I know there's a lot of people here from CAL so maybe some of you can help me out.

How likely am I to get a room in the place I want to stay with on campus housing? Specifically I'd like to get an apartment in Wada... what other places should I put down for my preferences?

Also, what are some things I can do to get involved on campus? Some friends are pushing me to join some ethnic clubs but i've never been big on those.

Ya and I remember a thread about this before, but I can't find it for the life of me.

dnastyx

United States2707 Posts

June 04 2009 04:44 GMT

If you're a freshman, getting a suite/apartment is possible, but I'd say try to get placed in a double in any of the units. Be sure to make your last option "any blah blah blah" so you DO get housing, though.

There's lots of things you can do to get involved on campus - some of the ethnic clubs are actually pretty good, like Indus. More importantly, what are you interested in?

Pyrrhuloxia

United States6700 Posts

June 04 2009 04:45 GMT

They have a great debate team, especially if you like weed.

phase

United States399 Posts

June 04 2009 05:46 GMT

Hrmmmmmm if you're a Freshman, I recommend putting down regular dorms. Sure it's more comfortable living in the suites/apartments, but its a completely different experience. I lived both in the dorms and mini-suites, and the mini-suites are like socially dead in comparison to regular dorms. So yea, if you haven't had the dorm experience before, make sure you get it. In general, I think that Foothill + CKC are a little more quiet, and Unit1, 2, 3 are more social. The chance that you'll get your first pick housing varies with what you actually chose. I think Wada has a lot of people applying for it, so the chance you'll get that might be on the low side.

Yea, actually the ethnic clubs at Cal are for the most part pretty good. A lot are pretty active in the sense that they actually contribute back to the community, and not masturbatory, aka self-pleasing. Then there are a lot of groups that focus more on people of certain majors/interests. Then there's the normal frats, and the academic frats (i recommend the latter over the former lol).

Basically as you walk through Sproul you'll see all the groups, and there's also a day during Welcome Week where all the groups put out tables and advertise what they do. Make sure you go to that, and ask a lot of questions before you commit yourself to a group, because there could be a lot more work than you want, and it might not be what you're looking for.

decafchicken

United States20063 Posts

June 04 2009 06:26 GMT

Play rugby. cal is fucking awesome at it.

Last Romantic

United States20661 Posts

June 04 2009 06:59 GMT

LOL 'play rugby'

The most dominant sports dynasty out of anyone and anything~

Djabanete

United States2786 Posts

June 04 2009 07:56 GMT

I live in a nice apartment on northside and it rocks the hell out of living in dorms. Split it between a bunch of chill people and it's not more expensive than your other options.

Then again if you're a freshman you might want to live in a dorm for a year. But most people I talk to are glad to get out of there when they find a real place to live.

LxRogue

United States1415 Posts

June 04 2009 08:13 GMT

Wada is reserved for juniors and up, but no harm in trying i suppose.

Otherwise pick Unit 1 (closest to campus) > Unit 2 > Unit 3 (not as new) A double in the units is your best bet, because they are the same size as the triples.

Clark Kerr is nice, has huge rooms, but its super far, kind of deserted, and absurdly expensive.

Foothill sucks, Bowles sucks harder. People say they are at least convenient for engineering/science/math majors because of class proximity, but having lived in Bowles I can say it's not necessarily true, especially for freshman.

gchan

United States654 Posts

June 04 2009 08:38 GMT

LxRogue:

You lived in Bowles huh? Must have come after they axed all the upper classmen from coming back. I was in as part of the last great class of Bowlesmen where we were still allowed to keep the traditions alive. It's a shame the University spited Bowles so much and all the tradition is gone now.

gchan

United States654 Posts

June 04 2009 08:48 GMT

#10

A lot of people already pointed it out, but if you want a more social atmosphere, go to the Units. Clark Kerr and Foothill/Bowles are a lot more quiet. As for things to do, you might want to look into the Undergraduate Economics Association if you want to get involved. Personally, I'm not a big fan of campus organizations; an alternative to look into is to get involved with something more academic (ie. something with a professor), but it's not likely you will find a Professor that will be able to do anything for you in Economics 1. As you hit your Sophomore/Junior years, there will be better opportunities out there. If you are thinking about majoring in Economics and/or Business, send me a PM. I can give you a little insight on the Professors and classes.

But also keep in mind you don't have to necessarily be involved with an organization/academic work to find something to do. There's lots of other activities out there that aren't part of an organization like guest lectures, concerts, art exhibits, etc. Cal is great in that there's always so much activity going on and there's actually things to do to pass time aside from drinking.

aznmathfreak

United States148 Posts

June 04 2009 09:18 GMT

#11

I was at Clark Kerr my first year. The scenery up there's niiiiice. It's near the bottom of the hills, so a medium length hike brings you up to a nice view of the bay area and the bridges. The social life is really quite though. Room are further apart and the hall way isn't like the width of a single football player like in the Units. If you can find a floor that's somewhat active, you're golden. Transportation isn't too troublesome once you get used to the bus system or if you're the type that likes to walk. I work at the clark kerr dining common, so it's a little biased, but I think we have the best food out of all the dc's. The cost is about 200 more a month than the units

.

I haven't been in the units THAT much, so I can't give too much information on them. My only impression is really crowded, really social and close knit, and hella closer to campus than CKC.

I would recommend living off campus after the first year though. I think it's a good idea to live in the dorms first year to meet people and less stress, so you can focus more on adjusting to the school and atmosphere. After that however, living in the dorms simply cost way too much when compared to an apartment.

ahrara_

Afghanistan1715 Posts

June 04 2009 15:23 GMT

#12

On June 04 2009 13:45 Pyrrhuloxia wrote:
They have a great debate team, especially if you like weed.

doing this most def
but i want to meet people outside the debate community

i'm actually transferring in as a junior, if that makes a difference.

thanks for the pointers, but can anybody share any specific experiencees they had with any particular organization or housing unit? i think i'd like a social atmosphere, but not to the point where it's distracting.