How many letters of recommendation do I need for UC Berkeley?
I'm getting my application materials ready for UC Berkeley and wanted to confirm how many letters of recommendation they require. I know some colleges have specific guidelines, and I've heard different things about the UCs in general.
Is there a set number of rec letters I have to submit for Berkeley specifically? And are they even required, or just optional? If anyone has gone through this before or knows the current policy, I'd appreciate any clarification!
Is there a set number of rec letters I have to submit for Berkeley specifically? And are they even required, or just optional? If anyone has gone through this before or knows the current policy, I'd appreciate any clarification!
1 week ago
•
38 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 1 week ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley and the University of California (UC) system as a whole are a bit different from many private colleges in that they typically do not require or accept letters of recommendation as part of the standard undergraduate admissions process.
For the general freshman application (through the UC Application), you do not need to submit any letters of recommendation for UC Berkeley. In fact, the application itself does not even have a section to upload them, and most applicants will not be asked to submit any additional recommendations.
There is, however, one exception: After you submit your application, a small number of Berkeley applicants may be invited to submit up to two letters of recommendation, but this is by invitation only. If you are selected, the admissions office will contact you directly (usually by email) with detailed instructions after the application deadline. If you don’t get such a request, you don’t need to do anything—your application will be considered complete without letters.
To summarize, for your UC Berkeley undergraduate application, you do not need to submit any letters of recommendation unless you are specifically asked to provide them after you apply. Focus your efforts on crafting strong essays and accurately representing your activities and academics in the application. If you want to be prepared just in case, it’s a good idea to let your teachers know you might ask for recommendations later, but there is no need to secure them now.
Example: One student who applied to Berkeley last year completed the application without any rec letters and was accepted without being asked for more information. Only a few of her friends, out of dozens, received the request to submit extra recommendations.
If you’re applying to the College of Chemistry or Engineering, or as a transfer, the general policy is still no recommendations required unless specifically requested.
You’re on track by double-checking the requirements! Make sure to keep an eye on your email after submitting your application, just in case you get a special request.
For the general freshman application (through the UC Application), you do not need to submit any letters of recommendation for UC Berkeley. In fact, the application itself does not even have a section to upload them, and most applicants will not be asked to submit any additional recommendations.
There is, however, one exception: After you submit your application, a small number of Berkeley applicants may be invited to submit up to two letters of recommendation, but this is by invitation only. If you are selected, the admissions office will contact you directly (usually by email) with detailed instructions after the application deadline. If you don’t get such a request, you don’t need to do anything—your application will be considered complete without letters.
To summarize, for your UC Berkeley undergraduate application, you do not need to submit any letters of recommendation unless you are specifically asked to provide them after you apply. Focus your efforts on crafting strong essays and accurately representing your activities and academics in the application. If you want to be prepared just in case, it’s a good idea to let your teachers know you might ask for recommendations later, but there is no need to secure them now.
Example: One student who applied to Berkeley last year completed the application without any rec letters and was accepted without being asked for more information. Only a few of her friends, out of dozens, received the request to submit extra recommendations.
If you’re applying to the College of Chemistry or Engineering, or as a transfer, the general policy is still no recommendations required unless specifically requested.
You’re on track by double-checking the requirements! Make sure to keep an eye on your email after submitting your application, just in case you get a special request.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years