What Does it Take to Get Into UC Berkeley?

The University Of California Berkeley Is A School Where Students Can Thrive Both Academically And Culturally…

With a diverse student body that constantly challenges each other to improve, the campus life is energetic and full of Golden Bear pride. Students looking for a public school with a focus on leadership, academics, and serving others will find themselves at home in this historic college.

WHAT YOU’LL FIND IN THIS ARTICLE

• UC Berkeley’s Ideal Student
• What You Need to Get Accepted Into UC Berkeley
• UC Berkeley’s Campus Life
• From Application to Career: What You’ll Experience at UC Berkeley
• Your Future at UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley's Ideal Student

UC Berkeley’s ideal student is one who’s driven to succeed and has an academic track record to prove it. Known for being an extremely selective school, UC Berkeley takes into account a student’s academic performance, test scores, and extracurricular activities. Students looking to attend this prestigious school should focus on displaying a track record of academic and extracurricular success first and foremost.

The scores of your average incoming UC Berkeley freshman look like this:

• GPA: 3.87
• SAT: 1430
• ACT: 32

Like many other institutions, UC Berkeley does not outright state their “minimum” test scores. However, students with academic scores similar to or better than those listed above have the best chances of being accepted into this selective school.

UC Berkeley’s ideal student holds a set of core values that we cover below.

LEADERSHIP

Students at UC Berkeley find themselves knee-deep in a college campus that fosters innovations in leadership. The school focuses on helping students develop the qualities of a good leader above all else. Students are given the tools and resources needed to become effective leaders in their careers.

PERSISTENCE

Ideal UC Berkeley students don’t know the meaning of the word “quit.” Persistence is a key value that UC Berkeley seeks to foster in its students. Ambitious students who aren’t stopped by failure or missteps will find themselves at home among the go-getters that make up this school’s academic foundation.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Students at UC Berkeley study in the diverse Bay Area of California and are encouraged to engage within its vibrant communities. The school prides itself on offering a diverse and inclusive community on campus as well. Students are exposed to a variety of cultures, values, and thoughts on campus and are encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table.

INITIATIVE

The ideal UC Berkeley student doesn’t wait for problems to present themselves to innovate. Students are encouraged to seek answers and solutions by taking the initiative with the issues that matter to them.

WHAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE: UC BERKELEY’S PROGRAMS

UC Berkeley’s academic programs are designed to set their students up for future career success. Known as one of the best public schools in the nation, UC Berkeley offers a wide variety of courses and programs to help students achieve their future goals.

• Economics (Ranked 20th nationally)
• Architecture (Ranked 8th nationally)
• Computer Science (Ranked 17th nationally)
• Economics (Ranked 20th nationally)

IN SUMMARY: UC BERKELEY’S IDEAL STUDENT

UC Berkeley’s ideal student is passionate and driven to succeed, both academically and in all other areas of their lives such as civics and self-development. They show this passion through a strong commitment to their academic performance and their extracurricular activities.

Students at UC Berkeley thrive as leaders for the future rather than followers of the current status quo.

What You Need To Get Accepted Into UC Berkeley

As we’ve already touched upon, UC Berkeley is a very selective school. In 2019, UC Berkley had a 16.8% acceptance rate. Students looking to be accepted into this popular school should set aside the time needed to perfect their applications, essays, and test scores.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA APPLICATION

UC Berkeley requires that students fill out their own application, and does not accept the Common Application or the Coalition Application. This application is available online and UC Berkeley offers students help in completing their application. Students are encouraged to use the comment fields within the application to explain and expand upon their records and achievements.

TEST SCORES

UC Berkeley accepts both the SAT and the ACT. Students are not required to take the written portion of either test. SAT Subject Test scores are no longer required either, however, students must submit all their SAT scores rather than just one.

SELF-REPORTED GRADES

UC Berkeley allows students to honestly self-report their grades on their application rather than turning in their high school transcript. Students who are accepted will then have their self-reported grades checked against their transcript, with differences between the two being taken very seriously. Students must honestly self-report their scores in order to have the highest chance of admission.

APPLICATION FEE OR WAIVER

UC Berkeley requires a non-refundable $70 application fee. However, the school is aware that the cost of applying for college can begin to add up. Therefore, fee waivers are available for students who need assistance.

PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS

UC Berkeley asks that potential students answer a series of “insight questions.”

These questions are designed to help students expand upon their leadership qualities, talents, and values. A student’s response to these questions should be crafted with attention to detail, conciseness, and honesty. Strong answers are those that get to the heart of the question being asked while staying true to who you are a student and a person.

“DO I HAVE A CHANCE?”

UC Berkeley takes a holistic approach to college admissions, so your grades and test scores are not the only factor toward being admitted.

Your academic record and test scores are important to your chances of being admitted to UC Berkeley. However, the school does take into consideration the entirety of a student’s talents, values, and achievements both in and out of school when reviewing applications.

Students looking to increase their chances of being accepted to UC Berkeley should first focus on their academics and test scores. Beyond that, most of a student’s efforts should be focused on creating thoughtful and honest responses to UC Berkeley’s insight questions. Concise and clear responses do much more to boost a student’s chances than convoluted responses that barely relate to a student’s accomplishments and character.

UC Berkeley's Campus Life

UC Berkeley is known for having a diverse and vibrant campus life. Students can split their time between socializing in the dorms, cheering on the Golden Bears, and indulging in the campus’ plethora of food options. Students looking to feel at home at a large public school will find themselves in the right place at UC Berkeley.

CAMPUS

UC Berkeley’s campus thrives in the greater San Francisco Bay area. There are a plethora of liberal arts, humanities events, and attractions on campus. The campus even features a 34-acre botanical garden open to the public. In addition, the historic California Memorial Stadium hosts a large number of Golden Bear games.

GREEK LIFE

Students eager to take on Greek life won’t be disappointed by what UC Berkeley has to offer. 10% of men and 10% of women that attend UC Berkeley are involved in the thriving Greek life on campus. The campus boasts 33 different chapters that promote leadership, academic growth, social involvement, and charity opportunities.

SPORTS AND ORGANIZATIONS

From volunteer opportunities to a student-run newspaper, UC Berkeley has a wide range of student organizations to get involved in on campus. Recreational sports and sport teams exist for those inclined to represent the Golden Bears outside of varsity sports. The diverse campus is home to more than 1,000 registered student groups.

For students looking to represent the Golden Bears on the varsity level, UC Berkeley has a large number of teams to be a part of. From men’s golf to women’s softball, there’s more to the Golden Bears than just the well-known football team.

HOUSING, FOOD, AND TRANSPORTATION

UC Berkeley offers a range of housing options almost as diverse as its student body. Between traditional dorm rooms, off-campus affiliated rentals, and themed houses, there is a great environment for every student. To put it in perspective, nearly 96% of freshmen live on campus for their first year, even though it’s not required.

UC Berkeley also offers a huge selection of food options for its students. From regular college cafeteria fare to sustainable healthy options, there’s a meal option on campus for even the pickiest of eaters.

Though students may want to bring their own car to campus, there’s plenty of public transportation available to those who don’t. Due to San Francisco's generally warm and sunny climate, a large portion of students bring bikes to get around UC Berkeley’s sprawling campus.

THE 4.0 BALL

UC Berkeley is a school full of unique and interesting traditions. A relatively new tradition among UC Berkeley students surrounds the old stone ball in front of the Campanile. Students have begun to refer to this stone as the “4.0 ball” and say that rubbing it before taking an exam will bring a student good luck.

From Application To Career: What You'll Experience At UC Berkeley

Getting yourself ready to apply to UC Berkeley is only the beginning of the exciting experiences that await the incoming UC Berkeley freshman. Through a diverse and competitive student body, UC Berkeley has a flourishing campus culture of hard work and integrity. Those looking to become a new member of this diverse student body should go beyond the pamphlets to see the real UC Berkeley experience.

YOUR APPLICATION

UC Berkeley’s application allows you to self-report your own grades rather than tracking down more paperwork. You should take the time this frees up to focus on perfecting your list of extracurricular activities and sharpening your personal question responses. However, make sure you emphasis your strong commitment to academics and your consistent academic record throughout your application.

YOUR ESSAY

Your answers to the personal insight questions are an essential part of your application to UC Berkeley. Remember that the best response is both honest and concise. Keep your responses personal. Avoid the urge to tie overarching social issues into your responses unless they’ve truly affected you.

YOUR COLLEGE YEARS

UC Berkeley provides a high-quality education at the same time they provide the big school atmosphere. You’ll enjoy countless activities, concerts, and sporting events while pursuing challenging academic courses throughout your years at this historic college.

YOUR CAREER

Graduates from UC Berkeley find themselves among some alumni with big names, like Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, actor Chris Pine, and journalist Nicole Wallace.

A UC Berkeley education can set students on the path toward a variety of careers, such as:

• Software Engineering
• Education
• Financial Analysing
• Product Marketing
• Recruiting
• Research

Your Future At UC Berkeley

The University of California Berkeley is known for being a big school with an even bigger heart. Students are given the encouragement, resources, and education they need to succeed in their future careers. Together, students work to push each other into new levels of leadership and teamwork.

As one of the more popular public school options, UC Berkeley is selective in its admissions. However, the stringent application process is well worth the unique experience offered by one of the most diverse campuses in the country.

Thankfully, WeAdmit counselors can help students craft the perfect UC Berkeley application and insight responses. Our team of experienced counselors knows how to showcase your values, talents, and leadership skills effectively throughout the competitive application process, so get in touch if you’re ready to become a Golden Bear! We’d love to help bring you one step closer to your dream college.

Grab Yourself Some Blue And Gold Swag, Because It’s Time To Apply For UC Berkeley!