Berkeley c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013 cycle) Forum

[goldenflash19]

Boalt is my top choice after visiting and absolutely falling in love with the Bay. Can't believe it's almost time to submit apps. Wrapping up my PS now and am using most of the four page limit. Good luck everyone!

[Eichörnchen]

Wrapping up my PS now and am using most of the four page limit.

My God I need to crank out a rough draft.

[soj]

God, I've missed you and your gifs.

No worries about the PS, I'm pretty sure I had two sentences by this point last year, and I ended up scrapping them anyway.

[06102016]

..

[outlookingin]

Sorry, I don't go to Berkeley and I have no idea how financial aid works there. I know they have a matching aid program where if you have a higher scholarship from another T14 (except NU, for some reason), you can ask Berkeley to match. It's kind of like price matching at Staples, except not guaranteed.

Yeah but I've heard this is pretty flimsy compared to Staples. As in, I could get a solid offer from Duke or UVA and not see a dime from Berkeley, right?

[Eichörnchen]

God, I've missed you and your gifs.

<3

No worries about the PS, I'm pretty sure I had two sentences by this point last year, and I ended up scrapping them anyway.

This makes me feel mildly better until I remember your superhuman stats.

Maybe I'll do my "Why X" first to get the writing ball rolling.

[soj]

Sorry, I don't go to Berkeley and I have no idea how financial aid works there. I know they have a matching aid program where if you have a higher scholarship from another T14 (except NU, for some reason), you can ask Berkeley to match. It's kind of like price matching at Staples, except not guaranteed.

Yeah but I've heard this is pretty flimsy compared to Staples. As in, I could get a solid offer from Duke or UVA and not see a dime from Berkeley, right?

Yeah, and it took some people a long time to hear back re: financial aid this year. Some didn't have even a final offer on deposit day. They're busy over there.

[outlookingin]

Sorry, I don't go to Berkeley and I have no idea how financial aid works there. I know they have a matching aid program where if you have a higher scholarship from another T14 (except NU, for some reason), you can ask Berkeley to match. It's kind of like price matching at Staples, except not guaranteed.

Yeah but I've heard this is pretty flimsy compared to Staples. As in, I could get a solid offer from Duke or UVA and not see a dime from Berkeley, right?

Yeah, and it took some people a long time to hear back re: financial aid this year. Some didn't have even a final offer on deposit day. They're busy over there.

Word. YOUR gif is gangnam style... thanks for reminding me what video I should watch on repeat for the next couple hours.

[teachteacha]

Hi guys! I find this post so exciting. Thank you teachteacha! Right now I am working on my essays, as my lsat score and lsac gpa are what they will be! I am trying to get it together so that I can apply early. Are you all intending to make your Berkeley essays longer than the standard two pages? Is it true they prefer for you to use the extra space?

In my experience, taking up the extra space is a given. My PS utilized nearly all of the four pg max, not to mention the diversity + explanation of score discrepancy statements that I also submitted. I actually found that writing a four pg PS and then cutting back from that version (for all schools with shorter page limits) was the way to go -- it helped flesh out my "ideal" statement. For what it's worth, each of my statements included a highly-tailored final two paragraphs for each school (ex: specific professors' research, clinics/research centers/geographic location, etc). I did not submit a separate "Why X" to any school.

[Real Madrid]

I will be matriculating in next year's class after deciding to defer a year. Can't wait to be in the Bay Area for 2013. Good luck to all the applicants in this thread and visit Berkeley if you get a chance! Look forward to checking back here for news from this year's class.

ETA: For the person asking, yes, you do want to use all four pages if possible, but don't do it at the expense of the rest of your essay. Boalt is serious about good personal statements.

[Real Madrid]

I decided to start getting a jump on application stuff now because I'm interning on an organic farm that has (spotty) wifi access in its barn. Yay!

You sound perfect for Berkeley.

Was thinking the exact same thing when I read that post.

[EttaJ]

Yes, I thought it best to write longer than two pages; it is great to have that idea confirmed. Thanks!

[tyler.durden]

Hey everyone, just checking in, I'm pretty much in the same boat as most of you. My entire app is pretty much solidified except PS, working on that now.

[Eichörnchen]

I decided to start getting a jump on application stuff now because I'm interning on an organic farm that has (spotty) wifi access in its barn. Yay!

You sound perfect for Berkeley.

Was thinking the exact same thing when I read that post.

Great, now I just need to convince the adcomms too!

[rickyb514]

Checking in too. I've never been to CA (I'm an NYC guy) but law school there seems like an enviable lifestyle, at least among other law students.

[Yardbird]

Checking in as well. Best of luck everyone!

[Triveal]

Since I'm a splitter, I think my GPA might stop me from getting in. Not only that, but I went to Cal for my undergrad and have no intention of going to same campus for another 3 years (or living in the bay - hell, or California - at all). Good luck to you folks.

[Eichörnchen]

Since I'm a splitter, I think my GPA might stop me from getting in. Not only that, but I went to Cal for my undergrad and have no intention of going to same campus for another 3 years (or living in the bay - hell, or California - at all). Good luck to you folks.

Are you just...going around to all the threads to let us all know why you have no interest in the schools? Kinda weird dude.

[06102016]

..

[Triveal]

Since I'm a splitter, I think my GPA might stop me from getting in. Not only that, but I went to Cal for my undergrad and have no intention of going to same campus for another 3 years (or living in the bay - hell, or California - at all). Good luck to you folks.

Are you just...going around to all the threads to let us all know why you have no interest in the schools? Kinda weird dude.

Yep

[rickyb514]

Since I'm a splitter, I think my GPA might stop me from getting in. Not only that, but I went to Cal for my undergrad and have no intention of going to same campus for another 3 years (or living in the bay - hell, or California - at all). Good luck to you folks.

Are you just...going around to all the threads to let us all know why you have no interest in the schools? Kinda weird dude.

Yep

It's gonna be a fun cycle...

[Triveal]

Since I'm a splitter, I think my GPA might stop me from getting in. Not only that, but I went to Cal for my undergrad and have no intention of going to same campus for another 3 years (or living in the bay - hell, or California - at all). Good luck to you folks.

Are you just...going around to all the threads to let us all know why you have no interest in the schools? Kinda weird dude.

Yep

It's gonna be a fun cycle...

To be fair, Berkeley is basically the only reachable T14 I'm not applying to. And come on, I wished everyone good luck. It's not like I was being a dick about it :p Cal is a great campus, I'm sure those of you that attend will love it.

[canon]

Just wanted to stop in and report that some people with straight Ps are getting multiple callbacks at Boalt.

It's not the norm, but it certainly reflects a lot about Berkeley's pull in CA.

[voytek]

Word. YOUR gif is gangnam style... thanks for reminding me what video I should watch on repeat for the next couple hours.

I feel the need to go watch this video and delay my PS editing on Starcraft...

[iMisto]

Checking in! Berkeley is definitely a dream school of mine. Fingers Crossed