Write the first paragraph of a post from an alum describing the appeal of attending UC Berkeley for an undergraduate degree.

UC Berkeley, the number 1 public university in the nation, is a top choice for many prospective undergraduate applicants. UC Berkeley is home to some of the best researchers and teachers in their fields in areas such as Computer Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Economics, opening access for students to take advantage of this wealth of educational opportunities that is hard to come by in other places. The academic rigor and independence afforded to you prepares you well for future careers or schooling. The mild year-round weather and location in the heart of the Bay Area, a hub of innovation, allows students access to some of the best climates and locales around the nation. Berkeley is a very special place and I am very happy to have been able to study there.