Hi everyone,
I am a French-Canadian law student and I have been admitted to UCLA (with a 30k scholarship) and Berkeley (with no scholarship). My law interests are international/comparative/human rights law. I know that Berkeley's ranking is better than UCLA, however I am wondering if the 30k price difference is really worth it... My objective is not necessarily to stay in the US after, but mainly to have a international/renown LLM degree and to research about migration and human trafficking/forced labour during my LLM. Both programs seem to have great clinics/courses about this topic, so I am wondering if there is really a plus-value in terms of recognition or employability by going to Berkeley at full price instead of UCLA with a scholarship.

Thank you !!

[Edited by Meli on Mar 10, 2018]

Both are big names. Take a look at the strength of the faculty at both schools and how supportive they'll be of you. Who has the best profs in trafficking and labours law? Also, look at the strengths of the career resources too.

Same
Problem here!

I agree with blink182. From my perception UCLA has a stronger academic profile in human rights etc which might also apply to your particular interests.

My feeling is also that the difference in rankings is definitely not worth a 30k price difference. UCLA is definitely an internationally renown law school that has recently gained momentum climbing the ranking ladder. Thus, the supposed gap appears to be narrowing down.

I agree - the difference in ranking is not worth 30k. UCLA and Berkeley are not very far apart in terms of standing. Think about it this way: it'll be 30k less that you'll have to worry about after your LLM, when you start working.

Thank you guys !! your insights are very helpful

Exactly, putting money into perspective makes sense at this point. 30k roughly equals the price tag for the basic version of a Tesla 3 (might work as a unit of account in California).

[Super-cynic ON] Always remember that everyone here might have an incentive to persuade you to choose a lower-ranked law school, either to make space for themselves, or to make themselves feel better about their choicea and acceptances/rejections.

[Super-cynic OFF] Yeah, I'd probably take UCLA on a 30k. It's close though, and I'd surely choose Berkeley if the difference was less (like 15k).

Hi everyone,

I am a French law student and I have been admitted to UCLA with a $20 000 financial aid and Berkeley, with no scholarship.

My law interests are business/corporate/commercial law. I read all your replies regarding last year's post, but allowed myself to post mine as it is not the same subject and that you might have some more info!

My goal is to be able to work in the US afterwards, I don't know if it makes a difference regarding the choice of school, but thought I should share!

Thank you for your replies!

Chose the best, not the cheapest.

Hi everyone,

I am a French law student and I have been admitted to UCLA with a $20 000 financial aid and Berkeley, with no scholarship.

My law interests are business/corporate/commercial law. I read all your replies regarding last year's post, but allowed myself to post mine as it is not the same subject and that you might have some more info!

My goal is to be able to work in the US afterwards, I don't know if it makes a difference regarding the choice of school, but thought I should share!

Thank you for your replies!

[Edited by Louis Litt on Mar 08, 2019]

Hi everyone,
I am a French-Canadian law student and I have been admitted to UCLA (with a 30k scholarship) and Berkeley (with no scholarship). My law interests are international/comparative/human rights law. I know that Berkeley's ranking is better than UCLA, however I am wondering if the 30k price difference is really worth it... My objective is not necessarily to stay in the US after, but mainly to have a international/renown LLM degree and to research about migration and human trafficking/forced labour during my LLM. Both programs seem to have great clinics/courses about this topic, so I am wondering if there is really a plus-value in terms of recognition or employability by going to Berkeley at full price instead of UCLA with a scholarship.

Thank you !!

Hi everyone,

I am a French law student and I have been admitted to UCLA with a $20 000 financial aid and Berkeley, with no scholarship.

My law interests are business/corporate/commercial law. I read all your replies regarding last year's post, but allowed myself to post mine as it is not the same subject and that you might have some more info!

My goal is to be able to work in the US afterwards, I don't know if it makes a difference regarding the choice of school, but thought I should share!

Thank you for your replies!

Generally Berkley is far better than UCLA (Berkley is 9 in USNWR and 19 in THE, UCLA is 16 in USNWR and 21 in THE). Both universities will allow you to work in the USA (NY and CA) if you satisfy the requirements of a particular state's bar.
Taking into account that your plan is to practice in the USA, i would recommend you to choose Berkley, as it has far greater reputation in USA. LLM graduates are disadvantaged in comparison to JDs, and US law firm prefer to employ JD, not LLM graduate. Therefore you need to enhance you chance of employment as far as possible (generally law schools outside T14 are not considered to be nationally transferable in the USA). In such circumstances I would certainly choose Berkley. But if you plan to be employed in CA specifically, UCLA may be good option also(especially if your resources are scares), but I definitely encourage you to choose Berkley.

Berkeley's website says that LLM student can't transfer to its JD program (unlike UCLA but then I heard that's exceedingly difficult anyway). Of course you can apply as usual.

I am waiting for Berkeley to get back to me regarding a possible scholarship as well and also the possibility to transfer to the JD program.

[Edited by SEAZM on Mar 15, 2019]