I am thinking about it lately. I am pretty convinced that I want to attend Berkeley, however UCLA has offered me 20,000$ financial aid.

If it was another T14 school, I'd definitely take the offer, however UCLA is ranked 17 and Berkeley is considered much better and one of the best institutions in the world.

What do you think? Should I attend Berkeley without financial aid? or UCLA with 20,000$?

Unless money is a big issue, I would choose Berkeley. As you said, it is a much better school and the llm is something that you will take for the rest of your life. The 20k wont make such a difference in a couple pf years. Dont get me wrong, it is a lot of money, but I think the difference between the schools compensates that.

Unless money is a big issue, I would choose Berkeley. As you said, it is a much better school and the llm is something that you will take for the rest of your life. The 20k wont make such a difference in a couple pf years. Dont get me wrong, it is a lot of money, but I think the difference between the schools compensates that.

They want you more, go for UCLA. Not everyone can have a scholarship like you. Unless you are a millionaire go for UCLA .. After all, it is a strong school in one of the best places in the world. The idea of having a strong scholarship in a strong school is a dream to every student and a proof of outstanding application.

Anyway, whatever you choose it will be a good choice with some advantages of each .. I would love a position like that next year when I apply for universities ;) .

I think the most important thing is to think about 1) why you are doing an LL.M 2) how will your choice of school have an impact on what you wish to do after your LL.M

So if Berkeley will help you significantly more than UCLA to achieve your goal, then yes it will be worth those 20k.

I agree with the above. It all depends on what you want. I know few people that turned down Berkley for schorlaship at UCLA. Also remember that a scholarship is something that looks really nice on your cv :)

Thanks for all the insightful comments, I have just accepted Berkeley's offer since I believe it is worth the 20,000$ difference.

Hi there! It was useful to read what people are saying about Berkeley.
Because I am recently in a choice between Berkeley, Cornell and Georgetown. I am on a waiting list at NYU. They are all in different location and considered to be good schools. However, I am trying to make best choice in terms of future employment at US...and have broad idea what would be the best...
Would appreciate any insights of my best choice. Please comment.

Hi there! It was useful to read what people are saying about Berkeley.
Because I am recently in a choice between Berkeley, Cornell and Georgetown. I am on a waiting list at NYU. They are all in different location and considered to be good schools. However, I am trying to make best choice in terms of future employment at US...and have broad idea what would be the best...
Would appreciate any insights of my best choice. Please comment.

Thank you for quick reply. Well, I am thinking about 1. International or Business law or 2.Environmental Law (green energy/geothermal to be more precise, which is not as far as I know very developed as it is currently).
As far as I am international trade lawyer (no legal practice yet) and I hold Executive MBA degree I guess that would be logical for me to choose International, business direction..
According to the ranks I have checked, Berkeley is considered to be #5 in Internationale law and #3 Environmental Law. They also offer Energy & Clean Technology Cert. if chosen. They enroll 145 students.
Georgetown is #3 in International law and #9 Environmental law. Option there is only Internatinal legal studies for foreign lawyers which I applied to. They enroll more than 100 students.
New York University School (waiting list) is Intl Bus Reg, Liti & Arbitration. Plus advanced Certificate in Law and Business Program.
Cornell Law School is a general LLM program with 55-65 LL.M students accepted.
I wonder how the number of enrolled LLM students influence the quality of knowledge one is getting and again what is the best choice for future employment...

Your situation is quite contrary to me. I am admitted to NYU but waitlisted by Berkeley. But as I pursue an IP related course and teaching career in the future, I am still waiting for Berkeley's final decision. If I intend to get a job as an attorney in the US, I would not hesitate to choose NYU. The job market of NYC would be far much bigger than that of California, I think.

Thank you for quick reply. Well, I am thinking about 1. International or Business law or 2.Environmental Law (green energy/geothermal to be more precise, which is not as far as I know very developed as it is currently).
As far as I am international trade lawyer (no legal practice yet) and I hold Executive MBA degree I guess that would be logical for me to choose International, business direction..
According to the ranks I have checked, Berkeley is considered to be #5 in Internationale law and #3 Environmental Law. They also offer Energy & Clean Technology Cert. if chosen. They enroll 145 students.
Georgetown is #3 in International law and #9 Environmental law. Option there is only Internatinal legal studies for foreign lawyers which I applied to. They enroll more than 100 students.
New York University School (waiting list) is Intl Bus Reg, Liti & Arbitration. Plus advanced Certificate in Law and Business Program.
Cornell Law School is a general LLM program with 55-65 LL.M students accepted.
I wonder how the number of enrolled LLM students influence the quality of knowledge one is getting and again what is the best choice for future employment...

Hey,

I'm a domestic student from California and I just wanted to throw in that although Berkeley is better ranked than UCLA, if you are planning on practicing/working in California, there is not much of a difference between the two schools. Both UC Berkeley and UCLA are public University of California schools, ranked #1 and #2, respectively. Within California, employers do not recognize much of a difference between the two, so I would say if you wanted to be in Southern California, choose UCLA because you will make better professional contacts (and you're getting $20K, which is HUGE, and I personally would not turn down), but if you want to be in the Bay Area, choose Berkeley.

Beyond California, however, Berkeley does have more international weight. If you plan on working in NY, choose NYU for sure, as it is tough to break into the NY job market without the professional contacts you would get from attending a school there.

Good luck, you have great options!