I only applied to 3 schools for undergrad. SD, LA, and Cal.
Got in to all 3 but it was Cal all the way. SD and LA were far too big for my taste and a bit too conservative. They are beautiful campuses with lots of great things about each school but when I went to visit each of them, I never felt the absolute excitement about being in a place than I did at Berkeley.
Sure SD and LA have the weather, but I'm not much of a fan of the sun for 90% of the year. I do enjoy the semi-seasonal changes up at Cal with the rain, fog, and sun all making their presence felt.
The girls at LA and SD are highly touted, but that doesn't mean Cal doesn't have some gems of their own
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The environment I got at Cal was a bit more independent and freeing. Not everyone loves Berkeley, more of a love it or leave it type of place. I know a good number of people who come just for the reputation and end up hating it because it did not fit their lifestyle. We're odd, loud and fight for what we believe in. Not to say others don't but the history of all this is just there at Cal.
Sure the classes are pretty damn tough and I didn't get the best of grades. Some of my friends opted not to go there just because they felt they can get better grades elsewhere, but I won't mention any names.
But even with academic difficulties, I love every aspect of this place. I love watching the fog roll in and seeing the bay from VLSB. Strawberry Creek may be toxic, but its still pretty and the sounds are very calming. I love all the action of the city, all the things that went on around you even though I should have been at home studying. And the famous Berkeley coffee spots. Strada, Milano etc...Excellent places to just chill and watch people. SF is only a moment away and it has to be one of the best cities in the US to chill, enjoy and have fun.
This might be a negative to some people but like a previous alum said...."I loved the anonymity of the place. I love being left alone, loved the absolute absense of the kind of enforced community that I so disliked, found false and sentimental and at base authoritarian, in other instituions I knew about....the freedom to fail was also the freedom to be, to make one's own way......."
My time at Cal was very special to me because the essense of the school has taught me much about my own life and the choices I have made. Not doggin UCLA or anything, its a great school...I just wouldn't have felt what I felt at Cal down here in LA.
Oh PS...our sports arent that bad. We are up and coming program. Our basketball team has reached the "Dance" for the last 2 years and of course this is nothing compared to the history UCLA has but...in that respect UCLA hasn't done much these past two years anyway. Hopefully Coach Howlin can get those showboats to actually play basketball and not NBA Jam.
Cal had the most improved team last year with a 7 win differential. This year we lost our big guns so we don't expect too much. Just a .500 season guys. But we beat USC and will beat StanfUrd and thats all that really matters.
Girls softball is getting better, rubgy is sweet etc...
so yeah. enough cal lovin for now. be back soon.