The University of California - Berkeley

I was disappointed with my experience at UC Berkeley as a whole. As an out-of-state student, I would have attended another university if I had the chance to go back in time. My first qualm with Berkeley is the incredibly large and impersonal atmosphere. The 15:1 ratio is incredibly misleading. In my time here, I have had 1 lecture with less than 20 people, just 1 and I have taken classes in Math, Econ, History, English, etc. The second concern I have with Berkeley is the caliber of the student body. I am not by any means a genius, but I did graduate in the top 5 of my high school class of 500 and did decently well on standardized tests. Many students I have met here--especially transfer students--got in with subpar grades and even without taking standardized tests. There are far too many transfer students at Berkeley and not to mention the chips on their shoulder make it an irritating experience. The third is that the school is racially segregated, not by law or anything, socially. Despite the fact that I come from a more rural and rather "hickish" state, I have to say that Berkeley is 1000 times worse and 1000 times more segregated. People are also extremely arrogant. They tend to judge you on your appearance and if you put any effort in the mornings into your appearance, they presume that you are an imbecile. In addition the advisers are this school are complete morons. I am applying to graduate school right now and they know absolutely nothing. I have to get all of my information on the internet and I pretty much am completely on my own getting letter of recommendations, etc. The housing at Berkeley is also problematic. Despite the fact that this city is inherently a ghetto, rental prices are extremely. For 1000 you can barely find a place, let alone have it be decent. The buildings are also ridiculously old and rat infested, especially if you want to live near campus.If I could turn back time, I would have gone to a private university on the East Coast instead. I did academically well at Berkeley (3.8 GPA), but it's not worth it. I have learned nothing useful. I have always wanted to go to graduate school too, and Berkeley is NOT the institution to help you get there due to bureaucracy and impersonal nature.

4th Year Female -- Class 2008

Scholastic Success: A-, Individual Value: D-

4th Year Female -- Class 1992