Top Law Coach School Profile: UC Berkeley School of Law
My Top Line: Berkeley Law is inarguably the best law school west of the Mississippi, besides Stanford, exceptionally small and selective. Berkeley Law students run the gamut, but you may feel most at home if you are comfortable arguing over activist tactics, equity and inclusion, and regulating markets to promote policy goals. While Berkeley Law is well respected nationwide, it makes the most sense for aspiring West Coast lawyers, particularly those hoping to break into the highly competitive legal markets of the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Seattle.
UC Berkeley School of Law, also known as Berkeley Law, is located near San Francisco in Berkeley, California. Berkeley Law was established in 1894 and is one of the oldest law schools in the country. The school is consistently ranked within the top 10 law schools in the United States in lists published by various credible law school reviewing forums and publications.
Is Berkeley Law Hard To Get Into?
Berkeley Law is one of the highest-ranking law schools in the United States and one of the most competitive law institutions in the world. The school had an acceptance rate of 13.7 percent in 2021, higher than some of the other renowned law schools like Yale Law.
What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Berkeley Law?
If you want to get admitted to Berkeley Law, you should apply with a GPA of at least 3.74. The 25th and 75th percentiles of GPA needed for admission at Berkeley Law were 3.74 and 3.92, respectively. The median GPA was 3.81, the highest median GPA recorded in the last decade (2011-2021).
What LSAT Score Do I Need To Get Into Berkeley Law?
You should apply to Berkeley Law with an LSAT score of at least 165. The 25th and 75th percentiles of LSAT scores for admission at UC Berkeley were 165 and 171, respectively. The median LSAT score was 169, the highest recorded median LSAT score in the last decade. Like the GPA requirements, Berkeley Law’s LSAT score requirements have shown minimal variation throughout the past decade. If you did not take the LSAT, you could also apply to Berkeley Law with your GRE scores.
[Next Read: Law School Admissions Trends Since the Pandemic]
Is Berkeley Law a Good School?
Berkeley Law is widely considered one of the best law schools in the United States. It is ranked within the top three public law schools in the country.
Berkeley Law Ranking
Berkeley Law is one of the highest-ranked law schools in the United States. In 2022, the U.S. News & World Report, one of the most credible sources for law school rankings, placed Berkeley as the ninth best law school in the country. U.S. News & World Report has consistently placed Berkeley Law in the prestigious top fourteen (T14) schools in the top law school rankings each year.
Berkeley Law Acceptance Rate
Berkeley Law had an acceptance rate of 13.7 percent for the Fall 2021 admissions. Of those accepted, around 384 students, or 32 percent, enrolled full-time in the 1L class for Fall 2021.
Berkeley Law Graduation Outcomes
According to the latest available employment data from 2020, the median salary for 2016-17 Berkeley Law graduates was $160,316. Approximately 43.5 percent of the 2018 graduates made at least $180,000. Of the 327 total Berkeley Law Class of 2021 graduates, 58.1 percent were employed in national law firms, 15.3 percent in public service, 7.6 percent in federal clerkships, and 2.8 percent in small law firms throughout the country.
How Much Does Berkeley Law Cost?
According to the 2019-20 data, the average tuition at Berkeley Law was $52,016 for California residents and $55,346 for non-residents. The total cost of living in Berkeley, California, including books and living expenses, was $31,244. This amount has increased by 1.7 percent per year over the last five years for residents and 1.29 percent for non-residents. About 29.5 percent of students paid the full price of tuition, with the remaining 70.5 percent securing discounts on tuition through scholarships. Half of those students with scholarships successfully secured at least $25,000.
Berkeley Law does not provide any conditional scholarships to students. You can learn more about scholarships and student financial aid on the school’s official website.
Does Berkeley Law Accept the GRE?
In addition to the LSAT, Berkeley Law accepts standardized tests like the GRE. The school started offering applicants to submit GRE or GMAT scores in place of LSAT scores during 2019-20 admissions for a limited three-year pilot program under exceptional circumstances. All GRE scores from the past five years are reported with your GRE score history. Berkeley Law reserves the right to reject your application if it does not comply with the school’s admissions policy.
[Check out Top Law Coach School Profiles of NYU Law, Cornell Law, and UC Irvine Law]
