Sydney Scott at the University
of California Berkeley!
We asked some of our former students to report back about their college experience so far. Sydney is our highlight for March! Here's what she has to say about her campus.
What do you like about Berkeley?
"There are too many to name!! I love the campus with all of the trees, beautiful architecture, and history. Every building has a unique story to tell and when I walk around campus it feels like I’m walking through history myself. Our campanile is 307 feet tall and is the third tallest bell and clock-tower in the world, students can visit the top for free. It’s the best to hear the campanile perform songs at 8am, 12pm, and 6pm every day. We have 27 libraries on campus (which is crazy, I haven’t even visited all of them), a few of which are underground. There are plenty of places to study! Berkeley is a very inclusive place with many opportunities to get involved. There are different clubs and student organizations tabling on Sproul Plaza every day. Finally, I love Cal Football and the school spirit we have on campus. I’m a huge football fan, so with California Memorial Stadium (which turned 100 years old this year) right on campus I didn’t miss a home game and could go to any place on campus and watch the away games with other students. Our rival is Stanford (axe the trees!!) and the Big Game is the BEST game day of the year. On any other game day in the fall though the streets are still filled with students and alumni decked out in Cal gear. I’ve learned all the cheers and chants (Roll on!!) and I bleed blue and gold.."
What is something that surprised you about Berkeley?
"How much I would LOVE it. I’m definitely someone who likes my routine and college was a huge change, but I’m thriving more than I thought I would. A lot of people talk about how huge lecture halls are tough and it makes it difficult to connect with peers and professors, but I’ve found the opposite, especially at Berkeley. Everyone cares about your well being and mental health, whether that’s having llamas on the glade during finals week or mental health dogs on Sproul Plaza every afternoon. Students are all there to support each other in their academics, but also extracurriculars. The saying on campus is “work hard, play hard” so there’s always that balance of work and social life. The college admissions process was tough for me, but now that I’ve started I can honestly say that I couldn’t imagine myself anywhere else."
What did UniVarsity Help You With?
"The college application process was so much better for me because I worked with UniVarsity. Navigating a very busy schedule senior year was difficult to say the least and without the guidance I received for my college applications, I would’ve struggled a lot more. Univarsity helped me manage all the madness. I was finished with my applications before November while a lot of my peers were applying up to the deadlines. I even had some acceptances before the new year. With Univarsity I was able to present myself in the way I wanted to, but didn’t know how to do on my own. Crafting a college application means putting your best foot forward, and with a second (or third) pair of eyes to look everything over I was able to do that and more. I would recommend UniVarsity to any student who wants personal, hands on guidance through one of the most important processes to get to the next level of education!"
What are you studying/involved in?
"At Berkeley I am studying Education Sciences in with a minor in Public Policy. Outside of the classroom I’m involved in student government with the Associated Students of the University of California (ASUC) as an intern in the Research and Policy Department of the Office of the President. I’m also involved in greek life, specifically the California Beta chapter of Pi Beta Phi.."
Fun fact you’ve learned about Berkeley?
"The campus shown in the movie Monsters University is modeled after Berkeley! Berkeley has discovered 16 elements on the periodic table!
Berkeley’s seal is on the ground outside of Dow Library right by the glade and there’s a lore that if you step on it, you take away all your chances at a 4.0. So watch out!
During the week leading into and week of finals, at midnight every night everyone screams at the top of their lungs! My roommate and I never missed a night.."
Doing Anything Fun on the Weekends?
"Besides doing my laundry and grocery shopping, on the weekends there are so many fun options for students. With my clipper card (the card you get that gets you on all the public transit), I can take the BART (metro) to San Francisco! I’ve been to some fun concerts for local artists and some bigger ones. There’s always something fun going on at the Greek Theatre which is also right on campus! Given, of course, it’s not a game day weekend. In that case, I would be at the stadium in the student section cheering the Bears on."