The University of California - Berkeley

Is started out at Cal in the college of letters and science intending to major in biology but in my 2nd year I decided to switch to the college of chemistry and major in Chemical Biology. I found the chemistry major classes to be much more difficult, but I also felt very strongly that everyone in them was actually interested in learning and not just part of a cutthroat race to medical school. I also found the advising staff of the college of chemistry were much more friendly and less overworked than their MCB counterparts.

I found most the people in my major to be friendly and very bright but to be blunt, really big nerds who spent their weekends in the library (maybe thats why they got better grades...oh well). I did, however make lots of friends outside of my major, (mostly through student groups and the housing co-ops, which I highly recommend if you are into that sort of thing www.usca.org) with so many students there has got to be someone for everyone to hang out with. I was able to find people to go snowboarding with as well as vegan hippies to dance naked with. And yes there are attractive people at Cal. The only people that I have personally heard complain about ugly girls there where sexist frat boys who define attractive as too drunk to have consensual sex, coated in make-up, and barely clothed despite cold rainy weather. Unfortunately the diverse (though not so much racially) student body includes a small but vocal group of patriarchal assholes.

On the topic of unpleasantries Berkeley is not the safest city at night; I think most students at least know a friend or two who has been mugged. I think that this is the case in most major metropolitan areas and isn't that big of a deal if you are smart about when you go where (and not carry a bunch of expensive shit with you) or take advantage of the free night shuttle. That said, the campus is beautiful and its just a bart ride away from San Fransisco.All in all Cal is definitely what you make of it. I think I was able to get a good education as well as "college experiences" especially considering the relatively low cost of in state tuition.

The academics will tantalize your mind. Most of classes require you to have a profound understanding of the subject in order for you to get an A. Although it is a small hurdle for some, if you keep it up, you will be amazed at what you can do- helping prepare you for life's future challenges.

The faculty are absorbed in their work, but they are helpful if you show up at their office hours. I have never seen a professor not do his job splendidly during office hours, and most are even okay with setting up additional individual meetings. Occasionally, they will even offer you work, or an internship. The key here is to explore and utilize opportunities immediately, without delay, and without apprehension.

Sure, there are those who sit back and do nothing, and whine at the lack of resources or social life. This isn't high school anymore. You really have to ask and probe around in order to find a niche in the Cal community, probably more so than at other schools. But those who complain- it isn't because the opportunities they look for don't exist.

Many students here are also engrossed in schoolwork or some other unusual subject. Many others are unfriendly and thus a permanent friend like one in high school can be difficult to find. Like always, the antidote is to look around. Also, luckily, the women at this school have improved dramatically since I was here in 2004. So if you're ready to step out into the macrocosm, this is it. The one and only...