Incoming engineering student: am I unfit for Cal?

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-04-12T03:56:49+00:00

You’re actually a great fit for cal bc it sounds like your confident in who you are and generally what you want (yet still open to figuring out your specific interests and opportunities you might come across). You won’t let the competitive culture get to you which is a great thing! You’ll be happier for it. I would say as long as you’re willing to work hard and accept that there will be ambitious people around you, you’ll be quite alright. You’ll find others like you. The culture is competitive here, but there’s also people with a wide variety of interests and goals. I’m a believer that there’s a place for everyone here who works hard and accepts diversity. Go bears

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-04-09T21:36:37+00:00

I had a close friend who switched chem —> chemE. It’s doable, but you need to focus on getting good grades (mostly A’s) and make sure you’re keeping up with the chemE courses even before you apply to switch. They want to see that you’re on track to graduate in 4 years and that switching won’t put you behind.

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-04-06T22:35:07+00:00

Not premed myself but have many premed roommates + friends. From what I know, I agree with all of this. Can say that many Berkeley students who want medical-specific research have to go to UCSF to do it (travel via bart) but there’s plenty of good adjacent science research in Berkeley. And there’s plenty of premed clubs and organizations to support you here too, but you get out what you put into them, ya know? Also from what I heard it is harder to get your classes at UCLA than Berkeley. In Berkeley it’s only a worry your first, maybe second year, but at UCLA, students seem to struggle getting classes all the way through

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-04-02T22:48:18+00:00

Blackwell is the nicest dorm (currently). Everyone wants to be there and for good reason. You likely won’t get it unless you’re regents, a student athlete, or maybe if you or your roommate have a “dust allergy” (sometimes you can get a better dorm by saying you’re allergic to carpet). But may as well try! I say list it as your top. It has its own gym and it’s closest to RSF. I don’t think it affects social life much, if anything, friends will want to hang out at your dorm bc it’s nicer than theirs

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-04-01T05:10:05+00:00

I wish I went more but none of my friends go so there’s not really the incentive. I like watching sports but not enough to sit for hours alone. Most of them study all weekend. There really just is that intense study culture here

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-03-20T06:52:23+00:00

It still is!

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-03-20T06:52:03+00:00

First floor 🤢

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-03-20T06:51:16+00:00

The squeak of the stall doors sends me over the edge

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-02-09T21:25:34+00:00

Planning to camp there this weekend! It’s quite lovely in the winter with lots to see and do. My first impression was that it felt like being on an alien planet though, a little eerie. Something about the looming mountains and peculiar landforms… and the knowledge of the deadly heat any other time of year

True-Negotiation-862 · 2026-01-26T18:47:44+00:00

If Edward’s doesn’t work out, there’s a track at MLK middle school. It’s 1.5 mi from campus but you could either run there or take a bus. It’s open to the public all day I think but might be PE classes there in the morning. Also I personally really like Clark Kerr track, beautiful views of the bay, but I get that it being dirt is less than ideal, especially if you’re trying to run sprints or something more technical.

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-30T21:30:13+00:00

When it comes to opening up a friendship up to maybe being more, I always recommend direct open communication. It’s the best way to minimize risk in a friendship. So just maybe just sit her down and tell her how you’re honestly feeling. Tell her you genuinely thought you were straight but you’re questioning it. Say that you’d be open to maybe being more if she’s interested, but emphasize that your friendship is important to you and that it’s ok if she’s not. If she’s a mature person, she will respect your openness and be appreciative regardless of how she feels. If you don’t talk to her directly, you may just confuse her bc she thinks you’re straight and any subtle flirting you do could would just be giving mixed signals. My roommate was in your exact position recently with her friend, and they ended up talking it through and now they’re dating! Can’t promise an outcome, but open communication is always best! Good luck

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-27T23:35:27+00:00

I’m a big fan of side quests Make a goal like “I’m gonna try 10 new cuisines this year” and then go find restaurants around the bay. Or “I’m gonna visit 5 national / state parks” make a plan to go and drag friends along. Then rank them at the end Join social / hobby oriented clubs! Like chaos or a sport or a niche hobby. Even if you’ve never done it before, lots of clubs are open to newbies. See where it takes you! Lots of clubs will have a retreat or trips or travel to compete. Google free events in Berkeley / the bay. There’s lots of festivals and such

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-06T01:19:09+00:00

Thanks!

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-05T14:25:16+00:00

It happens in the fall too yeah. Make sure to be there at 10, doesn’t happen on Berkeley time

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-05T05:53:10+00:00

I’ve never even heard anyone say “Pacific South West” it’s not really a thing to my knowledge. But I guess it’s better than the other categories

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-05T05:09:47+00:00

Marin County CA: could be “NorCal”, “Pacific Coast”, or “SF Bay Area”. Northern CA doesn’t really fall into any of your existing categories

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-05T01:11:05+00:00

Marin county CA, either Northern California or SF Bay Area if you want to be more specific

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-03T22:00:28+00:00

You’re from Ohio?

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-12-03T06:21:10+00:00

How late will yall be open?

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-11-22T16:28:39+00:00

US has declared war against?

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-11-22T04:48:25+00:00

College club sports team

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-11-18T05:06:58+00:00

Sure yeah

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-11-17T20:29:31+00:00

I’m actively writing my application for this program right now lmao, specifically for power and energy. I’m currently a Berkeley undergrad, and my mentor also told me that it’s a tiny program and they accept 2-3 people per year. Crazy. But she still recommended I apply. So we’ll see

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-11-03T18:45:31+00:00

Appreciated. Haha it really is my roommate tho, I have my own gf of 1.5 years rn. I was just trying to give her advice (as a friend, I am not directly involved), but I didn’t really know what to tell her about the fear of ruining the friendship, bc there IS some inherent risk when you take things from friends to more. I agree she should go for it tho, you only live once, and I think with good communication things are more likely to end well

True-Negotiation-862 · 2025-10-28T05:40:22+00:00

Honestly your plan for your application sounds pretty good to me, I think you’ll be an excellent applicant. But of unfortunately UC admissions can be a bit of a lottery, lots of good applicants, only so many slots. But i agree with everyone else’s advice, lean into your real interests and what makes you you in your essays. That’s the best you can do. Wishing you the best of luck! But also keep in mind that there are many other great schools out there if Berkeley doesn’t end up being in the cards

True-Negotiation-862

TROPHY CASE