<p>I have some question for current CALers: Can you get into SF often, or is most of your time spent in Berkeley? Also: What is socializing like, especially for transfer and older students (I'll be 24 when I start at a UC). Is there a good transfer community and how have you been able to make friends at Berkeley?</p>
<p>Thanks guys!!</p>
<p>I go to SF 3 days a week for work, and try to get into the city at least one day or weekend evening a week for socializing or just to get out of Berkeley. I was most recently living in SF, which may be a factor, because it seems like the other people I know here (who don't live in SF) are surprised by how often I go to SF. It really depends on your major and study habits/load, too. You might not have time to go to SF more than once or twice a month.</p>
<p>Your social life will be fine at age 24. I'm a lot older than you and still find people to socialize with (I went to Cloyne for their halloween party). Kids here seem a lot more mature than at other colleges, and age doesn't always seem to be an issue. My issue is that I often forget that I'm talking to a 20 year old who doesn't have the same life experiences that I do. </p>
<p>There is a great transfer community here! I met a lot of people at the summer workshops at the TRSP and at CalSO and remain friends with several of them.</p>
<p>That's pretty cool, thatgirltoo! Thanks for the reply. Did you opt for a dorm or did you decide to get a place off campus? Do you think one is better than the other for socializing? Also: do you have any experience with the financial aid for independent students?</p>
<p>I'm at the Int'l House right now, but will probably move into my own place next summer. I'm going to say that living in a dorm-type place, such as the I House, co-ops or the dorms, is probably a lot better for socializing than living off campus in an apartment, but really, it depends on you and how much you reach out to people for socializing. The I House sort of "forces" people to be social in that we all eat in the dining hall every day (there are few other choices), and the idea is that we are supposed to create international camaraderie and understanding. I do think it has helped my study habits, as I'm much more likely to study than if I lived in my own flat. (Plus the rooms are far too small to have a TV.)</p>
<p>Oof, my financial aid was horrible at first - they only gave me unsubsidized loans and a very small UC grant. But I filed an appeal and they finally reduced my loans and gave me a much larger UC grant/scholarship. It is different for everyone, though, based on how much money you made the year before (my EFC was quite high since I was working full time at a well paid job).</p>
<p>could you pm me your email, your inbox is full</p>
<p>How are the dorms like at UCB? Is it true they shove 3 people into a dorm fit for only two? </p>
<p>Do you get to dorm for the 2 years you are there? Did you dorm with freshmen, other transfer students, or with regular Cal students in their junior year?</p>
<p>How does Berkeley students treat transfer students? I heard most of them assume transfer students aren't that bright.</p>
<p>And last, can you give any advice to an English major attempting to transfer to Berkeley? Thanks! :)</p>
<p>I'll give your questions a shot...</p>
<p>I lived in the Wada Apartments at Unit 2. This is an upper-division and transfer "dorm". My room had both a 2-person and a 3-person room. The 3-person room looked to be the same size as mine but had an additional bunk bed. They were pretty crammed in there. I now live at the Channing-Bowditch Apartments where we have 2 2-person rooms.</p>
<p>You are guaranteed a room your junior year if you transfer. Seniors do not have priority and are commonly denied campus housing (but not always).</p>
<p>I haven't noticed any problem with people treating me poorly because I'm a transfer. We all graduate with approximately the same GPA according to the research performed by the TRSP Center - about a 3.5.</p>
<p>Advice for an English major? Hmmmm. Don't misspell anything on your essay... :)</p>
<p>what was your gpa upon transfer, calbear?
what major?</p>
<p>what's double majoring like at berkeley?</p>
<p>Whic is better to transfer from USC, RICE or PSU?</p>