I really hate Berkeley. The only thing that kept me alive was the amazing food in the Northside Gourmet Ghetto. Here’s a list of reasons to not go to Berkeley. Of course, this is merely preferences and if you’re going to graduate school, you should probably just pick the best one you got into. Topics primarily from College Prowler.
Academics
Grade inflation doesn’t really matter. I know grades are more difficult than, say, Princeton, but when you really think about it, you get the grades you deserve. The issue with Berkeley academics however is the sheer number of professors that either don’t know how to teach, don’t care to teach, or don’t even speak English. Professors aren’t chosen based on their teaching abilities, but on their abilities to obtain grants for their department. If you want to be taught, go to a smaller private school. This doesn’t affect graduate students however since they assume you’re smart and will actually try to help you.
Campus Dining
The campus food is just disgusting. After the first semester, I was limited to yogurt and cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is really expensive too. To eat well, you’re going to have to spend money in the gourmet ghetto, which is probably far from where you’re going to live. Let’s not even start talking about the diarrhea…
Campus Housing
Singles? What are those? Don’t expect your own room unless you’re a junior, senior, or a graduate student. In fact, expect two other roommates. Expect really old and really smelly floors. Expect the most socially awkward people you’ve ever and will ever met in your life. Co-ed floors sound nice, but you’ll realize it’s okay in Berkeley since half the girls look like boys… and poo like them too.
Career Opportunities
Berkeley has almost no career opportunities close by. This means that if you’re trying to find an internship during the school year, expect to commute 30 minutes. Most companies are either located on the other side of the bay (San Francisco, South Bay) except for Pixar, which is actually only about a 5 minute drive from Campus. Commuting is costly since you’ll be crossing the Bay Bridge or driving or riding long distances. At least there are sufficient research positions available on campus.
Crime
Berkeley is right next to Oakland which has one of the worst crime rates in America. In fact a lot of these Oaklanders visit Berkeley just to hang out and have the college experience they’ve never had. The south side of Berkeley, where most students live because it’s cheaper, frequently has crime whereas crime is non-existent on the north side. Expect a robbery or assault in Berkeley twice a week. Links:
Diversity
Asians galore. GO BACK TO ASIA! Unless you’re a U.S. citizen like me 
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Drug Scene
Even the homeless have access to marijuana. They’ll offer you the joint they’re smoking as you walk pass. I’m not sure if this is a bad or good thing, especially since it’ll just make them more peaceful. I don’t know much about the rest of the drug scene.
Girls
There are only two types of good looking girls in Berkeley. The first are Jewish girls, since they seem to be the only white girls that can be both attractive and smart. The other are the Asians, which 90% of the time live within 30 miles of where I live in southern California. Basically, all the good looking Asian girls are from Los Angeles.
Homeless
Ah, the hobos of Berkeley, the people who characterize the city the most. These homeless are seriously psychologically insane. They talk to themselves all day. They’ll pee on you in the middle of the night (it happened to my friend). They’ll run at you with a fork and knife (it happened to my friend). They’ll stink up the whole bus. They’ll refuse certain foods during certain times of the day (it happened to me). Sometimes they’ll reject anything you offer them except money and cigarettes (it happened to me). They’re willing to get punched for money (I’ve seen signs). They’ll play electro house on their cart in the middle of campus (I’ve seen it before). They’ll try to convert you into the oddest beliefs possible (it happened to me). They’ll pull out rolls of cash with more money than you have in your bank account (it happened to my friend). They’ll yell at you for ignoring them and listening to your iPod instead (it happened to me). But the best part, they’ll all disappear during Cal Day (when prospective students come to visit).
Housing
What’s nice is that all the apartments are pretty close to campus and campus is very tightly packed, making almost all apartment complexes within walking distance (say a 15 minute walk to class). The downside of this is that apartments are very small, and Berkeley restricts the height of buildings, so there aren’t any really tall apartment complexes. Expect to pay $2200 for recently remodeled 700 square feet two bedroom apartment within 10 minute walking distance to campus.
Nightlife
You have about five bars to choose from, otherwise you’re going to have to drive to an actual city like San Francisco. I say drive because you don’t want to take a bus with sketchy people at 2am and the useless train doesn’t run between 12am to 5am. So if you don’t have a car, you’re either going to get sick of the Berkeley night life, pay ridiculous cab fares, or party softly until 12am or party hard until 5am. If you do have a car, have fun paying the $4 toll every time you cross the Bay Bridge to San Francisco.
Parking
Either expensive or non-existent. A lot of apartments have street parking, meaning you’re going to have to find a new spot every time you use your car. If you get your own private parking spot, expect to pay $100 a month.
Transportation
Not really bicycle friendly due to all the hills. Buses take forever to go anywhere since a lot of the local roads are one lane roads. Traffic and parking is ridiculous. The Bay Bridge is expensive to cross. The BART is ridiculously expensive, especially compared to the New York Metro, and does not run between 12am and 5am. You have no other option but to stay home.
Weather
The weather is rather cold compared to Los Angeles, which is really only convenient during the summer, but you probably won’t be in Berkeley during the summer, which completely defeats the purpose. If you like 50 degree winters and 70 degree summers, Berkeley’s the place for you!
