Berekeley ASW 2011 Forum

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Since finances aren't working out anywhere for me, I figure I can jus go where I am most happy.

Maybe that turns out to be a good thing

You know I've pretty much given up on the other ones. But I was figured out this weekend is that I would feel 150% at home at Boalt. I haven't felt like I fit in like this, well ever. So it's going to be a tough 6 weeks trying to figure every out.

Berkeley love.

[Tanicius]

I'm pretty sold. 90% sure I'll come here now.

[juliachild-ish]

So, at the last minute I came down with a bad flu and canceled my trip to ASW (didn't think you guys wanted to get my germs). I'm leaning away from Berkeley because I don't want to pay sticker when I have a full ride elsewhere, but now you guys are making me think I really missed out. Can anyone post a summary of his/her impressions of the weekend? What you liked and didn't like? Thanks in advance!

[cardinals1989]

So, at the last minute I came down with a bad flu and canceled my trip to ASW (didn't think you guys wanted to get my germs). I'm leaning away from Berkeley because I don't want to pay sticker when I have a full ride elsewhere, but now you guys are making me think I really missed out. Can anyone post a summary of his/her impressions of the weekend? What you liked and didn't like? Thanks in advance!

I'll work on a review once I am back home. Don't have my laptop with me, so it is much harder to do long typing things.

[Shaggier1]

So, at the last minute I came down with a bad flu and canceled my trip to ASW (didn't think you guys wanted to get my germs). I'm leaning away from Berkeley because I don't want to pay sticker when I have a full ride elsewhere, but now you guys are making me think I really missed out. Can anyone post a summary of his/her impressions of the weekend? What you liked and didn't like? Thanks in advance!

Also, Julia Child, if you have any specific questions about life at Berkeley, feel free to PM me or any other current students. I'm sure we'd all be glad to chat.

Good luck deciding.

[IzziesGal]

So, at the last minute I came down with a bad flu and canceled my trip to ASW (didn't think you guys wanted to get my germs). I'm leaning away from Berkeley because I don't want to pay sticker when I have a full ride elsewhere, but now you guys are making me think I really missed out. Can anyone post a summary of his/her impressions of the weekend? What you liked and didn't like? Thanks in advance!

Also, Julia Child, if you have any specific questions about life at Berkeley, feel free to PM me or any other current students. I'm sure we'd all be glad to chat.

Good luck deciding.

I second that!

[BackToTheOldHouse]

So, I don't have the time to post a full review, but here are some great things about the recent ASW:
* Everyone (with the exception of a couple admits that I hope don't end up attending) I met was totally cool, helpful, friendly, and genuine. This is selling point number one for me.
* Dean Tom's and Dean Edley's welcome speeches were surprisingly nice. I wasn't expecting much, but I ended up really liking what they had to say and how they represented the school.
* MOCA rocks!
* The construction was a bit distracting, so it will be nice when it's over (supposedly by the fall of this year, but construction deadlines nearly always change).
* The Bay Area weather is amazing. Even when it was chilly, it was great.
* Barring any unforeseen circumstance, I will be attending Berkeley with some great people. I really mean this. Based off several conversations I had, I am pumped to be going to school with some pretty amazing and down to earth people.

Now, remember, this review is far from complete (like 90% is still missing), but I wanted to put down on internet-paper my initial reactions for those of you reading.

In closing: Go Bears! Boalt Rocks!

[r6_philly]

I hope I wasn't one of the three.

[pkt63]

It seems like I wasn't as amazed as others here, but maybe that's just because I already had really high expectations? I don't know...it was just solid, met my expectations in every way...the people and the more in-depth info I got backed up & was consistent with everything positive I have ever heard, everything they say/show in their collateral and just what I expect from Berkeley's general reputation that I've known all my life.

So the two things that I think matter the most (in my completely naive and uninformed opinion) are the people and the opportunities the school provides. Based on personal conversations and the speeches/talks of some I didn't have personal conversations with, the people are thoughtful, friendly, to-the-point & on point, and super, super, super enthusiastic about Boalt. And I didn't feel that in a selling-it-to-you way (when they overtly did that, they were clearly playing for laughs), but in a way that felt like they just really were glad to be there (whether as faculty or students).

The opportunities at Boalt seem great. I have spent a few months following these TLS threads and the occasional convos with pros and cons of the school. And notwithstanding my own bias toward it the whole time, it did sometimes make me worry whether B was really the choice for the best career possible. I guess that one little kernel of doubt did get erased this weekend. I feel really confident that graduates who have made the most of Boalt's resources have all the best opportunities available to them. Like I said, everything about these opportunities was stuff I had already read in their materials, but meeting people that had done and were doing all this just backed it up in a really consistent and confidence-inspiring way. All kind of ephemeral, but a very different feel from my other ASD so far.

Backtotheoldhouse, I assume the couple of oddball admits you met were the assholes to whom Dean Edley referred?

[dkt4]

I was at most of the weekend, figured I should give a couple impressions I got...

- The minority communities were phenomenal. Not only did they seem like a tight-knit group, but they were very well engaged with the rest of the school (which is not always the case).

- I really felt like the students were dynamic, interesting people. At other schools, I have felt as though the school culture did not promote/cultivate diverse interests or ideas very well. The opposite was true at Boalt.

- Murray's class was great. Other mock classes I've sat in on have been dry, but she was quite obviously a gifted professor.

- Personally, I really appreciated Dean Edley's speech. I think he was fully aware that Berkeley was not, and should not be, for everyone...but his commitment to taking the school in a purposed direction seemed both genuine and admirable to me. I really liked his thoughts regarding the purpose of a public institution.

- School's in a great place, although some of the factors that are important to me are less than ideal. The gym's crowded, interdisciplinary studies are encouraged (but not necessarily as well fostered as a couple other schools), etc. Nothing major.

Overall, I had a phenomenal impression of the school. I don't think their ASW highlighted their faculty (beyond Murray) particularly heavily, but the quality of the students considering the school is absolutely stellar. I really felt as though Berkeley's admissions process, though obviously yielding lower LSAT scores in general, had a very positive impact. I found both admitted students and current students compelling, interesting, and likable. I didn't feel as though I could say the same thing about all other schools.

I must admit that my entire experience was colored by the fact that I met some gorgeous current student and immediately fell in love -- sadly, it will likely never be, and it's a MFin tragedy!

[softsgalore]

I'm totally one of the three. I said that I knew it...and I meant it.

[juliachild-ish]

Thanks guys, for posting your impressions! Did the current students you met seem pretty confident about the job situation? I guess that's my biggest worry, given that I'd have to pay sticker at Berkeley (and zero elsewhere). I can tell that the school would be an awesome fit for me, but I'm still really worried about taking on so much debt and then potentially not being able to find a job.

[BackToTheOldHouse]

I hope I wasn't one of the three.

Definitely not .

[BackToTheOldHouse]

I'm totally one of the three. I said that I knew it...and I meant it.

?

[Rotor]

Thanks guys, for posting your impressions! Did the current students you met seem pretty confident about the job situation? I guess that's my biggest worry, given that I'd have to pay sticker at Berkeley (and zero elsewhere). I can tell that the school would be an awesome fit for me, but I'm still really worried about taking on so much debt and then potentially not being able to find a job.

What do you want to practice? Where? And what are your other (free) options?

Your emphasis on jobs as a deciding factor is a good one. I think most of the current students who post around here will tell you that your job opportunities out of Boalt are comparable with its peers (thus really good but not quite 100%). If you are looking at going the firm route through OCIP, they have moved the interview season to before school starts beginning with c/o 2013. So in the rolling offers world of firm hiring, we won't be competing for the last slot or two any more (very good thing). If you are looking public interest, few schools are better placed than Boalt. [tl;dr version: you are right to consider jobs as a deciding factor, but IMO you shouldn't be worried. Actual recommendation would depend on where your full rides are. ]

[r6_philly]

Thanks guys, for posting your impressions! Did the current students you met seem pretty confident about the job situation? I guess that's my biggest worry, given that I'd have to pay sticker at Berkeley (and zero elsewhere). I can tell that the school would be an awesome fit for me, but I'm still really worried about taking on so much debt and then potentially not being able to find a job.

Most ones I met said they had jobs. Many said they actually had multiple good offers to choose from. I do want to note that these students I talked to were more driven, professional, and personable than average, so that may help their cause. I think with the grading system the way it is, if you don't have a lot of negatives which makes you less competitive in the "P" crowd, you will do fine. That's my impression. If you get all "p" but don't network and interview well, or not very likable in person then you may have a difficult time. Have some previous professional experience seems like will help people out a lot, not just as resume filler, but it will help you interview better.

[dkt4]

Thanks guys, for posting your impressions! Did the current students you met seem pretty confident about the job situation? I guess that's my biggest worry, given that I'd have to pay sticker at Berkeley (and zero elsewhere). I can tell that the school would be an awesome fit for me, but I'm still really worried about taking on so much debt and then potentially not being able to find a job.

Pretty much agree with what others have said. Everyone I talked to had jobs, and some had very prestigious/tough to land jobs. I didn't get the impression that anyone was worried and really stressing out, and multiple people told me that so long as you are proactive in your job search, people are absolutely fine at Boalt. In fact, almost everyone I met was very enthusiastic about their job opportunities - which is harder to fake than "i love my school" etc. I did get the impression that Stanford students had even less worry than the Boalt kids, but of everyone I met between the two schools there was seemingly no stress/worry about the job market.

[juliachild-ish]

Thanks guys, for posting your impressions! Did the current students you met seem pretty confident about the job situation? I guess that's my biggest worry, given that I'd have to pay sticker at Berkeley (and zero elsewhere). I can tell that the school would be an awesome fit for me, but I'm still really worried about taking on so much debt and then potentially not being able to find a job.

What do you want to practice? Where? And what are your other (free) options?

Your emphasis on jobs as a deciding factor is a good one. I think most of the current students who post around here will tell you that your job opportunities out of Boalt are comparable with its peers (thus really good but not quite 100%). If you are looking at going the firm route through OCIP, they have moved the interview season to before school starts beginning with c/o 2013. So in the rolling offers world of firm hiring, we won't be competing for the last slot or two any more (very good thing). If you are looking public interest, few schools are better placed than Boalt. [tl;dr version: you are right to consider jobs as a deciding factor, but IMO you shouldn't be worried. Actual recommendation would depend on where your full rides are. ]

I would like to work in local government or at a small or mid-size firm, back in Phoenix, where I'm from. I'm interested in environmental/energy/land use law. My two free options are Northwestern and UT, and I'm leaning towards UT because they seem to have a pretty strong environmental/energy program.

I know Berkeley would be super awesome, but so far no one (I have talked to current students but mostly to hiring partners at different firms and to lawyers at the BigLaw firm I work for) has convinced me that the job options coming out of Boalt would be so much better than UT/NU as to justify the cost difference. Better? Sure. $150,000 better? That's where I am having trouble, and trying to make a tough decision.

[Tanicius]

Thanks guys, for posting your impressions! Did the current students you met seem pretty confident about the job situation? I guess that's my biggest worry, given that I'd have to pay sticker at Berkeley (and zero elsewhere). I can tell that the school would be an awesome fit for me, but I'm still really worried about taking on so much debt and then potentially not being able to find a job.

What do you want to practice? Where? And what are your other (free) options?

Your emphasis on jobs as a deciding factor is a good one. I think most of the current students who post around here will tell you that your job opportunities out of Boalt are comparable with its peers (thus really good but not quite 100%). If you are looking at going the firm route through OCIP, they have moved the interview season to before school starts beginning with c/o 2013. So in the rolling offers world of firm hiring, we won't be competing for the last slot or two any more (very good thing). If you are looking public interest, few schools are better placed than Boalt. [tl;dr version: you are right to consider jobs as a deciding factor, but IMO you shouldn't be worried. Actual recommendation would depend on where your full rides are. ]

I would like to work in local government or at a small or mid-size firm, back in Phoenix, where I'm from. I'm interested in environmental/energy/land use law. My two free options are Northwestern and UT, and I'm leaning towards UT because they seem to have a pretty strong environmental/energy program.

I know Berkeley would be super awesome, but so far no one (I have talked to current students but mostly to hiring partners at different firms and to lawyers at the BigLaw firm I work for) has convinced me that the job options coming out of Boalt would be so much better than UT/NU as to justify the cost difference. Better? Sure. $150,000 better? That's where I am having trouble, and trying to make a tough decision.

Dude go to Texas. No contest.

[r6_philly]

I would like to work in local government or at a small or mid-size firm, back in Phoenix, where I'm from. I'm interested in environmental/energy/land use law. My two free options are Northwestern and UT, and I'm leaning towards UT because they seem to have a pretty strong environmental/energy program.

I know Berkeley would be super awesome, but so far no one (I have talked to current students but mostly to hiring partners at different firms and to lawyers at the BigLaw firm I work for) has convinced me that the job options coming out of Boalt would be so much better than UT/NU as to justify the cost difference. Better? Sure. $150,000 better? That's where I am having trouble, and trying to make a tough decision.

Dude go to Texas. No contest.

I agree. You might have a harder time competing for jobs with your peers at NU anyway, Texas is probably the best option.

[djfe4president]

I would like to work in local government or at a small or mid-size firm, back in Phoenix, where I'm from. I'm interested in environmental/energy/land use law. My two free options are Northwestern and UT, and I'm leaning towards UT because they seem to have a pretty strong environmental/energy program.

I know Berkeley would be super awesome, but so far no one (I have talked to current students but mostly to hiring partners at different firms and to lawyers at the BigLaw firm I work for) has convinced me that the job options coming out of Boalt would be so much better than UT/NU as to justify the cost difference. Better? Sure. $150,000 better? That's where I am having trouble, and trying to make a tough decision.

Dude go to Texas. No contest.

I agree. You might have a harder time competing for jobs with your peers at NU anyway, Texas is probably the best option.

Think of yourself as a business.

[rpopuch]

+1 but I'm not sure whether I even care as much abou H and S anymore.

I still care. But, if I don't get in, I still have Berkeley.

I don't know if I can make the finances work, but I will keep trying.

Since finances aren't working out anywhere for me, I figure I can jus go where I am most happy.

+1

I really loved Berkeley ASD... much more than I was expecting. I was going just for good measure, to be 100% sure it wasn't worth the debt... and whoa. Like everyone described, the impressions I got were of people who were distinctly not miserable about attending or teaching at law school. Quite a contrast from some other places!

So funny, life's twists and turns. Maybe I'll see some of you in August.

[Rotor]

Better? Sure. $150,000 better? That's where I am having trouble, and trying to make a tough decision.

With those as your options, I would agree. If you were talkingschools outside the top 20-25 or so, it might be a different story. But those are top schools too. My concerns would be: Not so sure of NU's Enviro/land use rep and UT's heavy Texas job placement (but like here, much of that may be self selected; and AZ/TX are likely similar enough to not cause substantial difficulty; but these are just my impressions not the basis of detailed study).

Ultimately, it's your call on how much the things Berk brings to the table are worth. As awesome as it is here, 150k (assuming no strings on the scholies) buys a whole lot of awesome elsewhere.

[IzziesGal]

At the risk of outing myself on here (although it almost doesn't even matter anymore!), I met a new admit this weekend who said that the people she met at Boalt all had jobs. She went to Michigan's ASW previously and said that a good percentage of 2Ls she met had nothing lined up for the summer. I am not trying to trash Michigan (because it's a great school), but rather make the point that the job situation at Boalt isn't bad like people make it out to be. Most of us have jobs.

[Shaggier1]

I would like to work in local government or at a small or mid-size firm, back in Phoenix, where I'm from. I'm interested in environmental/energy/land use law. My two free options are Northwestern and UT, and I'm leaning towards UT because they seem to have a pretty strong environmental/energy program.

I know Berkeley would be super awesome, but so far no one (I have talked to current students but mostly to hiring partners at different firms and to lawyers at the BigLaw firm I work for) has convinced me that the job options coming out of Boalt would be so much better than UT/NU as to justify the cost difference. Better? Sure. $150,000 better? That's where I am having trouble, and trying to make a tough decision.

Have you tried to leverage money from Berkeley? I know they say they only match at a handful of schools, but I know at least one student who was able to leverage money based on an award from a school ranked around 45.