UC Berkeley
Top public university in Berkeley, CA known for engineering and computer science. Founded in 1868 as the flagship campus of the University of California system, Berkeley was the birthplace of the Free Speech Movement in the 1960s and remains known for student activism. The College of Engineering and Haas School of Business both rank as elite, backed by one of the largest research budgets of any public university. With roughly 33,000 undergraduates, Berkeley offers an unusually wide range of majors and research opportunities for a public school.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education. Figures reflect the most recently published class — always confirm current-cycle numbers on UC Berkeley's official admissions site before applying.
Test Scores & Chances
UC Berkeley does not have a published middle-50% SAT/ACT band on file, so this guide shows no chance estimate yet. Sign up free and a counselor can still help you plan around UC Berkeley's testing policy.
Application Deadlines
Source: UC Berkeley admissions, 2026–27 (fall 2027 entry), verified Oct 2026.
Required Supplements
- UC Application
- 4 Personal Insight Questions
Requirements vary by cycle. Confirm what UC Berkeley currently asks for on its official admissions site.
What Should Your UC Berkeley Essay Focus On?
- Show intellectual curiosity and personal growth
- The PIQs are about depth, not length — be specific
- Show how you'll contribute to the Berkeley community
- Demonstrate resilience and personal growth
What Is UC Berkeley Looking For in Applicants?
- Academic excellence able to stand out within a class of roughly 33,000 undergraduates
- Intellectual curiosity suited to a campus with a long history of activism and independent thought
- Personal growth and resilience, shown through how an applicant has responded to real challenges
- A specific, believable plan to contribute to campus life at a very large public university
See where you stand at UC Berkeley.
Skora estimates your chances from UC Berkeley's acceptance rate and its admitted students' test scores, then gives you feedback on every essay. Free to start.
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