Yale grad. I get lots of job offers just because I went to Yale, even 20 years later.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are the PPs lawyers?

No practicing lawyer would recommend turning down Yale for UC Berkeley.

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lol. yes. I am a practicing lawyer. The amount of debt you’d take on to go to Yale full pay is crippling if you want to have any sort of legal career outside of big law (and even within big law). if Berkeley is free that is a no-brainer. the only exception I suppose is if you want to be a professor in which case Yale has an advantage; but with the uncertainty of PSLF, you’re probably still looking at being sentenced to 3-4 years in big law to pay off those loans.

Yale has a loan repayment program if you work in public interest. I turned down a full scholarship at UVA for Yale.

I would choose Berkeley. There is a growing stigma against ivy law schools, especially Yale and Harvard - these days, they are viewed as elitist and out of touch with day-to-day practice. I have worked with a couple of Yale attorneys and understand why - super smart and super cerebral and academic, but not “street smart” or creative/saavy or willing to hustle. One in particular was kind of a laughing stock at the firm bc he was pretentious as hell. If you’re interested in being a law professor or going into politics or want that sort of ivory tower association, then go for it. But I think law schools like Berkeley, Georgetown, Columbia, Stanford produce better practicing attorneys. Some of the best attorneys I’ve worked with - the creative scrappy hustlers- went to second tier law schools.

Anonymous wrote:Yale offers generous need based aid. If you are paying full price at Yale, your family is likely already loaded, in which case, it makes the most sense to go to Yale b/c the price won't make much of a difference to you.

This is categorically untrue for Yale Law School. Financial aid is rather stingy unless you’re one of the 15% of students who qualify for the Hurst Scholarship (coming from family that makes 2x the poverty level, or less)

If you plan to practice in California, Berkeley. If not, Yale.

Yale opens doors for years. I’m a Fed mid career attorney getting ready to start applying to jobs when they shut my agency down, and grateful to have YLS on the resume even though I kind of hated it when there and suffered through 4 years of Biglaw to pay off the loans.

That said if you plan to stay in CA your whole career, Boalt is quite respected. But it isn’t respected in the same way on the East Coast. (No idea about Midwest.) Whereas YLS is known everywhere. So factor that in too.

My DH had to choose between a full ride at Columbia (with generous mentorship perks) vs. paying full sticker price at Harvard. He chose Harvard and has zero regrets.

Anonymous wrote:Family can pay but that would effect parent's retirement so hoping for an affordable option.

You can take on debt. Lots of law students do it.

Family can pay but that would effect parent's retirement so hoping for an affordable option.

What would your husband say?

Take by far. Husband is an academic at a top 20 law school and it makes a huge difference. Berkeley is a good school, but Yale is a step above. I would only say that about Harvard, Yale, Stanford. Any others I’d take the full ride at Berkeley.

While it is true that 90% of opportunities are probably available for both Yale and Berkeley law grades, the most "prestigious" of opportunities will be easier to pursue from Yale. As in, you can be middle of the pack at Yale and access these opportunities, vs. you'll need to be in the top 5% at Berkeley. The "average" YLS grad is significantly more impressive than the average Berkeley grad.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yale offers generous need based aid. If you are paying full price at Yale, your family is likely already loaded, in which case, it makes the most sense to go to Yale b/c the price won't make much of a difference to you.

Not necessarily true. If you are under 29, they expect parental contribution and many parents don't pay for law school. I advise clients applying and many need to pay their own way.

If your family is loaded, they will usually pay. If they won't, then sure it may make sense to go to Berkeley. I'd still go to YLS and work public service (including clerkship etc) for 10 years

Anonymous wrote:Yale offers generous need based aid. If you are paying full price at Yale, your family is likely already loaded, in which case, it makes the most sense to go to Yale b/c the price won't make much of a difference to you.

Not necessarily true. If you are under 29, they expect parental contribution and many parents don't pay for law school. I advise clients applying and many need to pay their own way.

Yale offers generous need based aid. If you are paying full price at Yale, your family is likely already loaded, in which case, it makes the most sense to go to Yale b/c the price won't make much of a difference to you.