<p>Hi guys! So i got accepted into Cal as a Chem major and I've been hearing a lot of scary rumors about how difficult it is to get a good GPA at Cal, getting classes, etc. Basically, I've heard its hell over hear to get good grades compared to other UCs. Is Cal really that intimidating? </p>
<p>My brother went to Cal, and he was pretty much ranked in the state in the top 5 for Chemistry, and failed his first class there. From what he told me the school was extremely difficult, and the social life wasn’t the absolute greatest either. People were just too competitive and it was not fun.</p>
<p>Never been, but my D’s BF is a freshman this year, EECS. He works really hard, has struggled at times, but overall feels he is in the right place. And yes, his gpa is lower than what he maintained in HS, and he feels the rigor is intense, even though he attended one of the more rigorous schools in our community. But our community isn’t all that, so that isn’t saying a whole lot, lol. I think ultimately the answer to your question is relative. If you got accepted, then chances are you have as much preparation as the general student population at Cal. And keep in mind – many of your fellow frosh will also be a bit nervous about it all, and you’ll fit right in!</p>
<p>Good grief all these posts about Berkeley being too competitive. You go to school to be challenged and learn. You’ll learn from the best at Cal. </p>
<p>Imnotanoob, where and how do they rank high school students in chemistry?!</p>
<p>I went to Cal less than 5 years ago. Got A in Chem 1A, 3A; B in Chem 3B. Yeah the test average was bad, so the class must be curved. Can’t remember how much A’s and B’s, but probably at least top 25% get A’s. I studied over spring break to catch up to get A in Chem3A. Took sacrifice I guess.
Got 2 housemates who were brilliant (3.9+ GPA in the end), also got A’s in Chem. The thing with bio, chem classes are that you’re competing with crazy premeds, prepharms, predental, …</p>
<p>Forgot what it’s called, but there’s a study group that you could sign up for from the tutoring center. I got 5 on AP Chem and got A at Cal Chem 1A. I don’t think it’s too bad.</p>
<p>Physics 7A/7B engineering physics. The dept policy was only 60% of the class get A’s and B’s, rest C’s and…</p>
<p>Overall, no matter what anyone tells you, you will have to work extremely hard at Cal to get a high GPA, you should not try and think otherwise,</p>
<p>However, if you put a lot of work into studying for a class, doing all the homework plus more practice problems, you will get a high grade, such as an A or A- almost all of the time. It is rare for someone to be understanding the material, putting in 10 hours a week of studying, doing all homework, and to end up with a grade that did not match what effort they put into the course.</p>
<p>As a current student at Berkeley I would say it depends how much you put into it. The harder you work, the more you learn and the more successful you will be. There are a vast number of resources (office hours, study groups, SLC, tutors, etc); it’s all there for you if you want to use them. </p>
<p>“At least top 25% get A’s”, I don’t know how it was 5 years ago, but there are no “weeder” science classes like Chem3A/B here where there’s more than 10-15% As. You can get tutoring from the SLC.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s difficult and competitive, but as someone above said, you’re in college to be challenged. And effort does actually align with your grades. I don’t think you should ever turn down any school because you think it’d be too difficult.</p>