The environment is incredibly welcoming and you'll always find a place to fit in. It's definitely challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Personally, I adore it.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Don't just worry about grades. A lot of the students I know who got in had incredible extracurriculars, but only so-so grades. I had pretty good grades, but it hardly gave me an edge. Focus on personal growth, not just competition--so many people do and it's really not good for them or for getting the best out of their educational experience.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
I went almost immediately to my major upper division courses and it certainly was tough. I can only really speak to the linguistic department on a very informed basis, but if I were judging there alone, I would say we have the absolute best department. There is a lot of work for even the easiest class--remember that most people are coming in as the top of their class--but you get the hang of it all.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
I honestly hated the dorms. I'm very introverted and shared a room with two other girls. I liked them both, but it was a little too much to make a trip to the bathroom a social event. I hated the meal plan, but I'm the sort of person who prefers to cook for myself. That being said, I would definitely recommend it for freshman/first year--housing and cooking are then one less thing to adjust to.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Nothing will ever beat home meals, of course, but there are tons of restaurants that don't cost too much and taste pretty awesome. Then, of course, there's San Francisco. There are loads of grocery stores within walking or bus riding distance from the campus, including Berkeley Bowl which has incredibly cheap and amazing produce.
The school food isn't fantastic, but it's not as bad as it could be. I don't eat there now that I no longer have a meal plan. The food got exhaustingly repetitive, but it was definitely amazingly convenient.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
What isn't there to do! I'm not the partying type, but a lot of my friends are and they go to a lot of parties. There are academic and social clubs for every interest imaginable (and, if not, it's easy to start or revive a club) and, in general, one will always find a group with which they click almost perfectly. I love walking around Berkeley and going to SF, there's tons to see. Our libraries are awesome, too, if you like to read. There are loads of other things like Decals, classes which are taught by students on tons of different silly, fun subjects (e.g., James Bond).
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
I know that California Universities are expensive, but they're worth it. I don't think I've met anyone with more thorough classes, and I've never heard a student say they downright don't like Cal. I would recommend it every time and can't imagine someone who wouldn't fit in somewhere around here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There are so many. Rolling down a certain hill at the start of a semester to get a 4.0, hiking up to the Big C, and crazier things...... like the naked run that dozens of students do each semester, where they run through the Main Stacks library nude. School spirit is crazy here (though avoidable if, like me, you aren't into school spirit-stuff).
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Any. Introverts, extroverts, partiers, bookworms, anyone. I don't at all anticipate ever meeting anyone who doesn't fit at Berkeley in some way.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
I made my home the linguistics club on campus. I've tried a few clubs that were all very tight knit communities that were also very welcome. The students are awesome at planning fun activities and welcoming new people.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Unfortunately, I can't speak at all on Greek Life.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
While Berkeley is a little bit... iffy at times, there are a lot of safety measures in place for students. Phones surround campus that access emergency services immediate. We have a program called Bear Walk where you call someone and they walk you home at night. We also have night safety shuttles and all students get bus passes for each semester. I've also definitely lived in scarier neighborhoods in Southern California.
The environment is incredibly welcoming and you'll always find a place to fit in. It's definitely challenging, but incredibly rewarding. Personally, I adore it.
Don't just worry about grades. A lot of the students I know who got in had incredible extracurriculars, but only so-so grades. I had pretty good grades, but it hardly gave me an edge. Focus on personal growth, not just competition--so many people do and it's really not good for them or for getting the best out of their educational experience.
I went almost immediately to my major upper division courses and it certainly was tough. I can only really speak to the linguistic department on a very informed basis, but if I were judging there alone, I would say we have the absolute best department. There is a lot of work for even the easiest class--remember that most people are coming in as the top of their class--but you get the hang of it all.
I honestly hated the dorms. I'm very introverted and shared a room with two other girls. I liked them both, but it was a little too much to make a trip to the bathroom a social event. I hated the meal plan, but I'm the sort of person who prefers to cook for myself. That being said, I would definitely recommend it for freshman/first year--housing and cooking are then one less thing to adjust to.
Nothing will ever beat home meals, of course, but there are tons of restaurants that don't cost too much and taste pretty awesome. Then, of course, there's San Francisco. There are loads of grocery stores within walking or bus riding distance from the campus, including Berkeley Bowl which has incredibly cheap and amazing produce. The school food isn't fantastic, but it's not as bad as it could be. I don't eat there now that I no longer have a meal plan. The food got exhaustingly repetitive, but it was definitely amazingly convenient.
What isn't there to do! I'm not the partying type, but a lot of my friends are and they go to a lot of parties. There are academic and social clubs for every interest imaginable (and, if not, it's easy to start or revive a club) and, in general, one will always find a group with which they click almost perfectly. I love walking around Berkeley and going to SF, there's tons to see. Our libraries are awesome, too, if you like to read. There are loads of other things like Decals, classes which are taught by students on tons of different silly, fun subjects (e.g., James Bond).
I know that California Universities are expensive, but they're worth it. I don't think I've met anyone with more thorough classes, and I've never heard a student say they downright don't like Cal. I would recommend it every time and can't imagine someone who wouldn't fit in somewhere around here.
There are so many. Rolling down a certain hill at the start of a semester to get a 4.0, hiking up to the Big C, and crazier things...... like the naked run that dozens of students do each semester, where they run through the Main Stacks library nude. School spirit is crazy here (though avoidable if, like me, you aren't into school spirit-stuff).
Any. Introverts, extroverts, partiers, bookworms, anyone. I don't at all anticipate ever meeting anyone who doesn't fit at Berkeley in some way.
I made my home the linguistics club on campus. I've tried a few clubs that were all very tight knit communities that were also very welcome. The students are awesome at planning fun activities and welcoming new people.
Unfortunately, I can't speak at all on Greek Life.
While Berkeley is a little bit... iffy at times, there are a lot of safety measures in place for students. Phones surround campus that access emergency services immediate. We have a program called Bear Walk where you call someone and they walk you home at night. We also have night safety shuttles and all students get bus passes for each semester. I've also definitely lived in scarier neighborhoods in Southern California.