The UC Berkeley acceptance rate is roughly 10–12%, making it one of the country’s toughest public universities to get into. Competition depends heavily on your intended major. Programs in engineering, computer science, business, and biological sciences often admit fewer than 5–10% of applicants, while humanities and social sciences tend to be more accessible. Berkeley is test-free, so SAT and ACT scores are not considered. Instead, GPA and course rigor matter most—successful applicants typically hold UC GPAs in the 4.1–4.3 range with strong performance in advanced coursework.

Essays, known as Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), play a significant role. Berkeley values students who demonstrate curiosity, initiative, leadership, and authentic personal growth. Out-of-state and international applicants face additional competition due to fewer reserved seats, often seeing acceptance rates below the campus average.

To improve your chances, focus on academic excellence, take challenging courses, write PIQs that reveal depth and character, and build extracurricular involvement that shows commitment rather than quantity. Berkeley’s holistic review rewards genuine impact over resume padding. With intention and preparation, students can stand out—even in a highly selective applicant pool.

What Is the UC Berkeley Acceptance Rate?

The acceptance rate for the University of California, Berkeley hovers around 10–11%, depending on the admissions cycle, the applicant pool, and fluctuating institutional targets. That number, small enough to make the bravest students exhale, immediately answers the question students search for: yes, UC Berkeley is objectively one of the hardest universities in the United States to enter. The moment a student types “UC Berkeley acceptance rate” into a search bar, they are really asking something deeper: Do I stand a chance? Is the door already shut before I knock? And that’s where the truth must come in softly but firmly. The door isn’t closed—Berkeley simply guards it with the seriousness of an institution that has carried academic rigor across generations. That 10% isn’t a wall; it’s an invitation to rise a little higher, to steady yourself, and to understand how this university sees the world.

To understand why UC Berkeley’s acceptance rate is so low, you have to slip past surface-level numbers and enter the long corridor of its history. Berkeley is not just another elite school; it’s the beating heart of California’s intellectual identity. A public university with the soul of an ancient academy, Berkeley has spent decades proving that publicly funded education can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s most powerful private institutions. This mandate—this stubborn belief in excellence—creates a pressure cooker where applications skyrocket and seats remain limited. Each year, more than 125,000 students try to enter Berkeley, far more than most Ivy League schools receive. And because Berkeley does not artificially inflate its freshman class to play the rankings game, the acceptance rate remains low, steady, and brutally honest.

The modern applicant also collides with something older: tradition. Berkeley has long been the crucible for ideas that demanded courage—civil rights movements, free speech revolutions, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural shifts that shaped entire decades. Students who apply today inherit the weight of that legacy. The admissions rate, therefore, reflects more than competition; it reflects the university’s commitment to choosing students who can shoulder that tradition responsibly. The bar is high not because Berkeley is unfriendly, but because it takes itself—and the future of its students—seriously. The low acceptance rate is simply the numerical shadow cast by a colossal academic reputation.

Behind every acceptance rate is an unspoken expectation. Berkeley’s seems to say: Show me that you’re ready to think deeply, argue responsibly, and create boldly. High school transcripts alone won’t do it. Perfect grades may open the door a crack, but Berkeley wants thinkers who see the world as a puzzle worth solving. This is precisely why the acceptance rate feels daunting: it signals a holistic admissions process that values curiosity as much as test scores, impact as much as intelligence, resilience as much as talent. Berkeley knows the world punishes shallow ambition; therefore, it seeks students who stand firm in the face of complexity.

So when a student reads that UC Berkeley accepts only 10 out of every 100 applicants, the number can feel intimidating. But there’s something almost comforting about it, too. It’s a reminder that the challenge is evenly shared—that nobody gets in easily, no matter where they come from or how polished their résumé is. This democratization of difficulty is part of what makes Berkeley feel noble, almost old-fashioned, in a good way. It doesn’t chase prestige; it upholds it. And the acceptance rate is the quiet keeper of that standard.

Why UC Berkeley Is So Competitive

The first force tightening Berkeley’s acceptance rate is volume. The university receives more applications than Stanford, Yale, Princeton, and MIT combined on some cycles. This flooding of interest isn’t random—it’s rooted in Berkeley’s reputation as the most selective public university in the United States. Students from every corner of the world look to Berkeley as the rare middle ground between affordability (compared to Ivy League institutions), global prestige, and an academic culture steeped in research excellence. When this many students crowd the same door, the acceptance rate naturally falls, not because Berkeley wishes to shut students out but because it cannot physically accommodate everyone seeking entry. Berkeley remains selective partly because demand keeps rising faster than the university can expand.

The second force is Berkeley’s position in the University of California system. Unlike the private schools of the Ivy League, Berkeley has a solemn obligation to California residents. State law, funding structures, and UC Board of Regents policies impose enrollment caps and residency targets that prioritize Californians but also restrict how many out-of-state and international students may be admitted. This creates an internal tension: Berkeley wants to remain globally diverse and intellectually dynamic, yet it must stay loyal to its founding mission. As a result, certain applicant groups face even lower acceptance rates than the published overall figure. International students, for example, often see acceptance rates closer to 7–8%, simply because of limited seat allocation. These structural pressures shape selectivity more than people realize.

Third, Berkeley’s competitive nature comes from something intangible: the culture of excellence embedded in its academic departments. Berkeley houses programs that dominate not just national rankings but global ones—computer science, electrical engineering, economics, environmental science, political science, cognitive science, data science, and more. Some of these programs are so selective that entering them feels like entering a small private college inside the larger university. Berkeley’s College of Engineering, for example, frequently posts acceptance rates around 5%. The Haas School of Business (undergraduate) is infamous for being impossible to enter as a freshman because students must apply as sophomores. The point is clear: Berkeley isn’t uniformly selective; it’s hyper-selective in the programs that define its legacy.

Another factor shaping the acceptance rate is Berkeley’s identity as a research powerhouse. Students don’t just attend classes—they participate in the creation of knowledge. Berkeley operates hundreds of labs, partnerships with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and vast interdisciplinary projects that push scientific boundaries. Research universities operate differently; they look for students who are not merely academically excellent but intellectually restless, capable of tackling complexity without flinching. These expectations tighten the selection criteria, filtering applicants through a lens that many high schools do not prepare them for. The low acceptance rate becomes the natural outcome of an institution that seeks scholars rather than mere high achievers.

Finally, Berkeley’s competitiveness must be understood through its global footprint. It is consistently ranked alongside Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, and Stanford—not as a humble public institution but as a titan. This means every ambitious student, whether in Lagos, Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Seoul, or Sydney, sees Berkeley as a golden ticket. International interest alone lowers the acceptance rate dramatically. For many families, Berkeley represents the promise of an elite education without the elitist price tag, and the university’s fame in fields like computer science only intensifies the race. The acceptance rate doesn’t fall because the university wishes to intimidate applicants; it falls because the world sees Berkeley as a place where great minds sharpen themselves.

In-State vs Out-of-State vs International Acceptance Rates

The story becomes far more interesting once you break down Berkeley’s acceptance rate by residency category. Students often assume the 10–11% figure applies equally to everyone, but that isn’t the case. California residents generally enjoy acceptance rates closer to 14–17%, depending on the year and the specific academic division. These numbers reflect Berkeley’s responsibility to the state. The university was built for Californians first, and while it welcomes the world, it cannot ignore its founding mandate. This slight advantage doesn’t mean California residents have an easy path; it only means they compete in a different pool. Excellence is still required, but the doors aren’t as tightly locked.

Out-of-state applicants face acceptance rates that often land between 8–11%. These students are evaluated through a more competitive lens because Berkeley receives thousands of applications from high-achieving students across the United States. Many come from top-tier high schools, rigorous STEM programs, and competitive academic environments, creating an applicant pool that narrows itself before the admissions officers even look at transcripts. Berkeley also must balance state-funded priorities, which limits how many non-residents it can enroll. Out-of-state students make up an important minority, but they do not benefit from the additional flexibility that California residents enjoy.

For international students, the acceptance rate typically falls to 7–8%, and in some cycles even lower. This doesn’t reflect a lack of desire to admit international students; the university deeply values global diversity. Instead, it’s the mathematical reality of caps, demand, and limited space. International applicants also tend to apply to the most competitive majors—computer science, engineering, economics—which drags their acceptance rates down even further. A student applying to the College of Engineering from abroad may unknowingly face odds closer to 3–5%. These numbers aren’t meant to discourage anyone but to give a clear picture of the competition. Berkeley is a global magnet, and the university must select carefully.

It’s important to understand how these internal pools shape the admissions landscape. Each category—in-state, out-of-state, and international—competes within itself. A Californian is not directly competing with a student from India or Canada. The pools don’t operate like a single basket; they function like parallel admissions tracks with different expectations and targets. This is why students sometimes misunderstand the acceptance rate numbers. They imagine everyone fighting in the same arena, when in reality Berkeley evaluates students against peers with similar educational backgrounds and residency statuses. This adds fairness to the system, but it also intensifies competition within each group.

Despite these differences, one truth remains steady: everybody’s road to Berkeley is difficult. Even if in-state students have marginally higher acceptance rates, the university still demands excellence. Out-of-state and international students face tougher odds but often bring global perspectives that Berkeley treasures. The acceptance rate only tells part of the story. The deeper reality is that Berkeley seeks students who match its academic culture—individuals who think broadly, question confidently, and stand firm when confronted with intellectual complexity. Residency categories may shape the numbers, but they don’t define your destiny. What defines your chances is the story you bring.

UC Berkeley GPA, SAT/ACT, and Course Expectations

Berkeley’s published numbers paint a demanding picture. The middle 50% GPA range for admitted students often sits between 4.15 and 4.30 (weighted), with unweighted GPAs typically hovering between 3.90 and 4.00. These numbers reflect not just excellence but consistency—the kind of academic performance that shows a student has mastered difficult material across multiple years. Berkeley pays close attention to course difficulty. The admissions committee doesn’t simply want high grades; it wants evidence that a student challenged themselves with AP, IB, A-Level, or honors coursework. A perfect GPA earned through easy classes won’t compete with a slightly lower GPA earned through rigorous ones. Berkeley values depth, not shortcuts.

Standardized tests are officially optional, but in Berkeley’s environment, “optional” doesn’t always mean irrelevant. When students do submit SAT or ACT scores, the numbers tend to be high. SAT scores in the 1450–1550 range and ACT scores in the 32–35 range appear frequently among admits. Berkeley evaluates these scores not as gatekeepers but as context. They help fill in the narrative of academic readiness, especially for applicants from schools with minimal grade inflation or limited advanced coursework. For international applicants, especially those from educational systems unfamiliar to U.S. evaluators, strong test scores can become a stabilizing element in the application.

Course rigor remains one of Berkeley’s sharpest selection tools. The university wants to see students who embraced academic challenge, not shied away from it. AP STEM courses for engineering applicants, higher-level IB mathematics for quantitative majors, and advanced humanities courses for social science applicants all strengthen an application. Berkeley reads transcripts like a professor—noticing patterns, habits, and the ability to grow. A student with a strong upward trajectory may impress as much as a student with perfect grades. The admissions committee understands that maturity can arrive late, and it rewards students who show resilience and improvement.

Context plays a crucial role. Berkeley doesn’t judge a student from a rural school with limited AP offerings the same way it judges a student from a competitive magnet school. The admissions team studies each school profile carefully. They examine what opportunities were available and whether the student took advantage of them. A student who stretches themselves within the limits of their environment often stands out more than a student who has everything but chooses the easiest path. Berkeley wants to see character in the transcript—choices that reflect ambition, grit, and intellectual curiosity.

All of these expectations converge to shape the acceptance rate. The academic bar is high because Berkeley thrives on intellectual rigor. It doesn’t apologize for expecting excellence. But it remains fair—evaluating every student within their own educational context. If there is a single lesson here, it is this: don’t fixate on numbers alone. Berkeley is not a school that admits students based solely on perfect scores. It looks deeper, seeking the kind of mind that questions, analyzes, and rises. The acceptance rate reflects that expectation—not as a barrier but as a standard worth meeting.

What UC Berkeley Actually Looks for

Holistic review is a term that gets thrown around so often that students sometimes forget what it really means. At Berkeley, holistic review is not a marketing slogan—it is the backbone of admissions. The university reads applications with the seriousness of a historian examining an archive. Each element—grades, essays, extracurricular activities, recommendation letters, personal insight questions, and life experiences—contributes to a portrait of the student. Berkeley’s readers want to understand who you are, not just what you’ve achieved. This approach broadens the admissions conversation beyond numbers and deepens it into character and potential.

Berkeley seeks intellectual vitality above all else. This doesn’t refer to raw intelligence but to mental engagement—the habit of questioning, exploring, reading, and thinking in ways that extend beyond classroom walls. Students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, whether through independent projects, competitions, research, or personal learning journeys, often stand out. Berkeley wants students who treat learning as a lifelong companion, not a chore. When the acceptance rate shrinks, it isn’t because Berkeley prefers flawless students but because it prefers students who have engaged deeply with the world.

Impact is another pillar of Berkeley’s selection philosophy. The university wants to see evidence that students have changed something in their environment—whether in a school, community, family, or digital space. Impact doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be quiet, steady, and meaningful. A student who tutors classmates, builds community programs, leads a small club, or supports family responsibilities may demonstrate more impact than a student with a long list of superficial extracurriculars. Berkeley reads between the lines, recognizing depth where others see none.

Resilience matters more than most applicants realize. Berkeley understands that life is rarely simple. Students face financial struggles, family challenges, educational limitations, and personal hardships. The admissions team doesn’t punish these circumstances—it evaluates them with empathy and seriousness. A student who has fought through adversity often reveals qualities Berkeley values: perseverance, maturity, humility, and strength. These traits cannot be quantified, but they shape the admissions decision as much as GPA or test scores.

Finally, Berkeley looks for authenticity. It doesn’t want essays coated in clichés or achievements exaggerated beyond recognition. Berkeley wants your real story—the one shaped by your world, your passions, your curiosities, and your imperfections. Many students underestimate how rare authenticity is. The low acceptance rate partially reflects this scarcity. Berkeley can spot performance from a mile away, but it also recognizes sincerity instantly. If a student writes from a place of truth, the application breathes differently. Authenticity isn’t a strategy—it’s a requirement.

UC Berkeley Majors With the Lowest Acceptance Rates

Some majors at Berkeley are notoriously selective, and students often don’t realize how much this affects their chances of admission. The most competitive major, year after year, is Computer Science in the College of Letters & Science (L&S). This major doesn’t admit students directly; instead, students must earn high grades in prerequisite CS courses at Berkeley in order to declare. This creates indirect selectivity. Berkeley doesn’t restrict entry on the front end; it restricts it through coursework rigor. Meanwhile, Computer Science in the College of Engineering (EECS) is one of the hardest majors to enter in the entire country, with acceptance rates often falling below 5%. Applicants seeking CS at Berkeley face competition comparable to Stanford and MIT.

Engineering programs overall are extremely selective. Majors like Bioengineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering & Operations Research, and Electrical Engineering attract global attention. These departments expect strong math backgrounds, advanced physics coursework, and evidence of genuine interest in the field. Out-of-state and international engineering applicants, especially those aiming for EECS, often face acceptance rates around 3–5%. This hyper-selectivity pulls down the overall acceptance rate and contributes to Berkeley’s reputation as a school where excellence is the baseline, not the aspiration.

Economics, Cognitive Science, and Data Science also maintain highly selective profiles. These majors sit at the intersection of math, social science, and emerging technology, attracting applicants who want to combine quantitative analysis with human-centered perspectives. Data Science in particular has exploded in popularity, becoming one of Berkeley’s flagship programs. Because these majors are less structured than CS but still highly rigorous, they attract a broad spectrum of academically ambitious students. This popularity compresses their acceptance rates even further.

Beyond STEM, Berkeley’s humanities and social science programs also play a role in selectivity. Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Media Studies receive enormous interest because of Berkeley’s historical connection to activism, public policy, and social change. Students across the world see Berkeley as the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement and the engine of progressive thought. Programs tied to social change attract high-impact applicants, and admissions committees must select among hundreds of equally compelling stories. Selectivity increases not because Berkeley discourages humanities applicants but because the applicant pool grows deeper each year.

Ultimately, major-based selectivity shapes the Berkeley admissions landscape in ways applicants must understand honestly. Choosing a hyper-competitive major increases risk—but choosing a major dishonestly carries consequences later. Berkeley values truthful intellectual direction. What matters is not finding a loophole but presenting your academic goals with clarity and conviction. The acceptance rate for each major reflects Berkeley’s desire to nurture students who are prepared for its academic culture, not just those who seek prestige.

UC Berkeley Transfer Acceptance Rate (Truthfully 

Transfer admissions operate under a different philosophy because Berkeley honors the California Master Plan for Higher Education, which emphasizes transfer pathways from community colleges. As a result, the transfer acceptance rate is significantly higher than the freshman rate—often 23–27% for California community college (CCC) applicants. This seemingly generous rate makes many students assume the transfer path is easier, but the truth is more nuanced. Transfers must meet strict prerequisites, maintain high GPAs (often 3.70+ for competitive majors), and complete major-specific coursework before applying. Berkeley expects transfer students to arrive academically mature and ready to transition into upper-division courses immediately.

Out-of-state and international transfer students face much lower acceptance rates. While CCC applicants may see acceptance rates above 25%, non-resident transfers often confront rates closer to 10–12%, and international applicants sometimes lower. This isn’t discrimination; it’s policy. Berkeley is legally obligated to prioritize California community college transfers, and the majority of available spots are reserved for them. Students applying from out-of-state universities or international institutions can still succeed, but they must present exceptional academic preparation and alignment with their intended major.

The transfer process also emphasizes clarity of purpose. Berkeley admissions officers want transfer applicants who know exactly what they’re pursuing academically and why. Unlike freshman applicants, who may still be exploring, transfers must articulate a well-shaped academic identity. Their essays, course choices, and activities must form a coherent narrative. The transfer acceptance rate reflects not only Berkeley’s commitment to the Master Plan but also its desire to build strong upper-division cohorts that carry academic seriousness.

Another essential truth about transfer admissions is that major capacity matters. Some majors—especially CS (EECS), Business, and Engineering—admit almost no transfers because their programs are extremely structured or capped. Students must understand the capacity of their intended major before applying. The acceptance rate for transfers is therefore a composite number, far less useful without major-specific context. A sociology transfer may face a 30% acceptance rate, while a CS transfer might encounter a rate near zero. Berkeley’s structure creates uneven terrain, and applicants must navigate it wisely.

Despite the complexities, the transfer path remains a fair, honorable, and respected doorway into UC Berkeley. It embodies a tradition rooted in public education—one that believes students deserve a second chance, a new beginning, or a delayed opportunity. The acceptance rate reflects this philosophy. It’s not easier; it’s simply different. It rewards dedication, maturity, and direction. Many of Berkeley’s strongest students arrived through this path, proving that excellence wears many faces.

Strategies to Increase Your Chances of Getting Into UC Berkeley

The first strategy is authenticity in academic focus. Berkeley can distinguish between applicants who choose majors because they’re fashionable and those who choose majors because they feel like home. If your interests are real, your application carries an organic coherence—your courses align with your extracurriculars, which align with your essays, which align with your long-term ambitions. This alignment strengthens the application far more than perfect scores. Berkeley’s acceptance rate shrinks not because the university seeks perfection, but because it prioritizes genuine intellectual engagement.

Second, students must demonstrate rigor in their coursework. Berkeley reads the transcript with a level of seriousness unmatched by many universities. Taking challenging courses is not a suggestion; it’s an expectation. Whether through APs, IBs, A-Levels, or local honors programs, students must show they step toward challenges rather than away from them. Berkeley respects students who exhaust the opportunities available to them. If your school has limitations, Berkeley considers that—but it still wants to see effort, resilience, and initiative.

Third, extracurricular impact matters. Berkeley is unimpressed by long lists of shallow activities. It prefers sustained commitment to a few meaningful pursuits. Whether academic, artistic, athletic, or community-based, the activity should reveal purpose. Leadership is valued, but not in a corporate sense; Berkeley wants students who inspire, serve, and transform their communities. Impact does not require a title; it requires devotion. The acceptance rate is low because Berkeley searches for depth, not decoration.

The fourth strategy involves essays—the famous UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). These essays challenge students to reflect deeply on who they are. Berkeley wants clarity, honesty, and introspection, not theatrics. The strongest essays come from students who write with candor, even vulnerability. Berkeley can detect exaggeration instantly. A truthful, grounded, well-told story carries more weight than a polished narrative designed to impress. The acceptance rate reflects Berkeley’s desire for students who understand themselves and can articulate their motivations.

Fifth, students must understand fit. Berkeley has a distinct culture—intellectual, intense, activist-leaning, curious, interdisciplinary, and ambitious. If these values resonate with you, your application will naturally reflect it. If they don’t, Berkeley may not be the right place. Understanding fit doesn’t mean contorting yourself; it means recognizing whether Berkeley complements your identity. When students fit the culture, Berkeley sees them clearly. And when Berkeley sees you clearly, the acceptance rate becomes less intimidating.

Final Verdict: Why UC Berkeley’s Acceptance Rate Shouldn’t Scare You

The acceptance rate tells a story, but it doesn’t tell the whole one. Yes, Berkeley’s 10–11% acceptance rate is low, but it reflects something honorable—a commitment to academic excellence, fairness, tradition, and intellectual seriousness. Berkeley remains one of the few universities that balances world-class prestige with public access. Its selectivity isn’t designed to intimidate; it’s designed to preserve the quality of education that generations have come to expect. The university understands its place in the world, and it guards that identity carefully.

Berkeley’s low acceptance rate shouldn’t scare you because the university evaluates you as a whole person, not a statistic. A student with imperfect scores but a powerful story, strong character, or deep intellectual curiosity can still be admitted. Berkeley doesn’t chase perfection; it chases authenticity. Many students underestimate how many pathways exist toward acceptance. Freshman admissions, transfer admissions, and major-specific pathways all offer different routes. The acceptance rate is only a signal—not a verdict.

Another reason not to fear Berkeley’s acceptance rate is its fairness. Berkeley doesn’t play games with legacy admissions. It doesn’t give advantages to donors. It doesn’t admit students because of celebrity or privilege. Berkeley’s selection process is among the most meritocratic in the United States. The acceptance rate is low because the competition is real, not manipulated. Students earn their place through effort, resilience, and thoughtfulness—not through connections.

Berkeley also understands context. If you come from a challenging background, the university sees that. If your opportunities were limited, Berkeley evaluates you within that framework. You’re not competing against students from elite schools with limitless resources; you’re competing within your own context. This is why the acceptance rate shouldn’t intimidate you—it isn’t stacked against you. Berkeley’s goal is to build a diverse, dynamic, intellectually driven class, not a homogenous group of perfect résumés.

Ultimately, Berkeley’s acceptance rate matters only because it reflects the value of what lies on the other side. The university is worth the challenge. It’s a place where ideas collide, where minds sharpen one another, where tradition meets revolution, and where students grow into citizens capable of shaping industries, policies, cultures, and sciences. The acceptance rate is a reminder that great things require effort. That isn’t discouragement—it’s an invitation.

FAQs (Ranked by Search Volume)

1. What is the UC Berkeley acceptance rate?

The acceptance rate is roughly 11–12%, although it fluctuates slightly each year based on applicant volume.

2. Why is UC Berkeley’s acceptance rate so low?

Because Berkeley receives far more qualified applicants than it can admit, particularly in STEM fields.

3. What GPA do you need for UC Berkeley?

Most admitted students have UC GPAs above 4.1–4.3, especially in competitive majors.

4. Does UC Berkeley prefer in-state applicants?

Yes. As a public university, Berkeley admits a larger percentage of in-state students, though out-of-state and international applicants are still welcome.

5. What is the acceptance rate for international students at UC Berkeley?

Generally lower than in-state rates, often around 8–10%, depending on the major.

6. Which majors are hardest to get into at UC Berkeley?

Engineering, computer science, business (Haas), and biological sciences have the lowest admit rates.

7. Which majors are easier to get into at UC Berkeley?

Fields like English, linguistics, and some social sciences typically have more moderate acceptance rates.

8. Does UC Berkeley require SAT or ACT scores?

No. UC Berkeley is test-free and does not consider SAT/ACT results in admissions.

9. How important are the UC Personal Insight Questions?

PIQs are extremely important—they often determine who gets admitted among academically similar students.

10. What is the minimum GPA Berkeley will accept?

The UC minimum is 3.0 for in-state and 3.4 for out-of-state, but admitted students usually far exceed these.

11. Can strong essays compensate for a lower GPA?

Sometimes. Berkeley evaluates applicants holistically, so exceptional PIQs can help.

12. Is UC Berkeley harder to get into than UCLA?

Yes—Berkeley’s acceptance rate is slightly lower, though competition varies by major.

13. How many AP classes do you need for UC Berkeley?

There’s no requirement, but most successful applicants complete several AP/IB/honors courses.

14. What does UC Berkeley look for most?

Academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, initiative, and personal character.

15. How competitive is CS at UC Berkeley?

One of the most competitive majors in the world, with some years admitting under 5%.

16. What is the UC Berkeley transfer acceptance rate?

Typically 20–25%, higher than freshman admissions.

17. Do extracurriculars matter at Berkeley?

Yes, particularly long-term commitment and leadership.

18. Can international students get financial aid?

They can receive limited scholarships but not full UC financial aid.

19. How do I increase my chances of getting into UC Berkeley?

Focus on academic strength, compelling PIQs, and meaningful extracurriculars.

20. Does UC Berkeley do interviews?

No, UC campuses do not conduct admissions interviews.