Grades at Berkeley

<p>I’ve heard that getting a decent GPA at Cal is extremely difficult and even harder than ivy league schools. It seems like the average GPA is between 3.0-3.5, which doesnt really cut it for med schools and law schools who do look at grades quite heavily. I was wondering how hard is it to maintain a GPA of 3.7 and up at Berkeley in majors such as bio, chem, and biochem. Are there other majors that are much easier to get good grades in?</p>

<p>Cal, unlike many Ivies, doesn't inflate grades (it's actually known for grade deflation) and thus in some majors you really have to work hard to keep up a good GPA. But it's not impossible, and I'm sure that grad school look at GPA in relation to the school you went to (obviously a 3.5 at Berkeley is going to look better than a 3.8 at most Cal States).</p>

<p>Yes, there are easier majors but if you're thinking about med/law school, Basket Weaving Studies won't help you get far into either field.</p>

<p>yah, i have this same problem IndianDUde
see my post pn Prestige vs GPA
in college admissions section</p>

<p>I'm deciding between Cal and UCLA and im really confused because I went to Cal Day and thought that Berkeley was the coolest college ive ever seen. At the same time I realize that it can be much more hardcore than UCLA, which I also like alot, but not as much as Berkeley.</p>

<p>dude, just put the work in and ull be fine....all i have to say</p>

<p>honestly.....if u work hard....u should be fine</p>

<p>I could be the smartest student at Cal and say that getting a 3.7 is a piece of cake. On the other hand I could be the dumbest person at Cal and say that getting a 2.5 is nearly impossible. It all depends on the person.</p>

<p>but to have gotten into cal, i think people have already surpassed a benchmark where they <em>should</em> be able, with persistent effort, to manage good grades.</p>