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#5 Best Public Universities in America

UC Berkeley Admission Requirements

Berkeley, California

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Your chances of getting into University of California Berkeley

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

11.3%
Admission Difficulty for University of California Berkeley
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UC Berkeley is 11.3%.  Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in California and the 33rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UC Berkeley and can you get accepted?

UC Berkeley is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 14,523 out of the 128,209 who applied were admitted.

University of California Berkeley typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.87. 46% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UC Berkeley?

11% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of California Berkeley you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.87 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1420 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT

UC Berkeley GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.87

Typical High School Grades 

A-

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UC Berkeley are to have around a 3.87 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as UC Berkeley is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UC Berkeley is 3.87 on the 4.0 scale. 33% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #13 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UC Berkeley is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of California Berkeley students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 33.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 50.4% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 12.9% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 2.7% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0.7% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.2% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.1% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UC Berkeley SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of California Berkeley. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1310-1530

Applicants Submitting SAT 

79%
SAT Scores for University of California Berkeley
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 650
Math 25th Percentile 660
Composite 25th Percentile 1310
SAT Scores for University of California Berkeley
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 740
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1530
Average SAT Score 1420

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California Berkeley?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UC Berkeley is 1420 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1310-1530. Students who get into University of California Berkeley score in the top 11 percent of all SAT test takers..  UC Berkeley ranks #9 in the state of California and #80 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1420 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UC Berkeley regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1310 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1310, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1200, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of California Berkeley is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1420 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1420, you have around a 11% chance of being admitted. A 1530 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 19% chance of getting in.

University of California Berkeley admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1530 and Above Good >19%
1420 to 1530 Avg + 11%-19%
1310 to 1420 Avg - 6%-11%
1200 to 1310 Reach 3%-6%
Less than 1200 Low <3%
Calculate My Chances 

UC Berkeley ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

30-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

50%
ACT Scores for University of California Berkeley
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 27
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 30
ACT Scores for University of California Berkeley
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UC Berkeley?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UC Berkeley is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 30 and 35.  The school ranks #8 in California and #56 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 30 and score in the score in the top 7 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 28.

50 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Berkeley.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California Berkeley is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UC Berkeley for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 11% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 21% with a 35 ACT score.

University of California Berkeley admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >21%
32 to 35 Avg + 11%-21%
30 to 32 Avg - 7%-11%
28 to 30 Reach 4%-7%
Less than 28 Low <4%
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of California Berkeley admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 67,021 61,188 128,209
Accepted 9,166 5,357 14,523
Acceptance Rate 14% 9% 11%
Enrolled 4,027 2,701 6,728
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 44% 50% 46%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

23

Applicants have 23 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Berkeley is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Berkeley and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Berkeley Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of California Berkeley
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UC Berkeley is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.87 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1420 on the SAT and optimally 1530 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 32 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of California Berkeley often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110635 IPEDS survey data for University of California Berkeley.

Last updated February 24, 2024