University of California at Berkeley Admission
University of California at Berkeley Undergraduate Program
University of California at Berkeley Application

The Facts

The University of California at Berkeley is one of the most prestigious public institutions in the country. Located in Berkeley, California which is situated just outside of San Francisco, it is a beautiful campus in an area of the country that has a lot to offer, including a gorgeous, mild, sunny climate. The faculty is top-notch and help to make all of the classes engaging and energizing. Even though it is technically a state school, admission is very competitive. Last year, a staggering 36,976 students applied, while only 8,832 were admitted. The Class of 2004 had an average SAT score ranging from 1190 to 1440. Over 98% of them were ranked in the top 10% of their graduating high school class with an average grade point of 3.94, rivaling many of the Ivy League’s. UC Berkeley has the largest percentage of out of state students, which can make it even more difficult for qualified in state students to attend.

The university offers majors in many many different areas of study, but some of the most popular include electrical engineering, computer science, political science, English, architecture and business administration. Several students complain that with a student to faculty ration of 16:1, it is easy to feel like just another number. Many of the introductory class sizes are mammoth, and can kill your GPA if you slack off.

The Social Scene

UC Berkeley skyrocketed in popularity after the 1960’s as it was the center of many political movements against the Vietnam war. Many students apply to the school because of its reputation as a place that is accepting of many new ideas and people. The students love the area because Berkeley itself is a great town, and they have easy access to all the excitement of San Francisco. The town of Berkeley is still populated by many aging hippies, and apparently pot and other substances are readily available, making safety a general concern for students.

The campus itself is beautiful, and the buildings range from old ivy-colored stone buildings to brand new constructions. The dorms are varied and known for being fairly overcrowded, but UC Berkeley does offer alternative living situations including a “Green Dorm,” a student co-op run entirely off renewable resources. Most students choose to stay in the dorms for their entire stay at UC Berkeley, as off-campus housing is sparse and often expensive.

Berkeley is not known as a so-called “party school,” as students who frequently dabble in alcohol and drugs have a difficult time keeping up with Berkeley’s intense academic rigors. The Greeks often throw parties, however they are not an overly present social influence.

Sports are very popular at Berkeley, and some of the biggest events happen when the school plays against their longtime rival, Stanford.

Guys and girls can be found along every point of the spectrum: from wannabe hippies to conservative Christians, there’s some brand here for everyone.

What’s Good

“Berkeley is such a politically active school. You really feel like students here are passionate and want to do something to change the current situation.”

“The campus is always filled with really interesting people, especially the aging hippies who still think the Vietnam War is happening.”

“The area is absolutely gorgeous, and everything is available to us.”

What’s Bad

“There is a lot of bureaucratic red tape to hack through when you are trying to speak with someone from the administration.”

“The classes are usually enormous, and there’s really no mode of social interaction between teachers and students.”

“The dorms are really really crowded and it’s impossible to get any personal space there.”

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