The University of California - Berkeley

What can I say but that this school changes its students in remarkable ways. I am so proud of who I became and what I learned at this university. Berkeley is simply amazing. Administrative bureaucracy is high as is out of state tuition, but if you can find a way to maneuver around this and come up with your own solutions (like graduate early for example to avoid the high tuition, as I did), then you will be so pleased with your decision to come to Cal. It is immensely challenging academically but I found myself wanting to rise to the occasion and work my hardest because that is what students at this school do, and it is very rare and admirable for young people to possess this trait. What is also rare is the openness and maturity and diversity of viewpoints you will find on this campus. It is so easy to make friends at this school because if there are people all around you just bursting with interesting conversation, and they are for the most part all eager to meet new people if you are equally as open. So have fun, work hard, make wonderful friendships that you can carry with you when you leave. Make the best of this gem of a university because a few years will just fly by before you know it!

2nd Year Female -- Class 2007

Education Quality: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: C+

I did an easy major, but spent a lot of time at the great libraries, and taking somewhat difficult classes outside the major. It's a brutal environment, where people really compete for the grades. The classes really work you hard.

On the other hand, I've almost never had a hard time looking for work, or getting on the track to promotions. The degree opens doors. The rigorous experience also trains you to be able to handle insane workloads with aplomb, and Cal grads have a good rep out in the real world.The city can change you. It's a very open-minded freethinking place. Cal grads also have a rep for being a little unconventional. Not necessarily that we're hippies or something, but that we can think out of the box and cut our own paths through life.

5th Year Female -- Class 1992

Education Quality: A, Useful Schoolwork: D