UC Berkeley School of Law C/O 2020 Applicants (2016-2017) Forum

[Rigo]

Rigo, do you know anything about deferrals and scholarships? Say I get admitted to B with some scholarship offer... would I have a chance to defer admission AND the scholarship? Or be able to ask for a scholarship offer if I defer an admission without a scholarship offer?
Thank you

I do not know for sure (maybe someone else can chime in), but I wouldn't do what you're asking in your last question if it's a binding deferral. That's basically the same as ED'ing and I'd avoid it if finances are a concern at all.

Maybe ask for generally about deferring WITH scholarship in the admissions forum.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[dietcoke1]

Rigo, do you know anything about deferrals and scholarships? Say I get admitted to B with some scholarship offer... would I have a chance to defer admission AND the scholarship? Or be able to ask for a scholarship offer if I defer an admission without a scholarship offer?
Thank you

I do not know for sure (maybe someone else can chime in), but I wouldn't do what you're asking in your last question if it's a binding deferral. That's basically the same as ED'ing and I'd avoid it if finances are a concern at all.

Maybe ask for generally about deferring WITH scholarship in the admissions forum.
Sorry I can't be more helpful.

I asked for info about deferring last year and here is what Dean Tom said.......

Thank you for your recent inquiry about a deferment. One-year deferments are possible if a formal request is made in writing to me, ideally before June 1, and if the reason is either:

1. Compelling, which usually means an extra year is desired to pursue another graduate degree, a fellowship, another similar opportunity, or if there is a family situation or medical emergency; or

2. An employment opportunity becomes available which would enhance your experience as a law student and lawyer.

You will not be required to make a deposit to hold your place in our next entering class. However, there are certain stipulations to which you must agree in order to ensure your full commitment to join us in a year:

1. You neither may pursue admission to, nor hold a deferment at, another law school during the interim year.

2. You must withdraw from all other law schools, decline other admission offers, and withdraw from any waiting list positions immediately.

3. You agree to be liable for any increases in tuition and fees that may affect the next entering class. Grant and loan eligibility may vary from year to year and is not guaranteed; you must reapply for need-based aid next year. If you have been awarded a scholarship this year, you must request a deferment of your award separately.

[sfn91]

UR now! Submitted early January.

[blelwoods]

UR now! Submitted early January.

Same! Praying I don't go to FR!

[Monday]

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[Stylnator]

UR now! Submitted early January.

Same! Praying I don't go to FR!

Incredibly jealous! When was your app complete?

[eck456]

^if it's your top choice then go for it.
And yeah VMD would probably work for negotiation if you snagged B.

E:I mean no. No chance at all. Don't bother with any of the schools Rigo applied to.

Rigo, do you know anything about deferrals and scholarships? Say I get admitted to B with some scholarship offer... would I have a chance to defer admission AND the scholarship? Or be able to ask for a scholarship offer if I defer an admission without a scholarship offer?


Thank you

so I got in last year and originally planned to defer (wound up giving up my spot, leading me to this very depressing moment in time). berkeley takes deferrals super seriously and you have to make the call by June 1. when you sign the deferral (UNLIKE A REGULAR ACCEPTANCE OF ADMISSION OR SEAT DEPOSIT) you agree to pull out of ALL OTHER PROCESSES including waitlist and applications that you haven't heard from yet. you also will need to reapply for financial aid/ scholarships for the year you plan to come, as the money is distributed on an annual basis. Berkeley takes it as a super binding commitment, and it's considered an ethical breach (like for the bar and stuff) if you don't do what you say you'll do. so feel free to chat with them, but my understanding is it's pretty much a roll of the dice for financial aid (not need-based) if you defer your spot. that's why I gave up my spot...at the time I had to decide I knew I was coming to harvard for policy school (just really hated goldman/ don't want to do state or local policy and needed to be on the east coast for family this year) and was on WL at HLS, so I literally would have been committing to leave the Harvard WL while planning to move to Harvard. If anyone has more Berkeley admission questions, ASW questions, or deferral questions I'm happy to answer (tonight, anyway, as I'm reading a bunch of super theoretical international relations theory and need a break)

[JAbrams2012]

T-2 days till Faculty Review ladies and gents!!

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[Rigo]

I wonder what the scholarship situation is going to be this year considering Berkeley discontinued matching scholarships.

Hoping for super generous, but not holding my breath.

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[KatCoco]

Also, does anyone know what the timeline for the Law Opportunity Scholarship is?

Some vague info here: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admitted-s ... holarship/

"Application Required Scholarships – The timing of our initial offers will vary based on the review process for the award. Typically these offers are transmitted by mid-March and are made by email and/or phone call."

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[KatCoco]

Some vague info here: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admitted-s ... holarship/

"Application Required Scholarships – The timing of our initial offers will vary based on the review process for the award. Typically these offers are transmitted by mid-March and are made by email and/or phone call."

Thank you!

Do you know if they interview? I tried googling but couldn't find much from previous cycles.

Check out the same page--it says it requires in-person interviews.

I didn't apply for this but happened to be looking at this page when I saw your post, lol.

[Rigo]

I feel like going heavier on the merit aid at least in the short term is the only way forward.
The T14 is going to be fighting like crazy for LSAT scores this cycle if they want to hold, and Berekley has strong competition with T20 like UCLA too.
I'm hoping their change in policy was because they realized "woah we are going to have a 165 median if we don't change course."

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[latinxlawschool2020]

T-2 days till Faculty Review ladies and gents!!

ughh, please let me in ! I love Berkeley, I don't want to move !

[JAbrams2012]

T-2 days till Faculty Review ladies and gents!!

ughh, please let me in ! I love Berkeley, I don't want to move !

Are you an undergrad alum?

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[latinxlawschool2020]

T-2 days till Faculty Review ladies and gents!!

ughh, please let me in ! I love Berkeley, I don't want to move !

Are you an undergrad alum?

Yes

[Rigo]

I feel like going heavier on the merit aid at least in the short term is the only way forward.
The T14 is going to be fighting like crazy for LSAT scores this cycle if they want to hold, and Berekley has strong competition with T20 like UCLA too.
I'm hoping their change in policy was because they realized "woah we are going to have a 165 median if we don't change course."

Good point.
Also, interestingly, UCLA has higher median LSAT than Berkeley but ranks much lower and has (significantly) worse employment prospects. Go figure.

Idk if I'd say significantly, but yeah, I'd feel more comfortable at median at Berk (lulz how can employers even tell?) than UCLA. How much you're willing to pay for that added security is the real question.

I bet there is a lot of UCLA $$ vs. Berkeley for anxious west coasters come March/April.
I hope Berk gives me a chance to grapple with this decision many-a-xanax nights.

[Mr_Chukes]

I feel like going heavier on the merit aid at least in the short term is the only way forward.
The T14 is going to be fighting like crazy for LSAT scores this cycle if they want to hold, and Berekley has strong competition with T20 like UCLA too.
I'm hoping their change in policy was because they realized "woah we are going to have a 165 median if we don't change course."

Good point.
Also, interestingly, UCLA has higher median LSAT than Berkeley but ranks much lower and has (significantly) worse employment prospects. Go figure.

Idk if I'd say significantly, but yeah, I'd feel more comfortable at median at Berk (lulz how can employers even tell?) than UCLA. How much you're willing to pay for that added security is the real question.

I bet there is a lot of UCLA $$ vs. Berkeley for anxious west coasters come March/April.
I hope Berk gives me a chance to grapple with this decision many-a-xanax nights.

Yeah UCLA's Job prospects aren't that impressive when compared to USC, Berkeley or Stanford.

[quigleyest]

Crap idk if I should pay for a berkeley app.... there is no info on scholarships on mylsn for my numbers

173, 3.61.... any last second advice?

[Rigo]

Yeah UCLA's Job prospects aren't the impressive when compared to USC, Berkeley or Stanford.

Uh what? I get you're biased but you're giving USC way too much credit here if you're saying its prospects are better than UCLA (especially since they're currently worse for Biglaw+fed clerk, which is a decent proxy for placement power).

[Rigo]

Crap idk if I should pay for a berkeley app.... there is no info on scholarships on mylsn for my numbers
173, 3.61.... any last second advice?

From all your posting you seem to really want to be in the Bay Area so I don't understand your holdup.