Guide to Decision Release

Students should review all their letters on their MAP@Berkeley portal. This includes the general notification letter, the Conditions of Admissions, Frequently Asked Questions, and other important information.

Students will also have an Undergraduate Admissions Update Form where they can inform us of any changes to their academic plan or if they will not be meeting their conditions of admissions. Please remind your students to keep checking the same email address that they used to apply, even after they create a Berkeley account.

Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship Candidates

For first-year admits who were admitted in February as candidates for the R&C Scholarship, they should receive a letter notifying them of their scholarship status. Transfer admits who are selected for the R&C Scholarship will receive notification in the weeks after receiving the admission decision.

Important deadlines

• May 15 - Deadline to accept offer of admissions (first-year admits)
• June 1 - Deadline to accept offer of admissions (transfer admits)

Students invited to join the waitlist must opt-in via MAP@Berkeley by April 15 if they are first-year applicants and May 15 if they are transfer applicants. Accepting a spot on the waitlist is not an offer of admission and we encourage students to consider other educational offers as well as the waitlist. While many students will be notified in May or June whether a space is available for them, the waitlist will be held through the Summer.

Important deadlines:

• April 15 - First-year deadline to opt-in to waitlist 
• May 15 - Transfer deadline to opt-in to waitlist

We stress that because we have over 144,000 applicants for Berkeley admissions, we are unable to accept all the vastly qualified students who apply. Not being admitted to Berkeley is not a reflection on a student’s academic ability to succeed in college. Students who are interested in an appeal should review their FAQs for more details. While few appeals are granted, students who have new and compelling information are welcome to submit an appeal by April 15 (first-year applicants) and May 15 (transfer applicants).

Important deadlines

• April 15 - Deadline to appeal (first-years)
• May 15 - Deadline to appeal (transfers)

For information on how to submit official transcripts and documents, please review our transcripts webpage. Students should check their portal for details on which documents to submit in order to finalize their admission to Berkeley.

Important deadlines

• July 1 - Transcript deadline
• July 15 - Deadline for required exams or IGETC certifications

All students will have Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on their status portal that will help them understand their decision and what options are available to them. If students have questions, we highly recommend they review those FAQs before contacting our office. Should students have questions that are not addressed in our FAQs, they are welcome to contact us.

Accepting Your Offer of Admission

Q:  How do I accept my offer of admission?

A:  Accepting your offer of admission includes, agreeing to the Honor Code, accepting your Conditions of Admission and paying a $250 deposit (if required). The $250 is nonrefundable and will be credited toward your first-semester tuition bill. 

Q:  What is the admission deposit? What does it cover?

A:  The $250 deposit is a portion of your first-semester registration fees; it is not an extra cost. The funds are a deposit. Like many other schools, we require a nonrefundable "down payment" to ensure a commitment on the part of the student. The deposit will show as paid on your first billing statement. 

Q: What does it mean that my tuition/enrollment deposit is waived? 

A: An admission deposit waiver means that you will have to pay the deposit when fees for the semester are due (in August for fall semester, or January for spring semester). For some students, the campus agrees to wait to receive these funds.  

Q: How do I know if my deposit has been waived? 

A: If your deposit has been waived you will not be prompted to pay after agreeing to the Honor Code and Conditions of Admission. You will also see a “Deposit Waived” indicator in your MAP@Berkeley portal. 

Q:  May I pay my admission deposit a few days past the deadline?

A:  Unfortunately, no. There are no exceptions. 

Q:  How do I pay the admission deposit? Can I pay by check?

A:  There are three ways to pay your admission deposit; e-check, credit card, or wire transfer. Paper checks are not accepted. You must complete each of the following steps by the deadline, for your acceptance of your offer of admission to be considered submitted:

• Navigate to the MAP@Berkeley portal, which will direct you to your Next Steps
• Accept your admission and the Honor Code Agreement and check the box next to each Condition of Admission, indicating that you understand and accept
• Select Continue
• You will then be instructed to pay the $250 admission deposit in full (plus a 2.75% service charge for students who pay with credit card).

Q: Why is the 'Accepting my Offer of Admission' still showing on my Task list in CalCentral?

A: If you are still seeing a task to accept your offer of admission, it means you have not gone through all of the steps to complete the process. The final action to complete this process is submitting your $250 deposit.

Q: Why do I see other charges when I try to pay my Admissions Deposit?

A: If you are enrolled in Berkeley's non-degree summer program you may see your tuition charges when you are accepting your offer of admission. Don't worry! You can pay your deposit now and your other charges later. Click Pay next to your account balance. Then, delete the charge you aren't ready to pay, leaving the $250 Admissions Deposit Item on the list and click "check out".

Q: What is a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)? 

A: The SIR is an old term for newly admitted students that is no longer used at Berkeley. We are now encouraging students to ‘Accept your offer of admission’ and to ‘Pay your admissions deposit’. Please bear with us as we continue to change the language on our website and other Berkeley communications. If you see a reference to SIR, please know that means to accept your offer of admission.

Conditions of Admission

Q:  What are the Conditions of Admission?

A:  Every offer of admission is conditional. All admitted students have conditions that must be met in order to sustain Berkeley's offer of admission. When accepting the offer, every admitted student is prompted to read and accept each of their conditions. You can find a printable version of your Conditions of Admission in the MAP@Berkeley portal, along with a printable version of your admission letter. Each condition check box must be selected. The student must then click Continue to progress to the admission deposit payment screen.

Q:  How do I know whether Admissions has received all of my documents and that I have met all of the conditions?

A:  You will find the list of documents that you are required to submit, along with the status of each document on the Task list at the center of the CalCentral Dashboard page. Each document will have one of the following next to it:

• Due Date- IF it has not been received
• Received- IF it has been received and is in the process of being reviewed but is not yet considered complete
• Complete- IF it has been reviewed by an Admissions Officer

You should print a copy of the FAQ and your Conditions of Admission for your records.

Q:  If I am unable to meet all of my Conditions of Admission, what will happen?

A:  Typically, your admission to Berkeley will be canceled. You must contact the Admissions Office using the Undergraduate Admission Update form if you believe you will not be able to meet your Conditions of Admission. The Undergraduate Admissions Update form is available to students on the MAP@Berkeley portal page. PLEASE NOTE: If you are admitted before March 28, 2024, you may not be able to submit your updates until after March 28. Rest assured, you will be able to provide your update. Thank you, in advance, for your patience. For assistance or questions, call our customer service desk at 510-642-3175.

Transcript and Test Score Deadlines

Q:  How do I know which documents I am supposed to send to Berkeley?

A:  You should review your Conditions of Admission at MAP@Berkeley - as well as the detailed CalCentral Task list - for a list of all required official documents and information about how to request each.

Q:  How do I confirm that my documents have been received?

A:  You should review your CalCentral Task list. You will see a listing of all your required final, official documents that have/have not been received to date.

Q:  What happens if I do not provide all of my official documents?

A:  Admitted students who fail to provide their official documents or who have misrepresented their coursework, grades, or test scores, may have their admission to UC Berkeley canceled. Please refer to your Conditions of Admission for detailed information.

Q:  What makes a high school transcript official and final? May I fax it or send a scanned copy by email?

A:  Fax, email, or paper copies of the official transcript will not meet the requirements. We require an official high school transcript from your school with a date of graduation, original seal, and signature. If this proves difficult to obtain, you can contact the Admissions Office at 510-642-3175 to discuss your options.

Q:  What am I supposed to do if my AP, ACT or SAT tests scores are not available by July 15?

A: Berkeley acknowledges only AP scores that are 3 or higher. Reported APs with scores lower than 3 are not required as a Condition of Admission. Your AP test scores are not available on your checklist until July. If we do not receive your test scores within 10 days after the July 15 deadline you will be notified via MAP@Berkeley. If we still do not receive these scores, your admission may be canceled.

Q:  Why do I have to send AP scores if I do not intend to take these courses in college and do not intend to seek college credit for the AP test?

A:  Because you were admitted on the strength and truthfulness of your application, you must send us your credit-bearing AP scores. The admission of any applicant who has provided misinformation on AP exams or scores is subject to cancellation.

Q:  My grades will not be available until after July 1.  Will you cancel my admission to Berkeley?

Q: I forgot to have some/all of my official documents sent to Berkeley, and now it is past the deadline.  Can I still send them?

Q:  I am out of the country and will not be returning until after the official documents due date has passed. 

Q: I have requested my official transcripts many times, but my school is very slow about providing them. 

Q:  My official transcripts are coming from a school outside the US, and they may not arrive by the deadline.  

A:  The campus allows you approximately 10 additional days after the deadline to provide all official documentation. If official documents are not provided, your admission will be subject to cancellation.   

Q: Do first-year students in the  Fall Program for First-Semester also have to send official documents to Berkeley by July 1st? 

A:  Yes. Please review your Conditions of Admissions document found at MAP@Berkeley. All admitted students must submit the documents referred to in their Conditions of Admission by the deadline(s) shown in this document.

Q:  I am a new first-year, but I took some college courses. The grades that I received for my college coursework are recorded on my high school transcript. Do I still need to submit a college transcript?

A: Yes. You must also submit an official transcript from the college or university that you attended while in high school, even if the college grade is recorded on your high school transcript.

Q:  I took a course/courses at UC Berkeley. Do I still need to send that transcript to you or do you already have this information? 

A:  If you were enrolled in a Berkeley Summer Session course we will already have your transcript information. However, if you enrolled through UC Berkeley Extension, you must request that the transcript be sent to our office.

Q: If I was directly admitted to the Fall Program for First-Semester, can I appeal to traditional fall start? 

A:  No. Students admitted directly to the Fall Program for First-Semester (FPF) are Berkeley students. The only difference is taking your first fall semester courses. FPF is a small, collaborative learning community for first-year students in their first semester. FPF offers smaller classes and much greater connections with your instructors, classmates, and FPF adviser. It’s like a small liberal arts college with the resources and opportunities of a large research university. Learn more about FPF.

Deferring Admission

Q:  May I defer my admission to next fall?

Q: I have been admitted to the fall term. May I defer my admission to spring?

A:  The Office of Undergraduate Admission reviews requests to defer admission to a future term or academic year with a compelling reason. Students who would like to request a deferral of enrollment may submit the Request for Deferment form. The Request for Deferment form will be available from May 15 to June 15, 2024. You will receive a response to your request for deferment by July 31, 2024.

Final Steps to Enrollment 

Q:  I am an admitted student and I do not know what I am supposed to do now.  Is my admission final?

Q:  When can I stop checking the website for new requirements?   

A:  If you meet all of the requirements in your Conditions of Admission, your admission to Berkeley is final and no longer provisional. However, CalCentral will be your main source of information, so you must check your checklist on a regular basis.

Q: Can I apply for housing before I accept my offer of admission?

A: No, you can only apply for housing after you accept your offer of admission and before the housing application deadline using your CalNet credentials.  

"Who Can I Talk to About...?"

Q:  Now that I am admitted, who can I talk to about the courses that I should enroll in during my first semester at Berkeley?

A:  You’ll be invited through a task in CalCentral to complete Golden Bear Advising. Golden Bear Advising covers campus academic resources, an introduction to your college, and how to enroll in your classes. Please visit Golden Bear Advising for more information!

Q:  Who do I talk to about a change in my courses, grades, or tests that occurred after Berkeley admitted me? 

A:  You should report changes to your schedule to the Undergraduate Admission Update form on the MAP@Berkeley portal page. PLEASE NOTE: If you are admitted before March 28, 2024, your admissions officer may not begin responding to form submissions until March 28. Rest assured, your submission will be captured and responded to. For assistance or questions, call our customer service desk at 510-642-3175.

Q: Who do I talk to about the American History and Institutions requirements and the American Cultures requirement?

A: The American History and Institutions requirement is a University of California requirement. The American Cultures (AC) requirement is a Berkeley campus requirement. AC courses are offered in more than 40 departments in many different disciplines. For information on how to satisfy this requirement, please visit: http://americancultures.berkeley.edu/

Q: I still have a lot of questions about my enrollment! Who do I talk to?

A: Don't worry, we have you covered. Just go to the Cal Student Central website and check out the top questions. If you cannot find an answer, you can open a case (instructions are on their website).

We realize that students invited to join the waitlist  often have many questions. We hope that the following helps you to better understand the waitlist process.

General Questions

Q: What is the waitlist?

A: The waitlist is for first-year applicants who were not offered admission due to space limitations but who are considered excellent candidates for admission should space become available in the current admissions cycle. Being on the waitlist is not a guarantee of receiving an offer of admission at a later date, therefore it is important that you consider other offers of admission, and accept an offer at another university, before the decision day of May 1, 2024.

Q: I’m an outstanding student. Why wasn't I admitted?

A: Each year, over the last decade, UC Berkeley has experienced significant increases in the number of applications received. Because the number of first-year enrollment spaces has remained relatively constant, admission to Berkeley has become much more competitive. This year was no exception. For fall 2024, we received more than 124,000 first-year applications.

Q: Can I challenge the admission decision?

A: Appeals may only be filed by students who are denied admission. Since the waitlist offer is not a final admission decision, the appeals process is not available. In order to express your interest in our campus and to share more information for consideration, you should opt-in to the waitlist, by April 15, 2024.

Q: Is there any restriction about who can be on the waitlist?

A: Yes. The waitlist option is limited to first-year applicants by invitation only. If invited, you must opt in by midnight, April 15, 2024.

Q: [For Global Management applicants] If I am admitted from the waitlist, will I be admitted to the Haas School of Business Global Management Program?

A: No. Unfortunately, the Global Management Program spaces will be filled. If you are admitted, you will be admitted to the College of Letters and Science.

Q: [For MET applicants] If I am admitted from the waitlist, will I be admitted to the Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (M.E.T.) program?

A: No. Unfortunately, the M.E.T. program spaces are filled. If you are admitted, you will be admitted to the associated Engineering major from your application without the Business component.

Q: Am I on the waitlist automatically?

A: No, you received an invite to join the waitlist, but you need to tell us if you want that space on the waitlist. Please go to MAP@Berkeley, and follow the instructions to remain on the waitlist (opt-in). Remember, if you want to remain on the waitlist, you must let us know by 11:59 PM, April 15, 2024 Pacific Time.

Q: What are my chances of being admitted to UC Berkeley after being on the waitlist?

A: Because we will not know until early May whether any spaces will become available and because the waitlist is not ranked, our staff will not be able to forecast any student's chances of being admitted. Should spaces become available, our review will focus primarily on your original application. The percentage of students admitted from the waitlist depends on the number of enrollment spaces we have available and the number of students who opt-in to the waitlist. 

Q: Is the waitlist ranked? 

A: No.

Q: Does visiting the campus increase my chances of being admitted from the waitlist? 

A: No. Our office will make decisions based on the original application only. Additionally, Admissions will not be able to provide interviews or personal appointments for students on the waitlist.

Q: How will I find out if I get an offer of admission?

A: The review of candidates and available spaces will continue through the month of May. You will receive an email directing you to MAP@Berkeley and will have seven days from the time of notification to accept the offer by accepting your offer of admission. To check your status, please log in to MAP@Berkeley.

Q: Can I opt to be on a waitlist for more than one UC campus?

A: Yes, you can opt to be included on more than one waitlist, if the option is offered to you by multiple campuses. (Each campus maintains its own waitlist.) If you subsequently receive offers of admission, you may accept only one. If you accept an admission offer from a campus after you have accepted an offer to another, you must rescind your acceptance to the first campus. The deposit paid to the first campus will not be refunded or applied to the second campus.

Waitlist Process

Q: What do I do if I am admitted?

A: Waitlisted students who receive offers of admission from UC Berkeley must accept their offer of admission, through CalCentral. You will be notified of the deadline to accept your offer of admission if you are admitted. The guide for how to accept your offer can be found in CalCentral.

You must complete all other required documentation, including accepting your Conditions of Admission, by all specified deadlines.

Q: What can I expect if I receive an offer of admission? 

A: Depending on space available, students selected from the waitlist may have limited enrollment pathways, which may be different from a student offered admission earlier in the admissions cycle. For example, applicants to the College of Letters and Science may receive an offer that comes in the form of an offer to join Fall Program for First-Semester to start their Berkeley career. Depending upon available space, one or both of these programs may be your only enrollment pathway option(s) if you are admitted from the waitlist. Before you opt-in, be sure to visit the websites for these unique programs to learn more and determine if they are a good fit. Should space be available, both programs are great ways to commence your Berkeley experience.

Q: How long will I have to accept the offer of admission?

A: Approximately one week. You will have seven days from the time of notification to accept the offer of admission, including the day you are notified. Your individual deadline date will be fixed; no extensions will be granted.

Q: What if I already accepted an offer to another campus?

A: If you are offered admission to UC Berkeley and have already accepted an offer of admission to another college or university, you can still accept your offer. You will need to accept your offer to UC Berkeley and withdraw your acceptance at the other campus. The deposit to the first campus will not be refunded.

Housing and Financial Aid

Q: If I'm admitted off the waitlist, will I still be eligible for financial aid?

A: Yes. If you applied for financial aid and submitted your FAFSA to UC Berkeley by the priority deadline, you will be able to see an estimate of your financial aid at MAP@Berkeley.

Q: If I am admitted off the waitlist, do I still receive the housing priority?

A: Yes, waitlisted admitted students will receive a housing offer if you complete the housing application by the deadline to accept your offer of admission and you indicate “any room, any location” as one of your preferences. Housing priority can be jeopardized if you do not meet your deadline to accept your offer of admission. Please check MAP@Berkeley for more information.

We realize that many students will be disappointed to learn that they have not been offered admission to the University of California, Berkeley. Unfortunately, the extraordinary size and strength of our applicant pool meant that many highly qualified candidates were denied admission this year. We hope that the following information answers some of the questions you may have regarding our admission decisions and helps to understand our first-year selection process.

Q: Why was I denied admission when I felt that I was a very strong applicant?

A: Due to the highly competitive nature of our first-year applicant pool, thousands of students who had excellent academic and personal credentials were denied admission for fall. Over the last decade, UC Berkeley has experienced significant increases in the number of applications received. Because the number of first-year enrollment spaces has remained relatively constant, admission to Berkeley has become much more difficult. For fall 2024, we received more than 124,000 first-year applications for approximately 13,000 admission spaces.**

Q: How were first-year decisions made for fall?

A: All first-year applications for admission were read individually, and each received two comprehensive, independent assessments by well-trained readers. In accordance with the University of California Regents and Berkeley faculty guidelines, Berkeley’s incoming class was chosen on the basis of a complete review of all information, including the strength of high school coursework and grades, the pattern of grades over time, rigor of the senior year program, honors and advanced coursework compared to what was available at the high school, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Higher Level examination results, other indicators of academic promise, participation and accomplishment in the performing arts and athletics, leadership in school or community activities, employment experiences, community service, personal qualities and characteristics, and likely contribution to the campus community. We recognize that Berkeley applicants vary in their academic and extracurricular opportunities. Therefore, our assessments took into account individual circumstances and the context for academic and personal accomplishments, including the depth of curricular offerings available at each high school and personal experiences that may have impacted academic performance.

Q: Who read and evaluated my application for admission?

A: The Berkeley undergraduate application readers are a group of nearly 200 professional admissions and student affairs staff, college instructors, high school teachers, and guidance counselors. After undergoing intensive training before the reading process began, the readers met weekly throughout the process to discuss admission cases. In some instances, applications were evaluated by a third, and sometimes by a fourth or fifth reader. We monitored our process closely to ensure that admission decisions were made in the fairest and most equitable manner possible, following the first-year selection goals and guidelines outlined in the previous answer.

Q: Why was another student at my school admitted when I had a higher grade point average?

A: It is important for applicants and their families to understand that our admissions evaluations encompass more than just an assessment of grades, test scores, and other information that students may commonly share with each other. Our selection process includes careful review of the personal insight question responses, participation in activities both in and out of school, and individual circumstances that might not be apparent to an applicant’s peers. Another factor that creates a perceived discrepancy between student qualifications and admission to Berkeley is the college to which the candidate applied. For example, some College of Engineering departments have specific undergraduate enrollment limits which make them especially competitive.

Q: I understand that for fall 2024, UC Berkeley has a waitlist. Why am I not on the waitlist? What is the waitlist?

A: The waitlist is for first-year applicants who were not offered admission due to space limitations but who are considered excellent candidates for admission, should space become available in the current admissions cycle. (Being on the waitlist is not a guarantee of receiving an offer of admission at a later date.) Students cannot appeal for a place on the waitlist.

Q: Can I appeal my admission decision?

A: Any applicant who is denied admission may submit an appeal. (Note: Appeals from students on the waitlist will not be considered.) We strongly discourage an appeal unless you can provide significant new information for us to consider. Our first-year selection process involves a careful, individual reading of each application, and it is very unlikely that we will choose to reverse our original decision. If you do have significant new information to present and decide to appeal our admissions decision, all appeal requests are due by April 15, 2024.

Appeals completed by April 15 will be considered on time and will receive a response by August 2024. In the appeal letter, you must provide significant new information (i.e., semester grades, additional achievements) for us to consider. Advise us of any change in your email address in case we need to contact you during the appeal process.   

Even if you choose to appeal, we recommend that you do not delay in accepting an admission offer from another college or university. We do not accept appeals mailed via postal mail, telephone, fax, or email. All appeal requests must be made using this form.

Q: Can I speak with an admissions officer about my application for admission?

A: For reasons of confidentiality and because of the volume of applications we review, it is not possible to answer specific questions about individual cases over the phone or in person. You may call our office at 510-642-3175 if you have general questions regarding the selection process.

Q: I never received a letter in the mail. Should I be getting one?

A: The Office of Undergraduate Admissions does not send paper letters to students who were not offered admission. Because the overwhelming majority of our applicants prefer to learn of their admission decision electronically, we are posting decision letters only on our secure applicant website, MAP@Berkeley.

**All Admissions statistics are projected and approximations.

Accept Your Offer of Admission

Q: How do I accept my offer of admission?
A: Accepting your offer of admission includes, agreeing to the Honor Code, accepting your Conditions of Admission and paying a $250 deposit (if required). The $250 is non-refundable, and will be credited towards your first semester tuition bill.

Q: What is the admission deposit? What does it cover?
A: The $250 deposit is a portion of your first semester registration fees; it is not an extra cost. The funds are a deposit. Like many other schools, we require a nonrefundable "down payment" to ensure a commitment on the part of the student. The deposit will show as paid on your first billing statement.

Q: What does it mean that my admission deposit is waived?
A: An admission deposit waiver means that you will have to pay the deposit when fees for the semester are due (in August for fall semester, January for spring semester). For some students, the campus agrees to wait to receive these funds.

Note: If for any reason you do not enroll at Berkeley, you will still be responsible for paying the deferred funds - late fees will accrue.

Q: How do I know if my deposit has been waived?
A: If your deposit has been waived you will not be prompted to pay after agreeing to the Honor Code and Conditions of Admission. You will also see a “Deposit Waived” indicator in your MAP@Berkeley portal.

Q: May I pay my admission deposit a few days past the deadline?
A: Unfortunately, no. There are no exceptions.

Q: How do I pay the admission deposit? Can I pay by check?
A: There are three ways to pay your admission deposit; e-check, credit card, or wire transfer. Paper checks are not accepted. You must complete each of the following steps by the deadline, in order for your acceptance of your offer of admission to be considered submitted;

• Navigate to the MAP@Berkeley portal, which will direct you to you Next Steps
• Accept your admission, the Honor Code Agreement and check the box next to each Condition of Admission, indicating that you understand and accept
• Select Continue
• You will then be instructed to pay the $250.00 admission deposit in full (plus a 2.75% service charge for students who pay with credit card).

Q: Why is the 'Accepting my Offer of Admission' still showing on my Task list in CalCentral?
A: If you are still seeing a task to accept your offer of admission, it means you have not gone through ALL of the steps to complete the process. The final action to complete this process is submitting your $250 deposit.

Q: Why do I see other charges when I try to pay my Admissions Deposit?
A: If you are enrolled in Berkeley's non-degree summer program you may see your tuition charges when you are accepting your offer of admission. Don't worry! You can pay your deposit now and your other charges later. Click Pay next to your account balance. Then, delete the charge you aren't ready to pay, leaving the $250 Admissions Deposit Item on the list and click "check out".

Q: What is a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)?
A: The SIR is an old term for newly admitted students that is no longer used at Berkeley. We are now encouraging students to ‘Accept your offer of admissions’ and to ‘Pay your admissions deposit’. Please bear with us as we continue to change the language on our website and other Berkeley communications. If you see a reference to SIR, please know that means to accept your offer of admissions.

Conditions of Admission Form

Q: What are the Conditions of Admission?
A: Every offer of admission is conditional. All admitted students have conditions that must be met in order to sustain Berkeley's offer of admission. When accepting the offer, every admitted student is prompted to read and accept each of their conditions. You can find a printable version of your Conditions of Admission in MAP@Berkeley portal, along with a printable version of your admission letter. Each condition check box must be selected. The student must then click Continue in order to progress to the admission deposit payment screen.

Q: How do I know whether Admissions has received all of my documents and that I have met all of the conditions?
A: You will find the list of documents that you are required to submit, along with the status of each document on the Task list at the center of the CalCentral Dashboard page. Each document will have one of the following next to it:

• Due Date- IF it has not been received
• Received- IF it has been received and is in the process of being reviewed, but is not yet considered complete
• Complete- IF it has been reviewed by an Admission Officer

You should print a copy of the FAQ and your Conditions of Admission for your records.

Q: If I am unable to meet all of my conditions of admission, what will happen?
A: Typically, your admission to Berkeley will be canceled. You must contact the Admissions Office immediately using the Undergraduate Admission Update form, if you believe you will not be able to meet your Conditions of Admission. The Undergraduate Admissions Update form is available to students on the MAP@Berkeley portal page. For assistance or questions, contact your admissions officer (located in your MAP@Berkeley portal), or call our customer service desk at 510-642-3175.

Majors

Q: How do I know what major I was admitted to?
A: Students admitted to the Haas School of Business and the Colleges of Engineering, Environmental Design, Chemistry, Natural Resources, and Computing, Data Science and Society are admitted to the major listed on their letter of admission. Most students admitted to the College of Letters and Science come in undeclared and therefore will not have a major listed on the letter of admission. However, those admitted to a major in the direct admit pilot are admitted directly to that major and should have a major listed on their letter of admission.

Transcript and Test Score Deadlines

Q: How do I know what documents I am supposed to send to Berkeley?
A: You should review your Conditions of Admission at MAP@Berkeley - as well as the detailed Cal Central Task list - for a list of all required official documents and information about how to request each. Review our transcripts webpage for more details on submitting documents.

Q: How do I confirm that my documents have been received?
A: You should review your Cal Central Task list. You will see a listing of all your required final, official documents that have/have not been received to date.

Q: What happens if I do not provide all of my official documents?
A: Admitted students who fail to provide their official documents, or who have misrepresented their coursework, grades, or test scores, may have their admission to UC Berkeley canceled. Please refer to your Conditions of Admission for detailed information.

Q: What makes a transcript official and final? May I fax it or send a scanned copy by email?
A: Fax, email, or paper copies of the official transcript will not meet the requirements. We require an official transcript from your school with the original seal, and signature. If this proves difficult to obtain, you can contact the Admissions Office at 510-642-3175 to discuss your options.

Q: My grades will not be available until after July 1. Will you cancel my admission to Berkeley?
Q: I forgot to have some/all of my official documents sent to Berkeley, and now it is past the deadline. Can I still send them?
Q: I am out of the country and will not be returning until after the official documents due date has passed.
Q: I have requested my official transcripts many times, but my school is very slow about providing them.
Q: My official transcripts are coming from a foreign school, and they may not arrive by the deadline.
A: The campus allows you approximately 10 additional days after the deadline to provide all official documentation. If your official documents are not provided, your enrollment will be subject to cancellation.

Q: My community college transcript shows my high school graduation date. Is that enough?
A: No. You must also submit an official transcript from the high school you attended.

Q: I took a course/courses at UC Berkeley. Do I still need to send that transcript to you or do you already have this information?
A: If you were enrolled in a Berkeley Summer Session course we will already have your transcript information. However, if you enrolled through the UC Berkeley Extension, you must request that the transcript be sent to our office.

Deferring Admission

Q: May I defer my admission to next fall?
Q: I have been admitted to the fall term. May I defer my admission to spring?
A: The Office of Undergraduate Admission rarely approves requests to defer admission to a future term or academic year. However, students who would like to request a deferral of enrollment may submit the Request for Deferment form. The Request for Deferment form will be available from June 1 - June 30, 2024 to students who have accepted their offer of admission. You will receive a response to your request for deferment by July 31, 2024.

Final Steps to Enrollment

Q: I am an admitted student and I do not know what I am supposed to do now. Is my admission final?
Q: When can I stop checking the website for new requirements?
A: If you meet all of the requirements in your Conditions of Admission, your admission to Berkeley is final and no longer provisional. However, Cal Central will be your main source for information, so you must check your personal checklist on a regular basis.

Q: Can I Apply for Housing Before I Accept My Offer of Admission?
A: No, you can only apply for housing after you accept your offer of admission and before the housing application deadline using your CalNet credentials.

"Who Can I Talk to About...?"

Q: Now that I am admitted, who can I talk to about the courses that I should enroll in during my first semester at Berkeley?
A: You will be receiving information about advising for your specific college through Golden Bear Orientation. You may also visit the website for your college.

Q: Who do I talk to about a change in my courses, grades, or tests that occurred after Berkeley admitted me?
A: You should report changes to your schedule to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions via the Undergraduate Admission Update form on the MAP@Berkeley portal page. For assistance or questions, call our customer service desk at 510-642-3175.

Q: What are my chances of declaring my major in the College of Letters and Science?
A: Most students will not have any issue declaring their majors once they complete all of the lower division requirements for the department. There are a few majors that are considered "high demand" majors.

For information, review the Berkeley Academic Guide or the appropriate major department.

Q: Who do I talk to about the American History and Institutions requirements and the American Cultures requirement?
A: The American History and Institutions requirement is a University of California requirement. The American Cultures (AC) requirement is a Berkeley campus requirement. AC courses are offered in more than 40 departments in many different disciplines. For information on how to satisfy this requirement, please visit: americancultures.berkeley.edu.

Q: I still have more questions about my enrollment! Who do I talk to?
A. Don't worry, we have you covered! Just check out the Cal Student Central website. If you still can't find an answer, you can open a case (instructions on their website).

Q: How can I update my letters to show my legal name?
A: Please access the Update Decision to Legal Name form to have your name automatically update to your legal name. Once you make this change, you will not be able to change it back to your lived name. Please ensure you download copies of your letters with your lived name before you complete the form.

We realize that students invited to join the waitlist  often have many questions. We hope that the following helps you to better understand the waitlist process.

General Questions

Q: What is the waitlist?

A:The waitlist is for first-year applicants who were not offered admission due to space limitations but who are considered excellent candidates for admission should space become available in the current admissions cycle. Being on the waitlist is not a guarantee of receiving an offer of admission at a later date, therefore it is important that you consider other offers of admission, and accept an offer at another university, before the decision day of June 1, 2024.

Q: I’m an outstanding student. Why wasn't I admitted?

A: Each year, over the last decade, UC Berkeley has experienced significant increases in the number of applications received. Because the number of first-year enrollment spaces has remained relatively constant, admission to Berkeley has become much more competitive. This year was no exception. For fall 2024, we received more than 19,000 first-year applications.

Q: Can I challenge the admission decision?

A: Appeals may only be filed by students who are denied admission. Since the waitlist offer is not a final admission decision, the appeals process is not available. In order to express your interest in our campus and to share more information for consideration, you should opt-in to the waitlist, by May 15, 2024.

Q: Is there any restriction about who can be on the waitlist?

A: Yes. The waitlist option is limited to first-year applicants by invitation only. If invited, you must opt in by midnight, May 15, 2024.

Q: Am I on the waitlist automatically?

A: No, you received an invite to join the waitlist, but you need to tell us if you want that space on the waitlist. Please go to MAP@Berkeley, and follow the instructions to remain on the waitlist (opt-in). Remember, if you want to remain on the waitlist, you must let us know by 11:59 PM, May 15, 2024 Pacific Time.

Q: What are my chances of being admitted to UC Berkeley after being on the waitlist?

A: Because we will not know until early June whether any spaces will become available and because the waitlist is not ranked, our staff will not be able to forecast any student's chances of being admitted. Should spaces become available, our review will focus primarily on your original application. The percent of students admitted from the waitlist depends on the number of enrollment spaces we have available and the number of students who opt-in to the waitlist.

Q: Is the waitlist ranked? 

A: No.

Q: Does visiting the campus increase my chances of being admitted from the waitlist? 

A: No. Our office will make decisions based on the original application only. Additionally, Admissions will not be able to provide interviews or personal appointments for students on the wait list.

Q: Can I submit a letter of continued interest, letter of recommendation, or other materials for consideration?
A: No

Q: How will I find out if I get an offer of admission?

A: The review of candidates and available spaces will continue through the month of May. You will receive an email directing you to MAP@Berkeley and will have seven days from the time of notification to accept the offer by accepting your offer of admission. To check your status, please log in to MAP@Berkeley.

Q: Can I opt to be on a waitlist for more than one UC campus?

A: Yes, you can opt to be included on more than one waitlist, if the option is offered to you by multiple campuses. (Each campus maintains its own waitlist.) If you subsequently receive offers of admission, you may accept only one. If you accept an admission offer from a campus after you have accepted an offer to another, you must rescind your acceptance to the first campus. The deposit paid to the first campus will not be refunded or applied to the second campus.

Waitlist Process

Q: What do I do if I am admitted?

A: Waitlisted students who receive offers of admission from UC Berkeley must accept their offer of admission, through CalCentral. You will be notified of the deadline to accept your offer of admission if you are admitted. The guide for how to accept your offer can be found in CalCentral.

You must complete all other required documentation, including accepting your Conditions of Admission, by all specified deadlines.

Q: How long will I have to accept the offer of admission?

A: Approximately one week. You will have seven days from the time of notification to accept the offer of admission, including the day you are notified. Your individual deadline date will be fixed; no extensions will be granted.

Q: What if I already accepted an offer to another campus?

A: If you are offered admission to UC Berkeley and have already accepted an offer of admission to another college or university, you can still accept your offer. You will need to accept your offer to UC Berkeley and withdraw your acceptance at the other campus. The deposit to the first campus will not be refunded.

Housing and Financial Aid

Q: If I'm admitted off the waitlist, will I still be eligible for financial aid?

A: Yes. If you applied for financial aid and submitted your FAFSA to UC Berkeley by the priority deadline, you will be able to see an estimate of your financial aid at MAP@Berkeley.

Q: If I am admitted off the waitlist, do I still receive the housing priority?

A: Yes, waitlisted admitted students will receive a housing offer if you complete the housing application by the deadline to accept your offer of admission and you indicate “any room, any location” as one of your preferences. Housing priority can be jeopardized if you do not meet your deadline to accept your offer of admission. Please check MAP@Berkeley for more information.

We realize that many students will be disappointed to learn that they have not been offered admission to the University of California, Berkeley. Unfortunately, the extraordinary size and strength of our applicant pool this year meant that many highly qualified candidates were denied admission. We hope the following information responds to some of the questions you may have regarding our admission decisions and is helpful in understanding our transfer admission selection process.

Q: Why was I denied admission when I felt that I was a very strong applicant?

A: ​Due to the highly competitive nature of our transfer applicant pool, hundreds of students who had excellent academic and personal credentials were denied admission to Berkeley for fall. For fall 2024, Berkeley received over 19,000 applications of extraordinary caliber and talent.​ 

Q: What are the selection requirements for transfer students?

A: Priority is given to applicants who will have completed at least 60 (90 quarter units), but no more than 80 transferable semester units (120 quarter units) that satisfy College or major requirements. Most programs do not offer admission to students with more than 80 UC-transferable semester units. Exception: If all course work was completed at a community college, this unit limitation does not apply. Applicants are selected on the basis of academic performance and preparation, including completion of major prerequisites and general breadth requirements.

Q: How were transfer admission decisions made?

A: Applications were reviewed by more than 35 readers which included experienced admission recruitment specialists and student services staff from various campus offices. These readers assessed the applications based on the strength of the academic record, including the pattern of grades earned over time. All academic and personal information, including extracurricular accomplishments, employment and personal qualities, was taken into consideration. Because we recognize that Berkeley applicants vary in their academic and personal circumstances, the review took into account the context of each student's opportunities and challenges and the way he or she responded to them. Personal qualities of leadership or motivation, likely contribution to the intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus, and demonstrated interest in the major area of study were also considered. However, completion of preparatory coursework and academic performance were given the most weight in the transfer selection process.

Q: Is any group of applicants given preference in the selection process?
Did more nonresidents get admitted than California residents?

A: As a publicly funded institution, the University specifies in its policies that admission preference be given to students who are residents of California, and our eligibility and selection guidelines vary accordingly for residents and nonresidents. However, Berkeley does recognize the contribution of a geographically diverse student population; more than 20 percent of our entering students are non-California U.S residents and international students. Factors other than residency status, such as ethnicity, gender and race, are not taken into consideration in the selection process.

Q: I never received a letter in the mail. Should I be getting one?

A: The Office of Undergraduate Admissions did not send paper letters to students who were denied admission for fall. Because the overwhelming majority of our applicants prefer to learn of their admission decision electronically, we post decisions on our secure applicant portal, MAP@Berkeley.

Q: Can I appeal my admission decision?

A: Any applicant who is denied admission may submit an appeal. (Note: Appeals from students on the waitlist will not be considered.) We strongly discourage an appeal unless you can provide significant new information for us to consider. Our first-year selection process involves a careful, individual reading of each application, and it is very unlikely that we will choose to reverse our original decision. If you do have significant new information to present and decide to appeal our admissions decision, all appeal requests are due by May 15, 2024.

Appeals completed by May 15 will be considered on time and will receive a response by August  2024. In the appeal letter, you must provide significant new information (i.e., semester grades, additional achievements) for us to consider. Advise us of any change in your email address in case we need to contact you during the appeal process.

Even if you choose to appeal, we recommend that you do not delay in accepting an admission offer from another college or university. We do not accept appeals mailed via postal mail, telephone, fax, or email. All appeal requests must be made using the form on MAP@Berkeley. 

Q: Can I speak with an admissions officer about my application for admission?

A: For reasons of confidentiality and because of the volume of applications we review, it is not possible to answer specific questions about individual cases over the phone or in person. You may call our office at 510-642-3175 if you have general questions regarding the selection process.