<p>As a student who has been put through the wringer that is college admissions, I wouldn't know what I would have done without CC here for me Every. Hour. For 24hrs a day! I'll be the first to admit it's like a Target that never closes! (although I've heard stories of Super Target, but have yet to actually find one). </p>
<p>Scrolling through threads -- like you've lost all self-control. Posting. Reading new posts EVERYWHERE on those sweet new iPhones, iPads, iAndroids, and iBlackberries. Receiving replies on YOUR thread. Avoiding that paper due tomorrow, at ALL COSTS. Need I say more?</p>
<p>FACT: Writing that heading on the paper DOES entitle you to a 2 hour break.</p>
<p>Don't stress, bro.</p>
<p>However, I digress! My name is apparently "GoldenBears" (wasn't my first username preference) and I'm a Transfer, Sociology and Math DM @ CAL! I'm also an Office of Undergraduate Admissions Ambassador at Berkeley who wants nothing more than to help out future BEARS!...and other UC prospectives for that matter! Questions? ASK about it! Concerns? VENT about it! Recent accomplishments? BRAG about it! Warning: Swag responsibly. </p>
<p>Email: Cal_OUAmbassador@g m a i l . c o m !!!</p>
<p>Choosing Berkeley over UCLA was -- and probably will be for most of you -- one of the hardest decision I've made, but Berkeley is one of the greatest universities where students can experience new opportunities, learn from the best, and meet classmates and colleagues from across the WORLD! Oh yeah, and we're also the only college to have their own "Asian Ghetto," which may or may not be what you assume it to be, google it! :)</p>
<p>How do the rigor of the classes compare to CC? It has been relatively easy to get As in CC for me but I’m worried that the work will be harder at a UC. My friend who graduated from SF State said the level of difficulty was the same when compared to his CC.</p>
<p>Double Major: Sociology & Math (Applied as Soc!)
GPA: 3.8
Applied: CAL, UCLA, Davis, Santa Barbara
Accepted: All
Prereqs: Completed for both
EC/Rewards: Student Senate at CCC, President’s Honor List, English tutor, and that about sums it up! Don’t worry too much about these. I’ve spoken with many Admissions Officers for CAL and UCLA, and most have mentioned that it is the personal statement that gives applicants the chance to tell their story. :)</p>
<p>I live in socal, if UCB accepts me, I still have to think twice before making any decision. I dont want to go that far, I will miss everyone here. Cal is a great school. Since im a socal citizen, I would prefer USC ucla. </p>
<p>What would be your intended major? I can’t speak for all classes or other UCs, but the rigor here at Cal is definitely on a different level, but it’s also manageable. No need to worry about not being able to keep up! However, I can safety say that studying habits will change almost innately after transferring </p>
<p>Warning: PREPARE FOR SECTIONS! You’re probably not used to having an entire class solely for discussion, but these classes will likely make up a good part of your grade.</p>
<p>I’ve had classes where Midterms & Finals were only worth 10% of my grade, each! – TEN PERCENT! I have HOMEWORK that’s worth more that! Take-Home Exams are A LOT less stressful; however, ungodly 3-hour finals DO exist…and those, my friend, are ALWAYS cause for celebratory naps after drinking. Berkeley is also on the semester system, soooo…there’s none of that unnecessary quarter rush thing other students have going on …we also have “Dead Week”. <em>smirk</em> Haters gonna hate. </p>
<p>Tips:</p>
<ul>
<li>Freshmen wear lanyards actually AROUND their neck</li>
<li>GSIs are giving you the grade, while professors just basically lecture. BE NICE TO GRAD STUDENTS!</li>
<li>Libraries are awesome places to study! </li>
<li>Study.</li>
<li>Cal is on ‘Bear-time,’ so use those extra 10 minutes wisely.</li>
<li>Cal or Berkeley > “UCB” :)</li>
</ul>
<p>Haha @Ferrari4XD …One of my good friends goes to UCLA, so I’m a bit partial to choosing a Bruin over a Trojan. I’m also from Socal, so trust me, the moment before having to make your decision SUCKS! No regrets though! Don’t think of it as saying goodbye to Socal, think of it as saying HELLO to Norcal – the Bay Area!!! :)</p>
<p>How important are extracurricular activities for Philosophy majors? Our school (Skyline College) doesn’t have any articulated courses with Cal, would taking more Philosophy courses help in the admission process?</p>
<p>Do you drive your own car or do you use public transportation? If you don’t own a vehicle now, did you own one prior to transfer? From what I understand, it’s pointless for Berkeley students to own a car (supposedly the city of Berkeley primarily makes its dough off parking tickets? T_T). Is that completely true? Being from the Los Angeles area, I’ve always had a car and have only taken the bus once, albeit only for a 2 or 3 block ride when I was young lol, and so I’m feeling really nervous and anxious about the transition.</p>
<p>@GoldenBears I’m an econ major and I want to minor in statistics. I expect to study more at Cal but as with most CC students I work also. I am prepared to quit my job in order to succeed at Cal but I would prefer not to. I guess I’ll have to wait and see how the work load is going to be for myself to know if I can handle it.</p>
<p>@Perfect36: Who told you it was bad??? Social life here is what you make of it! Though living on South side as opposed to North/West side will probably make it significantly easier to meet people. I definitely underestimated the social life here, because students know how to play just as hard as they work. I approve of ‘Thirsty Thursday’…just try not to walk on Telegraph without shoes on the morning after – that’s just nasty. </p>
<p>@SoundsInterest: SWEET! A Philosophy major! Always interesting people to have conversations with. Yeah, that’s seems to worry most who choose to major in it. Just make sure your transcript conveys an interest in Philosophy and you will be fine. Prereqs are easily satisfied once you’re here. I hear Philosophy is a great major for law school! </p>
<p>@jasonSkim: Hahaha I do own a car back in LA, but no need for it here! Parking is ridiculously overpriced and everything is either within walking distance or only a BART ride away! Buses are always filled with Cal students, so they’re nothing like being on one in LA. lol Parking police are notorious for riding around in their tiny mob cars/bikes and handing out pretty hefty tickets. </p>
<p>Parket ticket: $76
Bicycle ticket: ~$200+
Feeling of satisfaction when you realize you can run faster than their patrol carts: Priceless.</p>
<p>…Not that I’ve ever raced a patrol cart.</p>
<p>@JavyUCB: Economics!? 8l …Mentally and physically prepare yourself for 101 here. Average grade distribution is usually under 50/100 (I know because I’ve taken it, along with everyone else, and it’s NOT fun!). I’m usually an optimist, but this class is often the deciding factor between Economics and Political Economy. Don’t fret! It’s possible. I don’t recommend working your first semester, but the workload for any semester is usually pretty consistent. On a lighter note, Economics classes here can sometimes be enjoyable from what I hear. </p>
<p>Fun fact: Econ 1 has over 700 students every semester!</p>
<p>@john2: I just turned 21! Lived on-campus with freshmen and 2nd years, but met a ton of transfers who I spend most of my time with. A lot of my friends are actually part of the Greek life, so I guess that kind of helped with meeting people. Lol</p>
<p>No problem! For the appreciation I’ll let those who read my thread in on a minor ocurrence that seems to happen to a handful of (accepted?) applicants – Your Financial Aid package WILL be prepared before Berkeley’s acceptance emails actually go out, so for those who receive a “UCB FinAid” email a day or two before April 27th…well…let’s just say that isn’t the WORST email you can get. ;)</p>
<p>GPA: 3.79
Major: Sociology
Essay: I’ve been told it was really good.
Extra curricular: Job as a caregiver
Reqs: Will finish all by spring except stats. I’m taking psychology behavioral statistics and that fulfills the reqs for UCLA but not for Berk. Do you think this is gonna have a big impact on the admission decision?</p>
Thanks</p>
…we also have “Dead Week”. <em>smirk</em> Haters gonna hate. </p>