Current Cal Students?

by Adonalmao on Mar 30, 2007 5:32 PM PDT

Since this blog has a fanbase from all over the Bay Area, I was wondering if any of you guys currently attend UC Berkeley. I was just admitted there and I'm trying to figure out whether I should attend or not. What is it like? What's the bball team gonna be like next year and in the future? Is it hard to get acquainted with people there? Any help on my decision would be great!

This FanPost is a submission from a member of the mighty Golden State of Mind community. While we're all here to throw up that W, these words do not necessarily reflect the views of the GSoM Crew. Still, chances are the preceding post is Unstoppable Baby!

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From a strictly academic standpoint...

I think you should go to Cal regardless of the basketball. Whether you get acquainted w/ people or not is entirely up to you. If you stick yourself in your dorm/apartment all the time, you're not going to meet people. Join a club or two, play ball at the RSF, etc. etc. I'm sure you won't have any problems meeting people.

by yuletak on Mar 30, 2007 5:43 PM PDT reply actions

go to UCLA

boomdeazy and matt barnes' alma mater

by jam3rz on Mar 30, 2007 6:15 PM PDT reply actions

to above poster

I didn't get into UCLA, sadly

Adonalmao = Adonal + LMAO http://youtube.com/watch?v=lkoNgq-O3R4

by Adonalmao on Mar 30, 2007 6:18 PM PDT reply actions

Sadly???

So what, Cal is now kids' safety school when they don't get into UCLA? Have things changed that much while I've been living abroad? What is the world coming to?

Last I checked, Cal was a better school than UCLA, with a better faculty and far more illustrious history -- both academically and socio-politically -- in a much more interesting town (LA's great, but Westwood sucks). Literally the only advantage UCLA has is its basketball greatness, past and present. But then, Cal hoops is not exactly chopped liver, plus you're just a few BART stops from the greatness that is the Warriors.

Geez, Adonalmao, no disrespect, but what's your problem? Millions of kids around the world would kill to go to your second choice. Stop whining on GSoM about your "dilemma" and do the right thing. And if it really pains you that much to go ... well, maybe you weren't cut out for Cal in the first place.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr .... the Bear never quits! The Bear never dies!

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 30, 2007 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

I was merely trying to get a sense of people's opinions on here! Cal was in no way a safety school, I just wanted to go to UCLA but got into Cal instead. I'm ecstatic that I got into Cal, and I'm just trying to make sure I'm making the right decision by going there!

Adonalmao = Adonal + LMAO http://youtube.com/watch?v=lkoNgq-O3R4

by Adonalmao on Mar 30, 2007 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Well done, Grasshopper!

I was testing you to see if you had the necessary passion (and sense of humor) to attend Cal. You passed. Now seriously, do be a little humble about it ... you're making other people on this board feel bad (see below). Part of the greatness of Cal is that it encourages not just academic excellence but also excellent personality traits: you know, stuff like humility, decency, fairness and compassion. If you want to end up a stuffy, arrogant twit, there's a great school for that just down 280 in Palo Alto... ;-)

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 30, 2007 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Go there

I have only worked my ass off for my whole life with one goal in mind and that was Cal. Now that I am rejected I pretty much cried myself to sleep last night.

by DaAzNJRiCh on Mar 30, 2007 8:06 PM PDT reply actions

Dude

That sucks, but seriously ... don't despair. If you do well your first couple of years, you can always transfer (though I believe it's easier from a community college or Cal State than another UC school). Or you could go there for Grad school ... I mean, as good a school as Cal is, it's that much better for Grad school, where you get actual direct contact with the world-class faculty (as opposed to TAs who barely speak English). I say this as someone who got my BA at Cal and my MA elsewhere.

In the end, I know it's hard to hear this now, but: where you go to school isn't really that important in the scheme of things. The most successful of all my college friends got his BA from SF State. The important thing is that you continue to work hard and be curious and open-minded. You've got your whole life ahead of you, son! Live! Travel! Learn! Woo women! Chin up!

But when did this become the college advice chatroom?

by Sleepy Freud on Mar 30, 2007 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions

it's never too late!!!

I'm 29 and I'm an undergrad at Cal. If you really want to go to Berkeley, just try to transfer. But, it would be even better to go to Berkeley for Grad school.

by Jeremy Belvins on Mar 31, 2007 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Sorry to hear that

I feel for you. I had the same situation, I grew up in Berkeley and had my heart set on going to Cal. I didn't get in. But I did get into UCSD and going there was probably a better decision anyways. It taught me a lot more about myself by being away from my comfort zone. I began to view things from a different perspective. I know it's hard but life will throw you curveballs. For those unexpected and seemingly undesireable events, embrace them and learn to thrive in those situations rather than rejecting them.

So if Davis is the best school you got into, go there and truly enjoy it. It's still a great school right up there with Cal and probably better than Cal in a few areas. Like the previous 2 commenters wrote, you can always go to Cal for grad school and that's even more prestigious than getting an undergrad degree from there.

Good luck! Keep your head up, many people would love to go to Davis.

by Fantasy Junkie on Mar 31, 2007 10:10 AM PDT up reply actions

the college you go to dont mean crap....

i graduated from san jose state last may and am making a lot more than 90% of the folks i know that went to cal. just gotta work hard wherever you're at and realize you're not entitled to anything.

by spartan21 @ Golden State Of Mind on Mar 30, 2007 10:30 PM PDT reply actions

Current Freshman at Cal

Our basketball team (men's; our women own) was really dissappointing this year. Our star big man went down with a season ending injury just as the season began, but we seem to have a bright future. Bright spot of the year: we beat UCLA in the Pac 10 tournament, but couldn't keep it going on the back-to-back-to-back.

If you're into football, this year was pretty exciting and next year is promising.

Besides sports, I agree with the assessment that above. You gotta do stuff.

Congrats on getting in. Good luck on your decision.
(Don't go to a red school!)

by racsan on Mar 30, 2007 10:31 PM PDT reply actions

Getting aqquainted with people...

It's usually you who is the one that dictates the people you meet and get along with. Honestly, I think going to a school for their basketball team should be the least of your worries if you're not going to play. Sports is wonderful, but it's not the "end all, and be all" of life. Academics will always be more important. Also, if you are wondering if you are making the right decision or not, you should visit the school, speak with the students there, get familiar with the environment. Nothing wrong with a little evaluation.

btw, do you know major you're planning on pursuing?

by MVP @ Golden State Of Mind on Mar 31, 2007 12:12 AM PDT reply actions

Sorry

Sorry if i seemed inconsiderate to others on this board, that really wasn't my intention. I can see how this may seem like an arrogant post however, and I'm sorry for that. Thanks for your input eeryone, it's definetly helped. I'm lucky, and most of all thankful, to have gotten in. im 99% sure that I'll be a Freshman next year at Cal.

Adonalmao = Adonal + LMAO http://youtube.com/watch?v=lkoNgq-O3R4

by Adonalmao on Mar 31, 2007 12:37 AM PDT reply actions

I'm

not that sad it is fine. It just makes me mad that I think I worked really hard when I could've just slacked off and still gotten into Davis. O well I will get over it. Go to Cal and have fun. At least now I can slack off at Davis or whatever school I go to.

by DaAzNJRiCh on Mar 31, 2007 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Davis will kick your ass,

if you take it too lightly. There probably isn't even a real difference between Davis and Berkeley in terms of workload.

by Jeremy Belvins on Mar 31, 2007 1:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Current Senior at Cal

I transferred after 2 years at UCSD and I kinda regret it. Unless you are planning on coming to Cal and joining a frat or something it is not a very socially welcome place. Yeah, football games are awesome, but just about everything else from academics to the parties are not special. I'm sure if you were a freshman there, it would be much different but picture yourself in a cramped 3 person dorm room of 10 ft by 13 ft. Every major is pretty competitive as well. Plus the Basketball team looks a little good except a lot of guys were injured this last year and they say that Ben Braun, the head coach, will get fired soon. So I say, if you can't bear to leave the friendly confines of your Bay Area sports scene, then go to CAL, but if you feel that social experience and easy going academics are key, then look somewhere else.

Stanford Sucks!

by OaktownRajah on Mar 31, 2007 10:53 PM PDT reply actions

as a recent alumni

i would say that Cal is not the best place to go for a social life. You go to Cal for the academics. I would always have more fun partying at other schools. Go to UCSD if thats what youre concerned with.
As far as Basketball is concerned, the only good ball is played at the RSF, come play sometime, im there a few times a week.

by ilubthedubs on Apr 2, 2007 12:18 PM PDT reply actions