UC Berkeley / How to get in
How to Get Into UC Berkeley
About 11.6% for the most recent fully reported cycle (roughly 14,600 admitted from about 125,900 first-year applicants, fall 2023 entry). One UC application covers all nine campuses. Here is the academic profile that keeps you in the running, what UC Berkeley weighs most, and where to put your energy.
- 4.15-4.19
- GPA (middle 50%)
Every college publishes how heavily it weighs each part of your application in its Common Data Set. Here is how UC Berkeley reads applicants, most important first.
- Course rigor
- Grades (GPA)
- The application essay
- State residency
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent or ability
- Character and personal qualities
- Class rank
- First-generation status
- Geographic origin
UC Berkeley is test-blind, so SAT and ACT scores are not considered at all.
Application opens Aug 1 · Filing period Nov 1 to Dec 2. Applying early (Early Action or Early Decision, where offered) can modestly improve your odds and signals commitment.
Your grades and course rigor are mostly set by now. The highest-leverage things left are your essays and how you frame your activities. UC Berkeley reads holistically, so a specific, well-told essay is where you separate yourself from other qualified applicants.
How to get into UC Berkeley: FAQ
Is UC Berkeley hard to get into?
About 11.6% for the most recent fully reported cycle (roughly 14,600 admitted from about 125,900 first-year applicants, fall 2023 entry). One UC application covers all nine campuses. At UC Berkeley, applicants clear a high academic bar first, then stand out through essays, activities, and character.
What GPA do you need to get into UC Berkeley?
Admitted students at UC Berkeley typically have a GPA around 4.15-4.19 (middle 50 percent). A strong GPA in demanding courses is the foundation, though it never guarantees admission.
What does UC Berkeley look for in applicants?
UC Berkeley weighs course rigor, grades (gpa), the application essay, and state residency most heavily, alongside a strong academic record. The parts you most control late in the process are your essays and how you present your activities.
See your real chances at UC Berkeley and every school.
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