Thanks. Yes I see that now. The posts and responses confirm the expressed view that what is right for one student may not be right for another. I just wanted to make clear for those considering the University that there are other views than the one expressed above.
I live in Orinda, a very affluent community about 10 minutes distance from Cal. I am frequently in the Cal area for various errands.I have first hand knowledge about some of the concerns expressed by post #1817.
1.The over the top pressure cooker atmosphere–I have heard it’s stressful, but so are most elite colleges.
2. grade deflation-- Nephew says it’s hard to get A’s.
3. gloomy weather-- compared to what? San Diego? possibly. Berkeley is in CA and we do have lovely weather.
4. constant threat of being attacked by homeless-- Highly exaggerated. Like I said, I live in bubble of affluence (where we have no homeless people), yet I have no concern or worries walking around Telegraph or Bancroft,
5.continuous aroma of marijuana–I’ve never smelled it walking around…,
6. rivalries instead of friends attitude–My nephew studying CS seems very happy, has a great circle of friends and has had high paying summer internships (Facebook, Google etc)
7, awful food around campus–Completely disagree.Lots of great, interesting restaurants!
So please don’t let the bad experience of one student influence your decision.
@BunnyBlue that’s an april fools post lmao
@PlzLetMeIn150 I believe it was a sincere post. When I first read it a few years ago I looked up things he posted on other forums and watched one of his Youtube videos. He seemed very sincere. He just wanted kids to know that if they find themselves sinking into depression in college that they don’t have to stay at that college, that there are alternative paths, and that sometimes it is healthier for their brain chemistry to get out early rather than later. The part of his post that really made me angry was how the graduate student who taught one of his elective courses seemed to have free rein regarding what she taught and how she graded the students. I wondered if things would have been different for the poster if she had been carefully supervised by a faculty member. I think a lot of people don’t realize that there are highly ranked colleges that should be down-graded for having many instructors who are bad teachers.
Boulder > Berkeley - Colorado at least has class. I wish all you bright individuals luck at the anarchist run Berkeley.
@BunnyBlue makes a sincere point, though it is not unique to Berkeley and I do dispute Berkeley should be down-graded because of its faculty. And again what is right for one student is not right for another. This is demonstrated by the comments of the individual who just weighed in about Berkeley vs. Colorado and made comments about anarchy etc. Hopefully this can now get back to the purpose of the thread and not continue down this road much further.
As long as your political views are more to the left than Mao Zedong’s, you’ll be right at home.
Has anyone heard anything about the acceptance percentage this year? I know the number of applicants increased to over 85,000, a 3% increase. I have not heard anything about the number of admissions.
Was at a reception and dean greenwell said 15%
@LookAtThisNet is this 15 percent is more or less than last year
Idk
anyone have a guide for what needs to be submitted/completed after you sign your SIR?
I believe last year reported at 17.5%. 15% would make sense if the acceptances remained constant and the applications increased as reported.
@1957alm applications to CAL decreased this year. I read that last yr the spplications crossed 100000 but this year around 85000
Applications to Cal increased this year by about 3%. The more than 100,000 last year you refer to included both freshmen and transfers. Last year the freshman applications were 82,539. 19,116 applied to transfer for a total of 101,655 last year. This year the freshman applications totaled 85,016 and with transfers the total is 103,616. The University recently summarized “The number of applicants to UC Berkeley — more than 85,000 — represents a 3 percent increase over the prior year.” That refers to freshman applicants, not transfers.
My S1 is a second year engineering student at Cal and he loves it ! We are a conservative religious family, but he finds his niche, joins quite a few different groups and makes lots of friends. Now my S2 is contemplating between UCLA and Cal (regents from both) and is leaning towards Cal. Both schools will be competitive for engineering students so Cal is not alone in that regard. Gloomy weather? If you’ve been to midwest /east coast in the winter, I don’t think there’s anything to complain about the weather at Berkeley. Yes, Cal is not for everyone, but many people love the school, and you don’t have to be far left politically to fit in the campus culture. It’s all from my personal opinions and experiences.
All you baby bears are going to be weeping when Boulder mops the floor in football this year. BOULDER > BERKELEY . It’s not too late to chose common sense. Come to Colorado, avoid the communists.
wonderful show of school spirit but we really don’t care
on that note, does anyone know how easy it is to get research opportunities (specifically in engineering) freshman year? does having regents help with getting research? and/or how easy it is to balance research with classes and student organizations?
There is this from the Berkeley website: “One of the hallmarks of a Berkeley undergraduate education is the ability to get involved and immersed in research. We are the only university to offer undergraduates the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research as early their freshman year and outside of their major; 60% of Berkeley seniors have assisted faculty with research or creative projects.” It is not specific to engineering.
Hi, I am a newly admitted student and Regents & Chancellor’s Scholar at UC Berkeley. I sent in my SIR (Statement of Intent to Register) last week before Cal Day. When I sent in my SIR, I was never prompted to pay a $250 tuition deposit (which I know is due on May 1st).
Has anyone not been prompted to pay the $250 tuition deposit?
Thank You.