How To Get Into Uc Berkeley

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How to Get Into UC Berkeley: 4 Steps to a Stellar Application

Wondering how to get into UC Berkeley? Getting accepted to Berkeley can be tough. How hard is it to get into Berkeley? In 2021-2022, Berkeley’s acceptance rate was 15%.

This makes UC Berkeley a “strongly competitive school”: it’s not quite as ultra-competitive as Ivy League schools, but you’ll need to have a strong application across the board in order to get accepted. In the rest of this guide, we’ll explain:

• The UC Berkeley admissions requirements, when and how you should apply
• Exactly what Berkeley looks at when they review your application

All UC Schools Going Test Optional

Additionally, the University of California system of schools has decided to make one major change that extends beyond the Fall 2021 admissions season. UC schools will no longer consider SAT/ACT scores for admission or financial aid. Instead, they’re used for placement after you’re admitted). For more information about what that means for you, check out this FAQ.

How Does UC Berkeley Evaluate Applications?

Compared to many other schools, Berkeley is pretty transparent about what they’re looking for in applicants and how they evaluate applications. They first make sure you meet the minimum UC Berkeley admissions requirements, then they assess your academic history, and then they do a holistic review where they take other areas into account, such as your extracurriculars and responses to essay questions.

UC Berkeley states that they use a “broad concept” of merit, which means no one part of the holistic review is automatically worth more than the others. Below are the factors UC Berkeley evaluates for the minimum requirements, academic assessment, and holistic review.

Minimum Requirements

• Meet the A-G subject course requirements:
  • History: 2 years
  • English: 4 years
  • Mathematics: 3 years required, 4 years recommended
  • Science: 2 years required, 3 years recommended
  • Language other than English: 2 years required, 3 years recommended
  • Visual and performing arts: 1 year
  • College-preparatory elective: 1 year
  • Have a 3.0 GPA in A-G courses taken in the 10th and 11th grade years (3.4 GPA for non-California residents)

  Academic Assessment

  • Your weighted and unweighted UC grade point average (calculated using 10th and 11th grade UC-approved courses only)
  • Your planned 12th grade courses
  • Your pattern of grades over time
  • The number of college preparatory, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), honors and transferable college courses you have completed
  • Your grades in those courses relative to other UC applicants at your school
  • Your scores on AP or IB exams

  Holistic Review

  • Number and rigor of high school courses taken and grades earned in those courses
  • Personal qualities of the applicant, including leadership ability, character, motivation, insight, tenacity, initiative, originality, intellectual independence, responsibility, maturity, and demonstrated concern for others and for the community are considered
  • Likely contributions to the intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus. In addition to a broad range of intellectual interests and achievements, admission readers seek diversity in personal background and experience
  • Achievement in academic enrichment programs, including but not limited to those sponsored by the University of California. This criterion is measured by time and depth of participation, by the academic progress made by the applicant during that participation, and by the intellectual rigor of the particular program
  • Other evidence of achievement. This criterion recognizes exemplary, sustained achievement in any field of intellectual or creative endeavor; accomplishments in extracurricular activities such as the performing arts or athletics; leadership in school or community organizations; employment; and volunteer service

  Changes to UC SAT/ACT Testing Policy in 2021

  As we mentioned earlier, UC schools are now test blind, which means they do not consider SAT/ACT scores for admission or financial aid.

  So what does it take to get into Berkeley? Basically, you need to have good grades in difficult classes and show that you’ll have a positive impact on campus. In the rest of this article we’ll explain exactly what you can do to meet each of the expectations Berkeley wants to see in applicants.

  UC Berkeley Application Deadlines

  If you want to know how to get into UC Berkeley, you first need to know all the major application deadlines. Berkeley states right on their website that they almost never accept late applications, so don’t miss any deadlines! UC Berkeley doesn’t offer early action or early decision options, so everyone applying has the same deadlines.

  The most important deadline you need to be aware of is November 30. This is the last day you can submit your Berkeley application.

  

  How to Apply to UC Berkeley

  There are four main steps to applying to Berkeley. The earlier you begin your application (as early as August 1) the more time you’ll have to complete all the steps and the less pressure you’ll be under to meet the deadline.

  The steps are the same regardless of which UC school(s) you’re applying to since all UC schools use the same application (and you only need to submit one application, even if you apply to other UC schools in addition to Berkeley. Below is an overview of how to apply to Berkeley. For more in-depth information, check out our complete guide to applying to UC schools.

  Step 1: Create an Account

  First you need to create an applicant account. This step will only take about a few minutes since you just need to fill out basic information. You’ll need to enter a valid email address to create an account, so be sure to use an email address that you frequently check.

  Step 2: Complete the UC Application

  After creating your account, you’ll be immediately sent to the beginning of the application. Some of the key parts of the application include:

  Answering demographic questions

  • Filling out your eligibility for scholarships
  • Filling out your academic history (what classes you took, the grades you got in them, if they were honors or AP, etc.)
  • Filling out your eligibility for scholarships
  • Answering the personal insight questions
    • There are eight personal statement questions, and you’ll need to answer four of them. Each response needs to be between 250 and 350 words or less.The prompts are listed on the UC admissions website

    Step 3: Pay Admission Fees and Submit Your Application

    Once you’ve finished each section of your application, you can submit it, as long as it’s between October 1 and November 30. You’ll also need to pay a $70 application fee for each UC school you’re applying to ($80 each if you’re an international student). This means that if you apply to UC Berkeley and one other UC school, you’ll pay a total of $140-$160. Then you’ll click submit, and your application will officially be sent to Berkeley!

    Step 4: Submit Your Standardized Test Scores

    While UC schools have gone test blind, you may wish to submit your scores for placement purposes (for example, a high SAT Math score can help you place into a higher math class). If you’re still planning on submitting your SAT/ACT scores, we have guides specifically on sending ACT scores and SAT scores to colleges if you need more information.

    What You Need to Get Into Berkeley

    Berkeley wants top students so you need to make sure your application is strong across the board. Below are the five most important categories Berkeley evaluates when they look at applications. If you stand out in most or all of these areas you’ll have a great shot at getting into UC Berkeley!

    Classes

    The classes you took in high school are often the most important part of your college application. When UC Berkeley admissions officers look at your classes, they’re looking at two things: the actual courses you took and how difficult they were.

    For the first category, they want to make sure you’ve taken the classes you need to succeed as a college student at one of their schools. This means taking the A-G courses that we mentioned above.

    Remember that the A-G courses are the minimum UC Berkeley admissions requirements; most applicants will have gone well beyond these requirements. Some majors, especially those in math or science, recommend or require additional classes before you start college.

    For example, if you want to major in chemistry, Berkeley requires you to have taken one year of chemistry, one year of physics, four years of math, and two to three years of a foreign language. Research your intended major on Berkeley’s website to check the specific requirements you need to meet.

    In general, it’s best to take more classes in the fields you plan on majoring in. Berkeley also looks at the difficulty of the classes you took. They’re specifically looking for honors, AP, or IB courses since these are more difficult than regular-level classes.

    If your school offers these classes, you should take as many as you can without overloading yourself and still maintaining a high GPA. Taking difficult classes shows them that you’re focused on your studies and can handle the challenge and workload of college classes.

    Also, Berkeley specifically mentions that they look at the “quality of your senior-year program,” so don’t be tempted to slack off senior year with a bunch of easy classes!

    Grades

    It’s not enough just to take the classes Berkeley wants. You also need to do well in them. Your grades and overall GPA are another critical component of your Berkeley application.

    For Berkeley, as well as all UC schools, you need to have at least a 3.0 GPA in your A-G classes if you’re a California resident, or a 3.4 GPA if you’re a non-resident. Additionally, you can’t have gotten below a “C” in any of the A-G classes.

    However, you should aim higher than this. The middle 50% range for weighted GPA of accepted students in Fall 2022 at Berkeley is 4.17-4.31 . That means 25% of admitted students had a GPA lower than 4.17, and 25% of admitted students had a GPA higher than 4.31.

    To give yourself the best chance of getting into UC Berkeley, you should aim to have a weighted GPA of 4.3 or higher. This means you’ll have a higher GPA than the majority of accepted students which gives you a great chance at getting in. To get a weighted GPA of 4.3, you’ll need to get As in most of your classes, and you’ll also need to take advanced classes like honors or AP that’ll further raise your GPA.

    The University of California system has made some accommodations for students who may have had their GPA affected by COVID-19 as well.

    Pass (P) or Credit (CR) grades earned in spring, summer, and fall 2020, as well as spring and summer 2021, will meet A-G requirements for any student who was enrolled in high school during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years. This includes students currently enrolled in 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades.

    If you took the modified AP exams during spring 2020: UC will award course credit consistent with previous years for the 2020 AP exams completed with scores of 3, 4, or 5. You should report 2020 AP scores on your UC application in the same way that you’d report scores from previous or subsequent years.

    

    Test Scores

    While Berkeley doesn’t require any AP scores or IB results, having at least a few of these will further strengthen your application by showing you can score well on tests that cover different topics.

    Your goal should be to submit three AP or IB scores, with at least one related to the area you want to major in (so a math/science score if you want to be a biology major, a social science score if you want to major in history, etc.). For these exams, you should aim to get at least a 4 on the AP tests and a 5 on the IB.

    Essays

    You’ll need to answer four of the UC personal insight prompts, and your responses should show:

    • Who you are
    • What you’d contribute to the Berkeley community
    • What causes/topics/hobbies are important to you
    • What your intellectual interests are

    Maybe you’ve always been fascinated by space and want to attend UC Berkeley and major in aeronautical engineering, or maybe you dream of being a writer and want to major in English or Creative Writing.

    Whatever your story is, this is the place for Berkeley to hear it, and it’s the best place in your application to show them who you really are as a person. This is the part of your application where you can really show Berkeley who you are, so be sure to put time and thought into your responses.

    Berkeley also specifically mentions that the personal insight section is one of the parts of the application they look at most closely. For a more in-depth look at how to stand out with your responses, read our guide on how to write outstanding UC essays.

    Extracurriculars

    Your extracurriculars are another important part of your Berkeley application. The best extracurriculars show your leadership skills and passion for whatever the extracurricular focuses on.

    Exactly which extracurriculars you choose, whether they are related to sports, academics, arts, volunteering, etc., isn’t that important. What will make your extracurriculars stand out is if you can show that you’re passionate about them, have dedicated significant time to them, and have taken on a leadership role or important responsibilities.

    Some factors Berkeley states they’re specifically looking for in extracurriculars include:

    • Special talents, awards, or achievements
    • Leadership experience
    • Significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student’s promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus

    They list the following examples of strong extracurriculars:

    • Special talent in visual and performing arts, communication or sports
    • Intensive study and exploration of other cultures
    • Significant community service
    • Significant participation in student government

    Don’t feel like you need to have all or even any of these experiences; they’re just given so you can get an idea of what Berkeley is looking for. Pretty much any extracurricular that you’re passionate about, skilled in, and have shown some leadership potential for is a great extracurricular to include on your application.

    

    What If You Have a Weak Area in Your Berkeley Application?

    Not sure how to get into Berkeley if you flunked math freshman year, couldn’t participate in extracurriculars for an extended period because you had mono, or something similar?

    If there’s a weak area on your Berkeley application, don’t think it automatically means you won’t get in. The majority of Berkeley applicants will have at least one part of their application that isn’t as strong as the others, and very few candidates have a stellar application across all areas.

    For the academic history box, you could, for example, explain why some of your grades are lower than what you wanted (and what you did to raise your grades in future classes), or explain you didn’t get to take as many advanced classes as you wanted to because your school didn’t offer many.

    For the personal insight box, you should include any relevant information about your extracurriculars there wasn’t a spot for in the application, such as a time you showed exceptional leadership, took initiative, solved a serious problem, etc. Strong extracurriculars can help reduce the impact of a low grade or test score.

    If you have a weak area of your application, do your best to explain what you’ve learned from it and how you’ve improved. Your maturity and self-awareness will impress the people reading your application.

    Conclusion: How to Get Into UC Berkeley

    How hard is it to get into Berkeley? Each year, Berkeley admits only about 15% of the students who apply, but you can increase your chances of getting in by understanding how to apply and knowing what the admissions officers are looking for. You can begin the Berkeley application in August, and you have until November 30 to submit your application.

    Berkeley wants students who are intelligent, leaders, passionate about what they’re studying, and will have a positive impact on campus. To show Berkeley that you’re the type of student they want to admit, you should aim to take difficult classes and get good grades in them (aim for an unweighted GPA of about 4.3). You should also have strong extracurriculars and answer the Personal Insight questions thoughtfully.

    Keep in mind that Berkeley’s testing policies have changed as well. All UC schools are now test blind.

    If you’re not sure how to get into Berkeley, Berkeley admissions may seem overwhelming, but if you plan ahead and work to make your application as strong as it can be, you’ll give yourself the best chance of getting into UC Berkeley.

    What’s Next?

    Applying to other UC Schools? Read our guide on how to apply to UC schools for everything you need to know about the UC application.

    Want to learn more about the University of California schools? We have an in-depth guide to the UC schools to make it easy for you to compare the schools and see which is best for you.

    Working on your UC essays? Check out our guide on how to answer every UC essay prompt to get great writing ideas.

    

    Want to build the best possible college application?

    We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world’s best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We’ve overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.

    We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

    

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    Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master’s from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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    How to Get into UC Berkeley: Requirements and Strategies

    Discover the UC Berkeley acceptance rate and admissions requirements, plus strategies to get accepted

    

    Part 1: Introduction

    Part 2: UC Berkeley admissions requirements

    Part 3: 2023–2024 UC Berkeley personal insight questions

    Part 1: Introduction

    If your child is a forward-thinking student with a passion to challenge the status quo and make their mark on the world, they might be interested in applying to the University of California, Berkeley. Consistently ranked one of the best public universities in the nation, UC Berkeley is the perfect place for students who want to build legacies of activism, innovation, and leadership.

    UC Berkeley was founded in 1868, which makes it the oldest institution in the University of California system. Originally created to educate the best and brightest students in California, the 10 UC campuses have earned a world-renowned reputation for providing the highest levels of teaching, research, and public service. Today, the UC alumni network of over 2 million members work and live in every corner of the globe.

    Often referred to as “Cal,” UC Berkeley has a unique history and personality. Ever since the Free Speech Movement arose on its campus in 1964, Berkeley has been recognized as a hotspot for student activism. But it’s also the birthplace of major scientific breakthroughs, such as the discovery of the flu virus and vitamin K. Whether for its political movements, scientific innovation, or many other contributions to society, UC Berkeley frequently lands in the national spotlight.

    In the classroom, UC Berkeley offers its students intimate learning experiences, with just over half of its classes containing less than 20 members. Students are encouraged to explore and pursue their passions in classes taught by Nobel laureates, MacArthur fellows, and Turing award winners.

    Getting into UC Berkeley means rubbing shoulders with the past, current, and future leaders of society. On any given day, students might have office hours with faculty who are discovering ground-breaking gene therapies or designing a new class of robots for daily use. After class, they might study on the Sophomore Lawn or at the Ludwig fountain before visiting the iconic Berkeley Art Museum or heading into downtown San Francisco to mentor foster youth. On and off-campus, UC Berkeley students live out their passion for education, research, and public service.

    And after UC Berkeley? Graduates join the worldwide Berkeley alumni network, which spans into every industry. UC Berkeley alumni have won over 30 Nobel Peace Prizes, 20 Academy Awards, and 100 Olympic gold medals. They’ve held the highest positions in many government offices, including the U.S. Secretary of State. They’ve founded major tech empires such as Apple and Intel. Wherever new Berkeley graduates turn, they’ll find fellow alumni eager to offer mentorship and guidance.

    With all the advantages of a Berkeley education, it’s no surprise that over 100,000 students apply to UC Berkeley every year—the admissions competition is intense. Continue reading to learn how to get your child into UC Berkeley. We’ll explore the UC Berkeley acceptance rate, the UC Berkeley admissions requirements, and the UC Berkeley application.

    UC Berkeley ranking

    • Forbes: 5
    • Niche: 47
    • U.S. News & World Report: 20
    • Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 6

    Where is UC Berkeley located?

    UC Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA, overlooking the scenic San Francisco Bay. Students can hop on San Francisco’s easy-to-navigate public transportation system, the BART, and explore every corner of the city in a matter of minutes. They can easily visit historical sites like Alcatraz prison, take selfies at popular tourist attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge or Pier 39, or catch a glimpse into the future by exploring Silicon Valley.

    UC Berkeley sits an hour south of Napa Valley, California’s most prominent wine country, and an hour west of Sacramento, the capital of California, giving students plenty of options for adventuring on the weekends. And if they choose to stay local, they can shop, dine, and play to their hearts’ content in the vibrant and progressive city of San Francisco.

    UC Berkeley setting

    The urban UC Berkeley campus serves as the heart of Berkeley—it’s the city’s unofficial “Central Park.” Many parts of its pristine 1,232-acre campus are open for the public to enjoy. UC Berkeley’s campus offers students and residents beautiful redwood forests to connect with nature, historic architecture to reminisce about the past, and a tranquil creek to engage in contemplation.

    With the San Francisco Bay resting just two miles west of UC Berkeley’s campus, students are encouraged to bike down to the water and explore new aquatic hobbies. And for further outdoor adventures, Mt. Diablo—a mere ten miles east of campus—offers pleasant hiking trails and spectacular views.

    The city of Berkeley offers students a variety of dining and shopping options—from historic diners to trendy new restaurants and boutiques. With the UC Berkeley campus located immediately beside downtown Berkeley, students can easily engage in the community, both taking advantage of its cultural opportunities and giving back through community service.

    UC Berkeley student population

    • Undergraduate students: 30,778 (Spring 2023)
    • Graduate students: 12,303 (Spring 2023)

    UC Berkeley acceptance rate

    Below is admissions data for the class of 2026:

    • Applications: 128,230
    • Acceptances: 14,568
    • Matriculants: 6,726
    • Acceptance rate: 13.3%

    Berkeley’s transfer acceptance rate is 27%.

    UC Berkeley tuition and scholarships

    Berkeley’s 2023–2024 cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $46,168 for California residents and $78,742 for non-residents.

    Over 60 percent of Berkeley undergrads receive financial aid. Berkeley offers both need- and merit-based financial aid; the average need-based financial aid award is $23,837 and the average merit-based award is $4,484.

    Who gets into UC Berkeley?

    UC Berkeley students are high-performing—in recent years, 98 percent of accepted students placed in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating classes. Furthermore, around 85 percent of UC Berkeley admits are typically California residents. To help you assess your child’s odds of getting into Berkeley, here’s information about students accepted to the class of 2026:

    • UC Berkeley average weighted GPA:
      • 25th percentile: 4.17
      • 75th percentile: 4.31

      UC Berkley has not yet released student demographics for the class of 2027, but we can still take a look at the 2022 enrollment data:

      • International students: 12.3%
      • First generation students: 26%
      • Students of Asian descent make up the largest racial demographic with 52.1% of the student population. The next-largest groups are white students (30.7%), Chicanx/Latinx students (21.1%), and Southwest Asian/North African students (5.5%).

      Because UC Berkeley, along with the other UC schools, no longer requires or accepts standardized test scores, there is no SAT and ACT data for the most recent freshman class. Below are average test scores for the class of 2024:

      • UC Berkeley average ACT score:
        • 25th percentile: 29
        • 75th percentile: 35
        • 25th percentile: 1330
        • 75th percentile: 1530

        The most popular majors at UC Berkeley are social sciences, engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, interdisciplinary studies, and natural resources and conservation.

        Part 2: UC Berkeley admissions requirements

        As part of the UC system, UC Berkeley has unique admissions requirements you won’t find at most other public universities. To help your child increase their admissions odds, let’s take a closer look at how to get into UC Berkeley.

        UC Berkeley’s “A-G” course requirements

        The UC system has designed its own college preparatory course plan to ensure its applicants possess the ability and knowledge to be successful in the rigorous UC curriculum. Most California high schools put college-bound students on track to fulfill these “A-G” requirements automatically. However, if your child attends a high school outside California, you want to ensure they follow these requirements closely. Missing more than one or two of these classes may leave your child ineligible to attend UC Berkeley or any other UC school.

        • (A) History/social science: Two years required
          • One year of world history, cultures or geography
          • One year of U.S. history OR half a year of U.S. history and half a year of U.S. government
          • One year of geometry
          • Must include two of the following: biology, chemistry, and physics
          • Can be additional A-F courses in excess of requirement
          • Other approved courses: psychology, speech or debate, computer science, economics, etc.

          UC Berkeley requires applicants to complete these “A-G” classes with a 3.0 GPA or higher (3.4 or higher for out of state students). But completing the minimum class and GPA requirements won’t be enough to get your child into UC Berkeley. They will need to show off their abilities and prove they have what it takes to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.

          When evaluating students’ academic history, UC Berkeley will pay special consideration to three important factors:

          • The number of college prep, honors, dual enrollment, and AP or IB classes completed
          • The overall pattern of grades (Is there an upward or downward trend? Are grades steady or inconsistent?)
          • The classes planned for 12th grade—a reminder that senior year definitely matters!

          If your child excels in their “A-G” classes and passes the bar on these three additional measures, they’ll increase their chances of getting into UC Berkeley.

          UC Berkeley extracurricular requirements

          With so many high-achieving students applying to UC Berkeley, your child’s choice of extracurricular activities presents an opportunity for them to stand out. There’s no one “right” activity that can guarantee they’ll get accepted to UC Berkeley. Instead, the best chance they have is to pursue one or two of their interests in a variety of activities that demonstrate their best qualities.

          For example, if your child loves coding, they should explore that passion in several ways. They could start a computer science club at school and learn one or more of the different computer programming languages. They could attend a summer coding boot camp to advance their skills. They could volunteer at after-school programs to teach younger students how to code. And they might start their own business building or improving websites for local small businesses.

          Taken together, this collection of activities show leadership, a passion for learning, entrepreneurship, initiative, and a desire to serve others—as well as a developed interest in computer science. Encourage your child to do what they love, find ways to expand their knowledge or skills, and use their talents to better their community. This approach is sure to make a strong impression on the UC Berkeley admissions committee.

          UC Berkeley application requirements

          After a high school career spent pursuing academic rigor and extracurricular depth, your child might be ready to apply to UC Berkeley. Here are the UC Berkeley application requirements to guide their process:

          • University of California application
          • A high school transcript is needed to input grades into the online application but is not submitted with the application.
          • Optional: AP or IB exam scores
          • Optional: Two letters of recommendation. A small number of applicants may be asked to submit recommendations if the application evaluators need additional information to make a decision. Students who don’t receive a specific request for recommendation letters should not submit them.
          • If your child is applying to the Management, Entrepreneurship, & Technology (MET) Program, they will be asked to submit an additional supplemental essay and may be invited to interview.
          • If your child is applying to the Global Management Program through the Haas School of Business, they will be asked to submit an additional supplemental essay and may be invited to interview.

          As noted above, the UC system has recently made significant changes to its standardized testing requirements and no longer accepts SAT or ACT scores as part of its admissions process, relying instead on a holistic review process.