University of California - Berkeley

While law school is still law school, UC Berkeley is a better place than others to go through that painful process. If you are hoping to pursue a public interest career, Berkeley is a great school to consider because you won't be alone in that choice. It is true that the majority of law grads go into firm work, but Berkeley has a sizable group of students who will be entering the public sector. Finding a supportive, like-minded community is the key to surviving law school, and I have been blown away... Read More by some of the people I've met here. While Berkeley still has a way to go in terms of increasing diversity, I know that the school is attentive to this issue. Prop 209 has hit the school hard and you see the effects not only in the composition of the student body, but also in the faculty. That being said, the faculty are engaged and students are super involved, so it is often an inspiring place to learn.

Pro: Like all law schools, there is a competitive spirit at Boalt. However, unlike most law schools, Boalt still manages to offer a collegial and supportive work environment among classmates. Prior to law school, I had heard horror stories about students tearing out the pages of library casebooks and materials, so the other students would not have access to them. Therefore, I freaked out when I was out sick for a week within my first month of law school. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised when... Read More people I barely knew or did not know at all were offering me their notes when I returned. Pro/Con: The Boalt grading system can be perceived as both a pro and a con. Boalt does not utilize the typical "A, B, C" grading system nor provide students with their class rank. As such, the school work environment is not nearly as cutthroat as other schools. Furthermore, unlike most schools, students do not have to provide their class rank to potential employers and thus gain access to more job opportunities. Boalt's grading system may not be commonplace, but students do still in fact receive grades. However, some employers do not understand or like the system, and thus may view it negatively against another school. As such, this can sometimes adversely affect employment opportunities.