<p>How strong is the Berkeley program? I'm stuck between Cal and UCSB (Got accepted to special creative studies program at SB), and I'm really turned off by the whole cutthroat/competitive/bureaucratical red tape side of Berkeley. But if their English department is amazing it would be worth it.</p>
<p>First, nothing is cutthroat in the english department. Second, considering most of the grades come from essays, there isn't much competition going on. Third, bureaucratic/red tape issues will plague you at UCSB too (maybe more). The english department is amazing. I don't often say one school or program is better than another, but Cal's English department is much better than UCSBs.</p>
<p>How is it compared to UCLA's English department?</p>
<p>Key is to start early.</p>
<p>Starting early + getting the needed help = success!</p>
<p>The department is AMAZING. I don't know much about the creative studies at UCSB, but I've heard good things. The two experiences would likely be somewhat different, academically, socially, and more.</p>
<p>Why is the English department so amazing? My son is thinking about majoring in English. Thanks</p>
<p>"Why is the English department so amazing?"</p>
<p>The faculty is second to none. As an UG you will take classes with award winning writers and experts in their fields of study. Also, the graduate program is ranked first in the country, so the GSIs are always top notch. We get amazing writers and speakers coming to campus and poetry readings like lunch poems are an excellent way to mingle with other english majors. Personally I think its the best department at Cal.</p>
<p>"The faculty is second to none. As an UG you will take classes with award winning writers and experts in their fields of study. Also, the graduate program is ranked first in the country, so the GSIs are always top notch. We get amazing writers and speakers coming to campus and poetry readings like lunch poems are an excellent way to mingle with other english majors. Personally I think its the best department at Cal."</p>
<p>Nice. I pray I can get into Cal...even though I hear that transfers like me are considered the dumbest of the dumb at Cal.</p>
<p>There are smart transfer students. People who judge you on intelligence solely on the knowledge of that, or your major, need to grow up or something.</p>
<p>Another thing about the department is that many of their upper-division classes are capped to have few people in them. Not only are you with the most amazing English faculty in the world, but many of the classes are small.</p>
<p>Cardinalfocused, you really have to do something about your name before you come to Cal.</p>
<p>thanks so much for the help--I did a little research and you're right about the grad program ranked 1.</p>
<p>now I'm seriously getting excited about my acceptance...</p>
<p>Great. Look into the department, the faculty, the courses offered, the sorts of speakers that come to campus, ect.</p>
<p>I agree with mostly everything said. As a minor side, the graduate students and faculty are very much the cream, but like any field or level of academia, not all are necessarily good instructors. But worrying about Professor X and grade Y and 'competition' is irrelevant -- it's a straightforward formula of pushing your own limits and accepting the results.</p>
<p>I've had my share of great and mediocre profs and gsi's in the English dept. and consider the sum experience a decent lesson on how to grow as a student -- absorb what you're taught by the demi-gods but ALWAYS maintain your freedom to question anything they say; know that a lot of 'reading time' will be devoted to stuff you don't necessarily want to read, but understand that everything you read will at least diminish your ignorance of knowledge outside your bubble; cherish the classes and professors that inspire or renew literary interests but grow a hide thick enough to brush off the ones that don't; expand your comfort zone by taking classes in other depts.; and don't drop thousands of dollars to do anything half-assed.</p>
<p>I have some transfer pals in English -- one word of advice is to take advantage of advising and the undergrad club so you aren't overwhelmed with the unfamiliar scene AND the struggle over new logistics.</p>