<p>are there any other differences between FPF and a regular fall admit besides that we won’t get to take some classes and might have to live away from the rest of the dorms?</p>
<p>thedash –</p>
<p>You weren’t alone, haha. You shouldn’t be down on yourself because there are people who do not even have the chance to attend, fall or spring. If you really want to go to Cal, don’t let this be the reason why you chose not to. After all, its only for 1 semester.</p>
<p>ilovepandapanda - </p>
<p>You will have to pay more for an RSF membership & you won’t be able to participate in NCAA sports.</p>
<p>oh good thing i don’t do sports haha.</p>
<p>so after the 1st semester, spring admits are just like any other cal student?</p>
<p>Thanks for starting this thread. Lots of questions out there… can you say a little more about these private dorms? What does that mean? Can you wait until you find out about housing in the regular dorms first and if you don’t, then try to get into a private dorm? I understand you don’t find out until mid-July if you apply for the fall semester for housing (FPF students). I also read something about theme housing. What is that? Thanks for any info. Very much appreciated.</p>
<p>so i got accepted as a spring admit… 4 pre-business… so how is it gonna work wen i apply 4 the haas school of business? which btw is confusin already…because, if u don’t get accpeted (being a spring admit or not) where do u go frm there? :-/</p>
<p>ilovepandapanda - Pretty much. </p>
<p>nancho42 - Private dorms are dorms that are not owned by the university. They offer the same type of dorms experience that Unit 1 offers, for example. You can apply for a private dorms at any times. I know of some FPF students who did it before they got their housing offer just to be safe. Some private dorms I know of off the top of my head are Telegraph Commons, Westminster House, and Tau House. You can search them on google to find out more about them. </p>
<p>Types of theme housings are African American, Asian American, Latino/Chicano, LGBT, Environmental, Women in Science and Engineering, etc. These are no separate from the regular dorms (African American is in Unit 1, Asian American in Unit 2, etc.). If you live in theme housing you take a seminar based on the theme that takes place right in your living area. As an FPF student, you will be able to take these seminars. To live in theme housing, you must fill out an application and write an essay explaining why you want to live in a theme program. Its really simple and you will see it on your housing app. FPF students are usually successful in getting into a theme program. Some even apply to a theme program because they really want to live in Unit 1 or Unit 2.</p>
<p>cajongrl -</p>
<p>I was actually pre-business too before I switched to a different major. Being a spring admit does not affect being able to apply to Haas. You just need to be aware of the pre-reqs and plan your semesters accordingly. You also need to be prepared for a back-up major in the event you do not get accept. Feel free to message me for any specific questions.</p>
<p>Thnx GoBears2013 :-)</p>
<p>I still have alot of thinking to do and not much time i’m guessing.</p>
<p>Cajongrl - I’m in the same boat as you. I’m accepted for spring as a pre-business major. It makes me question about getting into Haas later on. I’m thinking about maybe not going to Berkeley 
and possibly going there for MBA and just attend LA or Irvine…</p>
<p>what are some of the major disadvantages of being spring admit??</p>
<p>If i reserve for the FPF does that mean i have to go?</p>
<p>@pollkfg - no it does not</p>
<p>I’m not a spring admit, but I know probably 6 or 7 of them personally and watched them go through the whole FPF process last semester. FPF IS AWESOME! Sometimes I wish I was an spring admit…let me explain the benefits. </p>
<p>It does suck that you can’t take lab classes, but it really isn’t so horrible as long as you take them in the spring. In FPF, you get to enjoy smaller lower-div classes, a rare treat at berkeley. The classes are easier than on campus classes (I know some may protest, but I compared tests/homework/essays!), and you are getting the exact grade/credit on your transcript. For example, FPF Math 1B is WAY better than 1B on campus, the most failed class at berkeley. </p>
<p>You can take all your humanities that are super hard to get into (English classes, AC, etc. my friend took all her breadth classes). </p>
<p>Then you get to take science classes on the off semester, so way less competiton. Like Chem 1A in the fall is much easier because you are with other spring admits, or people that failed (for the majority), plus the prof is easier. </p>
<p>So many benefits…and in the end no one knows you were a spring admit but you graduate with a berkeley degree. DO NOT REJECT BERKELEY JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE A SPRING ADMIT!!! if you want to come here, DO FPF.</p>
<p>heytherek -</p>
<p>In the long run, nothing. You get the same degree/diploma as anyone else.
In the short run, what I could think of is having to wait an extra semester to get to Cal (if you don’t do FPF) or having fewer courses to choose from (in FPF). </p>
<p>A big advantage though is the power of choice. If you want to start college right away, you could choose to do FPF. If you want to chill while still getting units, you could choose to go to a CC. If you want to be a bum (or travel the world), you could do nothing.</p>
<p>thanks GoBears. I guess I could have found out that info on theme housing by just reading a little online at the UCB website. Just jumping around trying to process this all. My son is a Spring Admit and we’re trying to understand what everything means and what the options are. All this info is great.</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me what kind of students typically live in the private dorms? Upper classmen? Undergraduates vs. graduates? Foreign students? Freshmen undergraduates fall admits are guaranteed university housing correct? So typically, could one expect freshmen in the private dorms? Does anyone know if Spring Admits, and FPF in particular, tend to end up in the private dorms, and if so, any one in particular? Also, if you accept a spot in a private dorm, it’s for the entire year, correct? So then, if a spot in the university dorm opened up in the spring, you wouldn’t be able to take it?</p>
<p>For those of you currently enrolled as Spring Admits–what is your housing experience and how has it/did it impacted/impact your college experience as a freshman? </p>
<p>Thanks…</p>
<p>What are FPF classes like? similar to a small college, with few students and some good old fashioned personal attention? my sister did the program as a spring admit and LOVED the campus/her classes, but had a HELL of a time finding housing.</p>
<p>nancho42 -</p>
<p>If there are freshmen in the private dorms, it will most likely be fellow FPF students. But I bet a few of the groups you mentioned also live there. Yes, there are freshmen in the private dorms and your son’s roommate(s) will be freshmen in FPF, most likely. Cal Housing expects to house most FPF students, around 70%. For those who unfortunately do not receive a housing offer, they could choose private dorms. FPF students are spread out through Westminster, Tau, and Telegraph Commons and others. </p>
<p>I’m sure each dorm has different contracts/cancellation policies. There are some spring admits who lived in a private dorm who moved to let’s say Unit 3 their spring semester however. So yes it is possible. </p>
<p>I was lucky enough to get an housing offer early on (although it was not for where I wanted) but I know of others who waited and waited and didn’t get one at all.</p>
<p>OneWorld -</p>
<p>The biggest difference between FPF classes and on campus classes is the amount of students. In FPF my biggest class was about 50 ish people (compared to 600+ my spring semester) and my smallest class was 12 people. The instructors are very welcoming and intelligent.</p>
<p>Whats the difference between community college and FPF, in material and cost?</p>