Berkeley(120k) vs. Northwestern(180k) vs. NYU(75k) Forum

[azachrich]

COA Berkeley: 100k (might be less if SO moves with me, which is likely)
COA NU: 80k
NYU: 200k

170/4.15
Minimal undergrad loans (less than 8k)
I’m strongly leaning towards Berkeley after I negotiated a scholarship increase. I’m from California and would like to live and work here. I essentially have ruled out NYU but it’s still on the list because I’m not sure how much ranking affects future jobs. Not sure if public interest or big law, but would like a job where I feel like I am using my legal education to contribute to the public good.
Is the extra 20k to go to Berkeley worth it in terms of job placement in California?
Have to make a decision by Wednesday.
Thanks!

[QContinuum]

Congrats on your offers!

Yes, I agree with ruling NYU out. NYU's worth paying more than Berkeley/NW, but not $100k more. NW is plenty strong, but given that you want to work in CA, and it's only a $20k difference over three years, I think Berkeley is TCR here (though NW would be entirely defensible as well).

Enjoy Berkeley!

[Sls17]

I would choose Berkeley. Whether you opt for biglaw or public interest, that debt load is serviceable (Berkeley’s LRAP is great).

[objctnyrhnr]

Agreed that UC is the credited response here. Congrats on such wonderful options.

How did you land a 4.15gpa? At every school I know, a 4.0 is an A and A+’s aren’t a thing. Did you get straight As and an A+ or several? Or am I missing something? What did you major in?

[Necho2]

LSAC gives credit for A+ if your school hands them out IIRC.

[azachrich]

Agreed that UC is the credited response here. Congrats on such wonderful options.

How did you land a 4.15gpa? At every school I know, a 4.0 is an A and A+’s aren’t a thing. Did you get straight As and an A+ or several? Or am I missing something? What did you major in?

LSAC will calculate in A+'s. My raw GPA is a 3.9-something.

[LBJ's Hair]

Hate to be the "retake" guy but how many times have you taken the LSAT? You have a shot at Y/S with another couple points, and would be nearly an auto-admit at the rest of the T6 with $$$$$. You have good options but a 4.0 is a 4.0, feels like a bit of a waste with a 170 LSAT (no offense).

Obviously if you've retaken once or twice, done like 40 timed full tests and just can't PT beyond 170 then this is great and I vote Berkeley.

[Sls17]

Hate to be the "retake" guy but how many times have you taken the LSAT? You have a shot at Y/S with another couple points, and would be nearly an auto-admit at the rest of the T6 with $$$$$. You have good options but a 4.0 is a 4.0, feels like a bit of a waste with a 170 LSAT (no offense).

Obviously if you've retaken once or twice, done like 40 timed full tests and just can't PT beyond 170 then this is great and I vote Berkeley.

I’m a Stanford grad and I don’t see the point in this. Even assuming you get aid at Y or S, your COA will be similar to or greater than your Berkeley COA. You haven’t expressed any goals where Y/S would be merited over Berkeley (and there are not many such goals). You have great numbers and I for one would enroll at Berkeley at that price without looking back.

[QContinuum]

Hate to be the "retake" guy but how many times have you taken the LSAT? You have a shot at Y/S with another couple points, and would be nearly an auto-admit at the rest of the T6 with $$$$$. You have good options but a 4.0 is a 4.0, feels like a bit of a waste with a 170 LSAT (no offense).

Obviously if you've retaken once or twice, done like 40 timed full tests and just can't PT beyond 170 then this is great and I vote Berkeley.

I’m a Stanford grad and I don’t see the point in this. Even assuming you get aid at Y or S, your COA will be similar to or greater than your Berkeley COA. You haven’t expressed any goals where Y/S would be merited over Berkeley (and there are not many such goals). You have great numbers and I for one would enroll at Berkeley at that price without looking back.

I second Sls17's post above. I don't see any goals requiring Y/S here, and Berkeley at $100k all-in is a tremendous outcome for someone wanting to work in CA.

[icansortofmath]

As soon as I read you want to go back to and work in CA, I thought Berkley, not close.