<p>Did you not read his post? Or my discussion? His financial aid <em>and</em> 1L summer job prospects will both be different, and loan repayment options are different. That $47K erodes pretty rapidly when you consider these things. (Cost of living will bring it back up a little, but Berkeley is also pretty expensive. It’s not like we’re comparing to Charlottesville.)</p>
<p>I would argue strongly that Columbia is a better law school – faculty, opportunities, student caliber. Just as importantly, the OP has always been in California and the networking, experience, and knowledge of the country will be enhanced by crossing coasts. (I would tell somebody from Jersey to go to Stanford over Columbia, for example.)</p>
<p>I grew up in Berkeley; I very nearly attended CLS; my circle of closest friends includes 2 Boalt students, a CLS student, and a CLS alum; I visit both schools on a regular basis. I’m very familiar with both programs and would urge the OP to take Columbia.</p>