Does UC Berkeley offer interviews as part of the admissions process?
I've been researching the UC Berkeley application process, and one thing I'm unclear about is whether or not they do interviews. I'm a senior this year and trying to get everything ready for my applications. Some of the other colleges I'm applying to have interviews either in person or virtual, so I wanted to know if Berkeley is the same.
I haven't seen anything on their website, but I'm worried I might have missed something or that maybe there are exceptions for certain programs. Does anyone know if Berkeley reaches out for interviews? If so, who usually gets invited, or is it for special majors only?
I'm kind of stressed because I'm trying to prepare for all possible scenarios. Any advice or experience would help a lot!
I haven't seen anything on their website, but I'm worried I might have missed something or that maybe there are exceptions for certain programs. Does anyone know if Berkeley reaches out for interviews? If so, who usually gets invited, or is it for special majors only?
I'm kind of stressed because I'm trying to prepare for all possible scenarios. Any advice or experience would help a lot!
2 weeks ago
•
27 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley does not conduct interviews as part of its undergraduate admissions process for most applicants. Unlike some private universities or certain honors programs at other schools, Berkeley’s application review is based entirely on your submitted application materials—like the UC application, your transcripts, and your responses to the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs).
You won’t need to worry about scheduling or preparing for interviews as part of your general application to UC Berkeley. This applies whether you are applying for general admission or for most majors within the university. Berkeley aims to keep the process equitable for all applicants, so interviews aren’t used as a factor to evaluate prospective students.
The main exception could be very rare cases in specialized programs, but these are highly specific, and most undergraduate majors (including engineering, business, and the arts) do not conduct required or formal interviews as part of their process. If an interview is needed for a very specific program (like certain performing arts majors), you would be notified directly by that department. For example, applicants to the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies curriculum may need to submit an audition or portfolio, but even those are generally done through submissions, not live interviews.
To give you peace of mind: most current and former Berkeley applicants have never been contacted for an interview. You can focus your preparation time on polishing your application essays and making sure your academic records are strong. If you want to make your application stand out, pay particular attention to your Personal Insight Questions and provide specific, personal stories that showcase who you are.
If you’re interested in a program with an exception, double-check the requirements for that particular major on the Berkeley admissions website or reach out to the department directly, but for 99% of applicants, interviews just aren’t part of the process.
You won’t need to worry about scheduling or preparing for interviews as part of your general application to UC Berkeley. This applies whether you are applying for general admission or for most majors within the university. Berkeley aims to keep the process equitable for all applicants, so interviews aren’t used as a factor to evaluate prospective students.
The main exception could be very rare cases in specialized programs, but these are highly specific, and most undergraduate majors (including engineering, business, and the arts) do not conduct required or formal interviews as part of their process. If an interview is needed for a very specific program (like certain performing arts majors), you would be notified directly by that department. For example, applicants to the Theater, Dance, and Performance Studies curriculum may need to submit an audition or portfolio, but even those are generally done through submissions, not live interviews.
To give you peace of mind: most current and former Berkeley applicants have never been contacted for an interview. You can focus your preparation time on polishing your application essays and making sure your academic records are strong. If you want to make your application stand out, pay particular attention to your Personal Insight Questions and provide specific, personal stories that showcase who you are.
If you’re interested in a program with an exception, double-check the requirements for that particular major on the Berkeley admissions website or reach out to the department directly, but for 99% of applicants, interviews just aren’t part of the process.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years