Visiting Berkeley - will only have one evening

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>My son is a new admit to Cal. He is currently trying to decide what college to attend. We will be flying cross-country from Southeast to CA for a couple of days this week, but due to the poor planning of the trip will only have one evening at Berkeley, then taking a tour next morning, and have to leave right after the tour. I am looking for an advice on what to see/where to go/who to talk to at Berkeley to maximize that evening (probably arriving around 5pm). Something to give my son an idea what his life at Cal would be. </p>

<p>Wish we had more time, but the plane tickets are not flexible.</p>

2

<p>Take a peaceful walk around People’s Park</p>

3

<p>Instead of taking a tour (which is pretty useless, in my opinion), I would have your son sit in on a morning class in the area of study he wants to pursue. Find courses here: [Search</a> Spring - Online Schedule Of Classes](<a href=“http://schedule.berkeley.edu/srchsprg.html]Search”>http://schedule.berkeley.edu/srchsprg.html)</p>

<p>Since you’re arriving at 5pm, I would have dinner on Telegraph or Shattuck Avenue (North Shattuck has better restaurants).</p>

<p>Then, check out Memorial Glade and Sproul Plaza, the two biggest social-areas on campus. It should still be light out so there should be lots of people.</p>

4

<p>Yeah, the tour is quite useless. They show you around campus slowly while giving you a lot of trivia that you didn’t need to know.</p>

<p>Sit in on a class and look closely at the parts related to the areas of interest (eg. computer labs for EECS).</p>

5

<p>I second Sproul Plaza and Memorial Glade, they’re the heart of campus during weekdays. You could also consider the Doe Library for a more academic feel, and stroll down Telegraph or Shattuck (major streets in Berkeley) for food.</p>

6

<p>I would also check out the dorms and co-ops so he can see where he would be living. I would go into one of the main dining halls and the student store too. We also walked all around the buildings where he would be studying the most (engineering) and we went to the top of the tower which was beautiful. My son loved it from the moment he stepped on the campus. I was you last year. You won’t be clueless for long. Good luck!</p>

<p>P.S. Avoid People’s Park.</p>

7

<p>Can you arrange for him to overnight with a host student?
He can check out the dorm situation, student life, go to an evening class of his interest, roam around as he pleases, meet people…
then next day you and he can go on the official tour.</p>

8

<p>Thank you everyone who replied here and send private messages! It was too late to arrange for overnight stay with the student, and the housing tour is too late in the day to fit in the schedule, but my husband and son just left for California, they will be at Berkeley tonight and tomorrow morning, they will be following you advices.</p>