Questions about Berkeley?

Transfer Students UC Transfers
21

<p>Are you for that reason, allowed to take summer courses then?</p>

<p>Oh! One more question, when you were applying to Berkeley, I’m sure there was a spot asking you about any ECs you’ve completed. Did they ask you to list ECs you’ve completed starting your ‘freshmen’ year at CC? Or did they want you to list your ECs from high school as well?</p>

22

<p>how’s the nightlife?</p>

23

<p>

  • Yeah, I had a ton of ECs. I don’t know what was the defining factor of me getting admitted to Berkeley but I do know this - Berkeley cares a ton about your personal statements. We learned about affirmative action in one my classes and they had an admissions officer come and tell us about how they really read the statements (especially the “hardship” one) to sort of go around Prop 209 in determining if someone had some sort of racial, economic, etc disadvantage. So if you are going to write about an hardship or some sort during that prompt, make sure it’s something reasonable and not “oh i didnt get my act together, blah blah blah”. Also use cute humor! I wrote about my niece and how I had to take care of her during my year at cc… everyone loved the small humor I put in and the message I got across. </p>

<p>

  • Because you don’t want to overload yourself your first semester and have that adjustment period. It’s really your own choice and whether you think you can handle it or not. For me, if I had taken 17 as I originally planned, I would have failed badly. </p>

<p>

  • Yeah, I know some EE majors and they definitely have a huge workload. Most stay at Berkeley for 5 years (3 years after transfer). But for other majors, it’s possible to graduate in 2 years after transferring. A ton of people do it. For me, Poli Sci and most letter of arts and science courses are 4 units each (3 lecture hours, 1 discussion hour)… so I really only need to take on average 15 units (4 main classes, and an easy 2 unit filler class) each of my 4 semesters to graduate in 2 years. Of course I am in no rush to graduate early so I’m taking it easy, 13 first, 14 next, and 14 onward. Honestly, it’s really your own personal decision. I love college and am in no rush… but for some people, they are. Keep in mind, those who want to do law school, doing everything in 2 years is going to be hectic because not only do you have a pretty big courseload, you also have to do ECs AND study for the LSAT. But again, your choice.</p>

<p>

  • Yes, you can take summer courses. I heard summer courses tend to be more lax. I’m personally am not because I have an internship set up for me. But most people do. </p>

<ul>
<li>As for EC, I just listed CC ones because I did a ton during my one year at CC. </li>
</ul>

<p>

  • It’s what you make of it. IF you are in the greek scene, every week - there tends to be a party. For those 21+, Blakes is always having some kickbacks too. Bears Liar is a huge spot that people go to drink. There are tons of things to do, it’s just what you make of it. And if you dont have anything set up, you can always go to San Francisco.</p>
24

<p>How are the sororities in contrast to the frats (if you have any idea/heard things from friends)? What are the people in sororities like?</p>

<p>Is it true if you don’t join a frat/sorority, then most of your friends will just be acquaintances? </p>

<p>What did they make you do to pledge? Just curious… I don’t know much about Greek life besides what I see on tv. (edit: nm, didn’t realize you answered this question)</p>

25

<p>

</p>

<ul>
<li>The sororities definitely have a different way of garnering members. Their rush week is crazy (girls have to dress up and visit each house… then they pick and you pick and all that crap… very complicating) whereas fraternities, you just go to houses during rush, meet the guys, and do whatever their event entails. </li>
<li>When it comes to pledging, it’s different. Sororities, from what I was told, just get gifts for their littles and have fun times with each other. Their pledging process is also way shorter (ends in like 4-6 weeks whereas fraternities are pretty much 4/5 of the semester). This sucks because sororities are a lot huger (their pledge classes are on average, 40 girls whereas fraternities, the average is 8) so as a result, they don’t really know each other. But again, it differs between each house so don’t take my word fully on it. </li>
<li>Oh, and just to throw it out there, Asian fraternities and sororities are totally different. The sororities definitely focus more on sisterhood and knowing every sister. They also have longer pledging processes and make them do crazier things. Fraternities haze you way harder because they arent in IFC meaning they have less regulations. </li>
</ul>

<p>

  • Again, it’s what you make out of it. I have close relations with people outside of the greek system. There is a tendency that some people in the greek system get so caught up in the greek life that they outcast themselves. I was like that too. But that can easily be fixed by inviting your friends over to the house just to chill and stuff. It really is what you make out of it.</p>

<p>

  • I can’t tell you what my fraternity made me do during pledging. It’s a secret process geared towards creating brotherhood among the pledges. You just have to experience it yourself. But I will note that the stereotype fraternities get from shows on TV and movies is definitely not true for all of them. Some fraternities are fratty-like but the majority of them are not. You’ll discover this once you arrive to Cal and check out the fraternities during rush week.</p>
26

<p>What is the dorm life like? Is it possible for transfers to dorm for two years?</p>

27

<p>I didn’t read any of this thread but one part. Your interpretation of weed is right on chibi. I would’ve disagreed w/ you before Cal but it’s not a scary new drug that people are using (or dying from)…it’s a good mechanism to lower stress (and pretty safe if you use the right equipment).</p>

28

<p>Hey there! I’m at Skyline College right now. I believe I DM’d you a bit when you said you were transferring to UCLA, but I guess things have changed!</p>

<p>Anyway, I just finished my first semester right now I’ve got 2 A’s, 1 B (non transferable math class though), and 1 C in psychology 100. Hopefully if I get an A in my journalism class I’ll have a 3.5 transfer GPA since that B in math doesn’t count. My concern though is that C! If it turns out to be my final grade will that hurt my transfer chances by much? I’m hoping to transfer to Berkeley under Media Studies major.</p>

<p>I know it’s only my first semester, but I really wanted to shoot for A’s and B’s. Should I worry about that C? I’m definitely going to work to avoid C’s in future semesters and get a better GPA, but I really just wanted to do as best as possible.</p>

29

<p>On the weed thing…I am not sure what your intent was when you asked the question…but for some one into philosophy and serious theory…weed helps me study. I know many people who have different recations to it…but for me it is a short cut way to really focus in and put your head in a space to accept more abstract theories and logical practices. I always do free writes when i am stoned and then come back to them later. I often find that my writing uses more abstract language and addresses theoretical issues that i would have problems articulating other wise. </p>

<p>of course, i know many people who could NEVER smoke and then study. In fact. most people i know are like that. I stoped smoking with people at study sessions for this reason…i get focused, and every one else turns on a movie and starts drinking beers and chatting.</p>

<p>guess it just depends.</p>

30

<p>

  • Dorm life is fun. Definitely very sociable and you get to meet a ton of people. The first few weeks is great because everyone in the dorms are going to parties and you oddly run into each other that way. But after the weeks go on, people tend to stick on their floors until half way through the semester when your floor is ultimately separated themselves. For me, I was pledging so I kind of disconnected myself with my floor. But hey, there’s one more semester! I’ve seen people and their floors stay really connected. My biggest advice = try to do more floor things. Watch movies together, go to places together, etc etc. </p>

<p>

  • First of all, calm down. 1 C is not going to hurt you. As long as you maintain a 3.6ish+, you should do fine. Also join the Honors Transfer Program at Skyline. Ms Harer and Ms Lee are very helpful. They’ll give you a ton of resources to help you. Trust me, if it wasn’t for me constantly going to them for support and help, I probably wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now. When you get to a place like Cal or UCLA, you begin to wish you had their kind of presence around. </p>

<ul>
<li>As for this subject about weed, I dont want to continue discussing about it because that isn’t the main purpose of this thread. But I will say this, when you get to college, do whatever you want. Explore and try something new. It’s good to always diversify and find out more about yourself. Just don’t do crazy things like hard-line drugs (which I see some people do), and become a hardcore alcoholic/stoner. I think it’s safe to say I can control my drinking/usage, but some people can’t. Drink with a few of your friends first before you go out and drink at frat parties so you know your limit.</li>
</ul>

<p>I hope that concludes the topic of weed.</p>

31

<p>6 Questions:</p>

<p>1) How bad is the violent crime on campus?</p>

<p>2) If you live in a dorm, how is it living with another person?</p>

<p>3) If you are not an (Asian), do you feel like a minority?</p>

<p>4) Has the economy dampened recruiting significantly? </p>

<p>5) How liberal is it really there? I mean is there a healthy mix, and will someone who is not really liberal or conservative fit in?</p>

<p>6) How will the budget cuts affect you?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

32

<p>

</p>

<p>1) I wont sit here and tell you Berkeley is a safe and dandy place. It really isnt. In fact, the night after my last final, there was a stabbing near my dorm. A week before that, my friend was robbed in front of Crossroads (the student dining). But I will say this - all these crimes are avoidable. At night, walk with someone. Avoid walking on places like Telegraph at night. One of the keys I discovered was to walk (if you live on southside in unit 1 +2) on College and then go down, instead of Bowditch or Telegraph. You’ll make your own safe paths when you get here. </p>

<p>2) It’s really not that bad. My roommate is cool. At first it was odd but you get use to it. Dorm life really forces you to open up. My roommate is like my best friend at Cal. I can tell him anything and vice versa. We also always have parties in our room all the time. I guess I can say I got lucky. There are some other people on my floor who got horrible room arrangements and as a result, moved out for next semester. </p>

<p>3) I’m Asian so I can’t tell you from a personal standpoint of being a minority. But Ive befriended other minorities (my roommate is Mexican) and they tell me all the time - it can suck at times being the only black or only mexican etc etc but you get used to it. It only sucks more if you seclude yourself from them. Get out there, make friends. One of the things I hate about Berkeley is that all the Asians stay together, all the Latinos stay together, all the Blacks, etc etc. Of course, that’s true at every college. But for me, I hate it which is why I go out there and meet people from every ethnic background. So don’t be scared to be a “minority” here. It’s that fear that holds people back. </p>

<p>4) What do you mean by recruiting? Recruiting people from Berkeley? Of course, but there will always be tons of interested people in Berkeley (i.e. you guys). Berkeley is the best public school in the world. </p>

<p>5) Haha, Berkeley is NOT that liberal hippie place it used to be or what people perceive it to be. Yes, you have your typical hippie student who wears the stoner hoody, shorts, and flipflops and refuses to shower or shave. But you also have those hardcore Haas Majors who dress up in suits everyday. It’s really a healthy mix. I definitely feel like a Conservative person can fit in. Ive met many of them and I love getting into little debates with them and just drinking it out in the end. That is what college is all about.
Oh and by the way, Im sure those of you who follow the news, heard of the Berkeley protesters and how they took over Wheeler Hall, attacked the Chancellor, etc etc. Just thought I throw out that the majority of the students at Berkeley hated them because they blocked us from going to class and getting our money’s worth.</p>

<p>6) The budget cuts suck. Money was never really a problem for me but cutting classes has. I only was able to choose out of 7 upper-div poli sci classes… and that was only to get waitlisted like crazy. It sucks. Also, because of budget cuts, the classrooms get dirtier by the second. I was sitting in Wheeler Auditorium and I was afraid to look down below my seat. It’s nasty in there.</p>

33

<p>Is it true that all (or at least the majority of) students are ugly? Is it worse than UCSD? What is the ratio of hot girl to ugly girl? Like 1:10?</p>

34

<p>thanks for the reply. it was informative!</p>

35

<p>i applaud lakerforever, he asked an essential significant question that hadn’t crossed my mind! I really hope it’s better than 1:10…</p>

36

<p>On a similar note, how hot are the guys?</p>

37

<p>Generally the hot chicks aren’t congregated in Berkeley. Ucla has many hot chicks and diversity as well. Other UC’s have mostly white and Asian chicks, so if you like that then there you go. However, one of the hottest chicks in the country is a pole vaulter at cal. Alison something or other. She’s prolly the hottest chick at cal but other than that it’s mostly the smart kids, not the hot popular ones.</p>

38

<p>Haha i have very high standards so asking me is not going to work. Out of all the schools ive visited, the only school i thought had a considerable amount of attractive girls was ucla, and i was still very picky. But I will say this - the girls at berkeley are not that bad as people make it seem. If you are going out with the intent of finding hot girls, you wont be able to. Honestly the attractive girls ive met were the obes who i randomly met at social events. Regardless, if you look past the looks, there are a ton of cool girls here. Just talk to them and befriend them. There are tons of nice girls. </p>

<p>As for the guys, i dont really know. I never made an opinion on this seeing how im a guy and all, lol.</p>

39

<p>Do you know if it’s possible stay a fifth semester w/o having a double major?</p>

40

<p>Yeah it’s possible to stay an extra semester without having to double. You just have to petition to do so…</p>