<p>I'm debating whether to take part in the Berkeley summer session right now to possibly get ahead in some classes. Can anyone say if the summer session is any good? There are two sessions, what is the difference between both of them? </p>
<p>Also, do we need to live on campus if we want to take part in this? I don't really want to pay for the dorm right now since it's really expensive, so I'd rather pay for it when I actually start school.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>bump! Someone have an answer? :O</p>
<p>The summer session has basically the same classes, but taught at a double or triple pace to make up for the fewer weeks. The difference between the sessions is simply the dates and length. There are two 6-week, one 3-week, one 8-week, and one 10-week sessions. Housing is not required.</p>
<p>A lot of the summer school classes are not taught by regular professors. Often they are taught by grad students; it gives the grad students a chance to teach a course all by themselves. Sometimes they are taught by outside professors, like from Cal Stat East Bay. However, the classes are often smaller than regular year classes, which is a bonus. Also the students are maybe half Cal students and half people from elsewhere.</p>
<p>That said, I really enjoy summer school. It can be intense, but the classes have a fun atmosphere, people tend to be more relaxed and friendly, some people say the grading is easier.</p>