The University of California - Berkeley

I like to think Berkeley is awesome because it is. Being over 350 miles from home bites sometimes, but it's easy to get over that little tidbit with skype and a good cellphone plan. It'll seem monumentally huge in the beginning, but when you start making friends and get a handle on your classes, the size impact starts chiseling down. I can't speak for all faculty, but I know for sure that the professors and gsi's in the English department are amazing and good to talk to, if not a little awkward at first, and the senseis and professors over in the Japanese dept. are hilarious and fun to be around.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

Education Quality: A, Social Life: B-

I think Cal is an amazing school. I love the environment, and it is intellectually challenging, as well. I feel that in and around campus there are always places to explore and that it is rather easy to keep yourself from being bored. There are tons and tons of fun restaurants in Berkeley and lots of fun shops, too. Not to mention some really great parties. As for the classes themselves...yes, they can be tough. However, there are lots of facilities and people you can go to for help. For example, there are study groups at the Student Learning Center, or you can go to office hours, or (if you're living in the dorms), you can ask a floormate for help. I guess the takeaway is that Berkeley is the perfect school for me, and (if you're looking into which schools you should apply to), definitely give Cal a shot.

1st Year Female -- Class 2014

University Resource Use/ spending: A+, Individual Value: B