<p>I wrote a lot more than this originally, but retyping it all would take too long. So long winded :P</p>
<p>@ SKWZ My window got smashed in Northside; Although I agree, North is definitely safer. The further from Oakland you go, the better.</p>
<p>@emil yes the backpack isn’t my fault, but when I tell that story to locals they say it’s my fault because they are so desensitized to theft/vandalism. I’d like to point out though, that when I lived in Santa Barbara (Goleta specifically) I would go for midnight runs down the beach all the time and check out the stars. Sometimes I would bring people along with my green laser and point out constellations. Up here it’s so bright you can barely see the stars and walking around anywhere at 1am star gazing is asking for trouble(atleast according to the local news everytime I watch it, I hate local news mind you). </p>
<p>I don’t mean to deter anyone from going to UC Berkeley, it is a great school, there is a lot to do around here, and you have ample opportunity for success. For me though getting a good gpa(for grad school) and feeling safe are more important than the reputation advantage Berkeley has.</p>
<p>1.) How hard are upper div math and econ classes? I love math and usually beast even the hardest exams but **** like analysis and linear algebra scares the crap out of me.</p>
<p>The upper level econ classes are only as hard as the professor makes them, I chose carefully this semester and I am maintaining in A with only about 2-3 days of lead time for each midterm (Econ 101B). The upper level math classes are considerably more difficult, the core Math classes for the major have LENGTHY problem sets; hard quizzes; and harder midterms. I was planning on taking Math 110 (upper level lin alg) and Math 128A (numerical analysis) this semester, but 110 was only offered at one time and it conflicted with Econ 101B. I am taking 128A with strain and it is actually not too bad. From what I have heard though Math is MUCH harder than Econ for most classes. Math 128A not so much.</p>
<p>2.) Hows discrete math?</p>
<p>Didn’t take it yet, the professor teaching it this semester had horrible reviews. It’s my last lower level Math class.</p>
<p>3.) I gotta take linear algebra & differential equations if/when I get up there in the fall. How bad is it ? Consider the fact that im taking Econ 100a, Stats 20, and one other class along with it.</p>
<p>Those 3 together will not be pleasant. Lin Alg/ Diff Eqn requires a lot of work anywhere you go. At Cal it will require probably 20 hours per week of studying if you want to get an A. Here is a quote from the Math Department “Be aware that top students spend 12 to 15 hours per class beyond the lectures” I think that’s assuming 2 lectures per week, if that is 3 lectures per week… damn. Stat 20 is also a *****, I am getting a B in that class right now. It is the easiest material you will ever see, yet the curve makes it insanely difficult to get an A. Econ 100A can be hard, all depends on the professor, the class size, and the curve. Either way it will be a lot of reading/studying. Those 3 classes plus a decal would be doable, but it could hurt your GPA. The transition to UC Berkeley can be a bit rough for the first month or so, make sure to form groups in classes, so that problem sets don’t overburden you. I would take those 3 classes plus a decal. Should be ok.</p>
<p>4.) How hard is it to balance the two majors?</p>
<p>Very difficult, scheduling what you need semesters in advance does no good when every semester the classes I plan to take end up conflicted. Also it forces you to take 4 classes per semester + summer school if you want to finish it “on time”. At Cal 4 classes is pretty ridiculous, especially if they are all major classes and are considered somewhat “technical”</p>
<p>5.) For finance, what made you choose the math route as opposed to stats?</p>
<p>My goal was to use the Math/Econ double to get into an MFE program, in order to get into the quantitative trading field. From what I can tell though the MFE doesn’t cut it anymore so I am contemplating a Math PHD instead. A statistics degree works for that field as well, but you have nothing to fall back on. An Econ degree and a Math degree will get you into most corporations as a business analyst / financial analyst (if I can’t get into ibanking or quant trading) where as a statistics degree doesn’t really do much for me in the business field. The added bonus of a Math PHD versus an MFE would be that I would have time to get through Stochastic Calculus, which is the financial world’s bread and butter in terms of math. There is also the whole issue of stats having a bell curve for all of its classes 20% A 30% B 40% C 10% D/F. For stats a well above average GPA would be a 3.3, let alone the 3.8 most grad schools want, and the 3.9 prop shops want.</p>
<p>6.) How are the employment prospects at Berk (and as you probably guessed… finance) ? How hard would it be to land that dream summer internship/full time position with a top firm? (eg Goldman, Citi, UBS, etc)</p>
<p>At Cal Haas students get first priority for ibanking interviews, I have been to numerous interviews and I have had interviewers tell me they prefer Haas students. I have had a few offers from some middlemarket firms so there is still hope though.</p>
<p>7.) Lastly, do the Hass students hog up all the good jobs (Listed above)?</p>
<p>Yes. For 2 reasons: 1) Berkeley’s business undergrad is top 5, the ibanks; especially around San Francisco, know this. So they like to recruit from that pool. Unfortunately once the Haas students get into Ibanks they become a part of the recruitment process and will start recruiting almost entirely out of Haas when interviewing Berkeley candidates.
2) Haas has a few hard pre reqs, but other than that the major is pretty much a cake walk. Most people in Haas graduate with a 3.8 or better. The higher GPA looks really good when the bulgebracket firms are looking over resumes.</p>