The University of California - Berkeley

Yes, there is a very low "good looking girls to guys" ratio, there are athletes who scored 800 on their combined SAT scores (old SATs format), and few professors actually grade tests and papers themselves or are available outside of class. Do not be fooled by the ratios that Berkeley claims: 15:1 student:faculty ratio. In four years as a PEIS major, fewer than 10% of my classes met that ratio. Discussion sections with a TA does not count in my book as fulfilling that ratio. Professors in the Political Science department are much more concerned with assisting grad students than their own undergrad students. Finally, due to the sheer size of Berkeley, the bureaucratic system can be difficult at times to navigate... not knowing who to contact for specific questions about applications, financial issues, registration issues, academic conflicts, graduation procedures, etc...

I choose Berkeley over UVA, Columbia, Princeton and Yale. I choose Berkeley because I thought it would proove to be the best environment in terms of exchange of ideas/free thinking. Few opportunities are given to the passionate undergrad who wants to graple with peers over contemporary debates in our society. Another reason for choosing Berkeley was to leave New England for a few years, and I did thoroughly enjoy everything San Francisco has to offer.

The campus is beautiful, Strawberry Canyon, the hills above campus over looking the Bay and the San Francisco Skyline are amazing... However, as others have stated... one only needs to venture off campus to have to step over bums sleeping in the streets, smell the aroma of bodily fluids, and fear for one's life. Even as a guy, at times when walking home from the bars alone at 2AM it can be worrisome. In four years, three of my male friends were assaulted, one ending up at Alta Bates. Berkeley police seem to be overwhelmingly more concerned about underage drinking than about the physical safety of the students.

For 40 grand, I would have gone to any of the other schools over Berkeley, perhaps even a school with less prestige such as Notre Dame, BC, Hamilton, etc... would have been better.

Good luck with your decision.