How to Get Accepted to UC Berkeley (College of Letters and Science) as a Transfer Student

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley or UCB) is one of the top universities in the USA. It is renowned for it's political activism, prestigious faculty, and colorful student body. It is also known for being one of the toughest schools for admissions. In this article we will discuss what it takes to get into UC Berkeley (College of Letters and Science) as a transfer student. IF YOUR ARE APPLYING AS A FRESHMAN SEE MY ARTICLE ON THAT.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Good grades
• A well-planned application
• Personal statement (this is important!)
• Extra-curricular activities

1. 

   GRADES The minimum GPA is 3.0 and only approved UC transferable courses completed by the end of the fall term prior to admission will be considered. For example, if you are applying for Fall 2009, classes taken after Fall 2008 will not be used to calculate your GPA.
   
   You will be competing against many students and having the minimum GPA doesn't mean you will be accepted. UCB has a transfer-student acceptance rate of about 30% and must turn about MANY students with GPAs above 3.0 each year. Students with low grades will need to demonstrate high achievement in other areas and an ability to succeed academically.
   
   UCB will not look at your grades from high school nor will it consider SAT or ACT scores unless you are using them to fulfill curriculum requirements.

2. 

   PLANNING Your application must be submitted online or postmarked by November 30. Start working on your application early, ideally more than 4 weeks in advance. Make sure every question is answered and have someone proofread it.
   
   Look over your transcripts to ensure all grades are correct. DO NOT send them with the application! They will be thrown away!! Transcripts are only submitted AFTER you are accepted.
   
   UCB does not accept applications for the spring semester. All applicants must apply for fall. However, some students will be given a delayed admission, meaning you will not be able to enroll until the spring.
   
   The College of Letters and Science does not require recommendations or interviews.
   
   If you are a Freshman, I recommend researching the acceptance process now. Download the application and look it over. This will give you a better idea of what UCB is looking for. Plan your classes and your extra-curricular activities accordingly.

3. 

   UNITS You must have a MINIMUM of 60 semester units to apply as a transfer student. Unless ALL course work is completed at a community college, you are not eligible to apply to the College of Letters and Science with more than 80 semester units. There is a small chance you may get into another UCB school with excessive credits but it depends on the case. You will only receive graduation credit for 70 units when you transfer.
   
   You will also need to complete the IGETC or lower division requirements by the end of the spring semester preceding transfer. See the ASSIST website (www.assist.org) for details. If you still need to take classes during the summer to fulfill requirements you will have to wait another year to apply. You can receive credit for classes taken during the summer prior to enrolling at UCB but only if you've previously fulfilled the requirements.

4. 

   PERSONAL STATEMENT This part of your application should take the most time. UCB reads every single personal statement and puts significant weight on its content. Start working on it early.
   
   -Write at least 4 or 5 drafts
   -Get feedback from others
   -Edit and proofread
   
   Do whatever it takes to make this paper like gold. Hire a professional writer (like myself), have a friend proofread it, take a class on writing personal statements, or see your school counselor.
   
   A good statement will be thoughtful and original. It should create a clear idea of who you are and how you are unique. Make sure you stand out of the sea of applicants. As a writer who helps many students with their statements each fall, I can assure you the most common mistake is sounding like everybody else.

5. 

   TAKE COURSES IN YOUR MAJOR Decide on a major and take the lower-division classes at your school. If your school doesn't offer many of the classes you need, find a different school. UCB favors community colleges in the Bay Area. If you are dead set on transferring to Berkeley, I recommend attending one of those schools.

6. EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES This can be anything from sports, music, to volunteering at a hospital. The more the better. UCB looks at the applicant as a whole, just having good grades and high test scores will not cut it. You need to show that you are a well-rounded person who will contribute great things to the campus.

7. SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION When submitting your application, make sure UCB receives your fees, application, and personal statement. I recommend submitting online, it's faster and easier.
   
   If you mail your application, include only the application, check or money order, and personal statement in the envelope. Everything else will be tossed to the shredder. Make sure the application is signed and your name and birth date is on your form of payment!
   
   DO NOT send your application certified or registered mail. DO NOT use an express delivery service either. These will slow down your processing.
   
   DO get proof of mailing with a date on it. Keep copies of the application and personal statement for your records.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure UC Berkeley is really the school for you. Visit the campus, research its programs, and consider all of your other options.
• If you aren't accepted consider forming a protest on campus, it won't change UCBs decision, but it might make you feel better.
• Do not attempt to tie yourself to the top of Sather Tower in protest if you do not get it. Not only is this dangerous, but you will be arrested when you finally come down.

Resources

• Contact me for help with your personal statement
• UC Berkeley website
• Getting into UC Berkeley as a Freshman
• ASSIST

[koopalo]

on 6/13/2009 Thank you!!!!

[sheilayoo]

on 4/5/2009 I'm planning to transfer to UC Berkeley after my 2 years at community college. But is there any community college which is easier to get admission than any other commnubity colleges? I mean, I want to know if there are some specific community colleges that UC Berkeley prefers to give admission.

[skinskinoioi]

on 3/28/2009 I did terribly in high school and now i am in my senior year and trying to turn things around...if i do good in my first 2 years of community college, is there a possibility i could still get into Berkeley???

[Rockney]

on 3/12/2009 Great article! 5*!

[elexiapatterson]

on 8/27/2008 Extra-curricular activities doesn't have to be just music or sports. This can be anything from volunteering somewhere (like a Boys and Girls club, hospital, soup kitchen, or such), joining the debate team, school play/theater, basically anything that shows you are a well-rounded person. I taught English as a second language with a program I found at my local library my senior year. You don't have to have "talent" in the context you are thinking...you just have to show that there is more to you than good test scores and grades.