Does UC Berkeley still need SAT scores for admissions?
I’m a rising senior starting to put together my college list, and UC Berkeley is pretty high up there for me. I remember when everyone used to need to send in their SAT scores, but with all the changes over the last few years, I’m not really sure what’s going on anymore.
Is UC Berkeley totally test blind now, or do they still consider SAT scores at all? I’ve already taken the SAT and wasn’t totally sure if I should send my results. Would it help at all if I have a strong score, or is it a waste of time? Anyone who applied recently or knows the latest info, your help would be awesome. Trying to figure out if I should focus more on grades and essays instead.
Is UC Berkeley totally test blind now, or do they still consider SAT scores at all? I’ve already taken the SAT and wasn’t totally sure if I should send my results. Would it help at all if I have a strong score, or is it a waste of time? Anyone who applied recently or knows the latest info, your help would be awesome. Trying to figure out if I should focus more on grades and essays instead.
1 week ago
•
13 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 1 week ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley (along with the entire University of California system) is completely test blind for undergraduate admissions. This means that they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all during the admissions process, regardless of how high your score might be. Even if you submit your results, admissions readers won’t see or use them when making decisions.
The policy has been in effect since fall 2021. The UC system made this decision both in response to accessibility concerns during the pandemic and as a permanent move to make admissions more equitable.
So, if you’re applying to UC Berkeley, you do not need to send in your SAT score. Focusing on your academics, extracurricular activities, UC Personal Insight Questions (essays), and course rigor will be much more helpful for your application.
For context, many applicants in recent years have poured their energy into making their essays compelling and making sure their grades and activities truly reflect who they are as students. For example, you might want to highlight a leadership role in a club or offer a detailed story in your essays rather than stressing about test scores.
If you decide to apply to other colleges that still accept or require SAT/ACT scores, it might be worth sending them there if you are proud of your score. But for UC Berkeley and the other UCs, you can safely skip sending them in. Focus your energy where it’ll matter most!
The policy has been in effect since fall 2021. The UC system made this decision both in response to accessibility concerns during the pandemic and as a permanent move to make admissions more equitable.
So, if you’re applying to UC Berkeley, you do not need to send in your SAT score. Focusing on your academics, extracurricular activities, UC Personal Insight Questions (essays), and course rigor will be much more helpful for your application.
For context, many applicants in recent years have poured their energy into making their essays compelling and making sure their grades and activities truly reflect who they are as students. For example, you might want to highlight a leadership role in a club or offer a detailed story in your essays rather than stressing about test scores.
If you decide to apply to other colleges that still accept or require SAT/ACT scores, it might be worth sending them there if you are proud of your score. But for UC Berkeley and the other UCs, you can safely skip sending them in. Focus your energy where it’ll matter most!
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years