University of California, Berkeley

Very significantly historic university. There is many good stories to everything from the floor to the structure of the buildings. Students here achieve academic excellence and fight for what they believe. Students here fight for justice and come together to be able to do so.

I recently visited the University of California, Berkeley, and was genuinely inspired by its rich academic culture and historic campus. Walking through Sproul Plaza and around the iconic Sather Tower, I could feel the energy of a place deeply rooted in innovation and social impact. The students and faculty I encountered were friendly, diverse, and passionate about their fields of study. Berkeley’s commitment to academic excellence and public service was evident in everything from the research labs to the community programs. The campus buzzed with activity and intellectual engagement, creating an environment that encourages big ideas and bold thinking. My visit left me with a strong impression of Berkeley as a dynamic, world-class university that truly empowers its students.

The University of California, Berkeley, is a beacon of academic excellence and innovation, nestled in the vibrant city of Berkeley, California. Renowned for its pioneering spirit, Berkeley fosters a dynamic environment where creativity and critical thinking thrive. The university offers a diverse range of programs across disciplines such as engineering, social sciences, arts, and natural sciences. Its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration empowers students to tackle complex global challenges with ingenuity and purpose. Berkeley's campus is a blend of historic charm and modern facilities, providing an inspiring backdrop for learning and discovery. The university's dedication to research has led to groundbreaking advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biotechnology. With a community that celebrates diversity and inclusion, Berkeley is a hub for cultural exchange and intellectual growth. Its alumni network includes trailblazers in science, technology, and social change, reflecting the university's enduring impact on the world.

I respect the progressive mindset this university champions—its role at the heart of the Free Speech Movement and anti-war activism, and a century and a half of academic excellence. Yet the campus culture increasingly bears the costs of a model that isn’t proving sustainable. The “freedom of speech” banner too often flips into the suppression of views that merely unsettle; anything that irritates “them” risks being censored or canceled, which paradoxically undercuts the very ideal being invoked. Separate from speech, day-to-day safety is the most alarming issue. Incidents of violence, robbery, and theft around campus feel unacceptably frequent; protests are loud, frequent, and at times confrontational; and street interactions—including with unhoused residents—can be tense. Compared with many peer institutions, especially those in European and East Asian cities, the environment can feel disproportionately risky. Layer on the price tag—tuition and living costs that rival private schools—and it’s fair to question whether the experience delivers value commensurate with the expense. Respect for Berkeley’s mission doesn’t preclude insisting on a campus where open debate is genuine, safety is non-negotiable, and costs align with outcomes.

This is NOT a campus you want to be on (as a visitor, or as a student!), unless you are prepared to encounter: 1,) NO “wayfinding signs” for ANYTHING, 2.) NO LEVEL GROUND (you are either walking either up-hill or down-hill, CAMOUS WIDE!). Finally, there are ZERO ENGLISH SPEAKING STUDENTS here in the summer! Every student seen on the campus in July was NOT speaking English. An American, English-speaking student will have a very tough time communicating with fellow students here! I guess this what FORCED “multi-cultural assimilation” is all about!

The University of California, Berkeley is not just a campus — it is a crucible of ideas that shaped the modern world. Founded in 1868, it has stood at the crossroads of intellectual breakthroughs and social upheavals. In the 1960s, Berkeley became the epicenter of the Free Speech Movement, when students demanded the right to political expression on campus. Their protests ignited a nationwide wave that redefined American democracy and civil liberties. Walking across Sproul Plaza, you can almost hear the echoes of Mario Savio’s fiery words urging students to put their bodies upon the “gears and wheels” of the machine. It was here that opposition to the Vietnam War swelled into mass demonstrations, where Nobel Prize–winning scientists split the atom while poets, activists, and visionaries questioned the very foundations of power. The same university that contributed to the Manhattan Project also gave birth to some of the fiercest critiques of empire, racism, and capitalism. To visit UC Berkeley is to step onto ground where generations fought for truth, justice, and freedom of thought. Its history is both inspiring and unsettling — a place where knowledge and protest collided, where the promise and contradictions of America stand exposed. It will give you goose bumps not because it is old or grand, but because every corner whispers of courage — of students who refused silence, of movements that spread far beyond the campus gates, and of ideas that continue to shape the world.

Great Game. Cal Berkeley Won. Great Stadium to Watch a Game with Family and Friends. Great Food. Great Security. Great Friendly Professional Staff.

School of Optometry is excellent! More thorough and diligent, polite, exacting, professional, and overall exceptional care. Highly recommend from exam to prescriptions to eyewear.

Supposedly one of the best universities in the world, especially for STEM. Receives a lot of funding. Tuition is very high. I have lived in 4 different campus housing. Every single one promised high speed internet. Not a SINGLE one had stable WiFi. Connection drops literally every other minute. And when you report these issues, every single time, without fail, the university makes you go through a very big hassle before finally doing something about it.

The campus is beautiful and in a decent location not too far from San Francisco. The students are very passionate about what they do and it seems that the school really cares about providing students with clubs, services, and classes that can truly benefit them. It would be an honor to attend this school. A+ from me. Only downside is that it was hard to find good restaurants around there. And I watched a guy get arrested on campus so that was interesting. They don't really have parking options. It's a walking school for sure. The nature and campus is welcoming, gorgeous, and an overall peaceful atmosphere. Truly a beauty.