How many students typically get accepted off the UC Berkeley waitlist?
I’m trying to figure out how realistic it is to get off the waitlist at UC Berkeley. I was waitlisted for this upcoming fall and now I’m just sort of stuck in limbo. Does anyone know what percentage or actual number of people get admitted off the waitlist in recent years?
I’ve looked around on the Berkeley site but it’s kind of vague, and I can’t tell if the number changes a lot from year to year. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has insight, especially if you’ve been through it yourself or know people who were accepted off the waitlist. Thanks in advance!
Also, if anyone knows if certain majors (I’m Math, by the way) have better chances, please share.
I’ve looked around on the Berkeley site but it’s kind of vague, and I can’t tell if the number changes a lot from year to year. I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has insight, especially if you’ve been through it yourself or know people who were accepted off the waitlist. Thanks in advance!
Also, if anyone knows if certain majors (I’m Math, by the way) have better chances, please share.
2 weeks ago
•
24 views
Kathy Jayanth
• 2 weeks ago
Advisor
UC Berkeley’s waitlist acceptance numbers can fluctuate a lot from year to year depending on enrollment goals and how many admitted students accept their offers. In recent cycles, the number of students admitted off the waitlist has ranged from as few as around 50 to as many as over 1,600 in a single year. For example, in 2020, over 1,600 students were admitted from the waitlist, but in 2021, the number dropped to fewer than 300. Because of this, the acceptance rate for waitlisted students has swung anywhere from under 5% to close to 30%.
For the current cycle, Berkeley indicated that they offered waitlist spots to about 7,000–8,000 students. Only a small fraction of those will be admitted, and the exact percentage depends on yield and space available.
In terms of majors, Berkeley does not release detailed data on waitlist acceptance by program. That said, highly competitive majors such as engineering or computer science are generally tougher since spots are so limited. Math falls under the College of Letters and Science, which has a broader structure and may be somewhat more flexible, but it is still highly selective. Anecdotally, students in less impacted majors sometimes have slightly better odds, but there is no guarantee.
Some students try to improve their chances by submitting updates with new grades, awards, or a thoughtful letter of continued interest. While there’s no official policy that this will change the outcome, it can be a way to show commitment and keep your file active.
And just to add a personal note: I had a friend who got off the Berkeley waitlist. She followed up by sending strong updates and essays, and it made a difference. So it does happen, and I’ve seen it firsthand.
It’s smart to keep other options open while you wait, but don’t lose hope entirely. Each year some students do get in from the waitlist, and if Berkeley is your top choice, it’s worth the effort to stay engaged.
For the current cycle, Berkeley indicated that they offered waitlist spots to about 7,000–8,000 students. Only a small fraction of those will be admitted, and the exact percentage depends on yield and space available.
In terms of majors, Berkeley does not release detailed data on waitlist acceptance by program. That said, highly competitive majors such as engineering or computer science are generally tougher since spots are so limited. Math falls under the College of Letters and Science, which has a broader structure and may be somewhat more flexible, but it is still highly selective. Anecdotally, students in less impacted majors sometimes have slightly better odds, but there is no guarantee.
Some students try to improve their chances by submitting updates with new grades, awards, or a thoughtful letter of continued interest. While there’s no official policy that this will change the outcome, it can be a way to show commitment and keep your file active.
And just to add a personal note: I had a friend who got off the Berkeley waitlist. She followed up by sending strong updates and essays, and it made a difference. So it does happen, and I’ve seen it firsthand.
It’s smart to keep other options open while you wait, but don’t lose hope entirely. Each year some students do get in from the waitlist, and if Berkeley is your top choice, it’s worth the effort to stay engaged.
Kathy Jayanth
Berkeley, CA
UC Berkeley | Economics & Slavic Studies
Experience
5 years