Why Do People Revere UC Berk and UCLA So Much?

Applying to College
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<p>“why why why?”</p>

<p>Uh, whatever. No one is trying to bring down Berkeley, I think you’re taking it way too seriously. Just because some people think it’s somewhat overrated doesn’t mean they look down upon it or something. </p>

<p>“Maybe high achieving middle class people aren’t meant to be educated then. Maybe good education should only be for the rich and elite. But no, UC Berkeley undergrad has a different mission. It’s mission is to educate the public (of California).”</p>

<p>Hah hah hah! Okay, first of all, the whole “high achieving middle class people aren’t meant to be educated” thing is stupid. No one is saying that. There are obvious benefits to private education, but you’re acting as if people are arguing against the education of lower-income smart people. Uh, no. </p>

<p>UC Berkeley’s mission to educate the public? No way! Isn’t that UC Riverside, UCSD, UCD, UC Merced, UCSC, UCSB and UCLA’s etc mission to? Golly. And is it true that ALL public universities are meant to have a “mission” to educate the PUBLIC? Or is it a uniquely Berk thing? Uh, I think NOT.</p>

<p>“Why can’t people revere 2 of the best public schools in the world?
Why can’t people revere 2 of the best “bang for your bucK” undergrad deals in the world?
Why can’t people revere 2 of the best grad schools in the world?
Why can’t people revere 2 of the best institutions in producing research in the world?”</p>

<p>Uh huh. I said “Why do people revere UC Berk and UCLA SO MUCH?” Did you catch the specifier “so much”? Obviously not. LOL.</p>

<p>“If sometimes people here on CC stopped for a moment and actually evaluated a school on its own merits, I think they would be a lot more appreciative of that school.”</p>

<p>Uh, you absolutely DID NOT GET THE POINT OF MY POST. Did you not catch the whole theme that people on CC appreciate Berk and 'LA VERY much, and in my opinion, slightly TOO much in some cases? I guess not. </p>

<p>Really, no one is bashing those two schools. Don’t get hysterical about it, because you end up sounding hysterical and making comprehension mistakes.</p>

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<p>In my world (elite midwestern school) and Northeast I would say no way is UCB or UCLA on a pedistal. I actually thought they were Ivy reject schools (the people who went from my high school couldnt get into Ivies). I think in state they seem worth it (as are Michigan, UNC, UVA), but out of state at a similar pricetag to the ivies no way would I go there.</p>

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<p>I wasn’t generalizing the academic intensity at a university like Yale. Many comments were made that actually generalized the academic merit and intensity at Berkeley in this thread alone, and if you would like to see more, just take a quick look see around CC. I understand that my friend is one student out of thousands, but it’s an experience like that that some people need to be informed of. Too many people think Berkeley’s academics are complete poo.</p>

<p>And yes, comments such as “no one has fun there” (at Cal) is an annoying statement and is a form of slight bashing. </p>

<p>What was the point of this thread anyway? If you haven’t noticed, there are so many threads just like this one, questioning the overall excellence of Berkeley and UCLA. Yeah, I am going to Cal, and therefore, it ****es me off that I, along with many other Berkeley students, need to constantly defend it. </p>

<p>If you’re not a Cal student, then you really have no place to talk about what is and is not overrated.</p>

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<p>“if you would like to see more, just take a quick look see around CC”</p>

<p>I frequent many of the boards on CC every day, and I don’t see them. So what are you talking about? </p>

<p>“Too many people think Berkeley’s academics are complete poo.”</p>

<p>I have NEVER, EVER in my life heard ANYONE saying that Berkeley’s academics are complete crap. NEVER. I have heard some say that certain programs are slightly less developed. Or that some programs are actually overrated. But complete “poo”? No one on this thread said such a thing. </p>

<p>Aren’t you just exaggerating in an impassioned fit?</p>

<p>“Yeah, I am going to Cal, and therefore, it ****es me off that I, along with many other Berkeley students, need to constantly defend it.”</p>

<p>Like I said, I don’t know of anyone who bashes Berk to a very large extent. I am going to USC and people are always bashing it (I just posted a thread about it on this board).</p>

<p>But you know what? I can deal with it. I can question their criticsms, obviously, but I can also suck it up and get used to it. </p>

<p>I think you should totally develop a thicker skin.</p>

<p>“If you’re not a Cal student, then you really have no place to talk about what is and is not overrated.”</p>

<p>Fair enough. But obviously, as you ARE a Cal student, you’re in most probability to be biased towards it. Your enrollment there makes the credibility of your opinions somewhat open to questionability as well.</p>

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<p>"Like I said, I don’t know of anyone who bashes Berk to a very large extent. I am going to USC and people are always bashing it (I just posted a thread about it on this board).</p>

<p>But you know what? I can deal with it. I can question their criticsms, obviously, but I can also suck it up and get used to it. "</p>

<p>Well, what do you know…I can deal with it just as well. I know Berkeley is never going to be up to par with Harvard. No doubt. But you know what? I think it’s unfair when people who aren’t even remotely connected with a university seem to think their opinions hold any merit on these boards. I notice the bashing USC is victim to, and I think most of the people that dish it out are just bitter. I feel the same way about those that go on and on about how inferior Cal and UCLA are.</p>

<p>As for growing a thicker skin, I don’t think that’s nessecary. You seem to be taking this entire thread far too seriously, and getting down right angry at me and other posters who have come to defend Cal. But get used to it. It’s called having good school spirit which I’m sure you will realize once football season begins at 'SC.</p>

<p>Listen, I dont want to argue back and forth. This thread is turning into exactly what I claim to dislike. I’m not going to post threads that are similair to this one, but they do exist. I wish you all the best in your college career, and I apoligize if I personally offended you in any way.</p>

<p>Izzie Bear</p>

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<p>IzzieBear, do you think we are just snobs who support anything private over anything public? I am on a committee that is trying to get UCs to be where they should be.</p>

<p>The fact is that UCs are only a bargain for people with high EFCs. Most people who’s parent’s make under $75K will gtaduate from a top private college with much lower loans than had they attended a UC. </p>

<p>UCs have marginalized undergrads. Would you rather go to a school where 40 is the average class size or where 400 is a typical class size. These are 2 very different college experiences.</p>

<p>God bless any kid who comes out of a UC unscathed and with top grades. They are truly exceptional and truly defy the odds. Do I hope my kids have a more nurturing college experience? I sure do! And I hope California’s best will reject the UCs until they see fit to be deserving of these talented kids and make undergraduate education a priority.</p>

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<p>No, you have not personally offended me in any way. Thank you for your kind and understated words.</p>

<p>I will say again that I highly respect Berkeley. I am just often surprised as to the extent people value that university and UCLA. I am not saying in any way that Berk is inferior, and I apologize to any person who felt that I did infer that it was.</p>

<p>Best wishes at Berkeley IzzieBear.</p>

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<p>zagat - I will be a junior at Berkeley, and will only be taking upper division classes where the average class size is 20-50 students. Would I have wanted to attend Berkeley as a freshmen? Maybe, maybe not. I could go either way. I like individual attention, but I don’t mind swinging with the big pack. I never claimed that going to a public school makes me a better student, or that any of you here on this board believe that private schools always prevail over all (or that you’re all snobs, for that matter). </p>

<p>Perhaps I came off in a different light that I originally intended. Am I trying to defend top UC’s like Berkeley and La? Sure am. Am I trying to defend the whole UC system? Yes Indeed. But do I want to come off like someone who can’t get off their high horse? No. I know Berkeley isn’t the best of the best. But it’s my school, and I’m proud of it. </p>

<p>“I am on a committee that is trying to get UCs to be where they should be.”</p>

<p>I personally give you a heartfelt ‘Thank You’. The UC’s need a lot of help, but at the same time, I think that even with the lack of funding and the over crowding, with time, this will hopefully be helped by the opening of UC Merced, and the prestige the lower UC’s will receive because of it.</p>

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<p>Izzie, I give you much credit for thrieving at Cal. I do believe it takes some exceptional backbone.</p>

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<p>"Just because some people think it’s somewhat overrated doesn’t mean they look down upon it or something. "</p>

<p>i want to assume that you made this thread because you think UC Berkeley is overrated (appreciated “TOO much”). you also seem to agree with the US News rankings as evidenced in your other thread where you use it to testify USC’s strength compared to UCLA. so since US News ranked UC Berkeley at #21, is it overrated in terms of rankings? in other words, should berkeley not be around the top 20-25 universities in the US?</p>

<p>" I said “Why do people revere UC Berk and UCLA SO MUCH?” Did you catch the specifier “so much”?"</p>

<p>Then let me just rephrase. People revere UC Berkeley and UCLA SO MUCH because they are two of the best public universities in the world, they are among the best “bang for your buck” undergrad deals (for in-state), they are two of the best grad schools in the world, and therefore are two of the best institutions in the world at producing research. </p>

<p>so my question is, is that not enough for people to revere them so much? to me, i think those are some good reasons for why people revere them so much, certainly not to the extent of HYPSM, but i guess more than what you think they deserve. </p>

<p>“Uh, you absolutely DID NOT GET THE POINT OF MY POST. Did you not catch the whole theme that people on CC appreciate Berk and 'LA VERY much, and in my opinion, slightly TOO much in some cases?”</p>

<p>actually no, there are a lot of UC supporters here, but also a lot of UC bashers as well. honestly, i dont feel a consensus that people here on CC appreciate both schools very much, not on the old CC and not now. </p>

<p>but anyway, what’s the point of your post then? if it was to get people to explain the reasons why people revere UC berkeley and UCLA so much, then multiple posters have given information that would answer your question, but you don’t seem to be satisfied. but hey, everyone has their own opinions and own standards.</p>

<p>and PEALS-05, i apologize for throwing a “hissy fit,” but i was under the impression that this was going to be another UC bashing thread. sorry for misinterpreting.</p>

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<p>I apologive if I gave off that impression.</p>

<p>“so since US News ranked UC Berkeley at #21, is it overrated in terms of rankings? in other words, should berkeley not be around the top 20-25 universities in the US?”</p>

<p>As I wrote in an earlier, I have seen many people vaunt Berkeley/UCLA and revere those two far more than Ivies like Dartmouth, or Penn, or Brown, all three of which are more highly ranked than Berk. I think Berkeley deserves its high ranking (21 is very high, in my opinion). However, things like prestige, name factor, “wow” factor for those two UCs far outshine HIGHER ranked schools like U of Chicago etc. </p>

<p>Berk is NOT overrated in terms of the ranking US News gave it. I think the way in which some people view Berk/UCLA-- as more drool-worthy than Duke, for instance-- is suprising and perhaps somewhat unfounded-- “overrated.”</p>

<p>“but also a lot of UC bashers as well. honestly, i dont feel a consensus that people here on CC appreciate both schools very much, not on the old CC and not now.”</p>

<p>I have to say that I really, really don’t see that. In real life, I pretty much have NEVER encountered someone who derided the UCs, except that they had huge classes and were often impersonal. That is not UC-specific, but “plagues” almost all state-sponsored universities. The quality of education one can recieve at a UC like Berk or UCLA-- I have never heard that disputed, and only very infrequently have I come across that on the CC boards.</p>

<p>So when you say there are a lot of UC bashers— I personally have never really seen it.</p>

<p>“i was under the impression that this was going to be another UC bashing thread. sorry for misinterpreting.”</p>

<p>No, I didn’t mean that. In fact, the original statement was simply that the two schools, in many cases among many people, were overly vaunted and overrated respective to their actual rankings. I never meant to make or instigate any blanket statements regarding the entire UC system, or even find a way to insult Berk or UCLA.</p>

<p>Saying a school is overrated DOESN’T necessarily infer that it is a “bad” school or “inferior” school in some way. I could say Harvard is somewhat overrated and that a person can recieve a great education outside the Ivies/top 25 schools, but I’d still respect those top schools’ academics. Many people seem to take the word “overrated” and turn it into a massive insult when it isn’t necessarily. </p>

<p>I very highly respect Berkeley but I don’t think of it in exactly the same vein as say Cornell or Columbia. And I have encountered a few people who treat UCLA like freaking Yale. That’s all I mean by overrated.</p>

<p>It’s easy to have misinterpreted the way the thread started off (sorry for any confusion on my part in starting this thread) or the way it has veered. I didn’t mean for it to turn into a bashing fest, although I have gone overboard in saying things and being too serious/defensive/offensive (sorry again).</p>

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<p>

yes, there are many people who use cal and ucla as back up safeties (sry but i know i did). cal is also known as the stanford reject school. but it doesnt mean that they arent great schools =P but yes, people on cc have a tendency to love certain universities and hate others :smiley: welcome to cc!</p>

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<p>Let’s not oversimplify. Berkeley isn’t just highly ranked because it’s got a boatload of alumni acting as boosters. Some of that reputational ranking has arisen because other scholars respect the faculty there. They don’t give a fig about the marching band or the fact that your aunt’s cousin’s doctor is an alum and healed her goiter. </p>

<p>Reputational rankings and respect don’t arise just because alums are rah-rah.</p>

<p>[Oh, and it goes without saying (though I’m saying it anyway!), it’s possible for an institution to have a fabulous scholarly reputation, and still not be as selective as an Ivy, or even an ideal place to get an undergraduate education. It’s just one measure. But in the context I’m in, that’s a big part of why a place like Berkeley is “revered.”]</p>

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<p>I have never encountered anyone, before CC, that thought undergrad UCB or UCLA was more prestigious that any of the Ivies, Duke, etc. Prestige is in the eye of the beholder I guess.</p>

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<p>“They don’t give a fig about the marching band or the fact that your aunt’s cousin’s doctor is an alum and healed her goiter.” </p>

<p>hahah…“a fig”…haha. that made me laugh. thank you.</p>

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<p>Well, actually, it’s a little known fact, but UC Berk and UCLA students actually <em>are</em> academic gods. They’re given immortality using a powerful amulet during freshman orientation. Check the viewbook - it tells you all about it.</p>

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<p>I am the great and powerful.</p>

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<p>Hey, if it’s good enough for Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, it’s good enough for my daughter.
A little story I want to share, when I was working for one of the computer companies that makes workstation, I was in a position of interview a lot of brand new graduates, the pool of students usually comes from top 10 engineering schools like Stanford, UCLA, UCB, Purdue, U of Michigan, etc… My ex-boss was a son of a CEO of now defunct computer company, was mad at me for not recommending this girl for hiring who was graduating from UCB, that’s how UCB was revered in Northern California. It turned out my ex-boss got denied to UCB and only got into to UCDavis.</p>

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<p>Gah, throw those blasted rankings out of the window! It shouldn’t even be a starting point in this discussion, as the OP has described- and sorry for adding quotes but the OP has bugged me too much with his restatements-</p>

<p>“As I wrote in an earlier, I have seen many people vaunt Berkeley/UCLA and revere those two far more than Ivies like Dartmouth, or Penn, or Brown, all three of which are more highly ranked than Berk. I think Berkeley deserves its high ranking (21 is very high, in my opinion). However, things like prestige, name factor, “wow” factor for those two UCs far outshine HIGHER ranked schools like U of Chicago etc.” -OP</p>

<p>Higher ranked, by whom? Some magazine that claims to have authority on the matter of determining which school is better than the next? Complete bull, screw the rankings and what do you have?- Berkeley as the number 1 school in the world by reputation alone by the London (?) Times (?). We’ve heard some strong cases as to why LA and Berkeley deserve to be held in such high regards, so what’s the deal with all of those colleges who don’t get “enough credit?” Let’s hear someone defend the likes of Vanderbilt and WUSTL (which have got to be better than Berkeley and LA by virtue of their lofty rankings!). Even better, let’s hear the arguments as to why Dartmouth or UPenn should have the jaw-dropping name-recognition that Berkeley and LA (the OP contests) get all the time. </p>

<p>And just because I hate it when people think the Ivy League is some magical association with only the best schools, here’s how it was formed:</p>

<p>“(In 1945), the first “Ivy Group Agreement” is signed, applying only to football. It affirms the observance of common practices in academic standards and eligibility requirements and the administration of need-based financial aid, with no athletic scholarships. The agreement creates the Presidents Policy Committee, including the eight Presidents; the Coordination and Eligibility Committee, made up of one senior non-athletic administrator from each school; and the committee on Administration, comprised of the eight directors of athletics.”</p>

<p>In essence, our references to these hallowed schools have been made, apparently, as an indirect reference to nothing more than an athletics consortium. Our association with the academics of this convenient grouping of schools is completely crap.</p>

<p>TTG</p>

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<p>Berkeley is overrated on collegeconfidential but not in real life. People in California know that UCB isn’t up there with HYSPM or the ivies because they see mediocre high school kids being admitted all the time.</p>