Is UC Berkeley as intense as people say?
I’ve heard so much about how competitive UC Berkeley can be, especially in STEM majors, and I’m trying to figure out if that’s accurate or just a stereotype.
I’m really interested in majoring in computer science or maybe something related, and I want to know what the real student experience is like. Is it true that the atmosphere is super cutthroat and people feel a lot of pressure with grades?
I’d love to hear from current students or recent grads about whether or not it’s possible to have a balanced life there, or if you really have to sacrifice your social life just to keep up. I’m currently trying to decide where I might apply ED or prioritize in my applications, so honest feedback would help a lot!
I’m really interested in majoring in computer science or maybe something related, and I want to know what the real student experience is like. Is it true that the atmosphere is super cutthroat and people feel a lot of pressure with grades?
I’d love to hear from current students or recent grads about whether or not it’s possible to have a balanced life there, or if you really have to sacrifice your social life just to keep up. I’m currently trying to decide where I might apply ED or prioritize in my applications, so honest feedback would help a lot!
5 days ago
•
5 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 5 days ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley definitely has a reputation for being intense, especially in STEM majors like computer science. Much of that reputation is rooted in reality, but it's important to break down what that means in practice, since everyone's experience can be a little different.
In the College of Letters & Science, computer science is impacted, which means that you have to maintain a pretty high GPA in the early 'weed-out' classes (such as CS 61A, 61B, 70) to officially declare the major. As a result, those intro classes are known to be pretty competitive, with students working very hard to get good grades. Some students do find the environment stressful and feel pressure from their peers, and there have been stories of unhealthy competitiveness. However, it's also common to find collaborative study groups, supportive clubs, and friends who are willing to work together rather than compete.
Whether or not you have to sacrifice your social life depends on your time management and the way you structure your experience. Many students find balance by getting involved in clubs, recreational sports, or social organizations alongside coursework. It's not unusual to see computer science majors spending lots of time in the library or working late on projects, but you'll also see people attending campus events or hiking in the hills around Berkeley. For example, one student I know double majored in CS and Linguistics, was in an a cappella group, and still made time for weekend trips into San Francisco with friends.
Stress and intensity can be a factor—midterms and finals are especially taxing—but using campus resources like tutoring, office hours, and mental health support can make a real difference. The campus culture has shifted recently to focus more on wellness and academic support, including student-run organizations like CS Mentors intended to help underclassmen.
In summary, yes, Berkeley is academically intense in STEM fields, but it's not universally 'cutthroat.' Many students thrive, make close friends, and successfully balance academics with social life. It does take proactive effort to find your support system and manage your time, but it’s absolutely possible to have a fulfilling and balanced Berkeley experience if you plan ahead and seek out the (very real) communities there.
In the College of Letters & Science, computer science is impacted, which means that you have to maintain a pretty high GPA in the early 'weed-out' classes (such as CS 61A, 61B, 70) to officially declare the major. As a result, those intro classes are known to be pretty competitive, with students working very hard to get good grades. Some students do find the environment stressful and feel pressure from their peers, and there have been stories of unhealthy competitiveness. However, it's also common to find collaborative study groups, supportive clubs, and friends who are willing to work together rather than compete.
Whether or not you have to sacrifice your social life depends on your time management and the way you structure your experience. Many students find balance by getting involved in clubs, recreational sports, or social organizations alongside coursework. It's not unusual to see computer science majors spending lots of time in the library or working late on projects, but you'll also see people attending campus events or hiking in the hills around Berkeley. For example, one student I know double majored in CS and Linguistics, was in an a cappella group, and still made time for weekend trips into San Francisco with friends.
Stress and intensity can be a factor—midterms and finals are especially taxing—but using campus resources like tutoring, office hours, and mental health support can make a real difference. The campus culture has shifted recently to focus more on wellness and academic support, including student-run organizations like CS Mentors intended to help underclassmen.
In summary, yes, Berkeley is academically intense in STEM fields, but it's not universally 'cutthroat.' Many students thrive, make close friends, and successfully balance academics with social life. It does take proactive effort to find your support system and manage your time, but it’s absolutely possible to have a fulfilling and balanced Berkeley experience if you plan ahead and seek out the (very real) communities there.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years