University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

Huge campus, with over 40,000 undergraduate and graduate students enveloped in a diverse and uniquely historical setting trying to individually find their path to adulthood. You are provided with great learning and social resources, but it's mostly up to you to find your niche and friends.

It's the most prestigious.

There is no stereotypical Berkeley student. We have a diverse student body that is very tolerant of the various groups and ideals on campus. Even though there are so many students on campus, you really do feel like you are part of a community. Everyone is very friendly and always willing to help in any way they can.

It is a college town in an urban environment. It has everything you could want culturally and academically. It is diverse and interesting, and never gets boring. It really fosters an atmosphere where stuyding can happen and is even fun. It has a rich social history which makes it great today.

Berkeley is a multifaceted campus and there is no "typical student." There are greek types, artsy types, hippies, pre-med students...everything you can imagine, making it a campus that cannot be easily stereotyped. I liked this about Berkeley, and I chose it because the students, not matter what kind of person they were, questioned things more deeply than your average young adult.

Make sure to pay attention to your social life, because Berkeley academics can sometimes make you forget that you are a college student. Get out, forget you have a test and paper due on Monday, and have fun.

Berkeley can be overwhelming if you don't hook up and make some friends early on. Be a joiner, or live in a co-op, or form a study group--just don't try to do it on your own!

Berkeley's unique characteristic originates from the diversity of culture. Like a big "melting pot" of people from different nations, campus life seems to open so many new doors for new things for a typical student to experience. Among one of the most amazing things, although it is my guilty pleasure, is the convenience of being able to try new foods. A quick five minute walk away will be Thai Basil, serving delicious Thai cuisines, and across the street is La Burrita, Berkeley's most famous Mexican parlor. There is definitely a good reason for the "Freshman 15" here.

The environment isn't pleasing and the school doesn't make efforts to make the student's lives better. Students are on their own, so there tends to be a lot more drinking/drug use.

Berkeley's all-star staff, environment, and size allow an incredible amount of versatility and options in your education. It is in a near-perfect location, amongst cities, nature, unique shopping, and outstanding physical beauty. The co-op scene provides an alternative to frats/sororities and dorms that for me has been a very important part of my experience. You can take classes with renowned professors, and also ones taught by other students! To describe Berkeley in one word: versatile.

Raphaela, a freshman who lives in Clark Kerr, discusses the difficulty in locating a group of people that should not go

Ryan McDonald, graduating senior, discusses the choice between Cal and UCLA, from the perspective of an LA resident

Kimen Balhotra, UC Berkeley premed freshman, discusses Cal’s academic reputation and prestige

Jackie, a Freshman looking to major in psychology, explains her social experience at Cal and the difficulty

Berkeley Engineering Physics graduating senior breaks down his favorite movie, class, and campus time-killing strategy

Philosophy/Religious studies double major breaks down his favorite movie, class, and campus time-killing strategy.

UC Berkeley History/Political Science double major breaks down his favorite movie, class, and campus time-killing strate

Study abroad. The opportunity to live in another country is one of the most rewarding and interesting experiences one can have during college...and the resources are there to do it!

Berkeley is a great school, but don't expect anyone to hold your hand. It is the number one public school for a reason. Classes are very overwhelming if you don't stay on top of your shit. Even if you flew by high school with no problem, that doesn't mean you can maintain the same habits here. Trust me, Berkeley can and will kick your ass if your not careful.

i love my school even with all of its flaws, i couldn't ask for anything better!