with my SO at the time.

That said, I think my highest electric/gas bill ever was under 30.00 for the month, and you can walk, bike, or take public transit (as a student you get an AC transit pass, or at least you did when I was there) pretty easily unless you want to go explore areas far outside the bay area so that helps mitigate COL a little. I found my apartment via padmapper and my (independent) landlord was super chill and fantastic, and I think you generally get more for your money that way than through student housing or property management companies. I also found that a thorough, well-written introductory email goes a long way in the housing search. And we had curbside compost!!!

Please feel free to PM me if you have any more questions about living there, although I'm guessing things have changed a little since I was there. I'm also really familiar with Northern California in general so I'd be happy to share some of my favorite spots in the region for weekends etc. I don't want to take over this thread by going on about my love for Cal and the bay area and redwoods and all of that, but do feel free to PM.

ETA: Cheeseboard is great.

[James.K.Polk]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows if you have a better chance to get in if you get waitlisted right away or to get sent to FR1? And also, can you get waitlisted off FR?

Don't know about which is 'better,' but I was WL'd off FR, as were many others.

[blueberryoatmeal]

I have a few ASW Qs if someone with access to the admitted student website would be able answer.. for travel stipends do they require pre-approval? and how long does it take to get your login info? I know it took a long time at first but with new admits is the turnaround faster? I want to plan my trip out asap!

Not sure about the stipend bit, but it took two days for my login info. Congrats!

Thank you!

and all this bay area love is making me beyond excited to see the area, finally

[invgr8]

Hello everyone! I was wondering if anyone knows if you have a better chance to get in if you get waitlisted right away or to get sent to FR1? And also, can you get waitlisted off FR?

Don't know about which is 'better,' but I was WL'd off FR, as were many others.

Thanks.

[strongbadge]

Dinged via email. Didn't think I was going there anyway so c'est la vie. Still would have liked an acceptance though. UR 10/12

[mori2015]

Just got the ding via email as well. UR 12/16. Not terribly surprised i guess, but its never a good feeling.

Best of luck to those still waiting and congrats on those who got in!

[Budfox55]

Ding via email as well. First ding of the cycle. UR 12/21 (I think. Or around there).

[Keilz]

Dinged as well- knew it was coming. Stats for next years lurkers- submitted 12/3, complete 12/7, UR 12/21 no FR. At both medians and wrote a Berkeley specific PS.


It was nice knowing you all, you were all nice people! I'll be applying to schools next cycle (I only applied to one this year) so maybe I'll see a few of you then.

[pterodactyls]

In regards to rent prices, here's a helpful map I found online:
https://blog.onradpad.com/renting-a-1-b ... francisco/

[SupCutie]

Dinged . At GPA median, above LSAT median. I applied a few years back with a below median LSAT and got waitlisted lol.