I’ve had about 5 interviews so far, but never was I this nervous for Berkeley. I mean, its not a question of whether I’ll be accepted, but the perks for regents is very enticing and the interview is gonna hold a lot of weight.
Anything I should expect for the interview? I know they’re going to ask me “Why cal”? question, but what else should I expect?. I have the interview this weekend in San Diego.
Does the interview hold all of the weight from now on for prospective scholars or do they look back at your UC application and letters of rec when deciding who gets regents?
@Defeat: Good luck on your interview. Please give us an update on how it went. Thanks!
Same boat!! I’ll see you there!
My son interviewed 3 years ago (in LA). We got there, they welcomed us, gave him an “admitted” button, there was a table with desserts, water, lemonade, etc… We sat at a table with other interviewees and a current Berkeley student. A few members of the Cal Parents group were there answering questions. The professor came into the room and called my son’s name and they went somewhere else for the one on one interview. The professor was really nice and personable. I think they talked for about 20 minutes. My son said it was very comfortable. I think he was asked about some of my son’s extracurriculars in high school and what clubs he thought he might join at Cal. I think the difference between the other interviews he had was that instead of interviewing with an alumni, it was an interview with a professor. Just be yourself and you will do great.
@Defeat - didja feel less “Defeated”? How did it go?! 
My dd interviewed last year and the interview is pretty low key. My sense is that it is a final screening and they have a good idea of the scholars going into it. Be relaxed and share what makes you tick.
Thanks, livinProof. I’m a parent, kinda wondering if it’s worth driving a couple hours for an interview when it’s said not to be required anyway. I knew nothing at all about this award prior to a couple days ago. But I’m guessing the interview is valuable if you wish to receive the award? It’s not clear to me at all what’s going on with offering interviews and then saying they’re not mandatory? Odd…
Is the whole process in some part a function of the high school you attend as well? that is do you think they manage how many of these grants go to different schools, spread them out as it were? And all the inverse implications that go along with that (e.g., someone said to my kid “oh, if you’d gone to … you wouldn’t have been offered the award”… so hurtful but is there any grain of truth in that?)
If you can go to the interview I would recommend it. The year my son interviewed two boys from his school were invited to interview. My son interviewed and the other boy did not (he had a drama production that weekend). My son got the scholarship and the other boy did not. For us, going to the interview got us in the “Cal spirit” and was definitely an influential factor in my son’s eventual decision to go to Cal. Also, getting the scholarship has some great perks. The best being able to enroll in classes before everyone else. I am not under the impression that they “spread out the awards”. Although applicants are considered in their local context for admission.
Thanks, tx5 - that all “feels” right, unfortunately. I’m sorry for the boy with commitments! Do they consider this again next year for him or is it a one-shot deal? I agree the preferential class-enrollment seems quite valuable. It does seem a really, really big school. Kinda daunting.
I am pretty sure it is a one-shot deal, and in order to keep the scholarship you have to maintain a 3.0 GPA.To be honest, the other boy had commitments, but the interviews were Saturday and Sunday, and the play was Friday and Saturday, so if he had wanted to, he could have gone on Sunday. Also, there was a girl at our table who had a play in the evening and she was there in the early afternoon.
Also, my son interviewed in Los Angeles, but did the Regents sleep-over at Cal Day, which he enjoyed.
Thanks! Why won’t they enable interviews in conjunction with the sleep-over? (I know, you’re not in charge, but I’m just venting – it seems silly).
The sleep-over he went to was in April, after decisions about the scholarship had already been raised. I think they have the option of interviewing on campus and they have (or at least used to have) a sleepover option.
Cal was not really high on my dd’s radar until getting the interview and then the ROHP moved it up to #1. She really had a good time with it and could picture herself at Cal after that. She is absolutely loving the school so far. Yes, the priority registration is great, but it is limited to 10 units I believe. The remainder are from the second round of reg.
Thanks for the experiences. The school really hasn’t been high on dd’s radar either but gosh, it’s not as if this is chopped liver!? And it is cheaper than OOS/private so… Seems given this honor it’s well worth reconsidering. I’m looking forward to the trip; I’ll sleep over with friends! Very fun…
The scholarship is $2500/yr but also comes with a guarantee to meet full need, so for us the scholarship put Cal on par with all those wealthy no merit/full need schools back east. They did meet our full need.
Sorry for the late update. I had my interview on Sunday and it went very well! My interviewer was a bioengineering professor and I was most worried that he would ask a technical question, but he mostly talked about my essays. The whole experience was fun and it was very exciting to talk with other prospective scholars. My advice is not to stress out like I did… For attire, some guys wore tuxedos and girls, dresses. Some wore casual clothing (like I did).
Thanks for the update @Defeat! Tuxedos?! Wow! My interview is this Friday combine with the Regents sleepover.
@SD2020 Just go casual. The interview is literally the most relaxed thing ever.
@Defeat How long was the interview?