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What it takes to get into University of California-Berkeley

The numbers admitted students had, and the parts of an application University of California-Berkeleyreports it weighs. Both come from the college’s own reporting.

Acceptance rate

11.0%

Admitted GPA

~3.90

unweighted, 4.0 scale

Testing

blind

Reported by the college

What University of California-Berkeley weighs

Requirements tell you what to submit. This tells you what happens to it once you do, which is the more useful of the two and the part almost nobody looks up.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Essay

  • Important

    Weighed, though below the factors above.

    • Extracurriculars
    • Character and personal qualities
    • Volunteer work
    • Work experience

  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • Test scores
    • Recommendations
    • Talent or ability
    • First-generation status
    • State residency

  • Not considered

    Reported as playing no part in the decision.

    • Class rank
    • Interview
    • Demonstrated interest
    • Legacy
    • Where you live
    • Religious affiliation

From University of California-Berkeley’s Common Data Set, 2024, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.

Where you stand

Run your own numbers

These are the numbers admitted students had. The next question is where yours land inside them, and what to do about the gap.

Your chances at University of California-BerkeleyUniversity of California-Berkeley essay prompts (10)

Common questions

University of California-Berkeley requirements, answered

What matters most for University of California-Berkeley admissions?

University of California-Berkeley reports that it treats grades, course rigor, essay as very important. Those are where the work pays off, and the college is the source, not a guess.

What does University of California-Berkeley not consider?

University of California-Berkeley reports that class rank, interview, demonstrated interest, legacy, where you live play no part in its decision. This is worth knowing because effort spent on any of them does not count here, whatever it does elsewhere.

What GPA do you need to get into University of California-Berkeley?

Admitted students average around a 3.90 (unweighted, 4.0 scale). There is no minimum, and grades are read alongside course rigor.

Does University of California-Berkeley require the SAT or ACT?

No, University of California-Berkeley is test-optional.

What Spike does with this

Build toward what University of California-Berkeley actually reads.

Spike takes the factors a college weighs and works them into your courses, testing, essays, and activities over time.