UC Berkeley is renowned for its strong academic programs and talented, diverse student body. Combining a mild California climate with excellence in academia, Berkeley was ranked the #1 public university in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Founded in 1868 across the bay from San Francisco, Berkeley is oldest of the ten universities in the University of California system, making it the flagship of UC campuses. With a rich history most notably remembered for its link to protests of the 1960s, Berkeley certainly encourages dynamic minds. The school fosters a tight-knit feel for its otherwise large student body by guaranteeing housing for students’ first two years, encouraging a community experience within a larger setting. The University has produced a number of distinguished alumni including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic athletes.
As a result of its larger student body, Berkeley’s extracurricular opportunities represent a vast range of interests–the school offers organizations ranging from a thriving Greek life to a hand gliding club, and everything in between. In fact, there are more than 700 registered clubs and organizations in which students may become involved. Furthermore, the school’s location in downtown Berkeley encourages a cultural experience both within the immediate city and in San Francisco, which is just twenty minutes away from campus.