Ask questions about Cal Berkeley here!

<p>Is there room under the dorm beds to store stuff?</p>

<p>Also, it says I’m an economics major even though LS admittees are all supposed to be undeclared. Are there any preferences given in course enrollment based on what was written on the original UC app? If so, is it easy to change this intended major as soon as school starts?</p>

<p>As an undeclared L&S student, you can just take the prerequisites for whatever major(s) you are interested in, without formally changing major (although advising might assume that you are interested in the major you originally listed).</p>

<p>Hello All,</p>

<p>Potential new undergrad here with just a few questions. Sorry if these have been asked (which i’m sure they have), but hunting through 134 pages isn’t exactly appealing haha.</p>

<p>For all of you pre-meds at Berkeley right now (or graduated), how was your pre-med experience? Of course, i’m expecting that academically it will be very tough no matter where I go. What i’m more concerned about is did you feel like Berkeley helped you along with your undergraduate pre-med journey, or did it feel like you were left alone to fend for yourself. Any sort of pre-med advisors and were they difficult to schedule an appointment with/helpful at all? And finally although it varies from people to people, how often did you guys go out and have fun? Also when looking to get a research internship with a professor/at a hospital, was getting one extremely difficult (esp. during 1st/2nd years)? </p>

<p>Could anyone speak about their experience with the Language Department, specifically courses related to a Spanish minor? Super interested in majoring in something bio-related in minoring in Spanish. Would that be overwhelming or do-able… As a pre-med, would I still feasibly be able to go study abroad at either Spain or a South American country?</p>

<p>Did anyone find the fact that undergrads are only guaranteed 2 years of housing a problem? Was the distance of the apartments a problem for anyone? </p>

<p>Finally, if I plan on majoring in something Bio-related, there’s no point in me taking the AP Bio test right?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for taking the time to answer these =)</p>

<p>@ChocoRaisons The 2 year housing wasn’t really a problem for most people. Most Berkeley kids move out after 1 year of dormitory because dorms are expensive and dorms lack privacy. There are plenty of apartments and housing options around the area. There’s even a Berkeley Housing page on Facebook (if Craigslist seems too shady).
There are also campus sponsored housing options that are available for upperclassmen (namely the Channing Bowditch apartments), but unfortunately I don’t know too much about that.
Distance is usually not a problem. The bus system makes it easy to get to class if you live within the city of Berkeley. Biking is also a great way to get around. Most people don’t venture out of the city limits, but I believe most that do commute through Bart. Students can get parking permits, but one has to prove they live outside the designated campus boundary and the permit itself is quite expensive. </p>

<p>Math 54, Physics 7a - Hallatschek, Chem 1b…</p>

<p>I don’t see any reviews for the profs below…how are they in terms of easiness, helpfulness, exam difficulty, etc. Thanks.</p>

<ul>
<li>Math 54 - Wehrheim</li>
<li>Physics 7a - Hallatschek</li>
<li>Chem 1b - Douskey; also how is this class wrt easiness (exam difficulty) compared to Chem 1a</li>
</ul>

<p>As a civil engineering major, which courses do you recommend for my first semester?</p>

<p>Bumping an earlier post: “For all of you pre-meds at Berkeley right now (or graduated), how was your pre-med experience? Of course, i’m expecting that academically it will be very tough no matter where I go. What i’m more concerned about is did you feel like Berkeley helped you along with your undergraduate pre-med journey, or did it feel like you were left alone to fend for yourself. Any sort of pre-med advisors and were they difficult to schedule an appointment with/helpful at all? And finally although it varies from people to people, how often did you guys go out and have fun? Also when looking to get a research internship with a professor/at a hospital, was getting one extremely difficult (esp. during 1st/2nd years)?”</p>

<p>hi,I am a Berkeley Summer student. Can I ask questions here? Cause I really do not know whom to turn to for help. I am right now on the waitlist of Brand Management and Strategies. Therefore I can not get I-20 to have my visa. I have to add other courses. But all the business program classes are full. Can I have your solution to this kind of problem. Or do you have any recommendations?</p>

<p>Besides, thanks a lot. Do hope you can see my comment and help me. Sorry to bother</p>

<p>Hi, I am a student admitted for transfer during the fall 2014 admitted in the College of Letters and Science (I applied as MCB Biochem). Do you think it is possible to switch over to the college of chemistry as a chem bio or chemistry major?</p>

<p>@crystalreika‌ Can you add a different class? Maybe something to fill a breadth requirement or R&C? Or if you’re only interested in classes in your major, you might try contacting the department/professor directly and begging/explaining your situation.</p>

<p>@mrfields209‌ <a href=“http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/policies/change_of_college.php”>http://chemistry.berkeley.edu/student_info/undergrad_info/policies/change_of_college.php&lt;/a&gt;
“Students who enter as junior transfers are generally ineligible to change into the College of Chemistry, though some exceptions may apply.”
Sounds like an “ask an adviser but probably no” kind of situation.</p>

<p>Hello All!
I will be joining UCB next fall as an international graduate.</p>

<p>I have 2 questions:</p>

<p>1) I hope you can provide some explanatory help regarding GSI appointments as I am very confused about the 50 percent rule: does it mean that if I get a 50% appointment in the fall for example, then I have reached my 50% maximum thus making me unable to get an appointment in the spring? Or does it mean that during each of fall and spring, I can get an appointment in each semester with a 50% time maximum?</p>

<p>2) How intense is a 50% GSI appointment? Please note that I will be taking around 12 units as a graduate. So, how manageable is this 50% time job alongside my course load?</p>

<p>Thanks alot!</p>

<p>@BasselBasha‌

  1. That should be per semester… basically they don’t want you working full time instead of being a student.</p>

<ol>
<li> I think this one depends on the department/class. I’ve only been a summer TA for CS61BL (assigned 20 hours/week, 1 section, had to be physically in class 14 hours/week), and the time commitment was definitely more than the assigned number of hours, since there was still prep time (3 hour labs 4 times a week, with little lectures x_x) and some grading to do. That said, I was TAing for a lab class, so of course it’s a lot of time. I wouldn’t expect to be doing less than 20 hours/week for any class, though.</li>
</ol>

<p>I think a lot of students work 20 hours/week and have a normal course load. So, I wouldn’t worry too much about it, chances are the other GSIs will be in similar situations as well.</p>

<p>@failure622 Thanks alot! :D</p>

<p>Would you all recommend co-ed or single sex floors? I’m a female transfer student planning on going in a dorm building and do want to meet as many people as possible, but sharing a bathroom with guys seems like it would be pretty uncomfortable and inconvenient.</p>

<p>Any thoughts from your experiences?</p>

<p>April 14
My son is interested in computer science major (BA as he is admitted to L&S) and Environmental Engineering major. Is this possible at Cal?
Could he take classes offered by Engineering Department even though he is in L&S?</p>

<p>What classes should he sign up for during CALSO? </p>

<p>@ljmom My answer: Very difficult to complete the pre-reqs for the BA in Comp Sci and per-req for Environmental Engineering, since he can prioritize getting classes for his primary major only.</p>

<p>Hi, I am a 2014 freshman. Recently I just find that Conditions of Admission says "Complete all final-year courses listed on your application (including any external examinations) ". In my application, I listed I would sit for two AP exams. However, I didn’t take them this May. Does anyone know if this is going to impact my admission? Thanks!</p>

<p>@jinguiyuan‌ Technically you’re in violation of your contract. I would suggest you contact your advisor ASAP… if it IS a big deal, it’s better for you to tell them rather than waiting for them to notice. I don’t think it’d be a huge issue, but only your advisor will know for sure.</p>

<p>Hello! Do you guys recommend taking discussion right after a lecture or a couple hours later with a break in between lecture and discussion? </p>