WATCH BEFORE COMMITTING TO UC BERKELEY! cutthroat, clubs, parties, what makes cal worth it

Today I am answering some common questions and misconceptions about UC Berkeley! Thank you so much for submitting questions via Instagram and my YT Community Tab!
Interested in having a Berkeley student read your college application essays? Check out Study Hall College Consulting at shcollegeconsulting.com!
Video Contents:
00:00 - Introduction
1:45 - Cutthroat/Competitive
5:47 - Jobs/Work Study
7:30 - Applying for Clubs
9:54 - Weekends/Fun
11:43 - Double Major/Minor
12:45 - Transportation
15:36 - Parties/Social Life
17:42 - What Makes Cal Worth it?
🌟 Videos mentioned in this video:
Last Week of College: • hectic last week of co...
RA Day in the Life: • RA Day In My Life: Pre...
Rejected from Club: • Rejected from ANOTHER ...
Exploring SF: • College Students Explo...
Berkeley Campus Tour: • UC Berkeley Campus Tou...
4 Years at Berkeley in 10 Min: • 4 Years at UC Berkeley...
Class Schedule Tips: • How to Get the PERFECT...
Assumptions about UC Berkeley: • ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT UC B...
add me on Instagram if you wanna! / xrachel_lin
🧑‍🎓Check out my post-grad life: • Post-College Graduatio...
📕📗Check out my other UC Berkeley Tour Videos: • UC Berkeley Tours: Sho...
📚✂️Check out my LSAT playlist: • Taking the LSAT and Ap...
👩🏻‍🎓🐻Check out my UC Berkeley video playlist: • UC Berkeley Advice and...
👨🏻‍💻👩🏻‍💻Check out my College Prep video playlist: • Tips to ACE your Colle...
👩🏻‍🎓👨🏻‍🎓Advice from a College Graduate: • Should You Defer your ...
📱⌚️Technology Unboxing and Reviews: • Upgrading my iPhone 6S...
🐱🐯My 5 Cats and 1 Dog: • What our FIVE CATS do ...
💃🏻🧜🏻‍♀️Get to Know Me More: • OUR FIRST SKYDIVE (w/ ...
music by bensound
intro by madi dianna
If you are new here, hi! My name is Rachel and I am a UC Berkeley graduate (Class of 2020) where I double majored in cognitive science and legal studies.

[@daniela1464]

Watching these types of videos before I decide 😭

[@rachel_lin]

Wooooo good luck deciding 🥳🥳

[@user-tm4lt3sc7h]

i just committed a few days ago & this video made me more relieved lol thank u!

[@rachel_lin]

woooooo congrats!! 🎉🎊 go bears 🐻

[@PiaMakinang]

I committed yesterday and this video is so reassuring and informative!! Thank you!! 🙇🏻‍♀️

[@rachel_lin]

Aw yay thank you!! Congrats! Go bears! 🎊🥰🐻

[@KushGrg]

I'm a sophmore but haven't been on campus yet, so your videos have been and continue to be super helpful. Thank you Rachel!

[@rachel_lin]

Aw thank you so much!! Hopefully you get to experience campus next year 🙌🏻🙏🏻

[@user-je3hp9qm8d]

Great video, have just binged a bunch of your content as I'm coming as an exchange student this Fall. Absolute god send

[@rachel_lin]

Thank you!! Good luck next fall 😁

[@yaoshengliu8273]

Officially commited! Really hope will leave with no regret! Amazing video tho!

[@rachel_lin]

Wooooo congrats and good luck!!! 🎉🎉🎉

[@jasminelee3504]

I just committed! Thank you for the video!!

[@rachel_lin]

Woooooo congratulations!! 🥰🎊🐻

[@ivanferraz8914]

Thank you, your video is complete

[@rachel_lin]

Thank you for watching! ☺️

[@SenecaBrynn]

YES love all this info! Go bears 🐻🥳

[@rachel_lin]

Go bears!! 🐻💪🏻

[@gingyrocka6039]

@@rachel_lin What is work study?

[@rachel_lin]

@@gingyrocka6039 great question! Work study is a type of financial aid where you would work part-time in college, and this money you earn would go towards paying tuition. So if you didn’t want to take out loans or something, you could participate in work study. Check out Berkeley’s work study website here for more information: financialaid.berkeley.edu/types-of-aid-at-berkeley/work-study/. 😄

[@kaedesposo1058]

just committed🥰

[@rachel_lin]

Wooooooo congrats 🎊🎉🐻

[@Friends4ever5550]

Can you do a video about International House please? I have seen your tour video, which is the only video tour of the I-house on youtube!! :))))) Can you do a part 2?

[@rachel_lin]

I can try! Thank you so much! At the end of the IHouse Tour video, Guillermo does a short IHouse Q&A which might be helpful. Additionally, if you had any specific questions, you can reach out to either of the two guys in my video, their Instagram handles are in the description! kzbin.info/www/bejne/aX3HgqKLZ9aDlcU

[@Friends4ever5550]

@@rachel_lin please do! Cannot wait!!

[@dez-m]

"Stop right there, I'm in!" - The Flash

[@rachel_lin]

Go bears! 🐻🥳

[@joeyp1927]

Didn't take much for me to commit to Berkeley, because it meant I was moving to California. Freedom! That was reason enough.

[@BB-gs5rs]

Riley Gaines ROCKS!!!!!

[@davidparnell3241]

65 degrees in phoenix this morning! Highs today 93! Record high temperature 104 degrees set in 1989

[@rachel_lin]

Ah a nice day to go outside and enjoy the sun, love it! 🌞🌟

[@davidparnell3241]

@@rachel_lin yes! But I still prefer the low 80s for this time of year! That's normal

[@Geno42069]

Aaron Rodgers going their briefly is enough for me. SOLD

[@rachel_lin]

Omg did you see he is hosting Jeopardy this week and he said go bears in the show 🥺🐻

[@Geno42069]

@@rachel_lin Yes!! He’s doing a pretty solid job hosting and representing Cal!

[@swanhookheart]

I'm still deciding between Berkeley and UCLA as a transfer, and Idk. I love how passionate everyone at Berkeley is, but I feel like I'd get bored with Cal and the things to do around campus because I was born and raised right there in the area. :/

[@rachel_lin]

oooh yeah, a lot of my peers at Berkeley were from SoCal, for the reason that they didn't want to go to UCLA because it was too close to home. So I feel like NorCal students go to SoCal and SoCal students go up to NorCal haha. But also, I had a few friends from SF/East Bay/South Bay who went to Berkeley and they ended up being like the "tour guide" for our friend circle since they are local. So they could show us all the cool spots that were less "touristy." Maybe experiencing your home area with new people could lead to new or different experiences! But I totally get it, haha I literally left my home state to go to a college across the country lmao :)

[@swanhookheart]

@@rachel_lin Still leaving my options open and making sure to check out opinions from people who already go there to help me decide. I'm sure I'll be happy either way; both schools have amazing English departments. :)

[@rachel_lin]

@@swanhookheart precisely! A great outlook to have! Good luck with making your decision! I’m sure you’ll be rocking it either way 💪🏻🤗

[@user-oz7ob1xn2k]

Are you currently in law school? I saw your LSAT proctor experience, but I couldn’t find anything law related after that! :)

[@rachel_lin]

I took the LSAT but I am currently not in law school. I am working full-time at a law firm though! I wanted to gain some work experience before potentially applying for law school in the future :)

[@rachel_lin]

@@user-oz7ob1xn2k aw thank you so much! That means a lot 🥰

[@andrewveghte5027]

What is cognitive science? Is it user interfaces and business for cs? Or is it similar to “information science”

[@rachel_lin]

I would say Cognitive Science is more similar to Information Science since Information Science is very interdisciplinary and you would study similar courses as the Cog Sci major. In Cog Sci, you would take classes in Computer Science, Psychology, Linguistics, Philosophy. For more information about the Cog Sci major, I just filmed a video all about the major and the requirements, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5LReIh5mruXoKs. Hope this helps!

[@jongiller5431]

I am debating between UCI and UC Berkeley right now and I feel like it’s an impossible decision, do you have any advice for choosing?

[@rachel_lin]

Congratulations on both colleges, that is amazing!! Definitely do your research on both colleges! Look into the programs, the dorms, social life, location etc - any trait/characteristic that will help you decide between the two. I just filmed a video about some factors to consider when choosing your college, so that may be helpful, check it out here - kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJjOhJtrlLNjebs. Hope this helps!

[@brandonpizano2029]

SAME!!!!! have you decided?

[@astronomari]

UGH SAME. Good luck with deciding!

[@nicholasreardon2048]

What can you do to maximize your chances of rooming with a friend when you are both incoming freshman?

[@rachel_lin]

Hi Nicholas! Requesting friends on the housing application for Berkeley is sort of similar to a Facebook friend request. On your housing app, you would send your friend a request, and your friend will have to accept. This will link you two in the system. Then to heighten your chances of rooming together, you two should both pick the exact same top 4 housing choices, putting your 5th choice as "any room, any location." Additionally, make sure you complete the housing application on time and follow the directions. The most important thing is to have your last option as "any room, any location," so that if the random number generator gets to you or your friend once your top 4 choices have already been filled, you will still be offered some kind of housing. Hope this helps! Let me know if you had follow-up questions regarding this :)

[@tuketuke73tf9]

Is housing a first come first serve basis? or does it not matter when you submit the housing form?

[@rachel_lin]

For incoming freshman, housing is not offered on a first come first serve basis, but for continuing students it is. For freshman, just fill out your housing application before the deadline and follow all of the directions! Especially make sure that you set your 5th option to "any room, any location" so that if the Random Number Generator gets to you once your top 4 choices are already filled, then you will still get some kind of housing offer. Hope this helps!

[@enilzi7790]

Can you describe in details on graduate program in CS .. like form fill up date , fees .. dorm fees.

[@rachel_lin]

Berkeley offers two graduate programs in Computer Science: a MS and PhD. You can find more information about these two graduate programs and their requirements at this website: grad.berkeley.edu/program/computer-science/. Additionally, you could do a 5 year joint Bachelors/Masters program. This program is only open to Computer Science or EECS undergraduates. For more information, check out this website: eecs.berkeley.edu/academics/graduate/industry-programs/5yrms#:~:text=The%20Five%20Year%20Bachelors%2FMasters%20Program%2C%20called%20the%205th,only%20one%20additional%20year%20beyond%20the%20Bachelors%20degree.. Hope this helps!

[@rachel_lin]

For all of the projected housing rates for 2021-2022, check out the housing website: housing.berkeley.edu/rates. However, it seems like these rates may be subject to change depending on occupancy levels, what happens with the pandemic, and whether classes will be fully in-person next year.

[@tribrunodang]

How about workout sites around campus?

[@rachel_lin]

There are a two main gyms located around campus, with weight machines, track, ellipticals, swimming pool etc! Then in each of the dorms, there are smaller gyms, think like very basic home gyms. Here is the website for the main gym on campus, so you can see what programs they offer - recsports.berkeley.edu/facilities/rsf/. Additionally, check out this video I have, I tried a new gym workout activity each day of the week, since the gym offers free classes for students - kzbin.info/www/bejne/anzce5trarV5m5Y. Hope this helps!

[@euniceyoon5378]

do they do dorm parties at every unit? also do a lot of students study abroad?

[@rachel_lin]

The Resident Assistant (RA) will host floor events for everyone to get to know each other (like free food, movie/board game nights etc)! For dorm “parties,” those usually happen on the down low, since certain dorm party things are not allowed via dorm policies. Pre pandemic, students would always hang out in the lounges, study together, and play board games etc in the lounges! Some students do study abroad, typically during their junior year. I have a handful of friends who did study abroad for a semester and other friends, including myself, who did not study abroad. Study abroad is do-able but you need to plan ahead and complete the necessary paperwork. Check out the study abroad website for approved study abroad locations and how you would apply: studyabroad.berkeley.edu. Hope this helps!

[@euniceyoon5378]

@@rachel_lin Thank you sm!

[@kenzakaroui3567]

Hey Rachel! Seneca sent me, I had a couple questions about the legal studies program at Berkeley. Are you reachable on Instagram?

[@rachel_lin]

Aw yay Seneca! And yes, feel free to DM on IG or you can type your questions here! 🤗

[@vinayakdixit9161]

is it necessary to attend parties and all in colleges?

[@rachel_lin]

Nope, totally not necessary! You can go to parties or you can choose not to, people won’t judge you either way! 🤗

[@gingyrocka6039]

COMMITTED

[@rachel_lin]

YEEEEE CONGRATS!!! 🍾🎈🎉🎊

[@ivanferraz8914]

How much costs to rent a dorm in a family house near UC Berkeley? I want to be a visting doctorate student at UC Berkeley.

[@rachel_lin]

Students who move off campus typically rent an apartment either alone or with roommates. These apartments could typically range from $1000 - $2500 per month depending on the location, how much space, and the number of roommates you have. On Facebook, there are a few FB Groups where students may post apartments or sublets - Try Berkeley Free & For Sale and looking up various wordings of Berkeley/Housing/Apartments to find groups. Hope this helps!

[@yuemingwu3882]

Could you tell me about what kind of clothes need to be packed before school begins

[@rachel_lin]

For UC Berkeley, the weather is pretty temperate, around 40 degrees F to 70 degrees F usually. So clothes that you would wear for that kind of weather. I would bring jeans and t-shirts since those are very versatile for any kind of weather. Then, you can also bring some more "summer" clothes and a light jacket for when it is cold. It also rains, so bringing a rain jacket and umbrella is useful when you have to walk to class in the rain. Hope this helps!

[@yuemingwu3882]

@@rachel_lin Wow! Your suggestion is quite helpful! Thanks very much! I packed some warm coats before. But it seems I don't need to make my luggage so heavy haha

[@aconsideredmoment]

Everyone there IS so smart. What do you think are the causes of so many smart people getting such low scores? Teaching significantly beyond the ZPD? Tests differing significantly from lectures and texts to force a normal distribution?

[@rachel_lin]

Hmm I'd probably say a mix of both! I feel like Professors will make the exams more challenging than the homework/quizzes in order to test whether students have truly grasped the material, rather than simply memorizing formulas or facts.

[@ludielizsilaya7207]

Hi what is the easiest major at Berkeley - is Political Science easier?

[@rachel_lin]

Haha I would say that there are no "easy" majors at Berkeley. What makes a major easier or harder depends on what interests you and what your skills are! The Political Science major would require a lot of reading and essay writing, so if you enjoy those, then this major might be "easier" and more interesting for you compared to a different major that might focus on problem sets. My friend who is a Poli Sci major did a video on my channel walking through a day in her life, if you were interested in seeing her typical Poli Sci day: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gV6Xe2SnZad_rpI. Depending on which college at Berkeley you are admitted to, you can see the list of majors they offer at this website: admissions.berkeley.edu/academic-programs-majors.

[@nyameaamagambrah8550]

Hi!

[@rachel_lin]

Hello!! 😝🤗

[@Friends4ever5550]

How do you start your own club?

[@rachel_lin]

Great question! Check out the CalLink site which lists all of the organizations/clubs that Berkeley has (callink.berkeley.edu/Organizations). On this site, there is a button to register a new organization. I have never created a club before, but you probably have to fill out paperwork and explain how your proposed club is new and different from current groups. Hope this helps!

[@Propbase80XGem]

You are beautiful

[@rachel_lin]

haha thank you!

[@Propbase80XGem]

@@rachel_lin np! It’s true and you are super smart! A dime for sure!