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

[nimbus cloud]

Regular scholarships: we are supposed to hear this week, right?

First round goes out Feb. 15, and the next one on March 20 -- it sounds like it's rolling rather than split evenly between the two, but there's no specifics on that. On that, what's the likelihood of making the Feb. 15 round if I submitted my documents last week?

I really hope it happens. I submitted them last week as well.

I believe ASW is before the second round of scholarships, and I don't think I can attend it unless I know Berkeley is a financially viable option.

Edit: re-read the post I was replying to.

[Rigo]

Not at all, I should have been clearer -- FAFSA and CSS.

What's TCR on parental info?
Not on FAFSA but on CSS

My parents make $100k+ but won't be helping me out.
I'm generally lost when it comes to applying for need-based stuff

[SmallK]

Not at all, I should have been clearer -- FAFSA and CSS.

What's TCR on parental info?
Not on FAFSA but on CSS

My parents make $100k+ but won't be helping me out.
I'm generally lost when it comes to applying for need-based stuff

Sadly, needed on both UNLESS you're 30 or older or financially independent for over five years. I did a DEEP dive into this a few weeks ago on all schools, since I'm in a similar situation (out of school and financially independent for almost 5 years, parents make the same but are not helping me). This is what I found on Berkeley:

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions ... ed-grants/

[Rigo]

Thanks you're awesome.
Yeah I'm mainly just doing it for Berkeley (and H+S lulz) since who knows what the f their aid situation will be like this year and they seemed to be really interested in our economic status and parents in the general app.

[airwrecka]

Not at all, I should have been clearer -- FAFSA and CSS.

What's TCR on parental info?
Not on FAFSA but on CSS

My parents make $100k+ but won't be helping me out.
I'm generally lost when it comes to applying for need-based stuff

Sadly, needed on both UNLESS you're 30 or older or financially independent for over five years. I did a DEEP dive into this a few weeks ago on all schools, since I'm in a similar situation (out of school and financially independent for almost 5 years, parents make the same but are not helping me). This is what I found on Berkeley:

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions ... ed-grants/

on FAFSA too? holy crap. yeah, I'm not even bothering to apply for need-based at Berkeley then.

[Keilz]

Not at all, I should have been clearer -- FAFSA and CSS.

What's TCR on parental info?
Not on FAFSA but on CSS

My parents make $100k+ but won't be helping me out.
I'm generally lost when it comes to applying for need-based stuff

Sadly, needed on both UNLESS you're 30 or older or financially independent for over five years. I did a DEEP dive into this a few weeks ago on all schools, since I'm in a similar situation (out of school and financially independent for almost 5 years, parents make the same but are not helping me). This is what I found on Berkeley:

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions ... ed-grants/

on FAFSA too? holy crap. yeah, I'm not even bothering to apply for need-based at Berkeley then.

the schools tell you that it is in your best interest to apply for need-based, even if you don't think you'll get anything, because the process is different than undergrad. Some scholarships that berk offers are based on your need. You may be eligible for certain loans. I would apply for need based and include my parent's information. They won't discriminate against you for it.

[Leliana]

I just sent the finaid office an email asking to be considered for merit aid only - we'll see what they say. Read the following on the site and didn't want any potential award to be delayed on account of the fact that they were expecting CSS Profile submission...

You are considered for merit-based scholarships along with your application for admission to Berkeley Law. Some merit scholarships also require financial need, so it’s important to submit the applications above early.

I know it can't hurt to apply for need-based, but I also know there is no way I will qualify (similar situation to other posters where parents have resources but will not be helping), so I'd rather avoid the cost and hassle.

[airwrecka]

I just sent the finaid office an email asking to be considered for merit aid only - we'll see what they say. Read the following on the site and didn't want any potential award to be delayed on account of the fact that they were expecting CSS Profile submission...

You are considered for merit-based scholarships along with your application for admission to Berkeley Law. Some merit scholarships also require financial need, so it’s important to submit the applications above early.

I know it can't hurt to apply for need-based, but I also know there is no way I will qualify (similar situation to other posters where parents have resources but will not be helping), so I'd rather avoid the cost and hassle.

yeah, I did the exact same thing!

Not at all, I should have been clearer -- FAFSA and CSS.

What's TCR on parental info?
Not on FAFSA but on CSS

My parents make $100k+ but won't be helping me out.
I'm generally lost when it comes to applying for need-based stuff

Sadly, needed on both UNLESS you're 30 or older or financially independent for over five years. I did a DEEP dive into this a few weeks ago on all schools, since I'm in a similar situation (out of school and financially independent for almost 5 years, parents make the same but are not helping me). This is what I found on Berkeley:

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions ... ed-grants/

on FAFSA too? holy crap. yeah, I'm not even bothering to apply for need-based at Berkeley then.

the schools tell you that it is in your best interest to apply for need-based, even if you don't think you'll get anything, because the process is different than undergrad. Some scholarships that berk offers are based on your need. You may be eligible for certain loans. I would apply for need based and include my parent's information. They won't discriminate against you for it.

Well I don't want to include my parents on my FAFSA because that will mess up my loans. I would apply for need-based if I only needed to add them to CSS (they've already filled it out for Columbia), but that's not the case. Also, I *highly* doubt I will qualify. My parents are upper class (I think...they won't actually let me see any of their financial info--but my dad is a high-salary physician and I know my parents own at least 4 properties, so they have a ton of assets too) so even if not all of their income is used in the calculations, I'm screwed. I also have a spouse with a decent income, so I really don't have need compared to the vast majority of students.

[SmallK]

Thanks you're awesome.
Yeah I'm mainly just doing it for Berkeley (and H+S lulz) since who knows what the f their aid situation will be like this year and they seemed to be really interested in our economic status and parents in the general app.

Yea, of course! My parents kept telling me to just leave their info out, but I super don't want schools to look and say "Oh, info missing? You must not want need-based aid!" So I just put "NO I SWEAR MY PARENTS AREN'T HELPING ME" every place I can and hope it sunk in.

[Keilz]

I just sent the finaid office an email asking to be considered for merit aid only - we'll see what they say. Read the following on the site and didn't want any potential award to be delayed on account of the fact that they were expecting CSS Profile submission...

You are considered for merit-based scholarships along with your application for admission to Berkeley Law. Some merit scholarships also require financial need, so it’s important to submit the applications above early.

I know it can't hurt to apply for need-based, but I also know there is no way I will qualify (similar situation to other posters where parents have resources but will not be helping), so I'd rather avoid the cost and hassle.

yeah, I did the exact same thing!

Not at all, I should have been clearer -- FAFSA and CSS.

What's TCR on parental info?
Not on FAFSA but on CSS

My parents make $100k+ but won't be helping me out.
I'm generally lost when it comes to applying for need-based stuff

Sadly, needed on both UNLESS you're 30 or older or financially independent for over five years. I did a DEEP dive into this a few weeks ago on all schools, since I'm in a similar situation (out of school and financially independent for almost 5 years, parents make the same but are not helping me). This is what I found on Berkeley:

https://www.law.berkeley.edu/admissions ... ed-grants/

on FAFSA too? holy crap. yeah, I'm not even bothering to apply for need-based at Berkeley then.

the schools tell you that it is in your best interest to apply for need-based, even if you don't think you'll get anything, because the process is different than undergrad. Some scholarships that berk offers are based on your need. You may be eligible for certain loans. I would apply for need based and include my parent's information. They won't discriminate against you for it.

Well I don't want to include my parents on my FAFSA because that will mess up my loans. I would apply for need-based if I only needed to add them to CSS (they've already filled it out for Columbia), but that's not the case. Also, I *highly* doubt I will qualify. My parents are upper class (I think...they won't actually let me see any of their financial info--but my dad is a high-salary physician and I know my parents own at least 4 properties, so they have a ton of assets too) so even if not all of their income is used in the calculations, I'm screwed. I also have a spouse with a decent income, so I really don't have need compared to the vast majority of students.

Since you're married, I feel like you have a different situation than other applicants. Sorry, I was referring more to Rigo.

[airwrecka]

Since you're married, I feel like you have a different situation than other applicants. Sorry, I was referring more to Rigo.

No problem Sorry if I sounded harsh!

[bleakchimera2]

Anyone have any tea leaf predictions whether the "the 15th" language means a gigantic wave on that day only, or whether it's going to be a series of waves starting from the 15th? Seems to imply the former, but I'm trying to work out the logistics of that and it doesn't really make sense that they'd be able to do just two waves for all applicants (and I also don't want to get my hopes up and then crushed)

[Assasindowntheavenue]

Anyone have any tea leaf predictions whether the "the 15th" language means a gigantic wave on that day only, or whether it's going to be a series of waves starting from the 15th? Seems to imply the former, but I'm trying to work out the logistics of that and it doesn't really make sense that they'd be able to do just two waves for all applicants (and I also don't want to get my hopes up and then crushed)

If you're referring to schollies, I took it as there will be only two waves, one on Wednesday (15th) and the other on 3/20.

[Keilz]

If I got in on 1/17, do you think I'd hear back on 2/15? When did acceptances first start going out?

[airwrecka]

I just sent the finaid office an email asking to be considered for merit aid only - we'll see what they say. Read the following on the site and didn't want any potential award to be delayed on account of the fact that they were expecting CSS Profile submission...

You are considered for merit-based scholarships along with your application for admission to Berkeley Law. Some merit scholarships also require financial need, so it’s important to submit the applications above early.

I know it can't hurt to apply for need-based, but I also know there is no way I will qualify (similar situation to other posters where parents have resources but will not be helping), so I'd rather avoid the cost and hassle.

I just got a reply to my e-mail saying there is no further action required on my part. Easy peasy.

Anyone have any tea leaf predictions whether the "the 15th" language means a gigantic wave on that day only, or whether it's going to be a series of waves starting from the 15th? Seems to imply the former, but I'm trying to work out the logistics of that and it doesn't really make sense that they'd be able to do just two waves for all applicants (and I also don't want to get my hopes up and then crushed)

An e-mail I got from the fin aid office (in response to a question I asked) stated: "The soonest students will be notified if eligible for merit based aid is mid to end of February." So that makes me think Feb 15 is a flexible estimation lol.

[Rigo]

After talking to UCLA, I kind of got the idea that I'd be doing myself a disservice applying for need-aid so I'm wondering what I should do with Berkeley since they're both UC's. Or if that even matters since they'd each set their own need-based policies.

Also wondering if your COA at each would impact the need offer.

[dmc1275]

Meh, seems like we might be waiting a bit longer then. Thanks for the great info, airwrecka!

[4'sup]

I'm not sure! But didn't go from waitlist to admit. I did go to faculty review though! Packet was the best I've gotten so far. Only NYU slightly rivaled it, although who chose the cover photo? Some random girl walking up the stairs?? Really weird choice.

Visited yesterday. Berkeley is a fun place. More food than I could ever try. It is a grimy place though.

Interesting. Want to elaborate on the grimy part?

It's just a grimy, dirty place for the most part. The campus is nice and clean, but the city is not a sanitary place. Dirty and obnoxious homeless line the streets. It certainly has a unique flavor. Definitely an interesting place to spend 3 years.

[Assasindowntheavenue]

I'm not sure! But didn't go from waitlist to admit. I did go to faculty review though! Packet was the best I've gotten so far. Only NYU slightly rivaled it, although who chose the cover photo? Some random girl walking up the stairs?? Really weird choice.

Visited yesterday. Berkeley is a fun place. More food than I could ever try. It is a grimy place though.

Interesting. Want to elaborate on the grimy part?

It's just a grimy, dirty place for the most part. The campus is nice and clean, but the city is not a sanitary place. Dirty and obnoxious homeless line the streets. It certainly has a unique flavor. Definitely an interesting place to spend 3 years.

Yeah they have a big homeless problem like right across the street from the school. Pretty sad, but lots of universities share the problem of having grimy stuff all around their beautiful campuses :/

[crookedsmile]

I'm not sure! But didn't go from waitlist to admit. I did go to faculty review though! Packet was the best I've gotten so far. Only NYU slightly rivaled it, although who chose the cover photo? Some random girl walking up the stairs?? Really weird choice.

Visited yesterday. Berkeley is a fun place. More food than I could ever try. It is a grimy place though.

Interesting. Want to elaborate on the grimy part?

It's just a grimy, dirty place for the most part. The campus is nice and clean, but the city is not a sanitary place. Dirty and obnoxious homeless line the streets. It certainly has a unique flavor. Definitely an interesting place to spend 3 years.

Berk alum here: While I would agree for the most part with what 4'sup says, I think saying the city is not a sanitary place is debatable. The homeless problem in Berkeley (bc there really is one) is mostly confined to the Southside of the city where there is cheaper housing and primarily undergrads living. To the west of campus is Downtown which has less of a homeless issue. The north side of the city is nicer/more expensive and the Berkeley Hills to the east are completely higher-cost residential/family oriented.

[charles117]

I'm not sure! But didn't go from waitlist to admit. I did go to faculty review though! Packet was the best I've gotten so far. Only NYU slightly rivaled it, although who chose the cover photo? Some random girl walking up the stairs?? Really weird choice.

Visited yesterday. Berkeley is a fun place. More food than I could ever try. It is a grimy place though.

Interesting. Want to elaborate on the grimy part?

It's just a grimy, dirty place for the most part. The campus is nice and clean, but the city is not a sanitary place. Dirty and obnoxious homeless line the streets. It certainly has a unique flavor. Definitely an interesting place to spend 3 years.

Yeah they have a big homeless problem like right across the street from the school. Pretty sad, but lots of universities share the problem of having grimy stuff all around their beautiful campuses :/

I'd argue that new haven has it worse than berkeley imho

[20171lhopeful]

BLOS interview invite just now

[crookedsmile]

BLOS finalist notifications have come out!

[crookedsmile]

BLOS interview invite just now

Congrats! Looks like 21 finalists for those wondering.

[nimbus cloud]

Congrats to all the finalists!

Can confirm that not everyone who applied made it to the final.