Hi everyone,

I'm currently trying to decide between Berkeley and UVA, and I'm finding it difficult to come to a decision. My main interests are antitrust and law & econ, and the schools seem just about idential on this--though I guess UVA doesn't have anyone of Robert Cooter's stature on L&E.

It also seems a bit difficult to turn down Berkeley, just on the stronger average signal that attaches to the whole institution. Charlottesville seems a nicer place to spend a year, however.

On the other hand, the offer is for thesis track with Berkeley, meaning 8 credits are through private research. Do you think this would put off employers?

Longer term, I'd like to practice in the US and maybe ultimately get into acadmia. Virginia seems the better bet for practice, as the dean of a Virginian law school can certify that your education is up to scratch, and this doesn't seem to be a general practice in CA.

Any thoughts on this dilemma would be very welcome!

I am an Antitrust Associate in my third year and I think that Berkeley is (in principle) a good choice for students interested in Antitrust. However, there are even more specialized programs. If you are also interested in IP then you should definitely choose Berkeley. You might think of attending a course dealing with both, IP and Antitrust (there are many topics in practice such as refusal to license...). Btw I am going to Berkeley ;-) but I am also particularly interested in human rights, IP and environmental law.

I dont know whether it is impressive for potential employers to choose the thesis track. Actually, I think that it doesn't make any difference. However, I think that you are not eligible for taking the New York bar exam when choosing the thesis track.

In my opinion you can't go wrong either way. I would probably pick Berkeley even for corporate if I had the choice, but I'll be attending UVA because I wasn't accepted at Berkeley :p

In general, you will only be better of academically in Berkeley for IP and Human Rights I think. You could consider other factors. As you have said it seems UVA better fits your needs for the future.

Thanks guys--just when I had my mind made up in favor of Berkeley NYU sent an offer... so it's back to the drawing board. Thanks for the info though!

For the record, I worked out bar exam reqs for foreign trained lawyers in california doing the LLM. Seems you need 12 credit hours of core subjects, so the thesis track can be OK.

Hi bork,

You mean you have received an admission from NYU recently?
If so, when did you receive it? Are you admitted from the waitlist of NYU?
I have been put on the waitlist of NYU and Berkeley, and am still waiting for the results.

M&Y: see your messages for NYU details.

I've been doing my research, and must say I'm a bit put off UCB by the politics of the place. There's the whole unpleasant business where the city council started harassing the marines (hardly the role of local government, whatever your views on the war).

Plus there are the Dean's *very* outspoken views on the recent presidential race. Where I come from, it would be considered highly inappropriate for a law school dean to take such a political stance. Points towards UVA, I must say.

I would pick Berkeley...

M&Y: see your messages for NYU details.

I've been doing my research, and must say I'm a bit put off UCB by the politics of the place. There's the whole unpleasant business where the city council started harassing the marines (hardly the role of local government, whatever your views on the war).

Plus there are the Dean's *very* outspoken views on the recent presidential race. Where I come from, it would be considered highly inappropriate for a law school dean to take such a political stance. Points towards UVA, I must say.

M&Y: see your messages for NYU details.

I've been doing my research, and must say I'm a bit put off UCB by the politics of the place. There's the whole unpleasant business where the city council started harassing the marines (hardly the role of local government, whatever your views on the war).

Plus there are the Dean's *very* outspoken views on the recent presidential race. Where I come from, it would be considered highly inappropriate for a law school dean to take such a political stance. Points towards UVA, I must say.

Agreed--and there are other (more serious) reasons to favor UVA. Not least the smaller class size and favorable perception amongst employers.

On free speech, I would observe that the US was not the first country to enjoy free speech; but that wasn't the point. I'm not denying the dean's right to speak--just whether it was a good idea in a professional capacity.

Agreed--and there are other (more serious) reasons to favor UVA. Not least the smaller class size and favorable perception amongst employers.

On free speech, I would observe that the US was not the first country to enjoy free speech; but that wasn't the point. I'm not denying the dean's right to speak--just whether it was a good idea in a professional capacity.