<p>I've heard a lot of negative things on this board, which could very well be true, but I don't know, my other options are UT Austin (im from tx) and UCSD, and I really liked everything about Cal. I like the fact that its competitive and its campus looks nice and stuff. I just want this to be a place to tell what you do like about Cal, I just want to know whether I'm making the right decision of choosing Cal over UT and UCSD. I'm majoring in cognitive science/neuroscience. I have done lots of research in these fields and am looking to do a lot more in cololege as well. Thanks</p>
<p>If you go to Berkeley's web site and play you will see many reasons to go to Berkeley. <a href="http://www.berkeley.edu%5B/url%5D">www.berkeley.edu</a></p>
<p>You do read a lot of crap about Berkeley on this board. Most of it is nonsense and the people writing this garbage wouldn't be happy anywhere. </p>
<p>Berkeley has professors that are among the best in the country. Who says this? The guy who is number one at Yale. The guy who used to be number 1 at Stanford. Berkeley is arguably stronger
in more departments than any other school in the country.</p>
<p>At Berkeley, you are taught to look at the world view and not the US view of issues. If that turns you off, don't go there.</p>
<p>There are many bright students. My daughter visited the school last Friday. The students she hung out with talked about books, ideas, and what is happening today. </p>
<p>You have to work hard to succeed at the school. There is a lot of competition. Nobody holds your hands. </p>
<p>Berkeley is close to SF, Marin County, and Lake Tahoe (OK, a few hours to Tahoe). Tilden Park is right in Berkeley, nice hiking there.</p>
<p>I have friends from all over the world and the school is very respected. </p>
<p>I like this link.</p>
<p><a href="http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/</a></p>
<p>Scroll down and you can see a protest at Sproul Plaza. No matter what you think about the issue, it's nice to see people care. You don't see that as much anymore.</p>
<p>There are other threads devoted to this.</p>
<p>Also, the protests, while there, are fairly infrequent, and one can avoid them altogether one wants.</p>
<p>DRab, the protests are a good thing.</p>
<p>What is wrong with this young generation? Too many video games dulling the minds?</p>
<p>You teenagers and twentysomethings should be out there questioning everything. You should be out there making your own world, not your parent's world.</p>
<p>I'm not saying that ther is something wrong with them. Sometimes, they're inconsiderate to people, such as large crowds blocking Sather Gate, but what I'm telling future students that while they might hear about protests at Berkeley all the time due to its overblown capital L Liberal image, they can avoid them. Whether or not they should, that is their choice to make.</p>
<p>However encompassing the negatives at Cal may be, they can certainly be reflected upon as preparational measures for the sober, professional life that follows. </p>
<p>As long as you can find an intimate social niche and some classes that inspire you, your college experience should be nothing short of fantastic. After all, there is no relativity or substantial basis for comparison when you're spending your undergrad at one school.</p>
<p>thanks dstark, i really needed that, i needed to hear about something good about berkeley, because i found it wonderful and i am a hardcore "L Liberal", and i just get so discouraged when i look at these boards and see such bashing about berkeley. i just wanted to know that now that ive heard whats bad about it, some stuff of what makes it the number one public school in the nation. its nice to know dstark, that there are those out there who love it. by "the guy", were you referring to yourself, cause wow, thats pretty kool</p>
<p>No, I'm not the "guy". There was a survey done of the students and 85% of the students like the school. Two of the last 4 valedictorians at my daughter's school chose Berkeley (One over Stanford, the other over Penn). They do work hard, but with the major you mentioned, I'm sure you can handle it. </p>
<p>Have you seen the videos from <a href="http://www.theu.com%5B/url%5D">www.theu.com</a> ?
You can watch 3 minutes from each school for free. </p>
<p>Did you notice the governor's wife is speaking at Berkeley this week?</p>
<p>Oh, and one more thing. Get off these boards. I don't want my kids anywhere near these boards. Too much angst.</p>
<p>Generally, how often are there student protests at Berkeley?</p>
<p>If you are a hardcore liberal you will be more at home at Berkeley, because you will never have to challenge your own views or listen to other people and social pressure will keep down alternative opinions.</p>
<p>For dstark's posts, you would get an extremely biased, pro-Berkeley view. Just talk to the seniors and ask around and you will definitely get a mix of views. </p>
<p>This will give you a wide range of views about Berkeley which I think all have their merits. Don't jump onto the groupthink bandwagon, but since you already stated that you are a Liberal with a capital L, I doubt you have the brains to listen to opposing viewpoints anyways.</p>
<p>There are some good things about Berkeley, there are some bad things about Berkeley. I think anybody who chooses to go to Berkeley should do so with their eyes open, and know about all aspects of the problem, both good and bad. I therefore think that CC is highly useful because it allows you to see a wide variety of opinions. Berkeley does some things very well, and other things not so well.</p>
<p>pulkit, you wouldnt happen to go to tams, would you?</p>
<p>Students review is a good site.</p>
<p>dstark seems like the type of parent I am glad I don't have. Berkeley offers choices, not forced opinions.</p>
<p>CA2006, what are you talking about?
Forced opinions?
My son leans conservative and my daughter is liberal. I hope they are always questioning their ideas.</p>
<p>By the way, I agree with you. I think it is the person, not the school, that makes a difference in one's life.</p>
<p>dstark's opinion is not forced, it's passionate. The guy (gal?) cares. Many, many other parents don't.</p>
<p>Polite Antagonis, wouldn't you characterize your own views as "extremely biased" too?</p>
<p>"Oh, and one more thing. Get off these boards. I don't want my kids anywhere near these boards. Too much angst."</p>
<p>What is this called? No disrespect to dstark, my parents have opinions too and care just as much. I prefer to look at both sides and make my own decision. </p>
<p>In my humble opinion, Polite Antagonis is extremely bias. I have though gained insight from a few of the "debates" he/she's been involved in about Cal.</p>
<p>I don't think I had a gun to the OPs head. :)</p>
<p>Yep, I am biased the other way, to counteract the other pro-Berkeley viewpoints.</p>