Getting into Cal and what to expect when you finally get there. - Page 3

calkidd · 03-04-2005, 08:39 AM

msagaski - Do you live in one of the coops? I don't remember anyone in the dorm smoking weed, because the RAs were pretty strict about that. You mentioned that you found engineering too tough and now are in L&S; did you decide to do sociology or something? If you didn't and are still in the sciences (or polysci, english or history - the humanities majors that seem to draw the best people), I'm surprised that the students would be slackers.

I really enjoyed Berkeley and wish everyone else did. The truth is, though, that if you are a shy person, you will have a hard time at Cal or any other public school (two exceptions: if you are interested in the natural sciences, CNR has some good majors (NOT ESPM) and is very small; also, you will inevitably have small classes in any language department); particularly in the UCs, to get what you want out of the administration, profs and other students, you have to be outgoing (almost to the point of being outright pushy). If it is absolutely imperative that you have smaller classes, you might want to transfer to an LAC.

One tip if you are having trouble in some courses is to approach other students in the class and ask if they are having trouble and want to study. In freshman year classes not too many people did this; by my jr. year (engineering), working in small groups was sometimes a requirement for being able to finish problem sets in a reasonable amount of time. A good place to start in finding motivated people who might want to form such groups are the TA's office hours (which tend to be very informal).

msagaski · 03-04-2005, 03:24 PM

Nope, i live in Unit 1, Putnam. Half the people on my floor do smoke weed and it is quite annoying. Ironically, after i posted that last night, my pot droning neighbors sabatoged my door at 2 in the morning yelling that me and my roommate were really unfriendly to them and then they drew obscenities on the door.
I am currently thinking about economics. There does seem to still be alot of slackers here, but thats just what ive seen. Anyways i hope that everyone else has a better experience than me,

rooster08 · 03-04-2005, 07:12 PM

Geez, that sounds more like an inner-city ghetto high school than a college. I hope everything turns out well for you in the end.

kinetic · 03-04-2005, 07:38 PM

Thanks for the post! I was hesitant about applying to Berkeley because of it's "hippie"-reputation, but I applied any way because I like the curriculum and I LOVE CA. As a fellow conservative, I'm happy that you mentioned that part about speaking up. I'll certainly do that if I end up at Berkeley.

_jc · 03-04-2005, 08:13 PM

Hi msagaski - I have no words. Don't they have something like drug patrol or something. Geezz, if that gets to your room, that sounds like somebody with authority would smell that too. I agree with rooster08, sounds like ghetto - are you kidding?

I am having my Regents' interview in LA tomorrow, so maybe you could post back and clarify that this is really happening, and is as bad as you are describing it, because I'd like to mention it to my faculty interviewer, as this type of thing is not my thing.

joemama · 03-05-2005, 01:24 AM

msagaski: Drinking and dope are an unfortunate part of life at most colleges. You should find some like-minded friends and move off campus. Instant relief. It will change your college experience.

nervous_breakdown · 03-05-2005, 11:26 AM

yeah, msagaski, what joemama said is right.
but Berkeley is a public school, and one of the beauties of a public school is the diversity of interests you'll find there. Don't worry, you're not alone.

msagaski · 03-06-2005, 10:43 PM

Yeah it is very unfortunate. I agree, i know that pot and drinking and everything is all part of the college experience. Its just when that kind of thing seeps into your room and where you live...it gets a little too much. Has anyone else had any bad floormate stories? I have to say though the academics at Berkeley are top notch. With that in mind it makes it a little easier to bear with the more unfortunate sides of Berkeley.

BreakOrDeath88 · 03-06-2005, 11:51 PM

Ive heard stories about how the berkeley engineering school and med school are murderous to one's social life.

First, what undergrad major would you suggest if I want to get into HAAS.

Secondly, are the courses extremely rigorous and how hard is getting into HAAS?

thankss

elusivestranger · 03-07-2005, 04:38 PM

this was a really informative post... thanks to the OP!

gsp_silicon_valley · 03-07-2005, 05:00 PM

It may be hard to believe, but students really do make it through college without doing alcohol and drugs, even if others on your dorm floor are obviously involved. Do druggies still try to cover up their activity with incense? Dorm life can be like going to an outdoor concert or event and being confronted with the aroma of someone nearby doing drugs. You just ignore it or move elsewhere. You will survive...really!

andrewtdx · 03-14-2005, 10:42 AM

I wasn't gonna share, but since msagaski asked I will...

My first year was a deathly experience (for my sanity), as we had this drama-queen on my floor, she was 23, out of community college and somehow FELT the need to make her the center of the social scene. Of course, naive freshmen bought into this because she would buy them liqour. This would usually end in people being loud and obnoxious, and showed the true side of "liberals." They got in my face about my political views at one point and I said simply, "Libertarian." And they were like," #^#%ing REPUBLICAN WANNABE *****! F#%! YOU! GO TO IRAQ! DIE FOR YOUR FUHRER!!!"

Of course, this same chick was a "Green", and tried to force her views down everyone elses throat. The entire floor grew increasingly out of control, and the RA was a manic-depressive who sold herself out and did not doing anything to stop it. I didn't even bother to get her help because I knew it would cause tensions and crap would get even worse. (These kids were the type that if you are victimized or bothered by their activities, it's your fault because you aren't part of the greater whole.) It almost turned me into a far-right wing fascist, but I came back towards the center, a bit right of where I started. Almost dropped out and joined the Army I did!

My example might be a bit extreme, but that is how it went down and it boils my blood. College is not supposed to be like this. I don't care if pot and booze is a major part of college life (hell, I love Beer), but it shouldn't get to the point where kids are disruptive and being jerkoffs.

_jc · 03-14-2005, 12:18 PM

Andrew, where did you stay??? Thanks

andrewtdx · 03-14-2005, 02:14 PM

First year: Clark Kerr, second year: Davidson Hall Unit 2

elusivestranger · 03-14-2005, 07:09 PM

andrew you are making me frightened of berkeley.. and i am liberal!