Hello College Conf., I applied to multiple universities. I got accepted to Cal Poly SLO and I am still awaiting UCSB, UCR, UCLA, and Cal (UC Berkeley). USC admissions will usually come after the UCs.
Most days, I am juggling which university would be best for me. The thing is, I enjoy smaller classes where it is easier to ask or have access to the professor. Honors classes at multiple universities and colleges are known for having smaller classes and being a bit more in-depth when it comes to the studies, usually do to having access to the professor and being more discussion-based. Although my top choice is Cal, I am not a fan of the lecture-hall style where everyone will be competing to get the professor’s attention. I think most UCs are lecture-hall style.
I was wondering if UC Berkeley has an honors program for Political Economy or if there is a way to get smaller classes. I know there are honors for Sociology and other majors, but the website seems a bit convoluted when it specifies honors in general.
Is there anyone who can elaborate on UC Berkeley’s Honors Program or on how to get smaller classes? Thanks =)
Check your emails again - decisions have come out for UCLA and the other UC’s, and I believe USC packages already went out.
The honors program for Political Economy is probably like it is for most other majors at Cal that offer it - it’s distinction at graduation. It doesn’t offer you additional perks. Regents/Chancellors scholars do get extra perks, but even they don’t get special reduced-sized classes.
If you are looking for smaller classes throughout your college career, Cal is not the place for you. Those first-year classes can have hundreds of students in them. Many large lecture classes do have separate discussion sections run by GSI’s that are smaller (my D has had them anywhere from 10 to 60 students), so that does offer a smaller class type of environment. As you get deeper into your major, I’m sure the class sizes shrink.
TBH, you will probably run into the same class-size problem at most of the schools you listed. I would have thought some small LAC’s would have been in the mix - if you applied to USC, you can obviously afford that option.
Thanks much Undercrackers. I forgot to mention I am a transfer student, so I am still getting admissions throughout April; however you answered my question great detail, thanks!
Although there are pros and cons to every college, I believe I may be able to learn from my peers at Cal since the student body is diverse, intelligent, and passionate in many ways. I am also considering the amount of research and employment opportunities each campus has. When I went to Cal one day, Chevron and a company called Concur were recruiting, so seems like it is a good spot. I know Cal Poly SLO top four firms love their business undegrads, so it’s a hard decision.
Also, I got accepted to UC Santa Barbara as pre-communications. I’ll be researching their communications department and stop-by the campus at some point to ask students and administration on it.