DRab

Some of what calstudent86 said seems a bit much to me. comes to mind, and Some students are plenty apathetic or cold, and some are unfriendly (not that I think these things only happen at Cal). Also, sounds like the university's own rhetoric.

However, I generally agree with calstudent86, or what calstudent86 said minus a few degrees of intensity here and there.

As to off campus living, Berkeley's culture is just that way. The first dorm wasn't built until about 50 years after the school opened. I had a prof who has been at Berkeley since he was an undergraduate and he has never lived in university owned housing. It's just how it is, although it is starting to change a little now that housing is guaranteed for two years instead of just one.

Anti semitism is really a non-issue besides the rare notable cases (such as the broken window at Berkeley Hillel about 5 years ago). There is a good amount of Israel vilification, but I think very little of it has anti semitism as a true underlying cause.

calstudent86

DRab:

Whoops. You're right. I unwittingly used a view extreme adjectives in an effort to make sure that crazed did not have an inaccurately negative picture of Cal. It sounds like a great opportunity for her son, and I wanted to make it clear that there is really nothing for her to worry about.

I'm sure she realizes that Cal isn't one large happiness cult. Yes, some students are obnoxious, cold, etc. As you say, people like that can be found everywhere, especially in my major (EECS) . Nevertheless, there are a ton of very friendly people.

As for "Berkeley students also tend to be quite mature, as the university does not hold students' hands," I really have experienced that. I come from a small, private school, where our hands were held all the time. The difference in maturity once I got to Cal was really noticeable.

There is a reason why I suggested that she and her son visit Cal; I don't know her son, so I really can't say that it would be a fit. I can only say that it sounds like it would be.

karch

Oh, dude. Not helping.. haha. Is Cal EECS known for its curmudgeons? I'm a tentative EECSer.

calstudent86

karch:

Damnit! I inserted a wink for a reason!

EECS students are usually nice people, and as I've mentioned many times, EECS is very group-oriented. People work together all the time. The only problem is that EECS students are somewhat extreme: many of them tend to be very focused on EECS, and only on EECS. That's great for group projects, but they aren't the fun kids on campus, and they definetely tend to lack in social skills. Granted, I'm generalizing. There are definetely EECS majors who are just the opposite of what I've described. And there are also some who strike a nice balance.

...but who cares if a lot of EECS majors aren't all that fun to hang around with? If you don't have fun with your classmates, you can hang out with the thousands of other students who do love to have fun. You've got the best of both worlds. Don't worry.

crazed

Calstudent86 and DRab:

Thanks for your responses. It really helps to get input from current students.
Berkeley's reputation is #1 state school, laid back and liberal atmosphere with a great education. The picture we have in our minds and probably many others who are ot from CA and not visited this Univ is a beautiful campus in great surroundings. Berkeley does not seem to be as happy a place as I expected.
You definitely made it crucial for us to visit. (I went to Michigan State way back when, sight unseen, and it totally met or exceeded any expectations I had. Great school, people, campus, town, everything). In the case of Berkeley I've learned that reputation is not everything. Guess we'll be coming out very soon.
Sadly there's not much money given to OOS even with his grades,etc. so we'll see how it plays out. It will be my sons choice in the end. I'll check back on this site often to get any updates.
For those there, like the two of you, congrats, you are certain to be successful and do great things with your lives.

ev700

Berkeley had never had a "laid back" reputation for me. In fact, if I wanted an easy four years I would have gone to UCSC or UCSB, the systems reputed laid back party schools. UCSC and UCSB do have beautiful campuses in great surroundings.

If you are from the mid west and like the surroundings at Michigan State, the City of Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco will take you some getting used to. So, I feel your first impression of the area will be very disappointing. But, I would not want to live anywhere else after being in the area for a few years.

crazed

ev700:
Laid Back as in "attitude" and personality, not in easy laid back classes.
This is the New York generalization of Berkeley and what comes to mind which obviously is not how it really is out there. Sounds like a high stress kind of place in several arenas.

punkdudeus

***H?????? crazed, believe me this California!!! don't be fooled by some people in this board!! it's a tolerant, accepting, loving place, you can't get much more laid back, especially in the humanities or the social sciences.
you gotta visit, plain and simple.

vircabutar

How is Cal's math program?

andrewtdx

Like everything else at Cal from the supposed 'fluff' majors all the way up the the legendary and sometimes dreaded EECS and other hard core science majors, we have to departments in almost every field. When we are not #1, we are top 3. I'm not sure where Math ranks, but from what I've heard it's pretty high and reasonably competitive. It's a lot of theoretical stuff and you have to study real hard, otherwise you'll flounder.

zacsrequiem

anyone know why the college of environmental design (and all of its majors) are never in the rankings? just not as good as other programs nationally?

that goes for grad and undergrad... i never find anything related to architecture in cal's rankings...

purple cow

What's the weeder course for pre-meds?

Golden Bear

The usual pre-med weeders that so many of friends are suffering in include these popular (which is why they are weeders) courses:

Math 1A/1B
Chem 1A
Chem 3A/3B
Bio 1A/1B
Physics 8A/8B

vircabutar

What do you guys mean when you say "fluff"?....overrated?

andrewtdx

A lot of people call anything with studies or on the softer edge of the sciences and humanities a 'fluff' major -- essentially something where you pretty much have to go to Grad or Professional School afterwards if you want a decent job, unless you are exceedingly lucky. I don't believe in that. I say take whatever interests you and makes you happy.