UC Berkeley Scoring System: How Does It Work?

Hi there, I'm planning to apply to UC Berkeley, but I'm still figuring out how the scoring system works for applicants. Does anyone have any information on the admission criteria that UC Berkeley uses to evaluate its applicants? Are there any additional factors they consider, like extracurriculars or community service?

UC Berkeley, like other University of California (UC) schools, uses a comprehensive review process to evaluate applicants. This means that they look at a wide range of factors to make a decision on your application, not only your academics but also other components like extracurricular activities and personal qualities.

The main factors UC Berkeley considers in their evaluation include:

1. Academic performance: Your GPA, course rigor, and any trends in your grades throughout high school are all considered. They value students who challenge themselves with difficult courses (such as AP or IB classes) and consistently perform well.

2. Test scores: Although UC Berkeley is currently test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle, meaning they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all, this may change in future application cycles.

3. Personal insight questions: UC Berkeley requires applicants to answer four personal insight questions out of a list of eight prompts. These essays give the admissions committee a deeper understanding of who you are as a person and how you'll contribute to their campus community.

4. Extracurricular activities: UC Berkeley values students who are involved in their communities and demonstrate leadership, initiative, and commitment. Your extracurricular activities, including clubs, sports, volunteering, internships, and any awards or recognitions, play an important role in assessing your application.

5. Community service: While not a separate criterion, your commitment to community service and any service projects you've participated in will be considered under your extracurricular activities.

6. Special circumstances: UC Berkeley understands that each student's personal background, challenges, and experiences are unique. They take into account any obstacles you’ve faced and overcome, as well as any personal context that might have impacted your academic performance or participation in extracurricular activities.

Keep in mind that UC Berkeley does not have a specific "scoring system" or numerical weight assigned to each criteria. Instead, they holistically review your application, considering all these factors in conjunction to understand your potential to thrive academically and contribute positively to their campus community.