Tips/thoughts about Cal-Berkeley?

[lulu]

Tips/thoughts about Cal-Berkeley? My son has been accepted for the Fall session. He will live in a dorm - any recommendations? He will major in physics or physics engineering. Anyone a Bear or faculty?

[tedeschi]

please give him my congratulations! that's a tough school to get into.

[Rhodie]

Cal is one of the best! congrats to your son!

[sramek]

Thank you both Onedash and QinD It will be financial hell, as even with a scholarship and some other cost abatements, the parental contribution is $26,000 per year. But what else can ya do when at 15 he said "Mom, I like chemistry; it's like Potions at Hogwarts. But it's physics I love." and he gets the scores to get in to Cal. In his essay, he talked about how being Jewish, a geek and having a lesbian mother will prepare him for a life more diverse than Wisconsin.

[faist]

$26,000 a year parental contribution!!!! Dang, the UCs are not the deal they used to be. That is odd, a few short years ago I think my fees were $3,000 or so per quarter, which would been roughly $10,000 per year. OH! Out of state tuition. That sucks.

[breeland]

(she's out of state)

[morven]

(smacking my head for skimming)

[weyl]

aww! What a fine young man you've raised!

[tirey]

Congratulations to you and your son!!!

[izaguirre]

Yes, Congrats! Your buttons must be busting! Gawd bless a child that will make enough money to put you into a fab nursing home!

[porzio]

or to get you longterm care insurance so you can age in place and not be warehoused.

[Alecia]

congrats! i went to Cal, but i was a transfer student and so i have zero information on the dorms. i think they sort of stick you wherever they can, no? there are student co-ops that he may be into after they release him from the dorms. or he may just want to move into an apartment with pals like most folks. dont know much about the physics or engineering departments. they sequestered us forestry and bug nerds to one side of campus ;) but i do miss all the awesome food options in berkeley. and my favorite dirty coffeeshop. le sigh. (and i feel you on the tuition, thats about what i am paying per year as a CA resident for my professional degree in the UC System. yikes!)