University of California - Berkeley Reviews

"Diverse school with incredibly knowledgable, dynamic, faculty. The Bay Area is a hub for Public Health research and work, abounding with networking opportunities. Biggest downsides are some lack of guidance and support on coursework and non-academic career paths."

"The graduate program is a great opportunity to learn and work with the top in the field. There are many networking opportunities. However, the program could be streamlines a bit to have a better basis of breadth classes and skills."

"The IEOR graduate department is really selective : only 56 students were accepted into the program this year and we were only 3 students to do the Master program (the rest were either pHD students or 5-year program). The classes are thus voluntarily hard because geared towards very intelligent students. The expected amount of work to provide is huge but the course load isn't that intense and if you can manage your time efficiently, you can do decently well without suffering too much !"

"Great University, Great Area, Great People!"

"The people who do well in my program usually have an undergrad degree from a select institution and a strong sense of entitlement. Both serve a person well, because advising for doctoral students is hit or miss, particularly in the early years when no one is invested in your success. The cost of living is enormous, and most graduate students receive supplemental help from their parents or partners. Fellowship stipends and what you get paid to work your butt off as a teaching assistant come nowhere close to what you need to pay the rent on an apartment share and put food on the table."

"The education quality and the future career opportunities are of the best. Grad students, minus a small negligible set, are sane, friendly, and respectful. You can guarantee to run into some jerks though. But the city in which the school is located is horrible. Social life is not so great. If you're here for education quality, then those cons should not be a problem."

"Pros: diverse research interests, many faculty and student resources Cons: bureaucratic nightmare, lots of requirements"

"Berkeley's grad program is undeniably competitive. I'm taking classes taught by some of the top scholars in my field. However, the high cost of living in the area makes it challenging for graduate students. Also, faculty here take a very hands-off approach towards their graduate students - you have to get by pretty much on your own."

"pros: education..lactures and lab meetings very interesting and useful for research cons: high cost of life"

"PhD in Biology, program ranked #1, I learn a lot and live in a great place. Downside is that it's a sink or swim environment with little support from the professors. I bring in my own salary (fellowships), I pay my own research expenses (writing tons of small grants), and I have to often go elsewhere to learn how to do various lab and analytical techniques (requires more grant writing). The upside is, if you manage not to sink, you become a shark."

"Awesome program. love the collaborative culture at Haas"

"Haas is amazing and top-notch for career, education, and community!"

"Awesome school, great education and lovely people. Just love it here!"