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

[Clytemnestra]

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!

I lived right across the street (literally) from the law school, in a 1 bedroom and the rent was 2100 (and it was not a luxury place or anything). Most people shared these units with 2-3 people and I definitely wouldn't recommend the place. Most undergrads lived on the south side and studios started around 1200-1300 within 4 or 5 blocks of the campus. It can actually get dangerous a bit further out. Many grad students I knew lived on the north side, or came from other places via the BART. Wish I had some place to recommend - most of the people I knew were unhappy with their place.

[Clytemnestra]

WL after FR from my alma mater, where I graduated with highest honors (berkeley's summa cum laude). oof....

Right there with you for all of that. To make it worse I came home to a letter from Berkeley asking for money.

*hugs* my fellow waitlisted bear. It is really a bummer to hear considering how badly you wanted it. What is next for you?

[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!

I lived right across the street (literally) from the law school, in a 1 bedroom and the rent was 2100 (and it was not a luxury place or anything). Most people shared these units with 2-3 people and I definitely wouldn't recommend the place. Most undergrads lived on the south side and studios started around 1200-1300 within 4 or 5 blocks of the campus. It can actually get dangerous a bit further out. Many grad students I knew lived on the north side, or came from other places via the BART. Wish I had some place to recommend - most of the people I knew were unhappy with their place.

This makes it all sound pretty ominous, and while I'm sorry you haven't had a good experience, I think there are definite possibilities to find decent housing. I loved my 1 bedroom and felt very safe everywhere I lived in Berkeley. I had friends who lived in decent places as well. If anyone wants more specifics, feel free to PM me.

[gobears!!]

WL after FR from my alma mater, where I graduated with highest honors (berkeley's summa cum laude). oof....

Right there with you for all of that. To make it worse I came home to a letter from Berkeley asking for money.

*hugs* my fellow waitlisted bear. It is really a bummer to hear considering how badly you wanted it. What is next for you?

Thank you. On the inside I really do want to go away given that I grew up in the area. Berkeley would have been the rational financial choice for me which is why I wanted it. But right now I am looking at other great top 10 schools and will be happy at any of them. Not getting into Berkeley will really just push me out of the comfort zone and Berkeley bubble--plus we can always get in down the line off the waitlist. How about you?

[RationalHeretic23]

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!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

[SD619]

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!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

What if you're in-state but far enough to require a flight? I'm in San Diego... Probably 8 hours away

[lolRCscrewyou]

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!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

Has anyone heard word of lodging? I know sometimes students will host admitted students, but if I need to book a hotel I'd rather do so ASAP.

[shineoncrazydiamond]

Somebody on reddit posted that he/she went to FR in early January with a Feb. 5th decision date, and received an email from Dean Tom that they have admitted the # of applicants predicted to fill the entering class and will admit from the WL only if # of people who accept initial offers drops below # of places available in the class. Has anybody else heard something similar and does this indicate that folks who applied or went to FR after that date are automatically placed on the WL if not outright rejected?

Thanks so much!

[MrR10]

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!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

Has anyone heard word of lodging? I know sometimes students will host admitted students, but if I need to book a hotel I'd rather do so ASAP.

^ I too am wondering this.The cheapest flight is fast approaching the $300 mark, and this does not include lodging. Does that mean we'll have to cover the other expenses? Should I just book my flight ASAP, as well as a hotel?

[somethingElse]

Somebody on reddit posted that he/she went to FR in early January with a Feb. 5th decision date, and received an email from Dean Tom that they have admitted the # of applicants predicted to fill the entering class and will admit from the WL only if # of people who accept initial offers drops below # of places available in the class. Has anybody else heard something similar and does this indicate that folks who applied or went to FR after that date are automatically placed on the WL if not outright rejected?

Thanks so much!

I really hope that the bolded doesn't mean what it seems like it means

[Clytemnestra]

WL after FR from my alma mater, where I graduated with highest honors (berkeley's summa cum laude). oof....

Right there with you for all of that. To make it worse I came home to a letter from Berkeley asking for money.

*hugs* my fellow waitlisted bear. It is really a bummer to hear considering how badly you wanted it. What is next for you?

Thank you. On the inside I really do want to go away given that I grew up in the area. Berkeley would have been the rational financial choice for me which is why I wanted it. But right now I am looking at other great top 10 schools and will be happy at any of them. Not getting into Berkeley will really just push me out of the comfort zone and Berkeley bubble--plus we can always get in down the line off the waitlist. How about you?

I am excited to go somewhere else too. At this point I am leaning towards the other two top publics, but will visit them and a few other t-14's (WL and acceptances) as well, to see what feels right.

[shineoncrazydiamond]

Somebody on reddit posted that he/she went to FR in early January with a Feb. 5th decision date, and received an email from Dean Tom that they have admitted the # of applicants predicted to fill the entering class and will admit from the WL only if # of people who accept initial offers drops below # of places available in the class. Has anybody else heard something similar and does this indicate that folks who applied or went to FR after that date are automatically placed on the WL if not outright rejected?

Thanks so much!

I really hope that the bolded doesn't mean what it seems like it means

So do I....

[ramybamy]

Somebody on reddit posted that he/she went to FR in early January with a Feb. 5th decision date, and received an email from Dean Tom that they have admitted the # of applicants predicted to fill the entering class and will admit from the WL only if # of people who accept initial offers drops below # of places available in the class. Has anybody else heard something similar and does this indicate that folks who applied or went to FR after that date are automatically placed on the WL if not outright rejected?

Thanks so much!

I really hope that the bolded doesn't mean what it seems like it means

So do I....

I really doubt this is true.. yeah rolling admission puts you at an advantage to apply early but I'm pretty sure adcomms know that they will still get qualified applications applying late in the cycle, so they're bound to hold spots for those applications, meaning they wouldn't fill their class that early.

Plus if it were true I think it would defeat the purpose of the faculty review. I know some people who were under FR with a February 5th decision date got deferred to another faculty review with a later February date. If the class was really full they would have just waitlisted and not bothered to further review the app in consideration for admission

[JuliusCaesar]

Somebody on reddit posted that he/she went to FR in early January with a Feb. 5th decision date, and received an email from Dean Tom that they have admitted the # of applicants predicted to fill the entering class and will admit from the WL only if # of people who accept initial offers drops below # of places available in the class. Has anybody else heard something similar and does this indicate that folks who applied or went to FR after that date are automatically placed on the WL if not outright rejected?

Thanks so much!

I really hope that the bolded doesn't mean what it seems like it means

So do I....

I really doubt this is true.. yeah rolling admission puts you at an advantage to apply early but I'm pretty sure adcomms know that they will still get qualified applications applying late in the cycle, so they're bound to hold spots for those applications, meaning they wouldn't fill their class that early.

Plus if it were true I think it would defeat the purpose of the faculty review. I know some people who were under FR with a February 5th decision date got deferred to another faculty review with a later February date. If the class was really full they would have just waitlisted and not bothered to further review the app in consideration for admission

Yea I agree with this. If they were truly full and did not plan on accepting anyone else why would they continue to put people on FR and "under review" etc. Why not just reject or waitlist everyone and call it a day...

[shineoncrazydiamond]

I really doubt this is true.. yeah rolling admission puts you at an advantage to apply early but I'm pretty sure adcomms know that they will still get qualified applications applying late in the cycle, so they're bound to hold spots for those applications, meaning they wouldn't fill their class that early.

Plus if it were true I think it would defeat the purpose of the faculty review. I know some people who were under FR with a February 5th decision date got deferred to another faculty review with a later February date. If the class was really full they would have just waitlisted and not bothered to further review the app in consideration for admission

Yea I agree with this. If they were truly full and did not plan on accepting anyone else why would they continue to put people on FR and "under review" etc. Why not just reject or waitlist everyone and call it a day...

Thanks for the insight!
FYI here's the reddit thread https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ty_review/

[skimmilk]

I really doubt this is true.. yeah rolling admission puts you at an advantage to apply early but I'm pretty sure adcomms know that they will still get qualified applications applying late in the cycle, so they're bound to hold spots for those applications, meaning they wouldn't fill their class that early.

Plus if it were true I think it would defeat the purpose of the faculty review. I know some people who were under FR with a February 5th decision date got deferred to another faculty review with a later February date. If the class was really full they would have just waitlisted and not bothered to further review the app in consideration for admission

Yea I agree with this. If they were truly full and did not plan on accepting anyone else why would they continue to put people on FR and "under review" etc. Why not just reject or waitlist everyone and call it a day...

Thanks for the insight!
FYI here's the reddit thread https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ty_review/

Perhaps he meant that they have already admitted the 200-300 people that typically fill the class? They still admit around 500 or so people I believe with the expectation that half will choose another T14 school. I believe I read all of this from an interview that Dean Tom did awhile back (possibly on TLS somewhere)? My numbers are obviously off due to rounding but I highly doubt he meant to say that they are done admitting students. With that being said, there are probably limited seats left so the likelihood of being WL/dinged may be higher.

[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!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

Thanks so much for this! Guess I'll go ahead and book my flight. Yay!

[oliverotis]

I really doubt this is true.. yeah rolling admission puts you at an advantage to apply early but I'm pretty sure adcomms know that they will still get qualified applications applying late in the cycle, so they're bound to hold spots for those applications, meaning they wouldn't fill their class that early.

Plus if it were true I think it would defeat the purpose of the faculty review. I know some people who were under FR with a February 5th decision date got deferred to another faculty review with a later February date. If the class was really full they would have just waitlisted and not bothered to further review the app in consideration for admission

Yea I agree with this. If they were truly full and did not plan on accepting anyone else why would they continue to put people on FR and "under review" etc. Why not just reject or waitlist everyone and call it a day...

Thanks for the insight!
FYI here's the reddit thread https://www.reddit.com/r/lawschooladmis ... ty_review/

Perhaps he meant that they have already admitted the 200-300 people that typically fill the class? They still admit around 500 or so people I believe with the expectation that half will choose another T14 school. I believe I read all of this from an interview that Dean Tom did awhile back (possibly on TLS somewhere)? My numbers are obviously off due to rounding but I highly doubt he meant to say that they are done admitting students. With that being said, there are probably limited seats left so the likelihood of being WL/dinged may be higher.

Per LSN, ~815 offers for ~270 spots. I think they meant for last year, but they posted c/o 2019 which is clearly wrong. Anyway this is probably pretty close for this year as well.

[spacemonkey001122]

Does anyone know if there is a FB group or a "Class of 2019" thread going?

[tezzeret]

So what happens if everyone accepts the offer? Does the school still take them all?

[Jordan Catalano]

Got in from faculty review this week. Berkeley is my top choice - so I'm super excited!

[fliptrip]

So what happens if everyone accepts the offer? Does the school still take them all?

If everyone accepts, after the administration stops staring at the pigs flying through the sky, they scurry into the admin building and figure out how to accommodate all these new students. Highly doubt they turn anyone away--this is a law school after all, and integrity is a pretty big deal in the profession.

This would basically be the equivalent of the world ending in the law school world.

[oliverotis]

So what happens if everyone accepts the offer? Does the school still take them all?

If everyone accepts, after the administration stops staring at the pigs flying through the sky, they scurry into the admin building and figure out how to accommodate all these new students. Highly doubt they turn anyone away--this is a law school after all, and integrity is a pretty big deal in the profession.

This would basically be the equivalent of the world ending in the law school world.

Yeah, every school has to decide how many students to admit based on what they estimate their yield will be. I think the move is usually to under-admit, then pick off the WL

[larsy91]

Hi everyone... just to ease some worries here.

I was accepted this morning! No FR, under review 1/15.

[tezzeret]

Hi everyone... just to ease some worries here.

I was accepted this morning! No FR, under review 1/15.

numbers?