How to Get Accepted to University of California, Berkeley

Is UC Berkeley an Ivy League School?

UC Berkeley is not an Ivy League school. The Ivy League is a group of eight private colleges and universities in the northeastern United States, known for their high academic standards, selective admissions, and prestigious reputation.

The Ivy League schools are:

• Brown University
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Dartmouth College
• Harvard University
• University of Pennsylvania
• Princeton University
• Yale University

Admission Requirements for UC Berkeley

With an acceptance rate of 15%, UC Berkeley is highly selective. Prospective students should target an unweighted GPA of 3.89 or a weighted GPA of 4.25 to be competitive. The institution has set minimum GPA standards at 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for those residing outside the state. Additionally, applicants should ensure that they have no grades below a ‘C’ in required high school courses.

Key application elements include:

• SAT/ACT score submission
• Essays
• A minimum overall band score of 7 on a 9-point scale

In addition to these prerequisites, applicants should complete 15 “A-G” courses in high school. UC Berkeley employs a holistic admissions approach, meaning that various aspects of an applicant’s profile are taken into account during the admissions process.

Application Process for UC Berkeley

For UC Berkeley’s admissions, the application must include:

• A record of academic history, featuring courses and grades from all high schools attended
• SAT/ACT test scores
• A list of activities and honors
• Information on scholarships and special programs
• Responses to personal insight questions
• Verification of residency or citizenship status

The application comes with a $70 fee, and the cut-off date for Fall 2023 applications is November 30. Admission decisions are generally made by March 31.

Essential admission criteria are:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• No grades below ‘C’ in mandatory high school classes
• Adequate scores on the ACT/SAT, as well as on two SAT subject tests

Note that UC Berkeley does not accept the CommonApp; applicants should use the dedicated University of California application system.

Standardized Tests: What Tests Are Required for UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley has adopted a “test-free” policy, meaning SAT or ACT scores are not mandatory for admissions or scholarships. However, you have the option to include your ACT score to bolster your application. The baseline GPA for applicants to UC Berkeley is 3.0, but for a more competitive edge, students should strive for an unweighted GPA of 3.89 or a weighted GPA of 4.25. In terms of SAT scores, the 25th percentile is at 1330, while the 75th percentile rises to 1530.

Scholarships and Financial Aid at UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley provides an array of financial aid options and scholarship programs to make education more affordable. Over 60% of the undergraduate student body receives some form of financial aid, with the average aid package amounting to $31,559.

Here are some of the well-known scholarships at UC Berkeley:

• Berkeley Undergraduate Scholarship: Geared towards exceptional undergraduates with financial need.
• Fiat Lux Scholarship: Awarded to students who excel academically and show leadership and community involvement.
• Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship: Given to the most outstanding incoming freshmen.
• Middle Class Scholarship: Aimed at students from middle-income families with financial need.
• African American Initiative Scholarship: Offered to African American students demonstrating academic excellence and leadership skills.

Besides scholarships, UC Berkeley offers various other financial aid opportunities:

• Federal Student Loans: Available to all students, irrespective of financial status.
• State Grants: Open to California residents who fulfill certain income criteria.
• Work-Study: Allows students to earn money to fund their education.
• Cal Grants: State-funded aid for California residents who meet specific academic and financial criteria.

Top Undergraduate Programs at UC Berkeley