UC Berkeley-Weird?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I almost don't want to apply to UC Berkeley because I visited this spring, and I didn't get a very good impression. I saw a lot of "weird" students, like people sitting in trees and yelling for no apparent reason. I don't know if I was having an off day that day or if I really wouldn't like living at Berkeley. I also heard that Berkeley's social life is based heavily on fraternities and sororities, which often remind me of wild, alcohol-filled parties.</p>

<p>Is there anything you can say to defend Berkeley? I don't want to not apply there just because of a negative feeling.</p>

2

<p>I think with its huge size, Berkeley will provide you with a niche of students you’d feel comfortable with no matter what your personality is like. But if you had a feeling that you wouldn’t like living at Berkeley, I see no reason why you should apply…</p>

3

<p>What’s wrong with sitting in trees? =
And maybe they were theater majors??</p>

4

<p>The tree sitters are now gone. The University prevailed against them in court and they have been removed.
I think the Telegraph Avenue experience can be “weird”, or urban, or depressing. You can choose to avoid that area as a student.
There are all kinds of people at Berkeley. You might find it helpful to visit on Cal Day in April (after acceptances, but before you have to make a choice), when most student groups have tables to talk about their activities.</p>

5

<p>Those tree-sitters were NOT UC Berkeley students… </p>

<p>Fortunately, they are long gone and the site is now under construction for the football stadium renovation/seismic upgrade.</p>

<p>Yes, there are frat and sorority parties, but I wouldn’t say the scene is “based heavily” on them.</p>

6

<p>The majority of UCB is comprised of “weirdos”. But UCB is so big, there are tons of normal people to cavort with anyways.</p>

7

<p>^ Most of the “weirdos” are permanent City of Berkeley residents or transients.</p>

8

<p>I consider the students who lock themselves into their rooms to study all day to be weirdos too. I just have a very broad definition of weirdos. But it varies from major to major. God help you if you major in biology…</p>

9

<p>Lot’s of weirdos all over the bay area. When you’re in a magnificent area, all walks of life want to live there.</p>

10

<p>Every college town has its share of weirdos. UC Berkeley is big enough where the normal student body are the majority of the population. Btw, were the tree sitters hippies?</p>

11

<p>

Well, the one girl who stayed in the trees the longest (I believe) went by the name “Dumpster Muffin”… you tell me? :)</p>

<p><a href=“dumpster muffin - Google Search”>dumpster muffin - Google Search;

12

<p>^ WOW. </p>

<p>Hmm, I’m still getting the negative vibe. I think I’ll apply anyway and visit again if I get in. Thanks everyone who responded.</p>

13

<p>Note to self: stay far away from Berkeley, California.</p>

14

<p>Berkeley is a very, very unique city. :)</p>