<p>1)Yes, Berkeley’s tuition is rising and for OOS it is just the same as a private university. However tuition increase is the same at all other schools. NYU jumped to $60,000+ this year and USC $58,000. I’m from California and got great finaid which covers almost my entire tuition so for me, it’s worth it. For OOS’ers, it may not be as great of a deal though. </p>
<p>2) A social environment isn’t defined by the clubs. Personally, I know that I don’t pick a school based on how many clubs their are. If you’re a social person, you will always have a social environment. If you’re passive in your socializing, meaning that you wait for people or events to come to you or you rely on a club for your fun, then obviously your social environment will not be as fun. Berkeley is a HUGE school and you can’t generalize it by saying nobody likes to have fun because most do. </p>
<p>3) Yes, it is true that Berkeley has some huge classes. This is mostly in introductory/prereq courses. Huge upper division classes would only be the ones that are major requirements. In these type of classes, students don’t take them to get to know the professor or have a personal environment, they take them because they are REQUIRED. No matter if you’re at a private, public, LAC, or research school unless you are active in going to your professor’s office hours then you will never have a personal relationship with your professor! It is your own fault if you aren’t active in your education. And as far as “boring” classes EVERY college has boring classes, to say that this is only true at Berkeley is a false generalization. Berkeley has SO many classes, it’s is your duty as a student to go on websites like courserank.com and figure out which fulfill your interests. </p>
<p>4) Every college has idiots. Period. And as far as this person’s statement about how the poor quality of peers is defined by people asking dumb questions, I would like to refute this idiocy because clearly this individual was looking for any reason to speak poorly about UCB. Asking questions means you are being active in your learning. Learning isn’t a race. Also, I feel like there is an unfair stigma attached to Berkeley, which is that every student has to be a genius or something. I think most of you will be pleasantly surprised to find out that many of us are completely normal. Yes, Cal has a high drop out rate, hence the purpose of Spring Admits. Who cares? They couldn’t handle it, it’s better for you anyways. </p>
<p>5) I will agree that opportunities at Cal are narrower than at some other schools for students who aren’t math/science/engineering/haas majors. There are just so many students and so little internships. The good thing though is that going to Berkeley really does help get your foot in. The name Berkeley won’t land you a job but it will help get you an interview, then it’s on you. Many people think that the professors are cold and busy and DGAF about you. Not true. The great thing about Cal is that it is a research school, which means the professors are active in their field! Go to the professors you like and ask them if they’re looking for interns. I went to one of my art history professors this year and was like, “hey, need any free labor?!” and instantly got a summer job. This isn’t true for all professors, but it is true for many. </p>
<p>6) Again, all schools have bad professors. I would say though that the level of Berkeley professors is much higher than other schools! The fact that they are research professors is a positive not a negative. It means they are interested in their subject and looking for interns! On the other hand, you have to understand that Berkeley is a very liberal institution and so their own personal politics will be VERY present. There are PLENTY of classes that aren’t very hard and, like I said before, it’s your duty to look for those. I took Film as my R+C req, Nutrition (SUCH AN EASY CLASS!!!) for my bio req, Physics for Future Presidents (easy, fun, and athletes take it!) for my physics req, and will never have to take a single math class! The level of difficulty is truly synonymous to what your major is.</p>
<p>7) You’re living in the Bay Area, air conditioning would only be necessary like twice a year! You want to hear about crappy housing? USC, which is located in LA in the blistering heat, has NO AIR CONDITIONING in their dorms, which are run down and dirty. I am using USC as an example because it is a private and extremely expensive university that offers some of the best resources for students. NYU only has 3 dorms that offer air conditioning. Also, like I said before, Berkeley is located in the BAY AREA, which has some of the most expensive housing in the country. As far as off campus housing goes, I live in a co-op two blocks away from campus, it is cheaper than the dorms, and it includes utilities and food. </p>
<p>8)This entire statement about not having dead days is just false, I always had at least 4 days of review. But then again, this depends on your professor. Some just continue teaching as long as they can. Yes, libraries aren’t open 24/7, which sucks!! But personally, I’ve never been in the library past like 11:30. </p>
<p>9) Okay so this last statement truly represents who the author of this post is. He is a student who doesn’t like to have fun and relax. Dorms are where you are allowed to play music!</p>