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UC Berkeley Admissions Information

University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA (map)

 

UC Berkeley is renowned for its strong academic programs and talented, diverse student body. Combining a mild California climate with excellence in academia, Berkeley was ranked the #1 public university in the country by U.S. News and World Report. Founded in 1868 across the bay from San Francisco, Berkeley is oldest of the ten universities in the University of California system, making it the flagship of UC campuses. With a rich history most notably remembered for its link to protests of the 1960s, Berkeley certainly encourages dynamic minds. The school fosters a tight-knit feel for its otherwise large student body by guaranteeing housing for students’ first two years, encouraging a community experience within a larger setting. The University has produced a number of distinguished alumni including Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, and Olympic athletes.

As a result of its larger student body, Berkeley’s extracurricular opportunities represent a vast range of interests–the school offers organizations ranging from a thriving Greek life to a hand gliding club, and everything in between. In fact, there are more than 700 registered clubs and organizations in which students may become involved. Furthermore, the school’s location in downtown Berkeley encourages a cultural experience both within the immediate city and in San Francisco, which is just twenty minutes away from campus.

 

 

Basic Info

Main Address: 110 Sproul Hall

Berkeley, CA 94720
 
Phone Number: (510) 642-6000  
Website: www.berkeley.edu  

Characteristics

Type of school: Public, university  
Type of school: Co-ed  
Setting: Urban  
Athletics: Division I, Club, and Intramural Sports  
Degrees offered: Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral  
Size of undergraduate student body: 25,530  
Percent out-of-state: 8%  
Percent international: 5.49%  
Female to Male ratio: 55:45  

Academic Life

Student to Professor ratio: 15:1  
Most popular majors: Social Sciences
Biology
Engineering
English
Business/Marketing
Interdisciplinary Studies
Psychology
 
Special study programs: Accelerated Program
Cross-Registration
Double Major
Dual Enrollment of High School Students
ESL
Honors Program
Independent Study
Internships
ROTC (Air Force, Army, Navy)
Student-Designed Major
Study Abroad
Teacher Certification
Visiting/Exchange Student Program
 

Campus Life

Housing options:
Coed Housing
Women's Housing
Apartments For Single Students
Fraternity/Sorority Housing
Special Housing For International Students
Men's Housing
Apartments For Married Students
Cooperative Housing
Special Housing For Disabled Students
Activities:
Choral Groups
Dance
Film Societies
International Students
Literary Magazine
Model U.N.
Musical Theater
Radio Station
Student Government
Symphony Orchestra
Yearbook
Concert Band
Drama
Fraternities
Jazz Band
Marching Band
Music Ensembles
Pep Band
Sororities
Student Newspaper
Television Station

Fun Facts

  • Best Western Colleges
  • Best Value Colleges-Public
 

Admissions Information

With an acceptance rate of 22%, UC Berkeley is one of the most selective universities in the country. Because it is a public university, the vast majority of applications come from within the state of California, though this fact indicates an equally high level of competition for residents from in the state and out. Berkeley places a strong emphasis on an applicant's academic record and essays, so advisors encourage that an application highlights the applicant's extracurricular strengths and talents as well as academic ones.

University officials emphasize that the most important criteria in evaluating student applications are the personal statements, rigor of the secondary school record, academic GPA, and whether he or she is a California resident. Followed by these factors, extracurricular activities, character and personal qualities, standardized test scores, talent, and volunteer and work experience are closely examined. Lastly, factors such as geographical residence and whether you are a first generation college student are also taken into consideration.

Admissions address: 110 Sproul Hall, #5800
Berkeley, CA 94720-5800
 
Phone number: (510) 642-3175  
Fax number: (510) 642-7333  
Admissions Website: https://admissions.berkeley.edu/  
Email: berkeleyinfo@berkeley.edu  
Contact Person: Walter Robinson  
Number of first-year applications received: 48,465  
Percent of applicants admitted: 22%  

Application Information

Regular application deadline: 11/30  
Early decision/action deadline: N/A  
Accepts the Common Application? No  
Admission requirements: Essay(s)
Standardized test scores
Academic transcript
 

Application Information

Standardized test scores required? SAT Reasoning Test and 2 SAT Subject Tests; or ACT with Writing.  
Policy regarding SAT score-use: All SAT scores required for review.  
 
Middle 50% Scores

Low


Average


High
% Who Submitted Scores
SAT Critical Reading
590
650
710
98%
SAT Math
640
700
760
98%
SAT Writing
610
665
720
98%
ACT Composite
 
 
 
 

 
College Board code: 4833  
ACT code: 0444  
Learn more about other UC System schools:
UC San Diego   UC Santa Barbara   UC Irvine  

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