UC Berkeley Application: Turn Your UC Dream Into A Reality!

With an exceptional academic history spanning more than a century, a diverse student population, and a world-class faculty, UC Berkeley has it all! Situated about 20 minutes east of the city of San Francisco, UC Berkeley is home to several well-regarded schools, including the Haas School of Business, the School of Law, and the Graduate School of Journalism. With this in mind, are you interested in being a UC Berkeley student? Furthermore, let's pave your way toward success by having a look at the UC Berkeley application!

UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate 

In the latest admissions cycle, UC Berkeley received 128,196 applications and accepted around 15,000 students. Furthermore, this brought its acceptance rate to just below 12%. Let's have a look at the UC Berkeley admissions statistics for the last five years:

UC Berkeley Application 

Your UC Berkeley application starts by filling out the UC application, a centralized online system for applying to UC schools. Moreover, through this application, you can apply to as many of the ten University of California campuses as you like. Furthermore, for every application you submit, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of $80. 

The application timeline for University of California applicants is as follows:

Test Scores

Recently, standardized test scores such as the SAT and ACT were not considered for scholarship and admission decisions. Of course, you can still submit your test scores if you want to; the scores can be used for course placement or subject credit purposes once you are enrolled at UC Berkeley. Nevertheless, UCs don't consider test scores for admission at all.

As an international student, you will also need to submit English proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. You can also state whether you intend to take these tests in the future if you have not taken them yet. 

Activities & Awards

As part of your UC Berkeley application, you will also need to discuss your extracurricular activities and any achievements you have made outside the classroom. There are different types of activities that you can include, such as: 

• An award or honor
• An educational preparation program
• Other coursework
• Volunteering or community service 
• Work experience

UC Berkeley Essays

When it comes to the University of California Personal Insight questions, you will have eight questions to choose from. You will only submit four short essays, no longer than 350 words each. Moreover, these essays are your chance to tell the story of who you are and who you hope to become. Furthermore, it is a vital part of the UC Berkeley application process, as your responses will help the admissions officers determine whether or not you would be a good fit at Berkeley. 

Check out these Personal Insight questions you can  choose from when applying to UC Berkeley:

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.  
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem-solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistic, to name a few. Also, describe how you express your creative side.  
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? Also, how have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?  
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. Also, how has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Also, describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. 
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?  
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admission to the University of California?

Conclusion

If you are second-guessing whether you should apply to UC Berkeley, keep in mind that it's completely normal! Before submitting your application, think about what you hope to gain from your time at UC Berkeley and what your life would look like on campus. Don't let your doubts prevent you from taking advantage of the opportunities that UC Berkeley has to offer.

Thinking of getting started with your UC Berkeley application? Prepare yourself through an initial consultation with ALL-in!

What we can do for you:

1. Maximize your university entrance preparation with Admission Mentoring.
2. Explore your interests and dive into different industries through Career Exploration.
3. Improve your grades and knowledge through Academic Tutoring.
4. Sharpen your top university preparation with SAT/ACT Prep Class.

Let's #TakeOnYourFuture with ALL-in Eduspace! Remember, #itsALLintheprep!