The Polar Opposite Conundrum: LAC vs Berkeley

kenf1234
Sat, 05 Apr 2008 19:03:02 +0000

I majored in linguistics, something you really can’t even study at an LAC; they just don’t have the faculty or courses. There are lots of majors like that; Berkeley lets you study anything you want in-depth.

I really think, BerkeleySenior, that almost everything you are saying applies mostly to introductory courses. Every department, as far as I know, has smaller upper-division classes available. You mention Math, a lot of the upper division math classes are quite small. You mention economics, there are mega classes in economics, but there are also smaller seminiar-type classes for economics majors to take. English is the same way.

If you want to have your hand held from day one, to sit in small seminar style classes for four years, to have professors whose main job is to pay attention to you, then a small LAC is right for you. If you want the opportunity to study ANYTHING, to be part of a world-leading research institution, to be on the cutting edge of many fields, Berkeley offers way more than a small LAC can.

Berkeley is difficult and unforgiving. No one will hold your hand. That is the fact. But it offers unlimited opportunities.