What do you need on your application to get into UC Berkeley?
I've been doing a ton of research into UC Berkeley lately because it's basically my dream school, but I keep finding so much different info online. Some sites say you need a 4.0 GPA and a million APs, and others say it's more about essays and ECs.
For those of you who've gotten in (or know people who have), what did your stats look like? Did you have amazing test scores, specific extracurriculars, or something unique in your application? How much weight do they put on essays and other stuff besides grades?
I’m a junior right now and stressing a little about whether I’m on the right track. Would love some advice or examples of what a successful Berkeley applicant looks like!
For those of you who've gotten in (or know people who have), what did your stats look like? Did you have amazing test scores, specific extracurriculars, or something unique in your application? How much weight do they put on essays and other stuff besides grades?
I’m a junior right now and stressing a little about whether I’m on the right track. Would love some advice or examples of what a successful Berkeley applicant looks like!
2 weeks ago
•
10 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley is super competitive, and the truth is, there isn’t one single formula that guarantees admission. Most successful applicants do have strong academics, but it’s not all about being perfect. For context, admitted students often have unweighted GPAs above 3.9 (with weighted GPAs sometimes near or above 4.3), mostly As with rigorous course loads (AP, IB, honors classes). But there are accepted students with lower GPAs if other parts of their application really stand out.
UCs don’t consider SAT/ACT scores anymore for admissions, so you can focus that energy elsewhere. What they do look for, in addition to grades, is how you challenged yourself within what was available at your high school. Taking the toughest courses you reasonably can (but not burning yourself out) is important.
The Personal Insight Questions (essays) are more critical here than a lot of other public schools. These aren’t traditional essays but are shorter responses to specific prompts. They want to see personality, growth, problem-solving skills, and what genuinely motivates you. For example, if you once organized a local tutoring program because you noticed peers struggling due to lack of resources, that’s memorable and meaningful—especially if you articulate why it matters to you and how you made a real impact.
Extracurriculars matter, but you don’t need to do 'everything.' Depth is better than breadth: a few activities where you have shown initiative or leadership often outweigh a long list of casual memberships. Examples might include leading a robotics club, starting a nonprofit, traveling to present research, or working a part-time job to support your family. The key is to show commitment and growth.
Context matters, too. Berkeley admissions will look at what opportunities were available at your school and what you did with them. If your school offers only a few APs, that’s okay—they’ll see you maximized what you could. If you’ve faced obstacles, explaining them thoughtfully can help.
No one category (grades, essays, extracurriculars) trumps all the others, but you want your application to have a cohesive story that highlights your character, intellectual curiosity, and how you’ll contribute to Berkeley’s community. It helps to talk to current students or recent grads to get a feel for what campus values.
If you’re a junior, you have time. Focus on your academics, look for ways to have deeper involvement in your interests, and start brainstorming essay ideas based on meaningful personal experiences, not just resume-builders. Keep in mind that many different types of students get in. There are first-gen students, artists, coders, social activists, and more—all with very different applications.
You’re on the right path by planning early! If you want to share more about your current stats or activities, people can help you strategize even more specifically.
UCs don’t consider SAT/ACT scores anymore for admissions, so you can focus that energy elsewhere. What they do look for, in addition to grades, is how you challenged yourself within what was available at your high school. Taking the toughest courses you reasonably can (but not burning yourself out) is important.
The Personal Insight Questions (essays) are more critical here than a lot of other public schools. These aren’t traditional essays but are shorter responses to specific prompts. They want to see personality, growth, problem-solving skills, and what genuinely motivates you. For example, if you once organized a local tutoring program because you noticed peers struggling due to lack of resources, that’s memorable and meaningful—especially if you articulate why it matters to you and how you made a real impact.
Extracurriculars matter, but you don’t need to do 'everything.' Depth is better than breadth: a few activities where you have shown initiative or leadership often outweigh a long list of casual memberships. Examples might include leading a robotics club, starting a nonprofit, traveling to present research, or working a part-time job to support your family. The key is to show commitment and growth.
Context matters, too. Berkeley admissions will look at what opportunities were available at your school and what you did with them. If your school offers only a few APs, that’s okay—they’ll see you maximized what you could. If you’ve faced obstacles, explaining them thoughtfully can help.
No one category (grades, essays, extracurriculars) trumps all the others, but you want your application to have a cohesive story that highlights your character, intellectual curiosity, and how you’ll contribute to Berkeley’s community. It helps to talk to current students or recent grads to get a feel for what campus values.
If you’re a junior, you have time. Focus on your academics, look for ways to have deeper involvement in your interests, and start brainstorming essay ideas based on meaningful personal experiences, not just resume-builders. Keep in mind that many different types of students get in. There are first-gen students, artists, coders, social activists, and more—all with very different applications.
You’re on the right path by planning early! If you want to share more about your current stats or activities, people can help you strategize even more specifically.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years