Georgetown (37K) vs. Berkeley (Environment and Energy Law)


Anon2022

I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance!

[Edited by Anon2022 on Apr 03, 2022]

I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance!
quote
Anon2022

Does anyone have any insight on this?

I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance!

Does anyone have any insight on this? [quote]I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance! [/quote]
quote
UnleashedS...

Does anyone have any insight on this?
I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance!


Dear Anon2022,

would you mind expanding on your

- background (which jurisdiction (I see/believe India), (if) years and type of legal experience, age range, etc...);
- short-term and long-term goals; and
- your own thoughts (cons/pros in your opinion for each choice),

so as to be able to best advise you precisely on which program would suit your expectations.

Best,

1f48eUnleashedSoul1f48e

[quote]Does anyone have any insight on this? [quote]I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance! [/quote] [/quote]<br><br>Dear Anon2022,
<div>
</div><div>would you mind expanding on your
</div><div>
</div><div>- background (which jurisdiction (I see/believe India), (if) years and type of legal experience, age range, etc...);
</div><div>- short-term and long-term goals; and
</div><div>- your own thoughts (cons/pros in your opinion for each choice),
</div><div>
</div><div>so as to be able to best advise you precisely on which program would suit your expectations.
</div><div>
</div><div>Best,
</div><div>
</div><div>:gem:UnleashedSoul:gem:</div>
quote
Sherlocked

@UnleashedSoul, how did you figure out India? Shooting in the dark? 1f9d0

@UnleashedSoul, how did you figure out India? Shooting in the dark?&nbsp;:face-wit-monocle:
quote
Anon2022

Oh I believe that information came from my profile 1f600 

@UnleashedSoul, how did you figure out India? Shooting in the dark? 1f9d0

Oh I believe that information came from my profile :grinning:&nbsp;[quote]@UnleashedSoul, how did you figure out India? Shooting in the dark?&nbsp;:face-wit-monocle: [/quote]
quote
Anon2022

Dear @UnleashedSoul, thank you so much for taking the time to ask for further details. To give you some background: 

- you’re correct. I am from India and have worked in the general corporate industry for 2.5 years. I’ve recently turned 26. I was involved with a firm and practiced matters relating to mergers and acquisitions. I’ve done some regulatory work and that has piqued my interest in a shift in line of work. 
- my short term goals is to try and gain experience from the American market (I’m open to the European market as well) to engage in transactions involving clean tech deals, sustainable development, climate change reporting by conglomerates, etc. my long term goals involve assimilating the information gathered from these experiences and bring about a positive change / contribution to my country. 

- my thoughts on Berkeley and it’s program : UCB is rated 9 and the environmental law course #1 in the country - that’s not necessarily a number you ignore. UCB let’s me write the Cal bar which doesn’t need me to take additional courses to be eligible leaving me with more room for educational courses closer to my area of interest. The weather is wonderful. It’s near San Francisco and i would really enjoy working on the west coast since I’m not a fan of the cold weather. It’s a well known brand name back in India. 

Cons - it’s an expensive place to live in - Cal Bar is the hardest to crack, there isn’t a guarantee I’ll get a job. I haven’t received any aid. 


- Georgetown: I’ve gotten an incredible scholarship, it’s in DC and not a student town so I’ll have a lot more connections and ability to meet these connections over say lunch and coffee and these things will help me network which I’ve heard is key in getting placed. It’s in DC. Cons - I have to take certain courses to write NY bar - restricted course options. It’s cold - it’s not ranked as well as Berkeley and many people back home don’t even know about it’s existence. 

These are my thoughts and my dilemma and any advice you may have will be like a lifeline in this problem that seems like a good problem to hve but is fairly daunting. Again, thank you. 

Does anyone have any insight on this?
I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance!


Dear Anon2022,



would you mind expanding on your



- background (which jurisdiction (I see/believe India), (if) years and type of legal experience, age range, etc...);

- short-term and long-term goals; and

- your own thoughts (cons/pros in your opinion for each choice),



so as to be able to best advise you precisely on which program would suit your expectations.



Best,



1f48eUnleashedSoul1f48e

[Edited by Anon2022 on Apr 03, 2022]

Dear @UnleashedSoul, thank you so much for taking the time to ask for further details. To give you some background:&nbsp;<br><br>- you’re correct. I am from India and have worked in the general corporate industry for 2.5 years. I’ve recently turned 26. I was involved with a firm and practiced matters relating to mergers and acquisitions. I’ve done some regulatory work and that has piqued my interest in a shift in line of work.&nbsp;<br>- my short term goals is to try and gain experience from the American market (I’m open to the European market as well) to engage in transactions involving clean tech deals, sustainable development, climate change reporting by conglomerates, etc. my long term goals involve assimilating the information gathered from these experiences and bring about a positive change / contribution to my country.&nbsp;<br><br>- my thoughts on Berkeley and it’s program : UCB is rated 9 and the environmental law course #1 in the country - that’s not necessarily a number you ignore. UCB let’s me write the Cal bar which doesn’t need me to take additional courses to be eligible leaving me with more room for educational courses closer to my area of interest. The weather is wonderful. It’s near San Francisco and i would really enjoy working on the west coast since I’m not a fan of the cold weather. It’s a well known brand name back in India.&nbsp;<br><br>Cons - it’s an expensive place to live in - Cal Bar is the hardest to crack, there isn’t a guarantee I’ll get a job. I haven’t received any aid.&nbsp;<br><br><br>- Georgetown: I’ve gotten an incredible scholarship, it’s in DC and not a student town so I’ll have a lot more connections and ability to meet these connections over say lunch and coffee and these things will help me network which I’ve heard is key in getting placed. It’s in DC. Cons - I have to take certain courses to write NY bar - restricted course options. It’s cold - it’s not ranked as well as Berkeley and many people back home don’t even know about it’s existence.&nbsp;<br><br>These are my thoughts and my dilemma and any advice you may have will be like a lifeline in this problem that seems like a good problem to hve but is fairly daunting. Again, thank you.&nbsp;<br>[quote][quote]Does anyone have any insight on this? [quote]I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance! [/quote] [/quote]<br><br>Dear Anon2022,<br>
<div><br>
</div><div>would you mind expanding on your<br>
</div><div><br>
</div><div>- background (which jurisdiction (I see/believe India), (if) years and type of legal experience, age range, etc...);<br>
</div><div>- short-term and long-term goals; and<br>
</div><div>- your own thoughts (cons/pros in your opinion for each choice),<br>
</div><div><br>
</div><div>so as to be able to best advise you precisely on which program would suit your expectations.<br>
</div><div><br>
</div><div>Best,<br>
</div><div><br>
</div><div>:gem:UnleashedSoul:gem:</div> [/quote]
quote
UnleashedS...

@UnleashedSoul, how did you figure out India? Shooting in the dark? 1f9d0


Simple due diligence, fellow colleague 1f609.

[quote]@UnleashedSoul, how did you figure out India? Shooting in the dark?&nbsp;:face-wit-monocle: [/quote]<br><br>Simple due diligence, fellow colleague&nbsp;:wink:.
quote
UnleashedS...

Dear @UnleashedSoul, thank you so much for taking the time to ask for further details. To give you some background: 

- you’re correct. I am from India and have worked in the general corporate industry for 2.5 years. I’ve recently turned 26. I was involved with a firm and practiced matters relating to mergers and acquisitions. I’ve done some regulatory work and that has piqued my interest in a shift in line of work. 
- my short term goals is to try and gain experience from the American market (I’m open to the European market as well) to engage in transactions involving clean tech deals, sustainable development, climate change reporting by conglomerates, etc. my long term goals involve assimilating the information gathered from these experiences and bring about a positive change / contribution to my country. 

- my thoughts on Berkeley and it’s program : UCB is rated 9 and the environmental law course #1 in the country - that’s not necessarily a number you ignore. UCB let’s me write the Cal bar which doesn’t need me to take additional courses to be eligible leaving me with more room for educational courses closer to my area of interest. The weather is wonderful. It’s near San Francisco and i would really enjoy working on the west coast since I’m not a fan of the cold weather. It’s a well known brand name back in India. 

Cons - it’s an expensive place to live in - Cal Bar is the hardest to crack, there isn’t a guarantee I’ll get a job. I haven’t received any aid. 


- Georgetown: I’ve gotten an incredible scholarship, it’s in DC and not a student town so I’ll have a lot more connections and ability to meet these connections over say lunch and coffee and these things will help me network which I’ve heard is key in getting placed. It’s in DC. Cons - I have to take certain courses to write NY bar - restricted course options. It’s cold - it’s not ranked as well as Berkeley and many people back home don’t even know about it’s existence. 

These are my thoughts and my dilemma and any advice you may have will be like a lifeline in this problem that seems like a good problem to hve but is fairly daunting. Again, thank you. 



Dear Anon2022, 


Thanks for sharing a bit more about your background and goals.

Let’s start off by saying that the financial metrics matter here. GT at 50%, or Berkeley at sticker, are two completely different things, regardless of your specialty. On top of that, we have to take into account the difference in COL (cost of living) between Washington and California. California is definitely the more expensive package here, although maybe the “more fun” experience. 

As I usually mention in my other threads, I remain of the firm opinion that no US LL.M. is worth sticker price other than HY under specific circumstances (Harvard/Yale). 

Surprisingly, GT has a huge class of LL.M. students (similar to NYU). This can take away from the more personalized experience. Indeed, as you mentioned, Berkeley has a bigger marketability than GT. However, it seems from the curriculum that GT has a much better environmental/energy law course offering – take a look at it yourself. You mentioned GT not being known at all in India. I can’t really imagine this. I mean, GT is still one of the most famous schools in the world, however, I will agree that it is not on par with Berkeley as far as reputation goes. 

Policy-wise, the more “progressive” approach in the State of California, combined with Berkeley’s historic tradition, the Bay Area, etc…, offers a more “open” environment for you to dive in. California is also home to a lot of different types of employers (organizations, firms, public entities, etc…). On the other hand, Washington/DC is not to be underestimated (IMF, NGOs, Firms, etc…). I do believe you could potentially get a lot of networking going on in DC. Not to forget, you could take the Amtrak and travel to NYC if need be for interviews or to spend a few weekends.

I think you need to disregard the rankings for your decision, I do not see them mattering that much in your case. This is really about what matters to you: do you want the best LL.M. experience while also (potentially) going back home with a marketable brand (e.g., really the once in a lifetime type of stuff)? Then go with Berkeley. But, if you want to go the more specialized path, really push your networking and hard skills to the limit, and pay slightly less, I would take GT. I personally do not think Berkeley is worth 37K more. 

Visit your bank, take a sheet of paper, note down the numbers, calculate everything, and see where you land. You need to estimate how much those 37K will impact your life in the next 2 to 3 years. 

To summarize, 

-       GT: Course Specialty, Localization (DC/NY Market, etc…), Lower Cost of Living, Lower Cost of Tuition.

-       Berkeley: Brand, Marketability, Experience, California Life, Higher Cost of Living, Higher Cost of Tuition. 

It is important that you consider the outcome of your decision as an investment. You want to get your money’s worth, so simply ask yourself, is 37K worth the difference in experience/investment?  

I hope this helps. 

Best, 

1f48eUnleashedSoul 1f48e

P.S.: as far as Europe goes, Georgetown is famous and is as marketable as NYU or Berkeley.

[Edited by UnleashedSoul on Apr 03, 2022]

[quote]Dear @UnleashedSoul, thank you so much for taking the time to ask for further details. To give you some background:&nbsp;<br><br>- you’re correct. I am from India and have worked in the general corporate industry for 2.5 years. I’ve recently turned 26. I was involved with a firm and practiced matters relating to mergers and acquisitions. I’ve done some regulatory work and that has piqued my interest in a shift in line of work.&nbsp;<br>- my short term goals is to try and gain experience from the American market (I’m open to the European market as well) to engage in transactions involving clean tech deals, sustainable development, climate change reporting by conglomerates, etc. my long term goals involve assimilating the information gathered from these experiences and bring about a positive change / contribution to my country.&nbsp;<br><br>- my thoughts on Berkeley and it’s program : UCB is rated 9 and the environmental law course #1 in the country - that’s not necessarily a number you ignore. UCB let’s me write the Cal bar which doesn’t need me to take additional courses to be eligible leaving me with more room for educational courses closer to my area of interest. The weather is wonderful. It’s near San Francisco and i would really enjoy working on the west coast since I’m not a fan of the cold weather. It’s a well known brand name back in India.&nbsp;<br><br>Cons - it’s an expensive place to live in - Cal Bar is the hardest to crack, there isn’t a guarantee I’ll get a job. I haven’t received any aid.&nbsp;<br><br><br>- Georgetown: I’ve gotten an incredible scholarship, it’s in DC and not a student town so I’ll have a lot more connections and ability to meet these connections over say lunch and coffee and these things will help me network which I’ve heard is key in getting placed. It’s in DC. Cons - I have to take certain courses to write NY bar - restricted course options. It’s cold - it’s not ranked as well as Berkeley and many people back home don’t even know about it’s existence.&nbsp;<br><br>These are my thoughts and my dilemma and any advice you may have will be like a lifeline in this problem that seems like a good problem to hve but is fairly daunting. Again, thank you.&nbsp;<br> [/quote] [/quote]<br><br><br><div>Dear Anon2022,&nbsp;</div><br><br><br>Thanks for sharing a bit more about your background and goals.<br><br>Let’s start off by saying that the financial metrics matter here. GT at 50%, or Berkeley at sticker, are two completely different things, regardless of your specialty. On top of that, we have to take into account the difference in COL (cost of living) between Washington and California.&nbsp;California is definitely the more expensive package here, although maybe the “more fun” experience.&nbsp;<br><br>As I usually mention in my other threads, I remain of the firm opinion that no US LL.M. is worth sticker price other than HY under specific circumstances (Harvard/Yale).&nbsp;<br><br>Surprisingly, GT has a huge class of LL.M. students (similar to NYU).&nbsp;This can take away from the more personalized experience. Indeed, as you mentioned, Berkeley has a bigger marketability than GT. However, it seems from the curriculum that GT has a much better environmental/energy law course offering – take a look at it yourself.&nbsp;You mentioned GT not being known at all in India.&nbsp;I can’t really imagine this. I mean, GT is still one of the most famous schools in the world, however, I will agree that it is not on par with&nbsp;Berkeley as far as reputation goes.&nbsp;<br><br>Policy-wise, the more “progressive” approach in the State of California, combined with Berkeley’s historic tradition, the Bay Area, etc…, offers a more “open” environment for you to dive in. California is also home to a lot of different types of employers (organizations, firms, public entities, etc…). On the other hand, Washington/DC is not to be underestimated (IMF, NGOs, Firms, etc…). I do believe you could potentially get a lot of networking going on in DC. Not to forget, you could take the Amtrak and travel to NYC if need be for interviews or to spend a few weekends.<br><br>I think you need to disregard the rankings for your decision, I do not see them mattering that much in your case. This is really about what matters to you: do you want the best LL.M. experience while also (potentially) going back home with a marketable brand (e.g., really the once in a lifetime type of stuff)? Then go with Berkeley. But, if you want to go the more specialized path, really push your networking and hard skills to the limit, and pay slightly less, I would take GT. I personally do not think Berkeley is worth 37K more.&nbsp;<br><br>Visit your bank, take a sheet of paper, note down the numbers, calculate everything, and see where you land. You need to estimate how much those 37K will impact your life in the next 2 to 3 years.&nbsp;<br><br>To summarize,&nbsp;<br><br>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;GT: Course Specialty, Localization (DC/NY Market, etc…), Lower Cost of Living, Lower Cost of Tuition.<br><br>-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Berkeley: Brand, Marketability, Experience, California Life, Higher Cost of Living, Higher Cost of Tuition.&nbsp;<br><br>It is important that you consider the outcome of your decision as an investment. You want to get your money’s worth, so simply ask yourself, is 37K worth the difference in experience/investment? &nbsp;<br><br>I hope this helps.&nbsp;<br><br>Best,&nbsp;<br><br>:gem:UnleashedSoul&nbsp;:gem:<br><br>P.S.: as far as Europe goes, Georgetown is famous and is as marketable as NYU or Berkeley.<br>
quote
Chris1225

Hi @Anon2022, which program did you finally choose? Was your scholarship part of any particular fund/track or general merit scholarship? I ask because I got admitted with a grant too but was wondering if they would increase it upon request. 



I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance!

Hi @Anon2022, which program did you finally choose? Was your scholarship part of any particular fund/track or general merit scholarship? I ask because I got admitted with a grant too but was wondering if they would increase it upon request.&nbsp;<br><br><br><br>[quote]I’ve been admitted to GT with a 37K waiver and no aid from Berkeley. I’m not sure where to go. If anyone has any advice / tips / observations I would be grateful to hear them. Thank you so much, in advance! [/quote]
quote

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