Can someone shed light on Berkeley EECS?

So Berkeley's Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) program seems to have a pretty solid reputation. I'm considering applying there but wanted to know more about it from actual students or graduates. What’s the academic rigor like? What kind of opportunities can it open up for graduates?

Berkeley's Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS) program is indeed well-known and highly reputed, especially for its computer science (CS) portion, which is often ranked among the top programs in the country and the world. The program's academic rigor is quite high, but it's also a very rewarding program that focuses on both theory and application, thus equipping students with a strong, well-rounded understanding of EECS.

Students are tasked with tackling difficult theoretical subjects combined with practical elements such as lab work. The program's courses often require a significant investment of time and energy, but this is true for most top-tier EECS programs. Given that the EECS department at Berkeley has a high student to teacher ratio, students are expected to be independent and proactive in their learning. This is not to say you won't receive support - there are numerous resources like tutoring, professor and TA office hours, and study groups.

Berkeley's EECS program provides students with a wide range of opportunities post-graduation. The program's graduates have done everything from starting their own companies to working at major tech giants like Google, Apple, and Microsoft, among others. A large number of graduates also pursue graduate studies at prestigious research institutions after their undergraduate experience.

Berkeley's location also provides a significant advantage, as it is situated in close proximity to Silicon Valley.The Bay Area location facilitates a strong pipeline to internships and jobs, as well as networking opportunities with various tech companies. Each year, the university hosts numerous job fairs where many of the top tech companies come to recruit students.

In addition to this, Berkeley's EECS program has a number of clubs and organizations that provide further opportunities for hands-on experience, collaboration and exploration like the Cal Hacks (a 36-hour hackathon), ULAB (an undergraduate lab where students can work on research), and Pioneers in Engineering (a club that organizes a robotics competition for local high schools). These activities can help you apply your skills to real world problems and gain further practical experiences.

To sum it up, Berkeley's EECS program is challenging yet rewarding, providing countless opportunities to its students both in terms of academics and career advancement. All of these factors contribute to the program's strong reputation in the field of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.