<p>I haven't been on CC in some time, so for all those who PMed asking for personal statement reviews, go ahead and send it. I'd be happy to review. Also, if it helps any, I'll also be happy to answer any questions you may have about UC Berkeley or the transfer process. </p>
<p>I can probably most help you if you have questions relating to the English department, History department, Interdisciplinary Field Studies Major, or Creative Writing Classes.</p>
<p>Cheers and good luck to all. I hope I can be of assistance :)</p>
<p>Cardinal... now that your a Berkeley student you gotta figure out how to change your user name... especially w/ big game week coming up... you know they are our enemy... maybe you can change it to bearfocused... lol.... ok bad joke</p>
<p>How many hours a week do you study, on average? Are the kids in your classes really cutthroat? How many of your classes are curved? Have you struggled to do well at Cal? How big is the adjustment to Cal?</p>
<p>Connels, I know you weren't asking me but maybe more answers will be better for you. I'm in the history dept and here is what I have to say:</p>
<ul>
<li>How many hours a week do you study, on average? </li>
</ul>
<p>like 3-4</p>
<ul>
<li>Are the kids in your classes really cutthroat? </li>
</ul>
<p>I haven't experienced even a shred of this.</p>
<ul>
<li>How many of your classes are curved?</li>
</ul>
<p>None</p>
<ul>
<li>Have you struggled to do well at Cal? </li>
</ul>
<p>No</p>
<ul>
<li>How big is the adjustment to Cal?</li>
</ul>
<p>The only problem I've had is shaking off the rust from not having class all summer. If I had to do it all over again I would have done summer at Cal, or at least take an online class from my old CC. This topic came up in my adult learners class last week and the entire class agreed with this sentiment, so I know it's not just me. Anything to keep the momentum from CC going would have been good. </p>
<p>So consider taking something over the summer. Know that you can also enter Cal with 70 transferable units done at CC, leaving you only needing 50 here. Good luck to you.</p>
<ul>
<li>How many hours a week do you study, on average?</li>
</ul>
<p>5-6, depending on the week. It goes up to 10 or so if I have a midterm coming up.</p>
<ul>
<li>Are the kids in your classes really cutthroat?</li>
</ul>
<p>No, haven't noticed this, probably due to my major - Geography.</p>
<ul>
<li>How many of your classes are curved?</li>
</ul>
<p>None</p>
<ul>
<li>Have you struggled to do well at Cal?</li>
</ul>
<p>Not really.</p>
<ul>
<li>How big is the adjustment to Cal?</li>
</ul>
<p>My own personal adjustments were as such:</p>
<ol>
<li>Going from working full time to working part time.</li>
<li>From being in school part time to being in school full time.</li>
<li>Moving from a studio apartment into dorm-like housing.</li>
<li>Moving from SF to Berkeley - I still miss SF.</li>
</ol>
<p>I'd say I was pretty stressed out for about the first month because of the above issues, but other than the fact that I wish I hadn't moved out of my flat in SF (I fear never being able to afford SF again haha), I am happy in Berkeley overall. And I really like not having to work 40 hours a week. (I haven't noticed a money flow problem yet, but I have cut back on spending.)</p>
<p>The first month was the hardest academically. It took about that long to get used to the amount of reading I had to do - it is a significant amount more than anything at community college. I was also terrified of taking the first midterm exams, but after getting grades back, I realized I really can excel at Cal. (I think a lot of people would say that.)</p>
<p>I am glad I didn't take a summer course before starting here - it was nice to have a break. But I did wish that I had taken more rigorous courses in my final semester at CC. Some more writing practice would have been great.</p>
<p>Posc: Yay! Another geography major! My stats were: 3.96 gpa, two of three pre-reqs done (one isn't offered at any of the CCs nearby), ECs were mostly work as well as some volunteering. I wouldn't say my personal statement was stellar - I wrote it 4 hours before the application deadline.</p>
<p>Cardinal you obviously lived in the bay area, and I don't know how much you can say about picking Berkeley, as it's the obvious first choice of any UC-er, but do you think the difference would have been significant if you somehow lived in the la area and had the choice between UCB and UCLA, is it worth it in your opinion to attend Berkeley even though you have the second best UC in the city you live in?</p>
<p>I only ask because there's a sense of "home" ie Friends, Jobs, Life, etc in where you live, especially when its in a big city, like SF or LA(for me), that it sometimes makes you wonder whether its worth giving up for just two years of your life to finish your degree. Its like if UCB was in the city of san francisco, you wouldn't really have to make that many adjustments in life per se</p>
<p>Hi there, liek0806...First off, I don't think UC Berkeley is the natural first choice for any UCer--many people will have viable reasons to choose just about any UC. (I hope I don't sound too catty--I just think the idea of tier-ing the universities is strange when each has its own strengths and weaknesses and people should choose according to what they want to do and accomplish)...I digress. In regards to your primary question, I'm actually from Los Angeles, so I opted against UCLA because I had already spent considerable time there at the dorms and lived there for some time (my gf at the time was going there). Berkeley was thus the best choice for me because I wanted to get away and do something new and my major was better regarded at Cal. Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Thanks well I said naturally first choice for any UCer because UCB usually has programs ranked higher than any other UCs for undergrad studies. Usually academics is a concern for most, ie the difference why some wont attend their academic safeties/matches with so so programs if they get into their reaches with top programs.</p>
<p>I guess it really does and doesn't help. I guess my issue is more personal. By living in LA i mean like i've been Living in la from day one up until my current 21 years of age. I'm not a nomad. Like i see the benefit of being and living in a city while going to school primarily because its a way to build up your resume through work experience(internships), and not just during summer months.</p>
<p>Hey Cardinal do you think I can get your email, so you could proofread/critique my personal statement. I'm a cc student trying to get into UCLA business econ school. I would appreciate any help! thanks</p>
<p>I'm tutoring right now, so I can multi-task and edit essays, if you want live feedback--leave your sn or PM it to me. This offer stands for the next two hours or so.</p>