<p>I know this forum is full of them, but I just can't help but ask for some good advice. I'm currently a freshman at Cal, and I just absolutely cannot stand it here. Maybe it's just been my experience, but I can't stand but see people sleeping in class and not WANTING to learn, especially at the college level. If you don't want to learn, why are you even there? Admittedly, I think a lot of it has just been bad luck for me. In my dorm, I don't really get along with the people on my floor, and my roommate sort of has his own agenda so we never really hang out. I always feel uninspired and feel like I'm just another "face in the crowd". The lack of diversity is really irksome, and quite honestly, I don't know how some people made it to Cal. I've determined that I absolutely, positively MUST get out, so I need some schools that might fit my needs. I want to go to a place that's academically rigorous and values intellectual progression over anything else.</p>
<p>I currently have a 4.0 at Cal after one semester, and I have a part-time job on campus and am juggling some positions in a few clubs. </p>
<p>In terms of high school achievements, I have a 2200 SAT (800M, 750W, 650R), 780 Math IIC, 760 Bio-E SAT II, 710 Chemistry SAT II, 700 US History SAT II, and a 33 superscored ACT. My high school GPA was a 3.92 or something, and I was in the top 7% of my class I think.</p>
<p>I'm really interested in Economics/Public Policy. I was <em>thinking</em> about UChicago, Columbia, Amherst, and USC. How much weight will being from Cal carry? Are there any other schools that would be good for me? Thanks.</p>
<p>At the risk of getting flamed, USC doesn't strike me as being in the same category as the other schools you've listed. Your numbers look good, particularly a 4.0 from Cal, a school not known for grade inflation. Not knowing what your other criteria are (location, academic area of interest, etc.), I'd suggest looking at WUSTL, other Ivies, Reed, Swarthmore, JHU, Pomona, Carleton. There's a range of selectivity here, but since you've decided that you must leave, you'll need some match schools on your list.</p>
<p>I think if you really want to transfer, you should go for it. However, I think there are some questions needing to be grappled with here.
1. If you are frustrated by people who "don't want to learn" at Cal, why do you think it would be any different at other schools you've named? Cal, along with the others you've listed, is a place where high achievers show up on the first day of freshman year. I can't think of anything about Cal that would attract a different level of motivation to learn.
2. Lack of diversity at Cal. Not sure whether you are talking about ethnic diversity, socio-economic.... Again, you may find similar levels of (non-)diversity at the schools mentioned.
3. Cost??? Are you a Ca. resident getting in-state tuition? If so, are you prepared to pay full freight at the privates mentioned?</p>
<p>I do think your GPA, from Cal, is a plus-plus-plus factor in your application. You are a strong applicant on the dimensions we can see. Less selective schools you might think about for Econ/Public Policy could be some in the DC area - UMd, American, George Washington. You should find plenty of diversity there. You will find a continuum of how intellectually passionate the students are, so you will need to find "your people," but I believe that would be true at any school you might consider. Including Cal.</p>
<p>Thank you entomom and Andale for your input. entomom, I'm from Northern California, and I'm sure now that I want to major in Economics. Andale, you're absolutely right in #1. I can't really put my finger on it...it seems like Cal students would rather do anything for the A than actually enjoy learning. There's a lot of grade-grubbing going on, and it makes me feel uncomfortable about being there. Then again, I don't think the Ivy League would be any better, so I'm feeling really trapped here. When referring to diversity, in context I mean ethnic diversity. I believe Cal is about 46% Asian and 40% Caucasian, and it doesn't really excite me to go outside and see thousands of people just like myself (I'm Asian too). I am in-state, and am paying in-state tuition, but cost is really no problem for me (thankfully). I think a lot of it is the fact that I just haven't found my niche at Cal. But if I'm just so unhappy walking outside, is it really worth it to try to find my niche? I just have an inherent dislike for the Berkeley atmosphere.</p>
<p>As a Cal alum ('75) and non-typical Asian, I can relate to your point about their current lack of diversity. When I attended the grade grubbing was mostly in premed courses, Doonesbury did a great series of cartoons all about it.</p>
<p>Up until this year I would have agreed whole heartedly with Andale's point #1. However, one of the reasons my D is considering a transfer from her top ranked large state U is that, in general, she is not finding her peers excited to learn or at the intellectual level that she had expected. That's not to say there aren't motivated and smart kids, but I'm wondering if this is where size comes into play. Your niche is there, but it's so spread out that it's difficult to find and get a real feel of community??</p>
<p>The grade-grubbing, I think, is most prevalent in pre-business prerequisite courses nowadays (Econ 1, Math 1A/1B, UGBA 10, Stat 21). I completely agree with you entomom. I think it just might be because Cal is so incredibly large (~24,000 undergraduates). I really don't feel any coherent sense of community, so I guess that spells out the fact that I need to attend a smaller school. I think fundamental differences just exist between large public schools and small private schools (more than the fact that one is large and public and the other is small and private).</p>
<p>Now that you've given us more insight into your situation and preferences, I certainly think UChicago is a natural. Your stats have the potential to make you competitive for just about any school. So I think you should pick the top two or three you would really love to go to and give them your best shot (ie, UChicago and any other top Econ/Public Policy schools). </p>
<p>Then, I'd suggest you id a couple much less selective, that are still great schools, so you don't lose out on just the pure "lottery level" acceptance rates of some schools. Maybe Northwestern? Syracuse? GW or American? George Mason? (lesser known school in DC area with strong public policy program). These are just ideas, but the key is to find good econ/policy programs at schools with transfer acceptance rates more like 25-40% and, if you really really really want to transfer and be safe, a rolling school and/or one or two with 40% plus acceptance rates.</p>
<p>You can see how the acceptances come in and then decide whether Cal is a better to place to stay or whether you like your other options.</p>