UC Berkeley (Cal) through the eyes of a 2nd year (also how to get in)
Written: Dec 19 '01
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Prestige, Marketable degree, Academics, Diversity, People
Cons: Football team, Berkeley (the city), lack of housing
The Bottom Line: Marketable Degree. Great school, great professors! What more can I say? Go Bears!
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| calband36's Full Review: University of California-Berkeley |
I've already written a review on Cal, also known as University of California, Berkeley. I feel the need to write another review since I have experienced a different side of Cal since my last review (Freshman year). However, I will cover the basics: academics, housing, sports, etc., as well. (THE FIRST PART OF THE REVIEW IS HOW TO GET INTO CAL, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ THIS, JUST PLEASE SCROLL DOWN)
Getting In:
Since the 5th grade, I've wanted to go to Berkeley. Growing up in the San Francisco area, most people are either Stanford fans or Cal fans. I, myself, was and still is a Cal fan. So, choosing which school to apply to was not hard. However, getting in at Cal is hard. Although Stanford does have a lower acceptance rate, there are about 15,000 more people you have to compete with to get into Cal. So, my tip is: take advantage of ALL the honor and AP classes they offer you in high school. The common high school student or high school parent question is "should I get an A in a college prep class or a B in an honor or AP class." There is a simple answer to that question that a college counselor told me once, she said, "Our students get A's in honor and AP classes." Remember, the people you are competing with are number one in their high schools and are highly competitive!
Grades: try to get as a close to a 4.0! Or, if your gpa are weighted, try to make sure you get ATLEAST a 4.0
SAT: Try to do the best you can, but if you don't get a 1300, don't stress! Cal reviews ALL of their application TWICE! First, they accept people who have the high SAT scores and the high GPA. Then, they accept people who have GOOD grades, but have lower SATs. However, this second round of people who get accepted usually have an extra-curricular activity that they've showed a lot of commitment in! Don't try to do everything! Stick with activity and excell in it!
*note* This year, a resolution has been passed that everyone will receive a comprehensive review. So, in other words, an applicant cannot be based on SATs and grades alone. Chances are, an applicant's acceptance will probably be heavily based on extra-curricular activies or hardships. At least, more so than in the past. This is what they say, but who knows what really goes on behind close doors. Just remember that you still HAVE to out do others who get good grades, get good SAT scores, have an extra-curricular activity, and probably some type of hardship. Just to be safe, try your best to get good grades!
ACADEMICS:
To be honest with you, I never studied in high school. Maybe with the exception of AP calculus, I rarely studied for class. This will all change once you get into Cal. You have to read everything-- trust me! You will get your books, look at your syllabus and think "I don't need to read this article." And then, finals or the midterm will hit, and you'll realize that you should have read the article. Also, professors seem to forget that you have other classes. Your professors (yes, you will have professors in undergraduate courses) are always at the top of their league. It will not be uncommon for you to have a Nobel Laureate professor during your 1st year!
Because Cal is a large school, I'm sure many feel that their professors do not care about them. However, they do! Your professors are human too. Honestly, they really want people to go to their office hours. Unlike private schools, Cal will not baby you. Everything you need to succeed, like asking help from your professors, is available. However, just like in the real world, these services will not be handed to you. For example, I had a family emergency this semester. I was afraid that I would have to turn a paper in late or miss a midterm or even the final! I emailed all of my professors and talked to most of them and they were all very understanding! My professors even went out of their way to help me out! Professors, even at Cal, are approachable, and even nice human beings.
HOUSING
Everyone at Cal is guaranteed housing for one year. Most people take this guaranteed housing their first year. After that, you are on your own. There are Unit 1, 2, 3, Clark Kerr, Foothill, Bowles Hall, and Stern Hall. Unit 1,2,3 are on the southside of campus. They are typical dorms. There is nothing special about them. They are clean and close to campus--that's about it. I lived in Clark Kerr, which is a little farther than the rest of the dorms, but it's gorgeous! Trust me! The food is great as well. The rooms are about twice the size of the average room in the units, and they are cheaper. After you're out of the dorms, finding housing becomes painful. There are services to help you find housing, but goodluck! Eventually, everyone does find housing, but it takes a lot of time and patience. Surprisingly, this is not the university's fault. Which brings me to the next section, Berkeley--the "ungrateful" city.
BERKELEY- the EXTREMELY UNGRATEFUL city
I dislike Berkeley. First of all, the university was built before the city. The city just evolved around the university. The university brings in name recognition, revenues and media attention to the city, but the city council seem to forget about this. The city refuses to let the university to expand--thus, less housing. The city also want to get rid of all cars (at least this is their goal), so obtaining a parking permit TO PARK IN THE STREETS is extremely difficult and a waste of time. The city, is too ungrateful. If I can somehow transplant the university a few miles north, I would be happy.
BERKELEY-- all those liberal, pot smoking, hippies
In actuality, this is not the case. For the most part, the university is still heavily democratic and very liberal. However, the school also has one of the largest republican groups in any university. The only screaming liberals in the university do not even go to the university. For the most part, the only screaming liberals are the ones on city council. Also, there are no more hippies or punk looking people at Cal. The only ones who do flock to Berkeley for some hippie or punk-like experience are the street punks who will occasionally ask students for money as students walk down telegraph. For the most part, the univeristy is in a political stagnation. There are organizations that are heavily involved into their causes, but most students in Berkeley are worried about other things-- like passing a midterm or writing that paper on time.
SPORTS, EXTRA CURRICULAR THINGS...
As one can tell from my screenname, I am in the Cal Band. The Cal Band is the only student-run organization in the university. Also, we are one of the most recognizable. We do not get any units, grades or money to join the band. We just do it for the fun-- and getting into all the sport games for free.
Unfortunately, our football team has not been so great lately, but the school is working on that. But hey, our basketball team is great and our rugby team has won 11 national championships in a row!
The Greek scene here is not that large. Most people usually end up not joining a frat or a sorority. I guess most students are too busy studying to party. But, in all honesty, I party just as much as the average person- if not more and I'm still getting good grades.
Sum it up
Cal is a great school that's filled with so much history. I suggest visiting the campus to see for yourself. If you live close enough, visit twice. Visit in the middle of the semester, sometime in October or February. Then, visit at the end of the semester. That's the best way you'll get a feel for the students. You'll see the campus completely "chill" during the middle of the semester and when students have not slept for 4 days because of finals. Well, I hope this has helped you make your decision.
Go Bears!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
calband36
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Location: berkeley, ca
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
My opinions are MY opinions, NOT that of the Cal Band!
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