Get ready to apply to Berkeley Engineering

If you’re interested in entering the University of California as a freshman, there are admission guidelines designed to ensure you are well-prepared to succeed at UC Berkeley.

• History/Social Science – 2 years
• English – 4 years
• Mathematics – 3 years (4 years including Calculus recommended for engineering)
• Laboratory Science – 2 years (3 years including Physics recommended for engineering)
• Language other than English – 2 years
• Visual & Performing Arts – 1 year
• College Preparatory Elective – 1 year (chosen from the subjects listed above or another course approved by the university)

Visit the UC Admissions website for the most up-to-date requirements.

It is important to show your interests outside of the classroom.  One way to do that is through involvement in clubs and organizations.

• Become a leader in high school clubs.
• Start a Young Maker’s Club, a Girls Who Code Club or your own youth-led initiative.
• Become involved with community service by volunteering with organizations that help your community, since serving society is one of Berkeley Engineering’s three guiding principles.

Write compelling responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions for freshman. Students will choose 4 of the 8 questions to respond to. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.  All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.

• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
• Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
• Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
• What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
• Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Hint: 

• For more information visit: UC Admissions and UC Berkeley Admissions
• Apply for the Phoenix Scholars Program that pairs UC Berkeley & Stanford students with HS juniors for college application mentoring.

The following websites include resources that will help you learn which engineering major will be the best fit for you:

• National Academy of Engineering’s Changing the Conversation
• Engineering Degrees 101 (Your Online Guide to a Career in Engineering)
• Engineering Undergraduate Guide (information about each major)
• Engineering Departments

Below are suggestions of how you can increase your understanding of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). You will want to get join math, science, computer science or robotics clubs as well as learn other opportunities.

Explore Bay Area K-12 STEM opportunities through:

• Bay Area Teen Science
• Bay Area Science Festival
• Kids Teach Tech

Attend programs held annually at Cal such as:

• Girls in Engineering Program at Cal
• ROAR Academy
• Engineering-focused session of the National Student Leadership Conference
• Upward Bound Math Science Program or Talent Search Program
• United InnoWorks Academy
• Engineering-focused session of the National Youth Leadership Forum
• Attend the California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) held on 4 UC campuses

There are many ways to explore Berkeley Engineering. Below are some of the best ways to get acquainted:

• “Like” Berkeley Engineering on Facebook
• Follow the college on Twitter
• Learn more about Berkeley Engineering on YouTube
• Participate in the 300+ workshops, presentations, demonstrations, or lab tours at Cal Day, our annual open house held in April
• Attend engineering related programs hosted by Science@Cal

An important part of applying to Engineering at UC Berkeley is finding the correct major for you.  You can learn more about our majors here.

Please note that changing your major in engineering is not guaranteed and can be challenging due to limited seats in courses as well as the various required criteria for each major.  If you are truly unsure about your major, but are sure you wish to join us next fall, the best option is to apply as an Engineering Undeclared student.