<p>Searching through these forums, it is very difficult for me to see the magnitude of getting into the classes and the extent of the academic counseling opportunities there are. If getting into the classes I want is really that difficult (with the Telebears system) and the lack of academic counseling, should I reconsider going to Berkeley for San Diego?</p>
<p>you’ll have the same problem in sd</p>
<p>it’ll be the same with all the UCs I’d imagine.</p>
<p>Work the system and advise yourself. You aren’t in high school anymore.</p>
<p>im pretty sure that’s what calso is for but i haven’t gone to it yet so im not positive. (not a wise remark or anything). if u dont know, calso is the orientation.</p>
<p>OK thanks guys. As long as it’s not just a berkeley thing, I’m glad. But is the academic counseling option not well available? I know for privates like Harvard, the academic counseling is amazing. Then again, it is a private school…</p>
<p>There is a lot of counseling available everywhere and you’re emailed about it/advertised to about it constantly. And although the general L&S advising is too broad to be amazing, advisers for specific majors/departments can be very helpful.</p>
<p>There is good academic counseling available if you make an effort to find it. If you just go to required meetings with your assigned advisor, you’ll get basically crap, but that’s how life usually works. The schools like Harvard where they try to ensure you get good academic counseling and stuff are very much the exception.</p>
<p>REAL advisers (the ones that work in the offices and are staff) are good. never trust the peer ones. they know absolutely nothing and have told me incorrect things at least 5 times. (this is the MCB office). the L&S office is VERY good for questions about breadths, college req’s.</p>
<p>also everyone essentially starts off not knowing anything anyway - except the people with older siblings who went to cal.</p>
<p>Most of the concerns you hear about Berkeley are blown completely out of proportion by a select bunch of incompetents. Now, I guess you should ask yourself whether or not you’re an incompetent. Maybe go to an adviser? They might have some information.</p>
<p>You’ll probably end up shooting yourself in the foot if you got to advisers/counselors here at berkeley enough times.</p>
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<p>The part in bold is very important to consider. When faculty from a world class university advise you about your future, you have a special sense of security that they know what they’re talking about, especially when it comes to academic plans. Chances are they’ve seen many different kinds of students and have plenty of perspective to offer.</p>