Berekeley ASW 2011 Forum

[Timberline]

I didn't see a thread about this anywhere else on the forum, so I thought I would start one to ask if anyone planning on going to the Berkeley ASW?

Since there's a sizable travel stipend, and since it also coincides nicely with Stanford's ASW, I think it's definitely worth making the trip out to San Francisco. I'm in the process of making travel arrangements, and have a friend to stay with at Stanford, but am looking into hotels in Berkeley.

Unfortunately, there aren't very many affordable places near campus, besides the YMCA. Half of the reviews I read of it said it was great, and the other half warned of bedbugs -- has anyone (possibly current Berkeley students or people that visited last year) heard any advice about the YMCA?

Alternatively, would anyone who is planning to visit this year be interested in splitting the cost of a hotel room for the night of Thursday, April 7? I feel really weird asking a group of strangers on the internet about this, but I would definitely be interested in exchanging emails, etc, with anyone who might be interested in saving some money on a hotel fee. I'm a 21 year old male, current undergraduate from Colorado, am a complete neat freak, and (at least I've been told) I'm easy to live with. I would feel comfortable sharing a room with either a man or a woman (there are 2-bed rooms available at the Holiday Inn fairly close to campus in the $120-140/night range, $60-70 if split between two people), depending, of course, on whatever a potential roommate is comfortable with.

Travel arrangements aside, I look forward to meeting the rest of the potential Berkeley class of 2014. I'm interested in domestic environmental law, and am currently debating between Stanford and Berkeley (with the University of Colorado and Georgetown as outside possibilities) -- what excites the rest of you about Berkeley?

[sarahh]

I am going. I live in the area, but I do not know that much about the hotels. Looking at hotels.com, Travelodge seems to be pretty cheap and also not that far from campus.

[jamiLAW]

I got rejected from eBerekeleye

[HowdyYall]

ive pretty much decided on stanford, but since the ASW's coincide im going to try and get Berkeley to reimburse me for my flight to san fran as well. Do you happen to know berkeley's reimbursement policy/do you have to sign in for any of the events?

[sarahh]

ive pretty much decided on stanford, but since the ASW's coincide im going to try and get Berkeley to reimburse me for my flight to san fran as well. Do you happen to know berkeley's reimbursement policy/do you have to sign in for any of the events?

Wait, so you are asking if you can get away with having Berkeley reimburse you for the flight and not attending ASW at all?

[Timberline]

Howdy,

Berkeley does reimburse you for travel costs, I believe up to $300, but my understanding from their website is that you are certainly expected to actually attend the ASW events. There's a pretty straightforward explanation on the Admitted Student's Portal. However, since most of Berkeley's events are on Friday, and Stanford's are on Saturday and Sunday, they are certainly not mutually exclusive. As someone else who is also able to (and wants to) attend both, I'm planning on asking Berkeley to reimburse me for my flight to San Francisco, and Stanford to reimburse me for my flight home.

[PomasThynchon]

Lol @ someone who can't spell getting into Burklee

[HowdyYall]

ive pretty much decided on stanford, but since the ASW's coincide im going to try and get Berkeley to reimburse me for my flight to san fran as well. Do you happen to know berkeley's reimbursement policy/do you have to sign in for any of the events?

Wait, so you are asking if you can get away with having Berkeley reimburse you for the flight and not attending ASW at all?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYN74jPCAik

@Timberline: thanks for the info! I forgot my calnetID and password already and they make you request it by emailing IT

[jswilson27]

I just got back from 4 days visiting Boalt on my own. First off, it is potentially the most gorgeous campus I've ever been on-- they should call it a botanical garden and charge $20 just to walk around. Do you know of any other campus that has its very own eucalyptus grove? I do not.

I did stay in the YMCA, which was fine, overall-- no bedbugs (that I know of), but the rooms are very simple (twin dorm bed, peeling desk and dresser, gym towels) and the bathrooms are shared (and coed), although each individual shower or sink/toilet room has its own locking door. Each room also has a mini-fridge which would be useful if you were going to be there a couple days and wanted to keep your own snacks or whatever. The carpet is worn and the decorations, such as they are, look like they were probably taken from somebody's grandma's basement. In general, worth the $160 total for three nights, but I wouldn't recommend that my folks stay there if they came to visit, you know? It is nice and close to campus, although on the opposite end from Boalt-- maybe a 20 minute walk from door to door. Its only a block from the Downtown Berkeley BART stop. Oh, and for what its worth, I'm a girl, but all the other guests seemed to be guys. Not a problem for me, but might be weird for some folks. Happy to answer any more specific questions about the visit if anybody would like.

I met with a current 2L (which was set up by Admissions-- if you can't go for ASW, I highly recommend just visiting on your own but letting them know that you're coming, they'll help you find things to do and people to talk to) who had lots of very honest but mostly positive things to say about the school, the town, the admin, the students, etc. I think the most telling thing he said, though, was when I asked, "OK, what would you change about Boalt?" and he kind of looked up (and squinted against the bright, warm sun... in February... *sigh*) and said, "Nothing." Nice.

[Rotor]

In past years, they've arranged for 0Ls to stay with current students for free.

[Timberline]

Thanks for the info -- my YMCA fears have been assuaged! No bedbugs, no problem.

[Boggs]

Anybody know if there are camping options near/(clandestinely) on campus? I'll be driving across the country (with my backpacking gear) and would rather sleep outside for free than pay for a room.

Thanks

[clone22]

Anybody know if there are camping options near/(clandestinely) on campus? I'll be driving across the country (with my backpacking gear) and would rather sleep outside for free than pay for a room.

Thanks

edited in sober state

[BackToTheOldHouse]

Anybody know if there are camping options near/(clandestinely) on campus? I'll be driving across the country (with my backpacking gear) and would rather sleep outside for free than pay for a room.

Thanks

Camping outside seems an interesting choice considering the COA for this school will exceed 200K

Does not follow.

Or at least I don't.

[Boggs]

Anybody know if there are camping options near/(clandestinely) on campus? I'll be driving across the country (with my backpacking gear) and would rather sleep outside for free than pay for a room.

Thanks

Camping outside seems an interesting choice considering the COA for this school will exceed 200K

Thank you. Maybe I'm missing the point. Should I be trying to maximize expenditures rather than saving at this point?

For me, sleeping outside=superior accommodations for less $. That shouldn't peak your interest.

[Drake014]

Anybody know if there are camping options near/(clandestinely) on campus? I'll be driving across the country (with my backpacking gear) and would rather sleep outside for free than pay for a room.

Thanks

I see plenty of homeless people doing it. Not as many students though...

[IzziesGal]

In past years, they've arranged for 0Ls to stay with current students for free.

Just wanted to echo this. Current students volunteer to house new admits for ASW weekend. You guys should be getting emails about this soon. We haven't received the volunteer form yet, but I'd be happy to let you know when we do, that way you can estimate when your info will be arriving.

[Boggs]

Anybody know if there are camping options near/(clandestinely) on campus? I'll be driving across the country (with my backpacking gear) and would rather sleep outside for free than pay for a room.

Thanks

I see plenty of homeless people doing it. Not as many students though...

I could pass for homeless if it will keep security off my back.

[r6_philly]

As a former homeless I find this a little ...

Regardless, I will be there Thur-Sat, staying in a hotel.

[juliachild-ish]

Just booked my plane tickets and hotel reservations! Since it was the cheapest price, I'm getting in fairly early on Thursday afternoon. I know we don't really have any events that day, but I'm looking forward to just wandering around and soaking up the great weather.

[paisaaa]

Just booked my plane tickets and hotel reservations! Since it was the cheapest price, I'm getting in fairly early on Thursday afternoon. I know we don't really have any events that day, but I'm looking forward to just wandering around and soaking up the great weather.

PLEASE tell me your husky is coming! (I realize it's probably not possible since you're flying but ohmygoodnessIwoulddie.)

[paisaaa]

Also, Googledoc ASW matchmaking? I love Berkeley so.

[juliachild-ish]

Just booked my plane tickets and hotel reservations! Since it was the cheapest price, I'm getting in fairly early on Thursday afternoon. I know we don't really have any events that day, but I'm looking forward to just wandering around and soaking up the great weather.

PLEASE tell me your husky is coming! (I realize it's probably not possible since you're flying but ohmygoodnessIwoulddie.)

Haha, no--I wish she could come! But she's a bit too large to fly with...I hope that, if I do end up at Berkeley, she doesn't miss the snow too much (we live in Chicago now). But she'll probably get to spend a lot more time outdoors at Berkeley, since it's not constantly snowing or sleeting, haha.

[ahduth]

In past years, they've arranged for 0Ls to stay with current students for free.

Just wanted to echo this. Current students volunteer to house new admits for ASW weekend. You guys should be getting emails about this soon. We haven't received the volunteer form yet, but I'd be happy to let you know when we do, that way you can estimate when your info will be arriving.

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key ... l=en#gid=0

Mmm... the list got awfully short, awfully fast. I think I may just commute in from San Francisco.

[Excellence = a Habit]

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