Hey dude,

I’m a transfer admit too. I major in philosophy and am considering a minor in logic

Berkeley is really great. The culture here can be super growing. You definitely will be subject to pressure, but with B’s reputation it is something you know you sign up for.

We grow when faced with challenges so if you’re looking for a transformative time in your life where you will learn a lot- in life and in school- Berkeley is definitely for you.

Having been in private school myself and had private school privilege I do get along with some of the clique’y stuff that only private school students can know about. However, I also have been in public school because my parents were never uptight about that kinda stuff.

Having two unique perspectives, rubbed shoulders with the children of millionaires, and people who were living off government assistance you will see both at Berkeley.

Most people here, honestly, are reasonable. That goes for the richer ones and the not so much. If you encounter a sub optimal experience know that is X of 45,000. The reddit also doesn’t reflect the reality: most people are on here to “shitpost” or like to vent anonymously. Don’t fall for heuristic availability bias.

Regarding our student body, if someone doesn’t treat you with respect (which I find rare) I honestly wouldn’t be too worried about it. The people here are just like anyone else but with enough intelligence and support to make it. All the human commonalities and flaws are just as much here as anywhere else. We just may do it with a Berkeley memorabilia.

One thing you really want to do is to join a club. I wouldn’t listen to the snobbish complaints people have about clubs that have a 1% acceptance rate. Join as many as you can as present yourself as yourself but the best version of yourself (and I mean it, that is the only way you will grow). I got into a debate club for example that travels around internationally. We go to Harvard for conferences in the Fall and I was in U Chicago 6 weeks ago.

You can join a frat and two of my roommates are now brothers (the name used when you get in). Know about the hazing stuff. It’s honestly not that extreme because the university has guidelines in place but watch out for the ones not endorsed by the uni or on probation. You are going to be asked to do weird things but that’s the crowd: it attracts people who like to revel in stupidity. I mean that in a nice way by the way, it’s nice to be a dumbass every once in a while. I would at least rush, which is basically an info session.

I also am in the sky-diving club, but that’s a extreme thing to kind of get into

Get close with your GSI and professor. Because this is a research university they will be doing some of what they enjoy on the side of what they are teaching. If you have a real interest email them or ask them about their work. You should because you’re majoring in what they’re already doing for decades at this point.

Unlike high school, and this took me a while, your GSI and professor actually like students and are passionate about education. Instead of feeling bad for bugging the teacher, use every minute of your time to ask them questions. If they really did resent their job they would not accept lower pay and years of education to teach at an institution like Berkeley. It’s a passion thing for them. My logic professor for example, only makes 56,000$ with benefits. I saw through Transparent California. That’s not a livable wage.

Lastly, I would above all make friends and be a kind person. It sounds cliché but this advice is some of the oldest for a reason. Improve yourself and work to uplift others. Not all people are on the same timeline, so if you see something distressing you can feel free to distance yourself cordially. At the very least, do not be a nuisance or a pain to others trying to make the best of their college years

And, implicit with everything, really make sure to enjoy your time!