Early EECS Acceptance - Confused

So I got in early for EECS, but no Regents or anything like that. So why did I get accepted early? What was the point? Btw I hope this doesn’t sound salty, I’m actually super super excited and I wasn’t even expecting to get in! I’m just curious as to why I got in early if it wasn’t for anything other than “you’re in!”

Berkeley likes to let its top 2000 applicants know they are accepted early so they don’t have to wait until the end of March to find out. Some of the 2000 are invited to apply for the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship, so the early notification allows them time to arrange for completing the application and arranging for the interview. I think that Berkeley believes that the ones who do not get the Regents’ notification may give Berkeley more consideration and may have more excitement about it because they were notified early.

@sneharams There was some confusion regarding also receiving invitation for Regents from other early admits as well. I believe they noticed later that the links to schedule Regents interviews were actually at the bottom of the early admission notification in the portal. Did you check the bottom for those links?

@Banker1 Yeah I checked and no links, but I don’t really mind. I’m one of the lucky few who don’t have to worry about tuition and scholarships. So this means I’m in the top 2000 applicants? That’s so strange, I didn’t even think I’d get in!

They let people know early so they give it more consideration. There are many kids that start bonding with another school so that by the time March 30th rolls around (that is very late for schools to notify, many do it earlier in March) they have moved on from the idea of UC Berkeley. It is easier to love the great school that loves you first.

If you don’t mind me asking, what was your application like?

@BunnyBlue Do you/anyone know about how many of the 2000 got the Regents invite? I received it and would like to know how stiff the competition is, statistically-speaking.

@pratik98 Nothing spectacular. 4.87 gpa (idk my my UC gpa), 34 act composite, 800 math II, 780 physics, pretty good extra-curriculars. I’m a female also which could have helped idk.

It is just like likely letters from other universities. Even if Berkeley did not have regents, they would still do this early admit thing. All the ivies use the likely letter and stanford, there is no reason to think berkeley, a top university, would not adapt the same policies. It is just a coincidence that regents is available , even without regents, berkeley will still likely admit applicants early.

@sneharams Btw, congrats. in state or oos? if oos, which state.

@driven280 Sorry I don’t know how many got the invites. Anyway, congratulations and good luck with Regents and the many other offers you will likely get!

@Desiree2 Thanks! I’m oos - Ohio

I think not all early notifications are for RCS candidates. As @CADREAMIN puts its (perfectly), Cal wants to be in your consideration set, not an afterthought. Trust me, if they notified you early, they definitely want you to attend.