How difficult is it to get accepted to UC Berkeley?

Hey everyone. Like many, UC Berkeley is on my dream school list. That said, I'm aware that it's rather competitive. How hard is it to get accepted? What kind of qualifications do admitted students generally have?

UC Berkeley is indeed quite competitive and is one of the top public universities in the United States. Admission rates can vary each year, but for the 2023-24 academic year, the acceptance rate was around 12%.

Applicants need to demonstrate strong academics, as the admitted students often have high GPAs and rigorous coursework, taking multiple AP or IB classes throughout high school. While UC Berkeley, along with other University of California campuses, is test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle, academic preparation is still a key aspect of their review process.

Besides academics, UC Berkeley values students who exhibit leadership, initiative, and have made distinct contributions in their extracurricular activities. Successful applicants typically demonstrate these traits through their involvement in a variety of extracurriculars, whether they be research, volunteering, sports, or other activities. Remember, it's not just about quantity, but about the depth and impact of your involvement.

Keep in mind that UC Berkeley, like all UC schools, uses a comprehensive review process. This means that they evaluate applicants using multiple measures of achievement and promise, including both academic and non-academic factors. So, while grades and extracurricular involvement are important, so are your responses to the Personal Insight Questions, which allow the university to get to know you as a person and understand the unique background, experiences, and perspectives you'll bring to campus.

Try to provide thoughtful, genuine responses to the Personal Insight Questions that reflect your unique experiences and how they've shaped you. Be sure to also highlight how these experiences have prepared you for success at UC Berkeley, and how you intend to contribute to the campus community.

And, in the spirit of transparency, it is worth noting that UC Berkeley doesn't consider demonstrated interest, so participating in online admissions events, while beneficial for learning about the school, won't increase your chances of admission.

Given the competitiveness of UC Berkeley, it's important to maintain a balanced list of schools, including target and likely schools, in addition to your reach schools.