UC Discussion - for those with children at a UC college what do they like or not like from experience?

[Anonymous]

Looking for impressions on any UC campuses as we are just beginning our search!

UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UC Riverside, UC Merced

[Anonymous]

DD went to UC Berkeley. She thought of herself as a feminist but said a lot of people there take it to a much deeper level than she does and sometimes got tired of it. Other than that, she really loved it.

[Anonymous]

Tough to get classes and not very personal. Requires you to be proactive and willing to seek out assistance. Didn’t like the large lectures at all but some of the seminars they did enjoy. Honestly, wished they’d gone to a medium sized private school like their siblings/cousins ..Tufts, Lehigh, Tulane, etc. Felt they had way more support and help with internships/job placement. UCLA 2022 grad.

[Anonymous]

I have one kid who went to UCB for PhD and another one who went to UCSD medical school. They both loved it there. So very different than DMV area. But, maybe you are asking for undergrad exp. LOL. Sorry.

[Anonymous]

Berkeley 2023 grad here. It was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Berkeley takes all of the best of the best of California high schools and shoves them into one place. BUT unlike a private school, it doesn't have enough resources for everyone. You want to do neuroscience research? So does every other kid with hopes of going to medical school. You are taking an intro CS class and want to do well? Welp, the class is curved and there are about a hundred kids that have been coding since they were 10. Everything is a competition. You need to write an essay and go through rounds of interviews just to get into a volunteering club or a pre-law society. Some classes are over 1,000 students and kids will sit on the stairs of the lecture halls because there aren't enough seats.

BUT, it was the best four years of my life. I've grown so much and have become such a stronger person because of my experience. Berkeley is one of the world's best institutions and it shows. Every professor is a leader in the field. Econ 1 is taught by Christina Romer, who was Obama's economic advisor. Bio 1 is taught by Jennifer Doudna, who won the Nobel Prize for inventing the CRISPR method. Having Berkeley on my resume has opened so many doors for me and while it was a grind, I've gotten an internship every summer and lined up a full-time job after graduation. Navigating through the school is tough so there is a bond that all students have that is truly special. I chose Cal over a mix of big privates and LACs and would make the same decision a thousand times over.

I know this was a word vomit, but I am happy to answer any questions you have. I also have a bunch of friends from the DMV (mostly TJ kids), so happy to send any DMV specific questions their way as well.

[Anonymous]

DP - what advice would you give to a student looking to apply to UCB? What would you have done differently?

[Anonymous]

I think it’s also important to note that these schools are all VERY different with super different strengths, weaknesses, and campus cultures. I went to both UCSC and UCLA, my partner went to Cal. You really need to visit and to figure out what your kid is interested in. Want that big college environment with a venerated sports program? UCLA, sometimes Cal. Want a more laid back campus with a good social sciences program? UCSB, UCSC.