There is literally nothing holding you back at Berkeley from taking exactly the classes you want. In fact, the College of Letters and Science requires you to take classes in virtually every field. You might call that restrictive, but that would only prove you don't know Berkeley. A class like Physics for Future Presidents, which is essentially basic Physics, but the math is optional, is typical of L&S. We also have student-taught DeCals, with subjects ranging from gender studies to Batman to Star Wars to Lord of the Rings all the way back to a study of Berkeley in the sixties and the Free Speech movement. There's nothing stopping you from learning pretty much anything you want to learn.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
It feels like a big city but acts like a small town. People walk everywhere, and pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way (drivers get pretty confused when you try to wave them on). Franchises are pretty much eliminated, and (but?) no matter where you get food, it's good. The people are intelligent, concerned about the state of the world's _______ (fill this in with economy, health issues, morals, environment, etc.), and ultimately simply great people. There's no reason why anyone should be apprehensive about being at Cal academically, either. Yes, the classes are hard, but even the Nobel prizewinning professors help when asked, and so will any student.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Berkeley is THE best research university in the world. Fees are increasing, and that could be a problem, but if you're family income is below $70,000, they're totally free. For the most part, scholarship opportunities, grants, and student loans (good ones, not the private loans that cost an arm and a leg plus interest) balance out the high cost of living here. Research opportunities at Berkeley are as plentiful as frat parties at any school, including Berkeley ;)
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Apply for scholarships. Don't freak out. Make friends. Eat at the Asian Ghetto at least once a month. Visit (so you fall in love with the place). Wear good shoes (it's hilly). Bring fancy shoes (for ballroom dancing and/or for randomness).
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Outgoing, concerned, studious, energetic dreamers. But that's not to say the über-reserved, super-relaxed people have no place here. I'm one of them, and we get the royal treatment (because everyone else thinks we're insane).
There is literally nothing holding you back at Berkeley from taking exactly the classes you want. In fact, the College of Letters and Science requires you to take classes in virtually every field. You might call that restrictive, but that would only prove you don't know Berkeley. A class like Physics for Future Presidents, which is essentially basic Physics, but the math is optional, is typical of L&S. We also have student-taught DeCals, with subjects ranging from gender studies to Batman to Star Wars to Lord of the Rings all the way back to a study of Berkeley in the sixties and the Free Speech movement. There's nothing stopping you from learning pretty much anything you want to learn.
It feels like a big city but acts like a small town. People walk everywhere, and pedestrians ALWAYS have the right of way (drivers get pretty confused when you try to wave them on). Franchises are pretty much eliminated, and (but?) no matter where you get food, it's good. The people are intelligent, concerned about the state of the world's _______ (fill this in with economy, health issues, morals, environment, etc.), and ultimately simply great people. There's no reason why anyone should be apprehensive about being at Cal academically, either. Yes, the classes are hard, but even the Nobel prizewinning professors help when asked, and so will any student.
Berkeley is THE best research university in the world. Fees are increasing, and that could be a problem, but if you're family income is below $70,000, they're totally free. For the most part, scholarship opportunities, grants, and student loans (good ones, not the private loans that cost an arm and a leg plus interest) balance out the high cost of living here. Research opportunities at Berkeley are as plentiful as frat parties at any school, including Berkeley ;)
Apply for scholarships. Don't freak out. Make friends. Eat at the Asian Ghetto at least once a month. Visit (so you fall in love with the place). Wear good shoes (it's hilly). Bring fancy shoes (for ballroom dancing and/or for randomness).
Outgoing, concerned, studious, energetic dreamers. But that's not to say the über-reserved, super-relaxed people have no place here. I'm one of them, and we get the royal treatment (because everyone else thinks we're insane).