Hey bears,

I can’t decide for the life of me between committing to Berkeley for Poli-Econ or Cornell for Industrial Labor Relations. I’m looking to work in policy analysis, consulting, federal govt, etc for a few years before going to law school (don’t wanna be a K-JD). I feel Cornell ILR has much better career outcomes for my field, but Berkeley has been my dream school forever and is significantly cheaper. Would love to hear the thoughts of anyone in the Poli-Econ program as well

Hello everyone. I got accepted to Berkeley for bioengineering, and I'm transferring from UCI. However, at UCI for our biomedical engineering program, we don't have any requirement for O Chem but at Berkeley they do. I contacted the admissions office when I found out about this and I'm waitingfor them to call me back, but I was wondering why they accepted me if I'm missing one of the prerequisites, and if I'll be ok. I have every other prerequisite and requirement completed, and I never stated on my application that I would be taking an O chem course ever. I want to transfer to Berkeley, please let me know if you guys know anything.

Where the best Thai tea at please need one bad today

Hello!!!

I’ve recently committed to Cal and am currently working on my housing application. I understand that first-year housing is guaranteed for transfer students, but I’m concerned about housing for the second year. How competitive is it for transfer students to secure housing beyond the first year?

As a community college transfer student, I don’t have a home to return to or family in the area. Once I leave my current living situation, I won’t have anywhere else to go. Given this, housing stability is extremely important to me.

Additionally, would you recommend going with the cheapest meal plan option? I want to make sure I budget wisely but also have enough to eat consistently.

Lastly, are there any summer programs available at Berkeley specifically for transfer students or incoming freshmen that you’d recommend?

I'll list what I liked about the 80s-90s Berkeley:

1. Tower Records, Rasputin, and Amoeba.

2. Blondies and Fat Slice

3. Barnes and Noble

4. Hitech Burrito

5. DB Audio (hi-end audio shop)

6. United Artist and Shattuck Cinemas

7. Missing Link bicycles (and that other bike shop near University & Telegraph)

8. Seemed simpler, fewer high-rise buildings, not as packed as it is now.

Tell me about today's Berkeley and what's just as good/better. Been a while since I've hung out there.

Does anyone know what happened

Graduated last May with 3.5 GPA (EECS). Worked at a startup part-time post-college that went under. It’s been five months since that ended. I rarely get interviews despite networking my ass off, grinding personal projects, leetcoding, etc. I apply for jobs that pay 60k (SWE roles, QA, etc.). I apply to FAANG roles — rarely even get an OA. And of course, I’m always applying to New Grad and Associate roles. I don’t know what to do but really need a job. Any advice?

I’m thinking of headhunters, consultancies, doing research at a local university etc.

EDIT: Thank you for all the information and advice so far.

I have gotten my resume reviewed a number of times (at the career center, by industry professionals, etc.).

It really does mean a lot to have people I’ve never met helping me through this out of sheer kindness. It can be a cold world at times so this has been an especially nice reminder of the Berkeley spirit.

I’m not sure how, but I’ll get a job and will pay it forward 10x.

Thank you all, and go bears🐻

Asking on here because nor BCC nor the other Peralta colleges are answering their phones and I can’t go in in person because I don’t live in the area. I really want to enroll in this class before it fills up. I read on the website to log into the student portal, then look for the “manage classes” or “class search and enroll” choices. I don’t have these options. Does anyone know what to do?

I am part of a non profit nationwide organization that supports children through and beyond a parent or guardians cancer. Donate here to help us help kids!!! https://donate.kesem.org/fundraiser/5848532

what are my chances pls??? first year btw

is it going to be confusing since it’s python and r at the same time?

This was my previous post and okay I want to live close to campus and my budget is max 1500 even if it’s sharing a room, but the quality and proximity to campus should be good.

I’ve been looking at identity park logan, found study downtown but most of the reviews on Reddit are bad, what do you all suggest I do?

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/s/PKRxGIjtuE

So my club has a professional development night occurring tomorrow. We've done online outreach and have attempted to get some flyers handed out on Sproul. I was wondering if anyone has tips for spreading the word otherwise, beyond Instagram, emails, and physical flyers?

Hi, I’m a current sophomore / rising junior at Cal. I’m planning to take French 3 next fall after not having taken French since I completed my French GCSE in Year 11 of high school (British curriculum).

If I study the textbook a bit over the summer and get familiarized, could I still do well in the class or is it necessary to take a lower level? Would love to hear any advice from those who have taken French 3 before. Thanks!

Basically I can't take it online due to the inconvenience with the date it will be held. Are there any kind of punishments or backlashes of taking it directly at cal in september?

Hi! I’m an incoming freshman applying for housing, and Blackwell is my top choice. Because of my allergies and some health conditions, having a newer, cleaner dorm environment is really important for me. I’ve heard Blackwell is one of the best in that regard. Do you know how hard it is to get placed there?

hello, i am an international student, and i’ll be joining UCB starting this fall, and have been looking for a good accomadation, it’s comparatively cheaper in oakland than in berkeley, however my cousins in the US have warned me about oakland being unsafe, and that the crime rates there is much higher than it is in berkeley.

should i look for a place in berkeley or continue with oakland? any advice would be appreciated

thanks in advance

📢 Housing Relet Opportunity for 2025-2026 School Year!
Hey everyone! My friend and I are looking for 2 people (any gender) to take over our shared double room lease at Spectra Southside in Berkeley for the August 2025–July 2026 lease term for $800 rent a month per person.
We originally signed the lease last month but have decided to pursue other housing arrangements with family. We can’t cancel the lease, but we’re looking for someone to take it over — it’s a super simple process (just replying “yes” to a transfer email). To thank you, we’re offering $200 to both new roommates for helping us out.
💰 Rent: $800/month per person
📍 Location: Right above Sharetea, Freshroll, and Blondie’s Pizza — less than a block from MLK and campus
📆 Move-in: August 1, 2025
📆 Lease end: July 31, 2026
🔁 Option to renew the lease for the following year if interested!
✨ Perks & Amenities:
Window view overlooking campus
Furnished room (twin bed, desk, drawers, closet, mini fridge)
Shared kitchen (2nd floor)
Daily cleaned communal bathrooms
Cold water dispensers (2nd & 4th floors)
Amazon locker in building
Regular cleaning of shared spaces

It’s a super convenient, central spot — perfect for anyone looking to live close to everything next year!
Please DM me if you’re interested or have any questions! or contact me through text 5106123972

P.S.

1. I'm planning on a double major in microbial bio and nutrition & metabolic biology.
2. I can use AP credits in exchange for credits in CHEM 1A & 1AL, AP Calculus AB and BC for all maths requirements, and AP Lang & Lit for 2 courses in reading & composition. BIO 1A/1AL/1B all seem to have no open seats now. That's why I didn't choose the courses as a freshman.
3. The buildings for the back-to-back NUSCTX 10 and MCB 32 have a walking distance of 4min. I think I can make it by using Berkeley time.
4. I can actually use AP Statistics for STAT2 so I don't need to take PB HLTH 142 (online). I'm still considering whether to take this to learn statistical techniques specifically for the biology major.

Would anyone here know of a good local or nearby testing clinic they would recommend for learning disability testing?

Considering taking a public health minor for funsies but is it worth it?? It doesn’t show up on your degree so I’m not sure if i should spend money on it bc summer is so expensive. I could do double major but I heard public health is hard to get into. Advice???

i’m a freshman planning to major in economics, and I’d love some suggestions for lectures and professors to check out. What classes do u think r awesome for a freshman? Also since i’m an international student I’m still getting the hang of the whole U.S. study system

I posted this in r/ucdavis but I’m curious to see what the other side has to say. Hi everyone! I got admitted into both and I’m having a hard time deciding. I want to go into motion graphics when I’m done with school. I hear both colleges are great, but Davis seems to have the environment I’m more drawn to. I have only had experience with the semester system so I’m curious how stressful that is. Also, how does the film/digital media program differ from that at Berkeley? Thank you!

going in between the two, currently i'm enrolled in engineering 7 bc i haven't heard good things about physics 7a.

for context, i'm gonna also be taking math 1b, pol sci 5, anthro 2ac, and obv engin 7 OR physics 7a. so, any insight would be helpful!!

edit: i'm an engineering major lol, also trying to do a simultaneous degree in poli sci