Does UC Berkeley consider demonstrated interest in their admissions process?
I’ve been looking into UC Berkeley and I keep seeing different opinions about whether or not they track demonstrated interest. Some colleges seem to want you to attend their online events, do campus tours, or email admissions, but it’s kind of confusing because UC schools always say their process is a bit different.
I’m a junior who really wants to show Berkeley that it’s my top choice, but I don’t want to waste my time doing things that aren’t actually going to help me. Has anybody actually gotten info from an admissions rep or counselor about this? It would help to know if signing up for virtual info sessions or joining their mailing list makes any difference at all, or if it’s just about the actual application. If you’ve applied or gotten in, I’d love to hear what you did!
Any clarification would be appreciated, especially if you have insider knowledge or recent experience with Berkeley’s process.
I’m a junior who really wants to show Berkeley that it’s my top choice, but I don’t want to waste my time doing things that aren’t actually going to help me. Has anybody actually gotten info from an admissions rep or counselor about this? It would help to know if signing up for virtual info sessions or joining their mailing list makes any difference at all, or if it’s just about the actual application. If you’ve applied or gotten in, I’d love to hear what you did!
Any clarification would be appreciated, especially if you have insider knowledge or recent experience with Berkeley’s process.
2 months ago
•
206 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 2 months ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley, like the other University of California campuses, does not consider demonstrated interest as part of their admissions process. This means that attending virtual info sessions, joining their mailing list, emailing admissions officers, or even visiting campus won’t directly impact your application or improve your chances of getting in.
The UC system is pretty transparent about this policy. They receive such a high volume of applications each year (well over 100,000 for Berkeley) that it would be logistically impossible for them to track and fairly evaluate demonstrated interest for each applicant. Their process is also designed to focus only on the materials you submit in your UC application—you’re evaluated based on your academics, leaderships, activities, essays, and the context of your achievements.
An example: even if you go on every campus tour and attend every event, your demonstrated interest won’t be noted or added to your file. When I applied to Berkeley, I asked the admissions office directly, and they emphasized that demonstrated interest isn’t a factor. Instead, they recommended putting your energy into crafting strong responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions, excelling academically, and actively contributing to your community or activities you’re passionate about.
If you want to learn more about Berkeley or stay informed, there’s no harm in joining their mailing list or attending virtual events—they can give you insight into the school’s culture and help you decide if it’s a good fit. But from an admissions perspective, these actions won’t move the needle.
In summary: focus on your UC application and your essays. Any effort you put into demonstrated interest for Berkeley won’t play a role in admissions decisions. If you want a first-hand source, you can always check Berkeley’s own admissions FAQ page or contact their office—they consistently emphasize this point.
The UC system is pretty transparent about this policy. They receive such a high volume of applications each year (well over 100,000 for Berkeley) that it would be logistically impossible for them to track and fairly evaluate demonstrated interest for each applicant. Their process is also designed to focus only on the materials you submit in your UC application—you’re evaluated based on your academics, leaderships, activities, essays, and the context of your achievements.
An example: even if you go on every campus tour and attend every event, your demonstrated interest won’t be noted or added to your file. When I applied to Berkeley, I asked the admissions office directly, and they emphasized that demonstrated interest isn’t a factor. Instead, they recommended putting your energy into crafting strong responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions, excelling academically, and actively contributing to your community or activities you’re passionate about.
If you want to learn more about Berkeley or stay informed, there’s no harm in joining their mailing list or attending virtual events—they can give you insight into the school’s culture and help you decide if it’s a good fit. But from an admissions perspective, these actions won’t move the needle.
In summary: focus on your UC application and your essays. Any effort you put into demonstrated interest for Berkeley won’t play a role in admissions decisions. If you want a first-hand source, you can always check Berkeley’s own admissions FAQ page or contact their office—they consistently emphasize this point.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years