University of California-Berkeley Visit Report by thatgirltoo

Visit Activities:

Campus Tour: Yes - It was a mix of prospective students and tourists. We didn't go inside any buildings.

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Campus:

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The student tour guide was very friendly, as were those handing out flyers in Sproul Plaza.

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The studying student working at the Doe Library info desk was helpful and apologized when he didn't look up for 3 seconds when I first walked up.

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The grounds are pretty and well kept.

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Some of the older buildings are majestic, others (newer) need some help. But Cal students seem to be proud of the ugliest bldg on campus housing the school of architecture.

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We didn't visit the dorms, so I can't comment.

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I felt very safe during the day. They have a security system in place, such as a "campus buddy" who will walk with lone students by request, shuttles to areas around campus, etc.

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This is a large, crowded campus, very vibrant and diverse. Overall, Berkeley leaves an impression on any visitor, and each one gains a different, personal impression.

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Off-Campus:

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Lots of shops, cafes, restaurants - it is the middle of the city.

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Berkeley may be a bit too liberal for some, but it is a great town in a fantastic region.

Campus Visit Notes for University of California-Berkeley

Visit Description:

I just want to touch a bit more on the tour: I was expecting to be able to go inside some buildings, but we didn't. It might have been that I chose a day when three middle school groups were touring campus as well, so it was a bit busy. Our group included international tourists as well as prospective students, which I did expect, actually. There is an online tour on Berkeley's YouTube page, with photos, and using the narrative that you can download for your iPod (for self-tours). At the end of the tour, I met a fellow CCC classmate who works at Cal, and we visited the Map Library at McCone Hall (I'm a Geography major). I also studied at Doe Library in the afternoon - the reading rooms are gorgeous and perfect for studying.

Since I don't plan on living in the dorms, I didn't visit any of them. Likewise, I didn't eat in any of them. The cafes around the Berkeley campus are all very good and cheap, though. The entire area around Berkeley is college-student oriented, like a college town, but in the middle of a very large city.

I like that Cal is very centrally located. It is a large campus, but compact - most campus buildings are on campus, with a few just off campus by one or two streets. However, some people might be put off by the number of students on campus - I am a city girl at heart, but felt a bit overwhelmed when the Campanile bells rang at noon and seemingly every student on campus was out of class.

Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:

n/a

Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:

The Stuffed Inn at 1829 Euclid Avenue, northside. Delicious sandwiches for under $5.

Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):

BART stations are nearby, buses galore, parking is a royal pain. Easy access to SF, Oakland, the rest of Berkeley.