REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley, commonly known as UC Berkeley, is one of the most well-respected public universities in the United States. Established in 1868, Berkeley is the flagship campus of the 9-school University of California system. Nestled in the vibrant and culturally diverse city of Berkeley, just across the bay from San Francisco, UC Berkeley is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, groundbreaking research, and a strong tradition of public service. While Berkeley students are known for their political engagement and liberal activism, the school’s approximately 30,000 undergraduates represent a wide range of interests, beliefs, and backgrounds. With an impressive array of over 300 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools, the university offers a rich and diverse academic environment where students are encouraged to explore, innovate, and challenge themselves in and outside of the classroom.
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley, commonly known as UC Berkeley, is one of the most well-respected public universities in the United States. Established in 1868, Berkeley is the flagship campus of the 9-school University of California system. Nestled in the vibrant and culturally diverse city of Berkeley, just across the bay from San Francisco, UC Berkeley is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, groundbreaking research, and a strong tradition of public service. While Berkeley students are known for their political engagement and liberal activism, the school’s approximately 30,000 undergraduates represent a wide range of interests, beliefs, and backgrounds. With an impressive array of over 300 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools, the university offers a rich and diverse academic environment where students are encouraged to explore, innovate, and challenge themselves in and outside of the classroom.
REQUIREMENTS AND CAMPUS GUIDE
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley, commonly known as UC Berkeley, is one of the most well-respected public universities in the United States. Established in 1868, Berkeley is the flagship campus of the 9-school University of California system. Nestled in the vibrant and culturally diverse city of Berkeley, just across the bay from San Francisco, UC Berkeley is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, groundbreaking research, and a strong tradition of public service. While Berkeley students are known for their political engagement and liberal activism, the school’s approximately 30,000 undergraduates represent a wide range of interests, beliefs, and backgrounds. With an impressive array of over 300 degree programs across 15 colleges and schools, the university offers a rich and diverse academic environment where students are encouraged to explore, innovate, and challenge themselves in and outside of the classroom.
School Location:
BERKELEY, CA
School Type:
PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
Admissions Rates:
ADMITTED: 11.73%
GENERAL INFO
Dates/Deadlines:
Regular Deadline:
November 30
Regular Results: March 19
SAT/ACT Scores:
Test Blind for the 2024-2025
Admissions Cycle
School Information:
Undergraduate Population: 31,543
Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Interviews Considered: No
UC BERKELEY TIPS & GUIDE
How difficult is it to get into UC Berkeley?
UC Berkeley is a highly competitive school. For the 2023-24 cycle, Berkeley admitted 11.73% of applicants, with a 15.1% in-state acceptance rate and an 8.1% out-of-state acceptance rate. The average GPA for admitted students was 3.9, so competition is very stiff. Students’ GPA, course rigor, and application essays are considered very important in the admissions process.
What is the campus like at UC Berkeley?
UC Berkeley’s campus features a dynamic blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, set against the backdrop of the picturesque San Francisco Bay area. It boasts iconic landmarks such as the Campanile (Sather Tower), the Doe Library, and the Memorial Glade. The campus is also a hub for political activism and social justice, reflecting its long-standing commitment to addressing societal challenges and promoting equity.
What is UC Berkeley known for?
UC Berkeley is known for being one of the top public universities in the world. In the mainstream media, it is dubbed a “hippie haven,” with an incredibly politically active community and a long history of protests, gatherings, and demonstrations on campus. Compared to its rival, Stanford, Berkeley has a more casual culture known for students looking to make a social impact. And Berkeley students don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk—Berkeley has sent more students to the Peace Corps than any other university.
Notable alumni include Co-founder of Apple Steve Wozniak, writer Joan Didion, actor Gregory Peck, and former Captain of the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team Julie Foudy.
How diverse is UC Berkeley?
UC Berkeley is an incredibly diverse school with a place for everyone. In the undergraduate, degree-seeking student body, 19.5% of the students identified as Caucasian, 35.2% identified as Asian, 21.8% identified as Hispanic/Latino, 2.1% identified as African American, and 6.2% identified with two or more races. Additionally, 11.5% of undergraduates are international students.
How do I apply to UC Berkeley?
Here is everything you need to know about applying to UC Berkeley:
- Berkeley’s application is part of the UC application system, which is its own unique portal separate from the Common App or Coalition App. You will fill out one application that can be used for all 9 of the UC campuses, but each UC will be unaware of the other UCs you apply to.
- For Berkeley, you will apply to the one college that offers the major or majors you’re interested in (transferring once admitted is possible).
- You will respond to 4 of the 8 personal insight questions.
- Two letters of recommendation (only select students invited to submit; due January 3rd)
- Berkeley and the other UC schools are entirely test-free, and do not consider standardized test scores in their admissions processes.
- Applications open August 1 and are due November 30th. Berkeley does not offer Early Action or Early Decision.
Does UC Berkeley have a good athletic department?
UC Berkeley’s athletics program is robust and well-respected, providing student-athletes with opportunities to compete at a high level while also receiving a world-class education. Varsity sports include football, basketball, baseball, soccer, swimming, and more. The university is a member of the Pac-12 Conference, one of the most competitive and prestigious athletic conferences in the NCAA, where they have secured 100 national championships in 15 sports. UC Berkeley has also produced hundreds of Olympians who have won numerous medals. The school’s strong swimming and track and field programs, in particular, have contributed to this success.
Berkeley also has a variety of competitive sports clubs in which students can participate in sports including archery, lacrosse, squash, figure skating, cycling, and more!
What are UC Berkeley’s core curriculum and programs?
Berkeley and Merced are the only UC schools on the semester system, as the rest operate on the quarter system. Students applying to Berkeley select one of the five colleges listed on the application to apply to. Applicants can also apply as “undeclared” to the College of Letters and Sciences. Once accepted to a specific college, you will be required to complete the requirements of the individual college, as well as your specific degree requirements. Additionally, all Berkeley students must satisfy Entry Level Writing, American History and American Institution, and American Cultures requisites. The good news is that many courses fulfill multiple requirements and that students have a large number of options when choosing how to fulfill them.
Berkeley has expansive study abroad offerings, due in part to its partnerships with the other UCs. Berkeley also offers the DeCal program, which allows students to submit course proposals for classes that they receive credits for teaching to other students—some examples are parkour, knife skills, and sustainable gardening. There are a vast number of opportunities for undergraduate research (available even to freshmen), making Berkeley a great place to connect with professors. In addition, Berkeley offers a junior-start business major at Haas and it is common to study in the College of Letters and Sciences and then apply to business sophomore year.
Can I afford UC Berkeley?
Despite being a public university, Berkeley can be quite expensive. The UC system was designed to give California students affordable access to an elite education. While the elite education has remained intact, even in-state students should budget $46,008 to cover costs for one year of school. Unfortunately, out-of-state students pay a heavy price of $78,582 to cover the increased tuition. On the bright side, all applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships. Students whose families make under $80,000 will pay no tuition fees, and a total of 38% of students pay nothing out of pocket. Additionally, Berkeley offers over $750 million in aid annually. You can use this net price calculator to learn more about your personal financial expectations.
