Join us for the 2025 UC Berkeley Summer Bootcamp.
UC Berkeley Summer Bootcamp is a revamp of the Berkeley Summer Experience. This year we will be fully virtual, offering a series of sessions in the month of July. Our series of comprehensive webinars are intended to introduce prospective students to UC Berkeley’s majors, financial support, application and provide helpful tips around the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). .
Goal of the program
UC Berkeley Summer Bootcamp is built to serve all students. We offer strategies for crafting a competitive UC Application while introducing students to resources designed to help them succeed during the application process.
2025 Program Details
See details below
Eligibility and selection criteria
Eligibility criteria for this program are as follows:
High school students:
- be a senior in high school in fall 2025
Community college students:
- attend a California Community College
- have completed at least 30 semester transferable units by the end of spring prior to session
Webinars
July 8, 2025
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PDT
Exploring Majors at UC Berkeley
Learn more about the wide range of majors at UC Berkeley! In addition to how admissions utilizes majors in the admissions process, we will also be joined by staff from various colleges, and together we will review academic offerings, the major selection process, and what you can do to prepare now.
July 9, 2025
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PDT
Decoding Financial Aid
We’ll break down how financial aid works to help cover the full cost of attending a four-year university — from grants and scholarships to loans and work-study. Learn how to read your financial aid package, what terms like “Cost of Attendance (COA)” and “Student Aid Index (SAI)” really mean, and how to plan ahead for all college-related expenses.
July 14, 2025
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm PDT
UC the Vision: Application Workshop
This session will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the University of California (UC) application. Participants will gain insight into how to select UC campuses, understand the structure and expectations of the application, and learn what admissions readers look for in the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). By the end of the session, students will feel more prepared and confident in completing and submitting their UC application.
July 15, 2025
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PDT
Putting the Insight in PIQ (For First-year Students Only)
This presentation aims to demystify personal insight questions by outlining what PIQs are and aren’t and what readers are actually looking for. We’ll walk through examples and prepare students to share their experiences through their own voice in a compelling way.
July 15, 2025
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm PDT
UC Personal Insight Questions Workshop Transfer edition: Unlock Your Story. Strengthen Your Application (For Transfer Students Only)
Wondering how to make your application stand out as a transfer student? This interactive workshop is designed specifically for transfer students to help you understand and create captivating responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). You’ll learn what admissions officers are really looking for, how to choose the prompts that best reflect your experiences, and strategies for writing authentic responses.
By the end of the session, you’ll leave with an understanding of the PIQs and have tips to bring your voice and story to life.
July 23, 2025
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PDT
Financial Savvy 101
College is expensive — but you don’t have to be unprepared. In this session, we’ll talk budgeting basics, demystify credit cards, and explore tools and resources to keep your finances on track throughout your undergrad journey. Real talk, real tips.