I chose UC Berkeley because of its location and ideal temperature. It is one of the more distinguished schools and more students are accepted into Medical school when applying with UC Berkeley as your alma mater.
Course Curriculum
I think there is a lot of room for improvement because it seems at times that it wants students to fail. Students are basically salmon pushing against the current trying to make it, while the school is doing everything to challenge us and weed us out.
Exams
I took the ACT and SAT during my junior and senior years of high school. I have not taken any university level exam yet.
Placement
Within the college city, there are a lot of jobs that are taken by students specifically because of their high regard. Once graduating, it is a higher probability for someone from UC Berkeley to get a job than from another college.
Internship
No my school, UC Berkeley, does not provide any internships that you can apply to. The most they have are programs for pre-medical students but I am not sure. It does provide work-study which I will go over in a second.
Events
Cal Day: Celebration for the founding of the school, as well as celebrating the incoming student's acceptance. Big Game: Woodcutting (Stanford) day around a bonfire for preparation for the big game the next day against Stanford.
Fees
Usually, Labs have like a $10-30 fee for any broken glassware during the class. Obviously Tuition. And you are required to spend a week in advance at the school before classes in order to attend something known as GBO (Golden Bear Orientation) which I honestly a bit drew out.
Scholarship
I am basically getting a full ride to attend the school, both from financial aid given by the school, and government help. I have a few outside scholarships of around $1000 each. And I also receive help from disability programs at my school.
Examination Structure
While it varies from class to class, I find all the teachers simultaneously work together to work against the curve. The average for most STEM exams is usually 50% and sometimes less. But thankfully they curve them at the last minute to the average. But different professors have different styles.
Faculty
I have very minimal experience with faculty up close but I find that the STEM faculty is a bit into themselves. Humanities faculty have a bit more respect for students, to be honest. But they have tenure and it shows sometimes.
Hostel
UC Berkeley is known to have minimal housing available for anyone who isn't a freshman. Which is basically because the bay is experiencing a shortage in it. I think I would make them cheaper because honestly, students pay too much for what it's worth and could find better housing outside the dorms.
