<p>I am a UCLA physics student, and I applied for transfer to Berkeley and just got admitted last Friday.</p>
<p>I'm transferring from UCLA mainly because it isn't challenging enough, and I've heard a lot of great things about UC Berkeley's physics program. At Berkeley, I know I will have the opportunity to learn from world class faculty members and get involved in significant research opportunities.</p>
<p>However, I recently talked to one of my professors who graduated with a Bachelor's degree in physics from Berkeley, and he said physics majors have to basically sacrifice any sort of social life in order to succeed at Berkeley. He said the department expects you to dedicate nearly all of your time to learning physics and doesn't leave you with much extra time for other activities.</p>
<p>Although I'm transferring because I want a more rigorous physics education, I'm not down to compromise my entire social life.</p>
<p>So my question is, what is it like as a physics major at Berkeley? Are the classes (the upper division ones) really that difficult, and if so, do they end up consuming your social life as well?</p>
<p>any input would be appreciated,
thanks guys!</p>
<p>Congrats on getting in! First time I ever heard of a physics major not having a rigorous enough course load, lol.</p>
<p>Most of my friends are engineers/physics majors so I’ll give some second hand information. It seems like physics isn’t a lot of actual work in comparison to engineering majors, where you have a ton of labs and projects. The thing about physics, from what I know, is that the exams are hard. Pretty much 95% of the people I know find physics really hard. I only know one person that aces physics but he also has straight As as an engineer and got into all of the ivy leagues as a high school senior. I think the point is that you will have to work really hard if you don’t get it but if you’re naturally smart then it shouldn’t take up that much of your time.</p>
<p>How are the grade distributions generally for upper division physics courses?
I’ve heard a lot of different things.</p>
<p>Some people say that hardly anyone gets A’s and I’ve heard that as many of 40% of the class can get A’s. I know it definitely varies from professor to professor, but I just wanted a general idea of how things are.</p>
<p>Mainly, I’m sure how going to Berkeley will affect my grades. I know I can stay at UCLA and maintain close to 4.0, but have the disadvantage of graduating from a somewhat mediocre university (at least in terms of physics)</p>
<p>Or I could go to Berkeley and graduate from an extremely distinguished physics department; however, if my grades drop considerably, then transferring may not be worth it.</p>
<p>I honestly can’t see the Physics program here at Berkeley being THAT much harder than the one at UCLA…While the professors and graduate students may be better (more famous) at Berkeley, the undergraduate students are of similar quality. Accordingly, your classes will probably be of similar difficulty.</p>
<p>I’ve taken two physics, two chemistry, and two math classes here, but all lower division. The curves are quite normal. Physics professors tend to stick with 25% As, as do math professors.</p>
<p>Oh, wow, that even higher than most of UCLA’s classes
Also is the environment really competitive, or are most student’s willing to offer help to others?</p>
<p>Most students in the physical sciences/engineering are very willing to help others. I don’t think the environment is ridiculously competitive. Most people want to succeed, but not at the expense of others.</p>