<p>Keely is right about the academics. That is what I mean by it is not harder, but more intense. The concepts we deal with in classes are some of the hardest material I have ever dealt with, but it is amazing. CC was more about survey classes, broad concepts, understanding the basics, ect. As an Anthro major, there is a TON of reading. Reading really dense journal articles that take 4 or 5 run-throughs to fully understand sometimes. The Writing is graded much harsher. On blue book essays, if you just regurgitate what the professor said or what is in the writings, you might get a B. To get the A you have to analyze the material and draw specific conclusions and argue for your analysis. (At least that was my experience in the Anthro dept).
It is easier in the sense that there is very little projects/papers due. The downside is your midterm and final count for nearly all of your grade. So you are accountable for an entire semester of really dense material. But once you get used to that change from CC, things get easier. </p>
<p>I’ll also agree with Keely that the lectures/professors are the best part. Getting a lecture at Berkeley is getting a lecture from the leading people in my field. Many professors wrote the actual books you use in class. The lectures are often coming from first hand experience. So much cutting edge research in my field is constantly coming out of Berkeley and it is amazing. All my professors got applause. </p>
<p>As far as the people, it depends on your personality type. It is not a party school. I came from San Diego and partied all the time with SDSU people. Berkeley is mostly ful of people with academic goals and are very serious about their education. Of course, there is diversity, but overall it is nothing like what I left in San Diego. I like it though. It is really chill. Finals time was an amazing thing to see. Thousands of students all studying around the clock for 2 weeks. Having a real tough time to find a spot in the library system (it is a HUGE library system) and the conversations you hear on campus are students debating philosophy or intellectual concepts from class. </p>
<p>That atmosphere really helps me and inspires me to do better. Berkeley is a huge challenge, but I felt myself get so much smarter in just my first semester. As far as the protesters and overtly PC types, I don’t have too much of a problem with them. I figured it was going to be part of the Berkeley experience. I really just don’t give a **** when people get super PC on me. I am originally from Boston, MA so people think I am a loud mouthed ******* even when I think I am being chill, so whatever.</p>