Students’ political leanings and other factors explored

By Yasmin Anwar

BERKELEY – Politically, academically, economically and lifestyle-wise, where do undergraduates at the University of California, Berkeley, stand? Find out by reading a 5-part series, starting this week, on the online UC Berkeley NewsCenter at:
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/releases/2008/01/22_ucues1.shtml.

The “Undergrad Lowdown,” authored by NewsCenter writer Cathy Cockrell, is based on the 2007 University of California Undergraduate Experience Survey. Tuesday’s installment looks at undergraduates’ “Roots & Identity.” Today’s article will cover “School & Play.” Thursday’s is about “Unpacking Diversity.” Friday’s will explore “Growing Convictions” and the final chapter next Monday, Jan. 28 will look at what is “New on Campus.”

Among the survey’s highlights:

* More than 60 percent of UC Berkeley students consider themselves very liberal while 16 percent call themselves some flavor of conservative.
* Medicine and other health-related professions are the most popular career destinations for students, followed by business and finance.
* Seventy nine percent of undergraduates plan to pursue a graduate degree.
* Just over 20 percent of UC Berkeley undergraduates report their parents’
combined gross annual income is less than $35,000.
* English is a second language for nearly two in five undergraduates.
* Twenty four percent of undergraduates talk to their parents daily by phone.
* Nearly 43 percent of students report that sleep deprivation interferes with their schoolwork or academic success.