Geography UCB vs. SDSU

College Majors
1

<p>I am transferring to either UC Berkeley or SDSU in Fall 2008. I haven’t decided which one. (Of course, if I’m not accepted at UCB, then it is a moot point, but I am going to imagine that I will be.) I will be majoring in Geography. There are pluses and minuses of both schools. Berkeley has the “name”, of course, but SDSU seems to have a better Geography department, or at least one that seems a lot more friendly and helpful. I’m just wondering if anyone out there in College Confidential land has any advice or thoughts about the Geography departments at either school. I typed up a few questions for a friend who majored in Geog at SDSU, maybe they could get this conversation started…</p>

<li><p>What is the learning environment like? Is it a lot of reading and theory, or is there a chance to do hands-on work? </p></li>
<li><p>Are the majority of the upper division classes fairly small, in other words,
less than 50 students?</p></li>
<li><p>Is it easy or difficult to find an internship? Is the department helpful or not very helpful when trying to find an internship? </p></li>
<li><p>(For anyone who may have graduated already, or who might know someone who has graduated) Were you able to find a job using your geography skills?</p></li>
</ol>

2

<p>
[quote]
but SDSU seems to have a better Geography department, or at least one that seems a lot more friendly and helpful.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Berkeley's geography department is one of the best in the nation.</p>

<p>NRC Ranking:
1 Penn State 4.59
2 Wisconsin 4.40
3 Minnesota 4.22
4 Cal Santa Barbara 4.16
5 Ohio State 4.07
6 Syracuse 3.99
7 Cal Berkeley 3.99
8 UCLA 3.95
9 Clark 3.82
10 Washington 3.66</p>

<p>Gourman Report undergrad geography:
U Minnesota
U Wisconsin
Penn State
UC Berkeley
Ohio State
U Illinois Urbana Champaign
U Michigan Ann Arbor
U Washington
UCLA
Syracuse
U Iowa
U Colorado Boulder</p>

<p>
[quote]
or at least one that seems a lot more friendly and helpful.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Not really. In fact, it's more likely that Berkeley's department will be the more helpful -- you'll get better advising, more contact with faculty and grad students (who are in a top grad geography program), etc.</p>

<p>
[quote]
1. What is the learning environment like? Is it a lot of reading and theory, or is there a chance to do hands-on work?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The learning environment, as at most universities, is what you make of it. Geography is not a competitive department. There is plenty of chance to do hands-on work -- in fact, I'd say it's more so at the UCs, which are the ones who do research and tons of other projects that give hands-on experience.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Are the majority of the upper division classes fairly small, in other words, less than 50 students?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes -- the overwhelming majority of courses at Berkeley have fewer than 50 students (I think 86% or so). This includes upper-div courses. In fact, most of the lower-div courses are fairly small. Keep in mind, also, that Berkeley ensures small discussions if your lecture class is over 50.</p>

<p>UCB</a> Online Schedule of Classes: Search Results</p>

<p>
[quote]
Is it easy or difficult to find an internship? Is the department helpful or not very helpful when trying to find an internship?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>At Berkeley, probably easy. There are tons of opportunities and tons of resources. The department will most likely be very helpful.</p>

3

<p>I know Berkeley, in general, is always listed as one of the top schools in the nation, but I wish I knew what the criteria is. For instance, do they just say that UCB as a whole is "a top school" or do they actually look at it by major? </p>

<p>Most likely I'll choose Berkeley if accepted, but seeing as how I will have ONE day to decide, I just wanted to know if anyone had personal experience with the Geography department there. Thanks!!</p>

4

<p>You do realize that the ranking he listed was specifically for geography, right?</p>

<p>Also, generally almost every program at berkeley is a top 10 program.</p>

<p>That being said, I can say almost postively that every department Berkeley offers is better than what SDSU offers.</p>

5

<p>You do know that SDSU has a party school reputation, right? It's also overcrowded. I'd go for Cal.</p>

6

<p>UMich doesn't have a geography dept. anymore. It's been gone for something like 30 years! LOL</p>

7

<p>Many schools don't have geography departments, but that may change. There is evidence that geography is becoming more popular in the United States and that geography majors are becoming more employable, especially as the world becomes "smaller" due to globalization. It is a very interesting subject, that's for sure.</p>