Following is information on How to Apply, Application Fees and Fee Waivers, Competitive Admission at Berkeley, Admission as a Freshman, Minimum Eligibility Requirements, Admission as a Transfer Student, Minimum Eligibility Requirements (Transfers), Admission of International Applicants, Readmission, Limited Status, Work Toward a Second Bachelor's Degree

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying to Berkeley, the application is available online at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/download.html. There you will find information on how to apply, admissions policy, fees, scholarship opportunities, and more. You can also download a paper copy of the application packet at the same site. You may apply to as many UC campuses as you wish, using one application form. (The San Francisco campus, which is devoted to the health sciences, has its own application and filing procedures.)

You should be aware of the importance of the priority filing period. We are unable to accept applications after the filing period ends.

Priority Filing Period
Fall semester: File November 1-30

Note: Berkeley does not accept applications for transfer applicants at the freshman or sophomore level, nor for the spring semester. However, we do defer students to the spring semester from the fall applicant pool. For information about application fees and fee waivers, see below; see also Fees and Financial Aid.

Application Fees and Fee Waivers

The basic application fee of $60* entitles you to apply to one University campus. If you apply to more than one campus, you must pay an additional $60* for each campus you select. These fees are not refundable. You must submit your fees with the application or the application will not be processed.

The University will waive application fees for up to four campuses in order to assist students for whom payment is a barrier to application to the University. Students who qualify for fee waivers and who select more than four campuses must pay $60* for each additional choice. For the fee waiver request, please provide your family income and the number of dependents. The fee waiver program is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.

There are several ways to obtain a fee waiver:

1. If you submit an online application through UC Pathways, you can apply for a fee waiver on the electronic form and will be notified immediately if you qualify.

2. If you are in high school, you may use the College Board fee waiver. Applications for this waiver are available from your high school counselors.

3. If you are enrolled in the EOPS program in a California community college, you may obtain a fee waiver from your EOPS office.

Competitive Admission at Berkeley

All programs at Berkeley receive more applications than they can accept. For fall 2007, Berkeley admitted 9,050 of 36,870, or about 25 percent of freshman applicants, and 949 of 4,703, or about 20 percent, of transfer applicants. Consequently, to gain admission to Berkeley, you need to present an academic profile much stronger than that represented by the minimum University of California admission requirements. See here for more information on the selection criteria for the Berkeley campus.

Admission as a Freshman

Berkeley considers you a freshman applicant if you are currently enrolled in the 12th grade or if you have graduated from high school and have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university after high school graduation. If you attended summer session immediately after graduating from high school, you are still a freshman applicant.

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

California Residents†—There are three pathways to satisfying the admission requirements for freshman students: eligibility in the statewide context, eligibility in the local context, and eligibility by examination alone.

Eligibility in the Statewide Context—Eligibility in the statewide context is the pathway by which most students attain UC eligibility. To be eligible in the statewide context, you must satisfy the subject, scholarship, and examination requirements described below.

Subject Requirement

To satisfy this requirement, you must complete the high school courses listed below with a GPA defined by the scholarship requirement. This sequence of courses is also known as the “a-g” requirements. You must take 15 units of high school courses to fulfill the subject requirement, and at least 7 of the 15 units must be taken in your last two years of high school. (A unit is equal to an academic year, or two semesters, of study.)

Applicants from California high schools: To be acceptable to the University of California, the courses must appear on the certified list for your high school as meeting UC admissions requirements. You may view the certified course list at doorways.ucop.edu/list.

a. History/Social Science—Two years required. Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures, and geography.

b. English—Four years required. Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

c. Mathematics—Three years required, four recommended. Three years, including elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may math courses taken in the 7th and 8th grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own courses.

d. Laboratory Science—Two years required, three recommended. Two years of a laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three areas: biology, chemistry, and physics. Laboratory courses in earth/space sciences are acceptable if they have as prerequisites or provide basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, or physics. The final two years of an approved integrated science program can be used to fulfill this requirement.

e. Language Other than English—Two years required, three recommended. Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, and composition. Courses in languages other than English taken in the 7th and 8th grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

f. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA)—One year required. A single, year-long approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.

g. College Preparatory Electives—One year required. One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory-level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

Scholarship Requirement

The Scholarship Requirement defines the grade point average (GPA) you must earn in the "a-g" subjects and the test scores you must achieve to be eligible for admission to UC. The University uses an Eligibility Index—a combination of GPA and test scores—to determine if you meet this requirement.

To determine your eligibility, the University calculates your GPA in the "a-g" subjects by assigning point values to the grades you earn, totaling the points and dividing the total by the number of "a-g" courses. Points are assigned as follows: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, and F=0 points. (Pluses and minuses are not calculated in the GPA.)

Only the grades you earn in "a-g" subjects in the 10th and 11th grades—including summer sessions—are used to calculate your preliminary GPA. Courses you took in ninth grade can be used to meet the Subject Requirement if you earned a grade of C or better, but they will not be used to calculate your GPA.

Honors Courses: For eligibility, the University assigns extra points for up to eight semesters of University-certified honors-level and Advanced Placement courses taken in the last three years of high school: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points. No more than two year-long, UC-approved honors level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. A grade of D in an honors or advanced placement course does not earn extra points.

The courses must be in the following "a-g" subjects: history/social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, language other than English, and visual and performing arts. Also, they must be certified as honors courses by the University. In these subjects, as well as in computer science, acceptable honors-level courses include Advanced Placement courses, Higher Level and designated Standard Level International Baccalaureate courses, and college courses that are transferable to the University.

D and F Grades: If you have earned a D or F in an "a-g" course, you must repeat the course with a grade of C or better in order to apply it toward your Subject Requirement. The original D or F grade will not be included in the GPA calculation, and the new grade will be used. If you repeat a course in which you initially earned a grade of C, the second grade will not be used.

UC Score Total

The University calculates your UC Score Total as follows:

• If you took the SAT Reasoning Test—The University converts your highest scores in critical reading, math, and writing from a single sitting and two SAT Subject Tests from different subject areas to equivalent UC Scores (see translation table here). Then all five UC Scores are added together to produce your UC Score Total (critical reading + math + writing + subject test 1 + subject test 2).

• If you took the ACT plus its Writing exam—The University takes your highest math, reading, science, and combined English/writing score from a single sitting and converts them to equivalent UC scores (see the translation table here). To give the ACT writing component equal weight to the SAT writing exam, the University multiplies the sum of your converted math, reading, and science scores by two-thirds, then adds the converted English/writing score. This subtotal is then added to your two highest SAT Subject Test scores from two different subject areas, which are also converted to equivalent UC Scores, to reach your UC Score Total ([math + reading + science] x 0.667 + English/writing + subject test 1 + subject test 2).

Examination Requirement

You must submit scores from the following tests:

• The ACT Assessment plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test—The critical reading, writing, and mathematics scores on the SAT must be from the same sitting. If you take the ACT, you will be asked to report your scores on each section of the test as well as your composite score.

• Two SAT Subject Tests—These must be in two different areas, chosen from the following: English, history and social studies, mathematics (Level 2 only), science, or language other than English.

Freshman applicants who graduated from high school in spring 2005 or earlier are required to have taken the SAT I (or ACT) and three SAT II: Subject Tests prior to high school graduation.

For information about the tests you must take to fulfill the examination requirement, talk to your school counselor or write to the appropriate testing organization. Berkeley requires you to take these tests by December of your senior year.

Eligibility in the Local Context— Under the Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) pathway, the top four percent of students at each participating California high school are designated UC eligible and guaranteed admission to one of UC's eight general campuses.

To be considered for ELC, you must complete 11 specific units of the subject requirement by the end of your junior year. With the assistance of each participating high school, the University will identify the top four percent of students on the basis of GPA in the required coursework.

The 11 units include 1 unit of history/social science, 3 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 1 unit of laboratory science, 1 unit of language other than English, and 2 units chosen from VPA or other electives.

The University will notify ELC students of their status at the beginning of their senior year. If you are designated UC eligible through ELC, you must submit the University's undergraduate application during the November filing period and complete remaining eligibility requirements—including the subject and examination requirements—to enroll.

ELC students are guaranteed a spot at one of UC's eight undergraduate campuses, though not necessarily at their first-choice campus.

Eligibility by Examination Alone—You may qualify for admission to the University by earning high scores on the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test, and two SAT Subject Tests.

To qualify this way, you must achieve a minimum UC Score Total of 410. In addition, you must earn a minimum UC Score of 63 on each component of the ACT or SAT Reasoning Test and on each SAT Subject Test.

You may not use a SAT Subject Test to meet these requirements if you have completed a transferable college course in that subject with a grade of C or better.

Nonresidents

There are two paths to UC eligibility for nonresidents at the freshman level. The first is the same as described above under Eligibility in the Statewide Context, and the second is the same as described above under Eligibility by Examination Alone, with the following exceptions:

• Scholarship Requirement—Your GPA in the "a-g" subjects must be 3.4 or higher, if you achieve the test score indicated in the Eligibility Index under nonresidents.

• Admission by Examination Alone—To qualify this way, you must achieve a minimum UC Score Total of 425. In addition, you must earn a minimum UC Score of 63 on each component of the ACT or SAT Reasoning Test and on each SAT Subject Test.

Admission as a Transfer Student

Berkeley has a strong commitment to transfer students and has worked hard to develop programs to help students with the transfer process. Following California's Master Plan for Higher Education, Berkeley gives high priority to students transferring from California's community colleges.

Most programs at Berkeley receive applications from far more transfer students than they can accept. For fall 2007 the campus was able to admit 949 of 4,703 transfer applicants, or about 20 percent. Consequently, to be competitive you need to present an academic profile much stronger than that represented by the minimum UC admission requirements and complete preparation for your intended field of study.

In general, Berkeley admits transfer applicants at the junior level only—students who have or will have completed at least 60 UC-transferable semester units. All applicants should complete all required units, major prerequisites, and general education requirements by the end of the preceding spring semester for fall admission.

You can find more information concerning general transfer admission requirements to the University of California system online at universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions. For specific information on preparing to transfer to Berkeley, see the flyer "Transfer Admission" (PDF) and the announcements of the individual colleges and schools. You can also obtain information at admissions.berkeley.edu.

Minimum Admission Requirements for Transfer Students

Requirements for California Residents‡

There are two ways in which you can meet the University's minimum admission requirements for transfer students.

The University considers you a transfer applicant if you enrolled in a regular session at another college or university, except while in high school or summer session immediately following high school. (You can't disregard your college record and apply as a freshman.)

Junior-Level Transfer—The vast majority of transfer students come to the University at the junior level from California community colleges. To be considered for UC admission as a junior, you must fulfill both of the following:

1. Complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit with a GPA of at least 2.4. No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units may be taken passed/not passed.

2. Complete the following course pattern requirements, earning a grade of C or better in each course: Two transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) in English composition; one transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning; four transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: the arts and humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, and the physical and biological sciences. Each course must be worth at least 3 semester units.

If you satisfy the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) prior to transferring to UC, you may satisfy the seven-course pattern outlined above, depending on the courses you take. For more information, visit assist.org.

Requirements for Nonresidents

The minimum admission requirements for nonresident transfer applicants are the same as those for residents except that nonresidents must have a GPA of 2.8 or higher in all transferable college coursework.

Transfers from Other UC Campuses

If you are/were registered on any campus of the University in a regular session (not summer only), you may apply for transfer to another campus of the University by filing the undergraduate application. Filing dates and application fees are the same as those listed for new applicants. Note: Transfer applicants from another UC campus receive no priority in the selection process.

Admission of International Applicants

International students are those holding or intending to apply for nonimmigrant visas. If you wish to apply for admission as an international student, you will find important information about freshman and transfer student admission for international students, foreign academic records, visas, required examinations, fees and expenses, housing, and travel at admissions.berkeley.edu.

Readmission

If you matriculated then formally withdrew from Berkeley, were absent for one or more semesters, or are returning to Berkeley in the Limited Status or Second Bachelor's programs, you must file an Undergraduate Application for Readmission. Application deadlines are June 1 for fall admission and November 1 for spring admission. Applications must be accompanied by a $60 readmission fee. If you attended other colleges or universities while you were away from Berkeley, you must send official transcripts to Berkeley immediately. Additional information is available at admissions.berkeley.edu. (Click on the "Current Applicants" tab, or search Ask Oski, our virtual adviser.)

Limited Status

Limited-status students are a special category of undergraduates who have earned an undergraduate degree with a record of superior scholarship (an overall grade point average of at least 3.3) but need additional undergraduate course work for a specific and clearly defined purpose. Currently only the College of Chemistry will consider admitting students in limited status.

Limited status is granted only in special circumstances; students' needs, abilities, and programs should have enough urgency to justify admitting them in place of students in regular status, and there should be no reasonable alternative available. Use of limited status to enable students to raise their scholarship average is not permitted.

Work Toward a Second Bachelor's Degree

If you are a candidate for a second bachelor's degree, you will be considered for admission only if you need an entirely new major program for a valid educational purpose. Currently only the Colleges of Chemistry and Engineering will consider admitting students for a second bachelor's degree. To apply for this program, you must have earned an undergraduate degree with a record of superior scholarship (an overall GPA of at least 3.3) and must have completed all lower division requirements for your proposed major with excellent grades. Your proposed program must represent a definite change in field from your first undergraduate degree, and you must prove that you require the second degree for the stated purpose. If you need coursework but not a degree in a new field, you should apply for limited status (see above) instead.

In practice, Berkeley admits very few students to the limited status or second bachelor's programs each year. If you are not eligible for the second bachelor's or the limited status programs, you may consider concurrent enrollment through UC Berkeley Extension as an alternative. For more information, call (510) 642-4111.

*The international student (nonimmigrant) application fee for fall 2009 admission is $70.

†Residency status: The definition of legal residence for tuition purposes is different than that for admission purposes. If you have questions about your residency status, go to the Office of the Registrar's web site at registrar.berkeley.edu.

‡Residency status: The requirements for California residents also apply to dependents of University of California employees. The manner in which legal residence is defined for tuition purposes is different than that for admission purposes. If you have questions about your residency status, go to the Office of the Registrar's web site at registrar.berkeley.edu.