<p>Hey, prospective student here, and I'm interested in getting a wide range of opinions about this one. I'm curious about the things that make Berkeley a unique, amazing place. As Berkeley appears to be void of massive propaganda <em>coughstanfurd</em>, it would be great to hear about what sets it apart.</p>
<p>Also, how would you compare it to that school across the bay? Thanks!</p>
<p>love: the campus, down-to-earth students and teachers, a very intellectually stimulating campus</p>
<p>hate: NOT being able to get classes that have a huge waitlist!! they definitely $$ need to open up new sections..</p>
<p>Here's a perspective you will probably not hear again on this board: My D (who chose Harvard) absolutely hated the campus and the "feel" of Cal. What she loved about it was the strong Div. 1 athletics, including the beautiful football stadium, and the strong Greek system.</p>
<p>there is something for anyone and everyone to do to get involved. students are passionate about their interests and actively participate in campus ongoings. </p>
<p>and it is impossible to get bored on any given day of the week.</p>
<p>cons: if you are the type of person who likes personal one-on-one, berkeley can be a bit of a challenge. of course, assuming you are a frosh admit, there are seminars that can allow you to gain this type of perspective as well from distinguished faculty in certain fields.</p>
<p>personally, i love that feeling of being in a lecture hall in a sea of people where you dont really know the name of every person sitting next to you. it makes going to lecture worth it because this always adds exitement when you do meet someone new and i think much more accurately reflectst the real world where you wont be spponfed every step of the way and you must learn to fend for yourself.</p>
<p>hate: homeless ppl everywhere</p>
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<p>This is the one thing I can't get over. When I stepped on the campus, I felt like it was an old school - a la the Ivys. Everything seemed to be centered in its past, rather than looking towards the future. Is this a prevailing mindset on campus?</p>
<p>Waiting4College, I LOVE being just another number. Berkeley seems to have so many opportunities to be a part of the crowd, and still be independent and busy =]</p>
<p>woooooooooooooooh!!!</p>
<p>Love: millions of opportunities to participate in numerous clubs/research activities/classes taught by incredibly well-accomplished faculty, gorgeous campus, prestige associated with campus, big lectures where you can slip in and out, work study opportunities</p>
<p>Hate: the homeless (I was actually accosted by one today who blocked my path and swore at me), very rude high school kids, worn down Telegraph area, high housing prices, overenrollment issues, racial clusters</p>
<p>Love the pretension, hate the greeks.</p>
<p>how bad are the geeks?</p>
<p>I'm planning on entering in l&s comp sci, and then transferring to the EECS route.
My personality couldn't be farther from a nerd, yet I love the major. :/</p>
<p>The greeks are just a bit unrefined and childish. Remember those high school parties you used to go to? The ones where you would get drunk on terrible beer and try to make out with girls wearing Abercrombie and American Eagle?</p>
<p>They probably eat in the Asian ghetto, too. Never straying too far, or exploring anything worth while. All they need is the spectacular made for consumption Telegraph area.</p>
<p>^There you have it, another con: Students are judgmental of others who do not think or live just like them.</p>
<p>Oh please, I'm pretty sure that encompasses the entire population to some extent, Bay.</p>
<p>@killthefifi: Don't talk to them and they won't talk to you, kekeke.</p>
<p>PROS: Awesome academic reputation. Awesome campus. Awesome People.
CONS: Horrible neighborhood. Too many homeless. Too competitive. Too many students in a class.</p>
<p>@xcaliberse</p>
<p>Have you checked out the Elmwood area? Down near Ashby and College? Or the Berkeley Hills for that matter? There are some really nice neighborhoods, you just have to explore a bit.</p>
<p>That was what I was trying to convey in my first post; though, being in the middle of an incredibly dense 80 page reading on utiles and pure distribution may have altered my tone.</p>
<p>I still hate the greeks, though.</p>
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When I stepped on the campus, I felt like it was an old school - a la the Ivys. Everything seemed to be centered in its past, rather than looking towards the future. Is this a prevailing mindset on campus?
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</p>
<p>Hey, you sound like you belong in Evans. It's that really modern looking building. I'm not sure the rest of the student population is centered in the past, maybe tradition or a common ethos? If you want a modern university, you should check out UC Merced, they've got all new buildings.</p>
<p>I have a friend who went there and she told me stories about how some kids would change the answer to the study guide answer book in the library to screw over other kids. so basically what i'm saying is the competition is fierce and many people are self-serving! i also heard about how kids won't help you in study groups and intentionally give you wrong answers. ):</p>
<p>oh and the campus is eh. the surrounding area of berkeley is ugly and homeless people! =/</p>
<p>i had heard similar things about ppl sabotaging chem results etc in lab</p>
<p>for the record, never happened to me.</p>
<p>Like: clubs and frat parties. academics. all the usual.</p>
<p>Hate: overenrolled courses. Homeless are an annoyance.
Don't know about sabotage, since I'm not premed.</p>
<p>Sorry for not coming up with anything original.</p>
<p>sorry for going on a tangent..
but how likely do you guys think it is for a professor to give a "soph on bearfacts" an add code for a class that has a waitlist of like 60 ppl.. and seniors,juniors get priorty :(. </p>
<p>I feel like the prof knows me since I've talked to him in office hours and asked q's and stuff.. but he still might say no? i really REALLY want to get in!!</p>