<p>Need to get my air tickets done ASAP; Intl applicant. When do I need to reach Cal ?</p>
<p>You can check this out: [UC</a> Berkeley Registrar : 2008-2009 Student Calendar](<a href=“http://registrar.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/stucal.html]UC”>http://registrar.berkeley.edu/GeneralInfo/stucal.html)</p>
<p>Aug 21 is when the residence halls open and when Welcome Week starts. School doesn’t officially start until Aug 27. So, I would suggest that in between that time, you should fly over. If you want to enjoy all of Welcome Week, Aug 21 would the date to arrive.</p>
<p>According to the Living at Cal website, move in days are the 23rd and 24th!</p>
<p>[Living</a> at Cal - Welcome to Cal](<a href=“http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/welcome_to_cal.html]Living”>http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/welcome_to_cal.html)</p>
<p>Not sure if Internationals have a different deadline, but probably worth getting this correct before buying a nonrefundable ticket.</p>
<p>International orientation does take place on the 16th. It would probably be a good idea to come for that. However, that does mean that you’ll have to find a hotel of some sort to stay in until move-in day. Join the 2012 facebook group, there’re lots of internationals on there, who’re asking similar questions.</p>
<p>Also, I’m not 100% sure about this, but it may be better to fly into San Francisco (SFO) than Oakland, because BART has an SFO station, but does not directly connect to Oakland (Berkeley is right next to the downtown Berkeley BART station).</p>
<p>Additionally, if you’re going to be traveling alone, or even if you’re with family, if it’s your first time in the US, I’d advise booking a door-to-door shuttle. If you’ll have large amounts of luggage with you then BART can be iffy.</p>
<p>BART has a system for getting from the Oakland Airport (OAK) to the BART train – it’s called AirBART, and it’s just $3 and a 15 minute bus ride to the station.</p>
<p>If you find a significant difference in prices, do know that OAK is just as viable as SFO. I have flown through OAK for 95% of my trips to/from Berkeley.</p>
<p>PLEASE make sure to call the Admissions Office and confirm orientation and housing dates for International students. They will be more than happy to give you 100% accurate information for your particular situation.</p>
<p>You can also call the Berkeley International Office (the admissions office will probably refer you to them anyway) at (510) 642-2818 to get full details. You should see them appear on your myBerkeleyApp anyway.</p>
<p>20Legend, I would advise flying into SFO as well. If you’re flying international, then I think SFO is usually cheaper. If you’re domestic, then OAK is usually cheaper.</p>