***UC Berkeley Class of 2020 Applicant Discussion***

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

So I saw the 2019 applicant discussion thread, and I thought I should create one for this year’s (2015-16) applicants…
Please input any topics, comments, questions and the like about UC Berkeley, best of luck to all :slight_smile:

Application process period: Nov. 1 - Nov. 30;
Acceptance period: late March 2016;
UC Berkeley website: http://www.berkeley.edu;

2

Which universities other than Berkeley are you applying to?

3

@AdaezeU In addition to Berkeley, I’m applying to UCLA, and maybe UCSD as well.

4

Anyone know how I’d go about double majoring

5

@treker205 but which is your first choice? mine is UCLA

6

@LordBendtner I believe during the orientation, you can discuss it with your counselor when planning classes

7

I have a question about the recommendation letters- how will Berkeley select applicants to request them from? I know that they send out supplements to around 6% of them and I’m really hoping to receive a request for recommendation letters

8

What are your act scores?

9

@stehyh from what I have heard, they send it to people who are borderline and people who tend to have lower scores

10

What are the main criterion that UCB looks at

11

@ibandcollege:
All applications are read in their entirety by professionally trained readers. That means, we review each application in its entirety, word by word, page by page. Many applications are read two or even three times.

This is an important concept to consider when you complete your application. One way to think of this is that we virtually hug your application—that is how closely we scrutinize what you submit.

The admission holistic review reflects our readers’ thoughtful consideration of the full spectrum of the applicant’s qualifications, based on all evidence provided in the application, and viewed in the context of the applicant’s academic and personal circumstances and the overall strength of the Berkeley applicant pool. Using a broad concept of merit, readers employ the following criteria which carry no pre-assigned weights:

  1. The applicant’s full record of achievement in college preparatory work in high school, including the number and rigor of courses taken and grades earned in those courses.
  2. Personal qualities of the applicant, including leadership ability, character, motivation, insight, tenacity, initiative, originality, intellectual independence, responsibility, maturity, and demonstrated concern for others and for the community are considered.
  3. Likely contributions to the intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus. In addition to a broad range of intellectual interests and achievements, admission readers seek diversity in personal background and experience.
  4. Performance on standardized tests, the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Assessment plus Writing Test. In addition, any Advanced Placement or IBHL examinations the applicant may have taken will be considered.
  5. Achievement in academic enrichment programs, including but not limited to those sponsored by the University of California. This criterion is measured by time and depth of participation, by the academic progress made by the applicant during that participation, and by the intellectual rigor of the particular program.
  6. Other evidence of achievement. This criterion recognizes exemplary, sustained achievement in any field of intellectual or creative endeavor; accomplishments in extracurricular activities such as the performing arts or athletics; leadership in school or community organizations; employment; and volunteer service.

Race, ethnicity, gender, and religion are excluded from the criteria.

All achievements, both academic and nonacademic, are considered in the context of the opportunities an applicant has had, and the reader’s assessment is based on how fully the applicant has taken advantage of those opportunities. For an applicant who has faced any hardships or unusual circumstances, readers consider the maturity, determination and insight with which the applicant has responded to and/or overcome them. Readers also consider other contextual factors that bear directly upon the applicant’s achievement, including linguistic background, parental education level, and other indicators of support available in the home.

The review recognizes a wide range of talent and creativity that is not necessarily reflected in traditional measures of academic achievement but which, in the judgment of the reader, is a positive indicator of the student’s ability to succeed at Berkeley and beyond.

Selection

UC Berkeley is among the more selective universities in the country, becoming more competitive each year. Due to student demand, selectivity varies among Colleges, and—in the College of Engineering—among majors; for example, it is more difficult to gain admission to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences major than to the Mechanical Engineering major.

For applications to the College of Letters and Science and Natural Resources no consideration is given to the indicated major in the review process. However, for the professional colleges of Chemistry, Environmental Design, and Engineering demonstrated interest in the major is also taken into consideration. Furthermore, in the colleges of Chemistry and Engineering, Berkeley faculty in these disciplines have asked that readers place added emphasis on sustained achievement in mathematics and science, and have indicated a preference that these applicants take the Math Level 2 SAT Subject Test and a science test (Biology, Chemistry or Physics) that is closely related to the applicant’s intended major.

About Transcripts and Portfolios

As part of the UC application process, UC Berkeley and other UC campuses do not ask applicants for transcripts, portfolios, or other supporting documents. Applicants are expected to self-report their grades from their own transcripts, honestly and accurately. If a student is admitted and enrolled, the official transcripts are checked against what the student reported in the application. Any discrepancies can result in cancellation of enrollment.

When it comes to other supporting materials - such as art portfolios, resumes, etc. - UC Berkeley does not consider these during the application review. We expect the reported grades, test scores, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and additional comments to give us the full picture of a student’s experience and aspirations. This is why it is so important to answer each section of the application thoughtfully and thoroughly

12

@AdaezeU my top choice is Berkeley, but it seems that it might be too difficult to get into with my scores. I’ll be aiming for either UCLA or Berkeley, I’d be willing to attend either. :slight_smile:

13

@stehyh @crossovercuber I believe there are supplementaries for different criteria, like special talents, disabilties, and borderline qualification

14

Question about SAT scores:

I know Berkeley does not superscore but should we still send in all SAT scores? I would prefer this since I scored a 800 on writing the first time I took it, but that day was not my highest sitting. The second time I scored higher compositely but did not get an 800 in writing.

15

@Kasami from what I know, Berkeley requires all SAT scores to be sent in. They will look at the highest single sitting score however.

16

@treker205 should we send in BOTH ACT and SAT scores then?

17

Hi! International applicant to Berkeley EECS here.

My stats: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18942626#Comment_18942626 (If at all anybody is interested :-p )

Still working on one of my prompts

18

@stehyh I believe they only require one or the other, but you can send in both.

19

Does anybody know where/when it says if they received my ACT scores? I’ve already submitted the scores and my application.

20

This is not really related to Berkeley specifically, but is it true that the UC essays shouldn’t be on the creative side (creative writing)?