Any thoughts? I can't deny that finance is one of my main concerns. However, Harvard is like a dream come true. Will Berkeley with Full Tuition be considered inferior to Harvard?

Thanks

If I were you I'd go Harvard. Berkeley is a prestigious school but...Harvard is Harvard (I'm sure it's the dream school for most people on LLM Guide). In any case, CONGRATULATIONS, it's amazing that you got them both :)

Thanks a lot for your insights hatesWaiting. I really prefer Harvard but turning down full tuition is breaking every bone in my body...

Wow. That is amazing. Congratulations.

But Harvard it must be!

Slowbutsure: Tuition is expensive but you'd have the rest of your life to earn money. $45,000 is most likely way less than what you'd make in one year after you graduate. Consider that you're working life will probably last another 40 years, I'd say $45,000 barely registers :P

harvard. in the long run, it will pay off the full tuition.

Berkeley!!

Is it really worth it pay the whole thing just to have a name? Berkeley will give you the name you need.

Berkeley is an outstanding law school and you were waived the full tuition. What will Harvard do that Berkeley won't? People get so "anal" with Harvard when you have a tremendous opportunity there not to pay a single dime for tuition.

Take the scholarship and go to Berkeley. Much nicer city and I would say the same opportunities.

well... you would make the guys from the harvard waiting list happy... hehe...

harvard is the number one. it has got an irresistible reputation... think twice. I think, career opportunities of harvard alumnis are--in the long run--better. ;)

I see...what about if Harvard offers half-tuition waiver as against Berkeley's full tuition? I applied for financial aid and I requested half the tuition...I have also asked for an expedited decision on my financial aid from Harvard.

BTW...shouldn't admitted students at HLS have been given a username and password to log into admitted students webpage? I don't have such info...can someone please clarify?

Thanks

If they offer you half and you can afford the rest then take it.

But be honest to yourself! Is it really worth it to pay the whole thing and reject Berkeley.? No. BTW, I am a huge Berkeley fan.

While I do agree that you would reject like UCLA, Cornell or Vanderbilt with full tuition and go to Harvard, Berkeley is among the finest law schools in the globe and both are top 10. Don't make prestige tailor your judgment. Berkeley is a huge name to have in your CV and the same opportunities involved after you graduate.

But I do understand that for some people its must go school.

Good luck with your decision!

I'd choose Harvard because it would be unique.
BTW, I'll probably be in Berkeley in August.. ;)

i'd pick harvard because of it's superior reputation.

Does Berkeley give full tuition waiver? I thought they do not give full waivers, at least that is what they informed me when I had asked them.

"Because LL.M. program financial aid funds are extremely limited at this time, only partial awards (in the form of grants or tuition waivers) can be offered to a few students each year, based on need. No full fellowships are available."

http://www.law.berkeley.edu/195.htm

Anyway great to hear that someone actually made it!

I am keeping my fingers crossed. I hope to get a full tuition waiver as well. :)

Does Berkeley give full tuition waiver? I thought they do not give full waivers, at least that is what they informed me when I had asked them.

"Because LL.M. program financial aid funds are extremely limited at this time, only partial awards (in the form of grants or tuition waivers) can be offered to a few students each year, based on need. No full fellowships are available."

http://www.law.berkeley.edu/195.htm

Anyway great to hear that someone actually made it!

I am keeping my fingers crossed. I hope to get a full tuition waiver as well. :)

Lucky you! So it is Fullbright and not Berkeley Financial Aid Office? But do you have to specify a university when you apply for Fullbright? I mean how is one supposed to know what university one gets an offer from? The deadlines are sometime around July every year I guess. Isn't then, there a possibility of going off for you LLM at Harvard with the Fullbright?

I was not even eligible for a fullbright with a 2 year work experience. :l

Anyway congrats for the Fullbright and all the best to you! I am now keeping my fingers crossed for Berkeley Financial Aid Office's offer!

Just when I'm quite decided to go to Harvard, and offer from CLS arrived with 20,000 fee waiver!! Thought I would never hear from them. So I'm now stuck again with CLS with 20 grand v. HLS.

I'd love to be in NY, just for your information.

Congrats for CLS !!!!!

can you share your credentials with us Slowbutsure?

Thanks !

Just when I'm quite decided to go to Harvard, and offer from CLS arrived with 20,000 fee waiver!! Thought I would never hear from them. So I'm now stuck again with CLS with 20 grand v. HLS.

I'd love to be in NY, just for your information.

You heard from Columbia Today? I thought there were closed for spring break!

I think Berkeley is also closed for Spring Break now. I called them last Friday after I had received the financial assistance mail where they said that decisions will be made no later than 31st March; I was informed they would be closed till 26th for Spring Break. We can expect to hear something about award amounts between 28th and 31st.

And Columbia is closed for Spring Break alas! I still haven't heard anything from them. :l

Slowbutsure is extremely lucky I must say. :) Is there anyone else here who has heard from Berkeley and Columbia during Spring Break?

Berkeley.

Harvard may not help you much in this economic climate in finding a job and is not more than Berkeley plus $45000.