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Berkeley Engineering

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Home > Admissions > Undergraduate admissions > Get ready to apply – junior transfer
Junior transfer students in front of McLaughlin HallPhoto by Laura Vogt

Get ready to apply to Berkeley Engineering

Getting ready to apply as a junior transfer to Berkeley Engineering is something you should be preparing for as soon as you know what you major you want to study. Explore engineering careers to find out which engineering major will be the best fit for you. Once admitted to Engineering, you cannot switch majors or add a second major, so be sure to apply to the right major at UC Berkeley.

To make yourself a better applicant you should join clubs on your college campus, such as the robotics, computer science, chemistry  or physics clubs. Phi Theta Kappa is an excellent way to illustrate that you’re ready for the rigorous curriculum at UC Berkeley.

Establish your eligibility
  • You must complete the major prep courses listed on assist.org.
  • You must fulfill all of the “required courses for admission” listed on assist.org for your intended major.
  • You will strengthen your application if you take the “strongly recommended courses” listed on assist.org. If no recommended courses are available, taking any engineering or computer science courses can demonstrate your interest in the field.
  • You must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 to be considered for admission. However, if your overall GPA is less than 3.5 but your major GPA is 3.5 or higher, you are encouraged to email esstransferadmissions@berkeley.edu.
  • IGETC will not adequately prepare you for Berkeley Engineering. If you follow IGETC in preparation for other universities, you must ensure that you have taken courses equivalent to English R1A and R1B as listed on assist.org.
Write compelling responses to personal statement prompts

Write compelling responses to the UC admissions application personal statement prompts:

There is one required question you must answer:

  • “Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.”

You must also answer 3 of the following 7 additional questions. Each response is limited to 350 words. You may choose which three questions to answer. It is important to select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

  • 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?
  • 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 stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

For more information about UC & College of Engineering admissions, visit admission.universityofcalifornia.edu and engineering.berkeley.edu/juniortransfer.

Take advantage of Berkeley’s Transfer Outreach Programs
  • Transfer Alliance Project
  • Pathways to Four-Year Universities
  • Berkeley’s Transfer Center
  • Berkeley Engineering’s community college webinar series
  • Transfer-to-Excellence Research Experiences for Undergraduates
  • Starting Point Mentorship Program
Demonstrate interest in your major

Participate in programs at your college campus, such as:

  • Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA)
  • TRIO STEM
  • Other STEM related academic programs

Join engineering student organizations on your college campus:

  • Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
  • National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
  • Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
  • If your campus doesn’t have any of these types of programs – start one!

Join clubs on your campus, such as:

  • Robotics Club
  • Computer Science Club
  • Engineering Club
  • Chemistry Club
  • Physics Club
  • Phi Theta Kappa

Increase your understanding of different engineering majors through activities:

  • Department of Energy CCI Institute
  • Pathways (summer research)
  • Transfer-to-Excellence Research Experiences for Undergraduates (TTE REU)
    Hint: UC Berkeley’s Transfer to Excellence program brings community college students to Berkeley for a research program the summer before they apply.
  • National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) database
  • National Institutes of Health Community College Summer Enrichment Program
Explore Berkeley Engineering

There are many ways to explore Berkeley Engineering. Below are some of the best ways to first 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 each April
  • Attend Community College Visit Day in October
  • Attend engineering related programs hosted by Science@Cal

Complete the FAFSA

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 2 of your senior year (annually $400 million in financial aid goes unclaimed in California and $3 billion in federal financial aid goes unclaimed, according to theconversation.com in March 2015).  Students who are not eligible to file a FAFSA and who qualify for the AB 540 Nonresident Supplemental Tuition exemption should apply for aid by completing the California Dream Act Application by March 2.

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