<p>Well, you asked a bunch of different questions - probably people had th same reaction that I did. Not able to answer the whole set, I went on to the next post. </p>
<p>People met their good friends a variety of ways, I will list a few and others could chime in. </p>
<p>Could be a room or suite or floormate.</p>
<p>In a study group with you.</p>
<p>Member of same organization, thus similar interests that gets you talking.</p>
<p>In a DeCal for some mutual passion - Batman or Vampires or some kind of dance or whatever.</p>
<p>In some long line together and get to talking.</p>
<p>At same table in a lab or member of a group assigned by GSI</p>
<p>See someone wearing a shirt or pin for something uncommon, so you talk about it</p>
<p>Friend of a friend</p>
<p>Meet at a party</p>
<p>Meet pulling some prank</p>
<p>Frat/sorority mate</p>
<p>Lives in adjacent apartment</p>
<p>Meet doing laundry</p>
<p>Basically, you will encounter many people, have acquaintances with lots, know a number well, and have a small number of good friends. It happens without having to force it. The bigness does not make it harder to find friends, it makes it easier because you are bound to have people with complementary interests and personalities due to the sheer numbers. If there were always 10,000 people in a giant room, it would be hard to meet, but clubs, classes, lab tables, study groups - these are small numbers of people at any time. If you are in a group of 20 that are fanatics about making videos, you will do a lot of interacting. </p>
<p>Cal is a pretty tolerant, diverse and open place. Can’t say what the lgbt scene is or how it works out socially, but would assume it is relatively easy to be yourself and to meet people appropriately. Since there are lgbt-related classes and organizations, that is a good way to make contact with fellow students who can answer you with direct experience and recommendations.</p>