My name is Brooke Rosenkrantz, and I am a junior at Berkeley. I am studying neuroscience and am pre-med. I’m originally from Los Angeles and love helping students get a feel for Berkeley, especially cause I love it here! Outside of academics, I enjoy spending time with friends, exploring the Bay Area, hiking, developing film, and watching movies. I’m excited to share my experience!

Hometown

Los Angeles, California

Major(s)

Neuroscience

Clubs, organizations & involvement

I am actively involved in the Berkeley community through student organizations, research, and service. I am an active member of a sorority where I participate in philanthropy and community service initiatives. I am also a member of Neuroscience at Berkeley and conduct public health research through UC Berkeley’s Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP). In addition, I volunteer at the UC Botanical Garden, where I help support educational and community programs. As a pre-med student, I enjoy getting involved in opportunities that combine science, service, leadership, and community building.

Describe your college experience

Overall, my transition to Berkeley was pretty smooth. The biggest adjustment was definitely academics, as classes move a lot faster than they did in high school, and the workload can be intense at first. It took me some time to figure out how to manage everything, but once I found a routine, it got much easier. Socially, living in the dorms made a huge difference for me. It was an easy way to meet people and build a community right away. I also rushed a sorority, and even if you don’t end up joining one, I think rush is a great experience because you meet so many people in such a short amount of time and at the beginning of school. The best part of Berkeley for me has been the friendships I’ve made. I’ve met people who are supportive, hard-working, and make Berkeley feel like home (so much so that I've decided to stay for the summer). Having those friendships has made such a big difference in my college experience.

Tip for future students

If I had one tip for future students, it would be to take advantage of being new. Freshman year is one of the few times when everyone is looking to make friends, try new things, and figure things out together. Go to the events, join clubs, introduce yourself to people, and say yes to opportunities, even if they feel a little outside your comfort zone. I also wish I had gotten involved in clubs and research earlier. It’s easy to think you need more experience before applying, but a lot of opportunities are open to freshmen. The sooner you put yourself out there, the more you’ll learn and the more connections you’ll make.

Favorite class

My favorite class has been Drugs and the Brain with professor and neuroscience pioneer David Presti. The subject matter is incredibly interesting because it’s so interdisciplinary. We learn about the neuroscience of how different drugs affect the brain, but also explore broader questions about society, consciousness, and how we even define what a drug is. It made me think about a lot of things in a completely different way. Presti is also a fantastic professor. He’s incredibly approachable, always willing to answer questions, and the kind of professor you want to talk to after class.

Career goals

After college, I hope to attend medical school and become a physician. I'm especially interested in neuroscience, mental health, and the brain, although right now I'm still exploring different specialties. As of now, I'm focused on gaining research experience, getting involved in the medical field and building a strong foundation through my coursework at Berkeley. I'm excited to continue learning and see where the future takes me.

Ideal way to spend a free night

My ideal free night is baking with my friends, trying a new restaurant in Berkeley, and ending the night with a good book or an episode of The Pitt. I love being social, but I also really value having a quiet night to unwind. Or, sometimes I'll gather friends and we'll get into a car, put on a good playlist, and drive up to a lookout somewhere in the city.

High school or secondary school

High school: New West Charter in Los Angeles, California

Previous college

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