4 Comments
User's avatar
тна Return to thread
michaelflutist's avatar

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

Expand full comment
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.

Expand full comment
michaelflutist's avatar

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

Expand full comment
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. :)

Expand full comment