火爆社区

University of California鈥擝erkeley is renowned for its 鈥済reat faculty, great research, [and] great classes,鈥� as well as its 鈥渙pen, liberal education and culture.鈥� The school is dedicated to providing students with 鈥渁 well-rounded, diverse education,鈥� and many students suggest that it鈥檚 the 鈥渂est location in the country for entrepreneurship and innovation.鈥� UC Berkeley鈥檚 business and computer science programs are highly regarded, and it is home to 鈥渟ome of the best engineering programs across the board among colleges.鈥� The abundance of 鈥渢op-notch鈥� research taking place on and off-campus creates 鈥減lenty of opportunities for undergrads to engage in it,鈥� such as the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) and Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF). One of the distinct advantages of attending UC Berkeley is the expertise of its faculty, who are described by students as 鈥渇antastic鈥� and among 鈥渢he best in their fields.鈥� Professors 鈥渉ave full command of their subjects and are determined to find an answer to anything they don鈥檛 know, within their discipline,鈥� while students describe their graduate instructors as 鈥渧ery accessible and helpful.鈥� Students also appreciate the school鈥檚 culture, which fosters 鈥渋ndependent and collaborative thinking across all fields.鈥� One student shares that the school 鈥渞eally encourages us to go out and learn, both inside and outside the classroom.鈥� Another student summarizes their academic journey by saying, 鈥淏erkeley will offer you all the opportunity you can handle; it鈥檚 up to you to take hold of it.鈥�

With an undergraduate enrollment of over 30,000, Berkeley is a bustling and welcoming community where all types 鈥渕ix among each other easily鈥� and friendships often form around majors or dorms. Says one junior, 鈥淔rom clubs to DeCal courses, there is no way a student will not make a group of friends while here at Cal.鈥� Berkeley undergrads are often described as 鈥減olitically liberal, nonreligious, and pretty independent.鈥� In addition, they are known for their 鈥渁bility to hold high-level conversation[s] about basically anything.鈥� And students鈥� enthusiasm for their academic pursuits is inspiring; in fact, just 鈥渢alking to them for five minutes about it makes you wonder if you should change your major.鈥� Berkeley attracts students from all over the United States and many other countries, including a high percentage of students from Asia. This rich diversity fosters an environment of inclusivity, where everyone can find their place, 鈥渞egardless of their sexual orientation, religion, or political beliefs,鈥� thanks to the many opportunities for undergraduates to connect over shared interests.

Berkeley is 鈥渁 great choice for students who want the feeling of a big state school but want to also be pushed to their limits.鈥� Although 鈥渁cademics are a priority,鈥� there鈥檚 鈥渁 constant buzz of student activity that drives everyday life鈥� on campus. There is an 鈥渁mazing community鈥� of student-run organizations, 鈥渃lubs, sports, student-run classes, seminars, [and] research opportunities鈥� that provides 鈥渕any different venues for people to find their passion.鈥� On campus, there are plenty of things to occupy one鈥檚 time, everything 鈥渇rom frat houses to coffee shop discussions, hiking the fire trails to studying for finals.鈥� Off-campus, there鈥檚 lots to explore in the downtown Berkeley area, and students use the 鈥渞eally convenient and time-saving鈥� Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to visit San Francisco. In true undergraduate fashion, lots of folks socialize by attending football games, going to restaurants, or party hopping. While some students enjoy partying and drinking, there鈥檚 no pressure to do so and 鈥渋f that鈥檚 not your style, there are plenty of others to spend time with.鈥� One of the things that makes this campus so special is that 鈥渆very single person has something that they are very passionate about.鈥� This diverse mix of interests really contributes to the school鈥檚 vibrant and creative community.

鈥淏erkeley鈥檚 greatest strengths are the amount of resources and opportunities it provides to students not only to allow them to explore numerous academic fields but to engage them in the community, in the country, and in the world.鈥� 鈥淭here are internship opportunities for students from all disciplines, both on campus and in the surrounding cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco.鈥� 鈥淩esearch opportunities are abundant鈥� and 鈥渢he career center is amazing.鈥� There are 鈥渆ndless options for student involvement鈥� and employers like the school鈥檚 鈥減restigious鈥� reputation. According to the website PayScale.com, the median starting salary for graduates is $72,600 and 51 percent of alumni find their jobs to be highly meaningful.