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michaelflutist's avatar

But the whole culture of the university is traditionally liberal if not leftist, and no-one has said that's changed.

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Zero Cool's avatar

Oh sure. I just don’t assume by default that anyone who attends UC Berkeley, especially those in the more business-oriented Haas School of Business, are by default liberal. That’s not how I start conversations with any such students.

Anyone who goes to UC Berkeley can be liberal, moderate or even conservative in the end. However, the liberal-minded education they get certainly makes them well-informed and socially conscious.

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michaelflutist's avatar

Right. But isn't there also some self-selection? I would think so.

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Zero Cool's avatar

Yes although besides what students decide for themselves about in their journey, they also can attend UC Berkeley for different reasons.

For international students, it's about the name, reputation and where it takes them in their careers. UCB is one of the best universities for math and science programs, namely at the graduate level. If a lot of students who attend such programs are from countries like China, India and Japan, it's most definitely about these ideal career prospects.

However, for degrees that are not business, math and science-based, yes, many undergraduate students have a tendency to be liberal-minded. They may go on different paths but their liberal views end up evolving post-graduation.

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michaelflutist's avatar

I'll bet most of the science students are liberal, too.

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Zero Cool's avatar

I'm sure a good portion are although if they're coming from countries like China, India and Japan, they are also looking at universities like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, etc, not exactly meant to be liberal utopias (although Stanford alumni include those such as current District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder, a Mission District renter and social justice-driven advocate).

I suppose going to UC Berkeley gives students from Asian countries good socially conscious education although regardless diversity is quite high at the campus and these graduate students already feel it on campus and the streets. Let's just say many are open-minded, which is in fact a trait of being liberal. :)

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