Hello everyone,

I know it's around the time where almost everyone has chosen where they're planning to go. I recently declined my Cornell offer and decided on Berkeley. It was not an easy choice.

My decision was based on overall reputation, ranking and from what I've heard from past alums (to both schools), Berkeley has a more cooperative feel amongst students and professors.

However, I keep having this one thought that will just not go away (and it's incredibly shallow), so here goes: While Berkeley ranks higher, Cornell will always be an Ivy.

I plan to go back to practicing law in an international law firm back home. Did I make the right choice? Do law firms value Ivy over ranking?

I don't know why I'm getting these thoughts now but I'm so confused and would like to share this with you guys. Please let me know what you think! Thank you :)

As far as reputations go, Berkeley has an excellent reputation, that far outstrips a lot of Ivy league schools.
I think law firms go by reputations of a particular program as opposed to arbitrary notions of a school being Ivy league.
Just my opinion though.

Thank you so much, Chinaman. Much appreciated :)

Thank you so much, Chinaman. Much appreciated :)

Not all ivies are better than non-ivies. Stanford is better than all ivies but Harvard and Yale. Same for Berkeley, it's much much better and more appreciated than Cornell.

Many thanks, guys! I had a brief moment of panic for some reason and I'm so glad to read your support and encouragement.

Thanks again! :)

Many thanks, guys! I had a brief moment of panic for some reason and I'm so glad to read your support and encouragement.

Thanks again! :)

onefish - Thank you. I received the admission email on March 17th and I had until April 7th to make my decision, I accepted it of course. Hope this helps! Good luck.

While attending an Ivy League school is a factor, it shouldn't be your reason for attending a school. Certainly, Berkeley is a more reputable school in terms of its law program. The Ivy League is a collegiate athletic competition. If Dartmouth (or Brown for that matter) had a law school, will you go there because it's an Ivy? You might want to reassess why you chose Berkeley over Cornell. If the Ivy tag is the only thing that bothers you, then you probably chose the right school.

Exactly! As I was examining all aspects of both schools, Berkeley truly trumped every thing Cornell had to offer in my opinion, which is why I ended up accepting Berkeley's offer.

Like I said, it was a brief shallow thought that crept in. The ONLY thing (for me) that I thought would even come close to a "plus" factor for Cornell was that it's an Ivy, and looking back, it still isn't enough of a good reason for me to decline Berkeley.

Brown or Dartmouth? Neither, to be honest. I see your point :)

Thanks!

You're all set then. It always helps to make your decision airtight, and what better way than to perhaps get some insight--or affirmation--from others in the same field. ;)

Best of luck!

I completely agree and for that, I'm very thankful :)

Best of luck to you, as well!