Thank you, Matthew Spankowski!

Wallet story is crazy but also not surprised. Not sure if the toxic/competitive culture carries over to Cal’s grad schools. I would think it wouldn’t but it’s really a coin flip. Also really depends on the ppl in your program since it’s a small group

Depends on what you're coming for grad school. From an engineering / STEM perspective, it is not as competitive as undergraduate studies. Mainly due to the fact that grad students don't have much "to prove" academically. Everyone in their cohort is also really interested in the same thing, and most importantly is that many grad students did their undergraduate studies at campuses other than Cal!!! So they don't come in with that cut throat mindset but rather one of more collaboration as you described experiencing at Davis. In terms of living situation and crime, if you could afford it, I would say try to find housing on the "North Side" of campus. It is extremely safe and quite the opposite from South side or west/downtown Berkeley. Many professors live on north side and a lot of graduate students do to. Hence, not a lot of social life or crime happening on North side. Because of that, I would say North Side is welcoming to those who prefer a more quiet and slower pace of life. Which might be up your alley if you're coming from Davis and are also a grad student! Lastly, since Northside is more safe and slower pace, there isn't as much public transit or lighting at night, but you should know about Bear Walk! After certain hours at night, you can request someone to literally walk you to your front door step to make sure you arrive home safely :). North side also has LOTS of trees in comparison to Southside, so if you like nature, it's nice to walk by the trees and parks and stop by the rose garden. bonus if your department / classes are on the north end of campus.

Me too

What are you gonna be studying?

Student @ Ucla aren't any smarter than students at other schools. Cal students are more well rounded and prepared to succeed.& have more opportunities to network. Ucla is overated in many academic depts-with exception the Medical school.. Ucla also discriminates against African Americans & other minority students. *Cal is far Superior in academics Overall than Ucla. Enough Said

There are huge cultural and social differences at those two schools, in part due to location and history. I wonder what you decided?

what was the best of your experience?

Thrifted it but also a big Caitlin Clark fan

Keep in mind berkeley students are in a bubble of their campus. We don’t have cars to explore the rest of Berkeley which a lot of areas are nice bc of gentrification. So I’m speaking about berkeley in a three mile radius to campus, just to clarify!

@@adamramirez1 Yeah sorry, I'm too old now to get away with the bratty high school stuff so I should be nice. My husband's a great guy and he's a silly Cal grad too. I recommend that before you head off to your post-grad life, however, that you take the city bus or a bike, or just walk (it shouldn't be more than half an hour) to the Berkeley Rose Garden, which in by May should be absolutely gorgeous. It's part of the larger Codornices Park, through which Codornices (Portuguese for "quail") creek runs, a creek that starts as a trickle in the hills and goes through many backyards and several public parks to end up in the bay. It's wonderful there, and you'll see some gorgeous flowers and amusing local Berkeleyans, as well as some of the fabulously constructed houses for which the city is rightfully famous, if you walk or bike. I know you're probably really busy but so many Cal students miss out on seeing the Berkeley sights beyond Telegraph Ave. and the campus area, and it's a real loss. I promise no one will hurt you. Sorry, couldn't resist.

@@adamramirez1 Also, the city I'm talking about is not "nice bc of gentrification." If you ever have the time, do a little googling on Berkeley (the city and its residents) culture and history. We were interesting and beautiful long before the 60s! Here's one article.

Definitely an exaggeration lol but it’s not completely far off

Cal is in a dangerous nieghborhood; Always shootings near campus.

Great, coming from a third world country, Im goonna feel right at home

People lying on the ground and digging through trash cans for food, plus beggars everywhere. That is the reality and it is one indicator of 3rd world conditions. I agree with the video and got a great education there, but this is a real downside. SF is similar.

I still think its pretty bad but fair point

@@adamramirez1 just fight back

Pessimism drives views and attention. I usually try to have a silver lining at the end tho.

My videos encapsulates the full picture too and the truth is not all sunshine and rainbows.