<p>1000? I've seen it go as high at ~750 only :)</p>
<p>I'd check the average sizes of poli sci classes this semseter, but it's off-line right now. Someone can check when it is on. It's probably not around 1000. I would really be surprised. </p>
<p>As to the program, it's supposed to be one of the best in the country. <em>shrug</em> Of course it's a solid department, as it is at most universities that are generally strong, seeing that it's so common. According to graduate level rankings (as undergraduate level rankings rarely exist), it's usually in the top couple spots, as in number one to number three, if you'll take that as some indication of quality. You can specialize in various areas. Check the website for information about the department. <a href="http://polisci.berkeley.edu/%5B/url%5D">http://polisci.berkeley.edu/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://books.nap.edu/html/researchdoc/appendix_p.html%5B/url%5D">http://books.nap.edu/html/researchdoc/appendix_p.html</a> , although ten years old, has UCB Ph.D. Poli Sci as second.</p>
<p>Berkeley has its highs and lows. I'll just summarize my epic post from a year back:</p>
<p>Highs:
Many classes are great. Most of the professors and GSIs are intelligent and willing to get to know you if you take the effort. If a certain class is highly recommended, I say take it if you can handle it, even if it isn't in your field or major. There is a lot to be said for a liberal education.</p>
<p>Cal Football: I love Football saturdays. I get an excuse to act like a fool before 8 PM and watch the Bears roll over yet another team. (At least most of the time.) The games are a lot of fun and everyone should go.</p>
<p>The food outside of the DC: While I wouldn't call stuff like Top Dog, La Burrita, Steve's Korean or Naan n' Curry, "Coute Cuisine" (I'll save that for Chez Panez or however you spell it.), it certainly gets the job done. Berkeley has great food overall.</p>
<p>Greek Life - things are changing with this, but from what I understand through proxy of my brothers (I'm in Germany at the moment), is that the Moratorium and subsequent restrictions are pulling the Greek System together. Though I have heard conflicting stories. Anyway, I digress, this is one of the better social opportunities that Cal has, especially if you want strong alumni connections once you get out. And unlike clubs, you almost ALWAYS have someone at your beck and call to hang out with.</p>
<p>Lows:</p>
<p>The dorms: I hated living in the dorms. Sure, I had some fun times -- but the lack of space lends itself to both unity and tensions.</p>
<p>DC Food: ...can I really say anything that hasn't been said? I thought it was just vile.</p>
<p>Classes: Some classes are nearly impossible to get into if you are a lower classman.</p>
<p>Diversity: Say what you want, but with the student population being mostly Asian and White, I don't see many Latinos or Blacks around who always add their own unique flavor to the mix.</p>
<p>Politics: Sure, the 'liberals' and BCR are a force on campus -- but there are so many people utterly uneducated about the stances they take, it is really quite sad. And a lot of students tend to stick to one extreme or are just completely apathetic, while the moderate students, the majority, are left in the wings. And this is just my opinion, but the over-the-top political correctness is highly overrated. I prefer candor, even if it offensive, to nervous politeness.</p>
<p>Overall: Outside of the apparent lack of diversity and some uneducated people spouting off about things they know nothing about, Berkeley is almost all highs after you survive the dorms and the DC food, but I tend to look at those last two as more of an adventure and less of a disadvantage.</p>
<p>Another thing, but this applies to all of the UCs -- if you get a chance, DO EAP. Going abroad, even for a summer will expand your world view so much, you'll be shocked.</p>
<p>Frats gives lots of connections, but I don't think I'm that type of guy to join a frat. Must seek out other methods!!</p>
<p>Dorm food vile? That's pretty harsh. I think it's at least decent . . . I never find a time when I can't find something to eat at Crossroads, but that's me. Maybe more people think of it as terrible than I see. Also, do you really think the majoring of UCB students are moderates? Perhaps they are, but I doubt it, because seemingly everyone I meet is at least moderately liberal, besides the small members of the Republican minority. I do agree with you about the politics, the apparent homogenous population, and the difficulty of getting some classes. Sadly, I think these problems are across college campuses in America.</p>
<p>greek system is great</p>
<p>I've heard some terrible/embarrassing stuff that guys have to do during their pledge semester.</p>
<p>My floormate had to dress up as Princess Peach for a whole week. At the end of the day he looked so sad..</p>
<p>Another had to find pins scattered around Memorial Grove at night during midterm season.</p>
<p>Yeah, depends on the frat, I'd say. Some do almost nothing like that.</p>
<p>I never understood the 'benefits' of extreme hazing. It just seems stupid to me. Of course, I enjoy doing a good mind%#!% once in a long awhile, but it's always in innocent fun and over pretty quick. Physical and social humiliation... I'm not down with that. Most of our stuff involves hikes, camping trips, hanging out, small social gatherings, and getting to know the pledges and the bros and teach the values of the house.</p>
<p>what about sororities? are the pledges embarassing like the frats? (sorry, i really have no idea about this whole frat/sorority scene)
are sororities really big at UCB?</p>
<p>They seem to be fairly small, but I think the size varies. The sisters I know are in houses with about 15 or so people with about two to three times that in the sorority total. I think it depends, though. Isn't there some Greek life website with information?</p>
<p>The average frat at Cal is between 20-35 guys, with over 8 being considered a large pledge class, but keep in mind there are like 32 frats at Cal. The average sorority is closer to 60-80 with an average 10-15 pledges per class. But there are only 11 sororities.</p>
<p>do the frats/sororities dominate the social scene?
like, is there a social life outside of the greek life?
are pledges hard to do?
does the school have any rules on hazing?</p>
<p>silvstargrl: The Frats are a moderate at best influence on the social scene. People range from one extreme of totally enamored and diehard about them to utter hatred. I find the people who hate them the most know the least about them and base their opinions on stereotypes and/or one or two acquaintences bad experience with one Greek. (I.E, that guy from <em>insert house here</em> is a real *<strong><em>, so all greek are *</em></strong>s type logic) There is definitely a social life outside of the Greek System. Pledging varies from house to house. From what I understand, sorority pledging isn't too bad and the girls I know who are in Houses told me it was a lot of fun. The school's rules against hazing are the same as California State Laws about Hazing.</p>
<p>I've read another story where a pledger had to play tag with the fire extinguisher in unit 3.. involving eyes.</p>
<p>Highs:
very interesting courses
urban environment
professors/GSIs</p>
<p>Lows:</p>
<p>students who lie about the dumbest things--including if they finished a homework or not--to compete</p>
<p>the lack of diversity</p>
<p>The fact that my social life in high school was better/more exciting in high school than at university. </p>
<p>The geekiness that seems to permeate throughout much of the univeresity: Enough said here. And I thought I was studious in high school... I feel like a lethargic poo here.</p>
<p>Lack of hot guys.</p>
<p>Perverted adult males who ask Cal girls out.</p>
<p>Well, people gotta do what they gotta do. It's Cal after all; I'd be shocked if there weren't a bunch of super studious students, and considering so many are pre-Hass and pre-med,</p>
<p>"The fact that my social life in high school was better/more exciting in high school than at university."</p>
<p>Zipzoo...what were you doing in hs that you're not doing now.</p>
<p>I'm trying to understand what students want in the way of social outlets, other than the usual drinking and drugging. What exactly are students looking for besides the comfort zone of their hs friends?</p>
<p>To me Cal is the perfect school, socially, because I would never be so dependent on other people to define my social needs. I would enjoy going to plays & concerts on & off-campus, new entertainment experiences at Zellerbach Auditorium and elsewhere around campus, Cal football & basketball...maybe other sports I'm not familiar with...just for fun, the playground that is San Francisco, museums on & off campus, trying off-campus restaurants on weekends (I do love to eat), enjoying (from a safe distance) all of the street crazies in Berzerkly, pretending to study while listening to the drummers on weekends (do they still do their thing in the lower plaza?).</p>
<p>My problem would be spending too much time socially and not enough time academically. I'm just not one of those people who is dependent on other people to satisfy my social needs.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm actually a bit sad that I don't have ENOUGH time to do all the things I want.</p>