University of California-Berkeley Top Questions

Make sure that you choose a college that fits your needs. For example, if you know that you like a lot of attention in the classroom then you may want to look into smaller or private colleges. Also keep in mind that it is never too early to apply for scholarships. College is extremely costly these days and the better prepared you are financially, the more you can give to your academics. Do not forget to utilize campus counselors and alumni at the colleges that you are most interested in attending. They have insight that a pamphelet or book might not be able to give you. Don't neglect the culture of the campus when making your decision. Your college experience goes far beyond the academics so make sure you choose a college in which you feel comfortable. Best of luck!

I will say do not rush to choose a university. First review all universities. Also I would say do not hurry to select a profession, first think about it and then choose what you like more, but still can take advantage of it in the future. Also that when you go to do the paperwork for the university stay positive and keep thing serious because since that day the future depends on you. Also I would say that do not not rush high schools test , I will say study hard but do not get frustrated and just enjoy the high school but in a good and fun way.

College will be much harder than high school. You are/ will not be the smartest person at school, but that is okay. There is more to school than just grades, which you will quickly learn.

Upon entering University I was determined to major in Economics. I eagerly followed the recommendations of my academic advisor. Diligently, I remained within my department, shunning courses and opportunities that I had somehow deemed irrelevant to my department and my academic persona. As a result, I overlooked my real academic interests. Reflecting back, I would recommend an openness to diverse disciplines and topics previously unvisited. Rather than marry oneself from day one to a specific field, explore the unknown. Choose classes you've never heard of and disciplines you didn't know existed! And, if and when you find a personal fundamental truth, an intellectual pursuit that pushes you, that period, idea or concept that resonates, be smart enough to change your mind. Allow yourself the opportunity to evolve, to assume a new path. Rather than wish you had done something different at the end of your education, do something different in transit. Utilize the rare moment afforded by education to create a self, to be anyone and to do anything. Use the opportunity of education to be the anima, the most honest expression of yourself, rather than a persona.

Don't take time for granted. Go out and talk to people and join any clubs that you are interested in. Networking is the most important thing in college. It is important to step outside your comfort zone that is what college is all about.

If I could go back in time and talk to myself as a high school senior, there is a lot of advice i would give myself. I would tell myself that if you want to go to your dream school, maybe you should skip the weekly starbucks date with friends and work on the extra credit essay you need to do so you can get an B in your hardest class. I would also tell myself that choosing the right college is one of the hardest decisions you will ever make. choosing the right college can make your dreams come true. Another peice of advice I would tell myself is, you do not have to make a decision right away. Take a year and work full time, find what your passion is, then choose a school and a major based on what you decided. Graduating high school seems like the best thing in the world, but there is so much more out ther for you to experience. I just want whats best for you and what will make you happy. These are just a few peices of advice I would give myself if i could go back in time.

So you got rejected from Stanford. You know what? I realize now, having had the opportunity to visit both campuses, that the undergraduate experience at UC Berkeley is actually a lot better than it is at Stanford. UC Berkeley is surrounded by the richness of the city of Berkeley. The freshest produce in the Bay Area is available right in your backyard (Berkeley Bowl), the dorms are less than 2 blocks from food of a dozen different cultures, and UC Berkeley has no shortage of student groups and activities going on on campus (thanks to its 30,000+ student body). The undergraduate years are your time to develop as a human --develop a list of values, make new friends, learn to take care of yourself, etc. You will definitely have the opportunity to do this at UC Berkeley. Remember to budget your time, and don't get involved in activities that waste time. There are plenty of time wasters available to you at Berkeley --partying, videogaming, over-socializing, joining lots of clubs... Get involved in what you find important. Stay focused on school and remember to have fun.

I would have told myself that college is a great experience and that I need to look forward to it. I would have told myself to enjoy senior year of high school a lot more as college is more demanding than high school. Instead of working all of the time in high school, I would have been more involved in the school and spent more time with my friends as those relationships have been severed due to the distance that we have between colleges now.

Keep in mind that the first semester is always the hardest because you are trying to get used to the transition. Stay in touch with family and friends through Sype, email, or by phone because it will make moving from home a little easier, especially if you live far away. College life will vary depending on the person. Yes, you are no longer under the control of parents, but that doesn't mean you have to go wild. For housing, live in a dorm. I recommend choosing the quieter dorm housing, which is away from the downtown area because it's easier to study and get sleep. The people there are not antisocial, so don't worry. As for grades, don't always expect to get perfect grades. There will be times when the tests are extremely difficult and you may get lower grades than what you are used to now, but that's okay. There will most likely be other people in the class that didn't do as well either. Just study more and try harder next time. It's not the end of the world. If needed, ask for help! Go to office hours, ask classmates, etc.

I have only been in college for a little over a semester. When I was younger, I thought that the first day of college was going to be the most terrifying of my life. That turned out to not be the case at all. I felt instantly comfortable. Not quite "at home," but excited that I would be challenged in a way that would allow me to learn and grow intellectually and as an individual. I feel more like myself than I ever have in my life, and I owe that to my entire college experience thus far. I have gotten to be a sports fan like never before, get into the spirit of Berkeley traditions, join a sorority which I never would have pictured myself a part of, and make amazing friends with my roommates. I believe that college comes in stages, and in this opening stage of my experience at this university, I have gotten to do everything that I dreamed and some things that I had never dreamed. My college experience is just as valuable as my college education. While my education will open up possibilties for the future, my college experience is happening now.