The Freshman Selection Process
We realize that many students will be disappointed to learn that they have not been offered admission to UC 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 responds to some of the questions you may have regarding our admission decisions and is helpful in understanding our freshman selection process.
Why was I denied admission when I felt that I was a very strong applicant?
Due to the highly competitive nature of our freshman applicant pool, thousands of students who had excellent academic and personal credentials were denied admission for fall. Each year over the last decade, UC Berkeley has experienced significant increases in the number of applications received. Because the number of freshman enrollment spaces has remained relatively constant, admission to Berkeley has become much more difficult. For fall 2009, we received more than 48,000 freshman applications for approximately 10,500 admission spaces, resulting an admit rate of only 21%.* Our applicant pool included nearly 26,000 students with a weighted grade point average of 4.00 or higher — significantly more than twice the number of admission spaces available for our fall freshman class. Unfortunately, this high level of competition meant that many very qualified candidates were denied admission this year.
How were Freshmen decisions made for fall?
All freshman applications for admission were read individually and each received a comprehensive, independent assessment by experienced readers. In accordance with UC 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 course work and grades, the pattern of grades over time, rigor of the senior year program, honors and advanced course work compared to what was available at the high school, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Higher Level examination results, required test scores, 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 which may have impacted academic performance.
Who read and evaluated my application for admission?
The Berkeley undergraduate application readers for fall 2009 were a group more than 100 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 freshman selection goals and guidelines outlined in the previous answer.
Why was another student at my school admitted when I have a higher grade point average?
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 application essay, participation in activities both in and out of school, and individual circumstances that might not be apparent to an applicant’s peers. Another factor which creates a perceived discrepancy between student qualifications and admission to Berkeley is the College to which the candidate applied. Some College of Engineering departments have specific undergraduate enrollment limits which make them especially competitive. The Electrical Engineering and Computer Science major, for example, received approximately 2,170 applications for only 415 admission spaces.
Was any group of applicants given preference in the selection process?
Yes. 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; approximately 10 percent of our entering class are non-California U.S. residents or international students. Factors other than residency status, such as ethnicity, gender and race, are not taken into consideration in the selection process.
I never received a letter in the mail. Should I be getting one?
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions did 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, myBerkeleyApplication.
Can I appeal my admission decision?
We strongly discourage letters of appeal unless you can provide significant new information for us to consider. Our freshman 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, please submit your request in writing, postmarked by April 15, 2009. Include your UC application ID number in your letter and submit it with all accompanying materials (i.e. seventh semester grades or a letter of recommendation) in a single envelope. We do not accept appeals by telephone, fax or email. Log onto myBerkeleyApplication for your appeal decision. Decisions on appeals may not be issued until after May 1. 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 accepting an admission offer from another college or university.
Mailing Address:
Freshman Appeals Committee
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
University of California, Berkeley
110 Sproul Hall #5800
Berkeley, CA 94720-5800
Can I speak with an admissions officer about my application for admission?
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 Admissions Advising office at 510-642-3175 if you have general questions regarding the selection process. Or visit our website to use our virtual advisor, Ask Oski, which is available 24/7.
*All Admissions statistics are projected and approximations
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