<p>I’m posting here, and subscribing to this one, I wanna be able to refer back here later! Great info, thanks man :)</p>
<p>@eits,
can you give a run down on what you think of the available housing for transfers? i’m trying to decide which to apply for.</p>
<p>also, i am trying to decide between berkeley and ucla… any opinions?</p>
<p>thanks! (i’ll probably have more q’s later)</p>
<p>i was accepted as an OOS transfer student. do you think the increased tuition is worth the extra price? i had a bad experience with a big public institution in my own state. do you get any individual attention at Cal? do they care about you?</p>
<p>Higherhopes,</p>
<p>Don’t know about Foothill or Channing/Bowditch. Between Clark Kerr and the Units I’d take Clark Kerr. The walk from Clark Kerr sucks, the dining commons at Clark Kerr don’t serve breakfast or lunch, but good god I would never want to be in a triple at the Units and that alone makes Clark Kerr better for me. (Cons of Clark Kerr: athletes, construction, long walk, no breakfast/lunch). (Cons of Units: cramped).</p>
<p>As for UCLA vs. Cal. I was accepted to both and picked Cal. I’m from socal, could have seen friends/family on weekends, but I picked Cal not knowing a single person here. Looking back two years later, I made the right decision. Better a Golden Bear than a Bruin any day :)</p>
<p>Colboy,
Your professors (if you go to office hours and major in the humanities) will care about you. I can’t speak for science/engineering departments. I had one professor that had us over to his apartment for dinner after finals. That being said, if you don’t like a big public school for being a big public school you may not like Berkeley. If it is about professors caring, you can definitely find them here.</p>
<p>Thank you for taking time and talking to us anxious wide-eyed newbies. I have a few questions:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>What is the minimum amount of units I can take? I’m still active duty military (USAF) and have 16 months left in my enlistment, the workload and coursework load might be too much for me full-time at 13 units. I wonder if it’s okay to take classes part time until I complete my enlistment? Like 6-9 units. I’m a spring admit so it will only be for one semester.</p></li>
<li><p>Is there a residency requirement for junior transfers? Do I have to live on campus at all? I already live in a rental house in suisun city/fairfield which is 25-35 minutes away and I can ride my motorcycle to cut traffic.</p></li>
<li><p>Cost. How much is it? I doubt I will get much financial aid or grants seeing as how I have a fulltime paying job that pays me close to $40,000 a year with military Tuition Assistance at $4900 a year. I’m probably going to have to pay out of pocket until I am discharged and my G.I. Bill kicks in.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>lonesoul,</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I know the minimum for being a full time student is 13. I am not sure how to sign up as a part time student because I have never done it. Here is the best info I could find about part time:
[College</a> Policies-Academic Status](<a href=“http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/collegepolicies/status.html]College”>http://ls-advise.berkeley.edu/collegepolicies/status.html)</p></li>
<li><p>To my knowledge you are not required to live in the Dorms. </p></li>
<li><p>[UC</a> Berkeley Financial Aid Office Cost of Attendance](<a href=“http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/home/cost.htm]UC”>http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/home/cost.htm)</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Those are the numbers on the cost of attendance. Sorry, but I’m not very well versed in the FinAid department because everyone’s situation is different.</p>
<p>Hi! Im an English major too! 
I have a few questions:</p>
<p>1) Do you know what the difference is between English and Rhetoric classes?</p>
<p>2) How are the English essays graded in contrast to the grading system at community colleges? What makes the English department harder at Cal?</p>
<p>i have another question. how’s the workload (generally speaking-- i know it’s not the same all around)? based on your experience, how are grades determined? for example, most of my classes (quarter system) are graded based on like 3-4 tests and maybe 1 paper… and english is just based on like 5 essays.
what would you say about berkeley’s? (generally speaking, again)…
and any advice on adapting to a semester system? that’s one of my main concerns, because i start getting agitated in a class after a while… that’s why i like the quarter system better…</p>
<p>Yikes! Looks like I will have to petition to be a part time student, I’m sure it’ll be okay considering it’s for one semester only before my enlistment is up.</p>
<p>Looks like the cost of living off campus is cheaper than living on campus. So why doesn’t everyone opt to live off campus? I’m sure everyone would rather eat pizza and drink beer than to be subjected to dorm food correct? Thanks again</p>
<p>What should I make my CalNet ID? Just whatever combination of my names/initials isn’t taken yet?</p>
<p>Thank you so much for taking the time out to help us all! I hope you’re not procrastinating too much on our behalf
Here are my questions:
- How big are the classes? I’m sure the vary somewhat by major, but I’m a psychology major. Do you know how many students I can expect to share the classroom with?
- Does it rain, like, every day there?
- What are the benefits of the honors program? Is it worth it? The honors program at my CC was no big deal, just a little extra reading and an extra presentation. Is it any different at Cal?
- Do they have the option that UCLA and UCSD have to use elective courses to start on your masters work (so you can get your masters in 1 year instead of 2)?
- Are there designated smoking areas? Non smoking campus? Free for all?
- What are the closest apartments to campus?</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Oh one more:
7) How do they determine who gets first pick at class times? Is it by seniority? And if so, is it based on class (Freshman, Junior, etc) where Junior transfers get the same treatment as non-transfers? Or based on length of time at Cal?</p>
<p>ecullen,</p>
<ol>
<li>[Rhetoric</a> Department](<a href=“http://rhetoric.berkeley.edu/]Rhetoric”>http://rhetoric.berkeley.edu/)</li>
</ol>
<p>I think it means the focus of material will be more widespread and not focused primarily on literature the way an English major would be.</p>
<ol>
<li> The majority of classes I have taken have been seminar courses where my entire grade has been based on one final paper. The grading itself is not what makes Cal more difficult, it is the difficulty of the material and the extent to which you will be asked to analyze it. I linked this earlier, but cannot stress enough how important this book will be to an English major here:</li>
</ol>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> The Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism (9780393974294): Vincent B. Leitch, William E. Cain, Laurie A. Finke, Barbara E. Johnson, John McGowan, Jeffrey J. Williams: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393974294/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1WZ977HQVWB9W5XVXSH0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393974294/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1WZ977HQVWB9W5XVXSH0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846)</p>
<p>HigherHopes,</p>
<p>The majority of my coursework has been papers. Seminars = one final paper worth roughly 50% of your grade (15-20 pages). Survey courses = 3 small papers (5-8 pages) a midterm and a final.</p>
<p>I’m not sure about adapting to a semester system because I have been on semesters since high school. I guess just try and look at it as going into more detail and depth than you would be able to in a quarter and as an opportunity to develop a more full understanding for the material.</p>
<p>LoneSoul,</p>
<p>The dorm food is not terrible and it’s convenient. I chose to live on campus my first year because, aside from my brother at Stanfurd, I didn’t know a soul within 400miles of this place. If you don’t mind living by yourself or have a friend to live with you’d be just fine living off-campus.</p>
<p>Tom,</p>
<p>Your calnet ID is whatever you want to make it. It’s only a log in and not your email address. My e-mail is closer to my real name and my CalnetID is similar to my user name on this board. It only started last year, so I’m sure there are plenty of names up for grabs .</p>
<p>smartyskirt01,</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I don’t know how big the average psych course is. My upper division classes have ranged from 8 to 35 students and my lower division classes have had anywhere from 50-150 students. You will see how many slots are available for a given class when you register through telebears.</p></li>
<li><p>From early November until the end of April, expect rain. December-February = cold, gray, and raining. You learn to love it, but you’ll definitely miss the sun.</p></li>
<li><p>The honors program here usually involves a 40-60 page thesis (at least in History and English it does. I’m not sure about psych). If you’re planning on grad school, plan on doing the honors program.</p></li>
<li><p>I don’t know if they have the option like the others. I suggest going to your department’s website (google: Berkeley Psychology Department) and email an advisor.</p></li>
<li><p>As long as you are roughly 10-15 feet away from a window/door the campus is completely smoker friendly. I try not to smoke in busy areas, but if I’m late and need a smoke before class I’ll walk through Sproul with a lit cigarette and no one says anything. I’m sure you’ll be polite and move away from children and tour groups. Overall though, it really is a very smoker friendly campus.</p></li>
<li><p>There are apartments within a block of campus on the South side. You will pay a lot more for one. I’ve never even been to North side and have never gone far enough passed Shattuck to know about the West side. My apartment is about 6 blocks from campus and my roommate and I are splitting 1400$ a month for a one bedroom.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m not sure how they select priority. I knew transfers that had telebears both before and after me. Generally seniors get priority. Sophomores get the shaft. I believe transfers come before freshmen though.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>@ eits: First, thank you so much for coming on here to help us out! I actually have a few questions that I would love answered. If you could help me out in any way, that would be spectacular!</p>
<p>I applied to UCLA psych and UCB philosophy. I was admitted to both, but to Berkeley as a spring admit. I prefer psychology, but enjoy Berkeley’s environment and stimulating campus and intellectual vitality much more.</p>
<p>My questions are:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>Is it very hard to switch into psych? I applied to phil due to a lack of completed prereqs for psych. Currently I am missing 2, but will be taking them over the summer. My current prereq GPA for psych is a 4.0. I’m just missing anthro and an evolution course. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m also wondering that since I would be switching majors (if possible) if I could possibly (lol if this is a ridiculous question) be considered for fall admission instead. I would obviously prefer to go in the fall, but if this is simply NOT possible at all, I’ll understand.</p></li>
<li><p>I’m wondering if there is an “FPF” for transfers lol. I really don’t want to go back to my CCC or not be in school. If I wait for spring, I would hopefully be involved in some form of lab work, research, or assistance to professors in the interim.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>I’m planning to meet with faculty in L&S and the psych department within the next 2 weeks, but I’m posting this here to gauge my options and not be completely taken aback in either direction with positive or negative news.</p>
<p>Any help would be really appreciated! Berkeley is my dream school…</p>
<p>Go bears!</p>
<p>emil,</p>
<p>I don’t know about switching into psych. I don’t know if the major is impacted or what the L&S policy is about changing your major. Your best bet is to look up L&S advising and the Psych dept. website and e-mail advisors.</p>
<p>I can’t officially comment, but I’d bet a large sum of money there’s no chance in hell of you becoming a fall admit by switching your major.</p>
<p>I don’t know about an FPF for transfers. If I were you I would take that time to get ahead and or travel. </p>
<p>If it is your dream school, it’s worth the wait for Spring. It’s not impossible to switch majors, but I don’t know how possible it is :</p>
<p>@ Ahhh ok gotcha. Thank you for your help! :). I’m meeting with L&S pretty soon to figure this all out lol. I’m keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again!</p>
<p>@emil
This question I know the answer to. Psychology is highly impacted at both Berkeley and UCLA, nearly impossible to switch majors once you’re there, UCLA explicitly states that it is impossible to do so. Here’s what Berkeley says about their capped majors:
[L&S</a> Majors - Capped Majors](<a href=“http://ls-major.berkeley.edu/capped.html]L&S”>http://ls-major.berkeley.edu/capped.html)</p>
<p>How many English classes do you suggest an English major to take per semester?</p>
<p>Does the curve apply in English classes?</p>
<p>Why did you decide to go to Berkeley?</p>
<p>ecullen,</p>
<p>I would suggest no more than 3 with a decal. You can take more if you’re mixing upper and lower division courses. 4 is possible, but I did it and my GPA ‘suffered.’</p>
<p>What curve are you referring to? Grades? I’ve only had 3 ‘tests’ in an English class. Everything else is based on papers and I don’t think these are curved.</p>
<p>Berkeley was my 2nd choice. I was not accepted at U Chicago. I chose Berkeley because UCLA and UCI were too close to home and I wanted a legitimate college experience. I sent my SIR to Berkeley without having ever visited the Bay area. As I mentioned earlier, my younger brother enrolled at Stanford as a freshman, so he was a sophomore by the time I was admitted here as a transfer. Part of me also wanted to enjoy the friendly sibling rivalry (he’s Math/CS, I’m English). Winning Big game these last two years has been awesome Also, I’m a big fan of prestige. I think all schools in the UC system offer a solid education, but I also think Berkeley offers the best education in English (although it may not be evident from the numerous spelling and grammar errors I’ve made in these posts). I basically moved myself away from everything I knew. No friends or family and I’ve visited my brother twice in my two years here. Looking back now with 22 pages between me and a B.A. I know I made the right decision.</p>
<p>Lol Eits25, it’s so funny that you mention grammatical errors. When was the last time an English major actually took a grammar class? I akin it to taking basic math as a physicist major (well, you can get a point across with bad grammar, but can’t solve a problem with bad math skills, so maybe it’s a slanted analogy). Anywho, I constantly find myself referencing “The Elements of Style” and second guessing the spelling of the word “who.”</p>