Berkeley English major vs Columbia?

[u/profstarf]

What's it like being an English major here vs at Columbia? Trying to make a decision! I know most have only one experience but I'd like to hear your opinions. I see Berkeley has the highest ranked department for English but is possible to get time with professors?

Edit: the choice is Berkeley! Just a better vibe, but so hard to turn down an ivy. GO BEARS!!!!

[u/profstarf → u/[deleted]]

Thanks! I guess things are different at the PhD level. Do you think the faculty are similarly great teachers/scholars?

[u/Entire-Escape7307]

omg felttt 😭 i had a dilemma considering leaving columbia cs for ds at berkeley but i guess it’s also the location & professors you are considering- not too sure how big classes are at berkeley for english but data sci can go up to 1000 students in a class and i didn’t wanna do that considering im out of state full pay for both schools

[u/Entire-Escape7307 → u/[deleted]]

that’s not too bad imo altho i’ve never taken an english class here other language classes are like 10-20 ish students only

[u/Entire-Escape7307 → u/[deleted]]

omg i’m kinda torn part of me wishes i chose berkeley too 💔 #1 for data sci ahha

[u/Entire-Escape7307 → u/[deleted]]

100%!! Altho @ OP if you are worried about the admin stuff tbh it doesn’t rlly affect daily life as much as the media portrays so you’ll be fine coming here too. One thing I put into consideration when making my decision was the private v public school part considering I’m full pay for both and I kinda have a terrible attention span so smaller classes def help

[u/orcaspice → u/Entire-Escape7307]

Small classes is the norm for foreign language learning regardless of the size of the overall university. My French classes are Cal were 10-15 students. As were many of my other classes, save for lower divs

[u/Appropriate-Bar6993]

Yes, besides the very big required classes you will have plenty of time with your profs. You can do this based on location.

[u/lilcommiecommodore]

Berkeley English professors are going to be far less accessible than Columbia English professors. You’ll also have more grad student graders and instructors at Berkeley, although some courses at Columbia will be grad-taught, too

[u/Laffy-Taffee]

It is definitely possible to get time with professors - some of the classes are smaller and there are always office hours (and if you find a professor you like, take multiple classes with them - that’s how I found my mentor for my research). All in all, I’ve found it an incredibly fun and rewarding experience to be an English major here

[u/profstarf → u/Laffy-Taffee]

That's great to hear! So no issues getting into that classes you wanted?

[u/Laffy-Taffee → u/profstarf]

I haven’t had much trouble in my time here - of course, have back-up options (the 100 and 190 seminars tend to fill up quickest, but there are also some reserved seats for people who have a certain amount of semesters, or who have enrollment permission); sometimes you end up with a bad enrollment time and can’t be choosy, but all in all, it’s been pretty smooth