What is PREP?

The Pre-Engineering Program (PREP) is an intensive eleven-day, residential academic session held annually in August by Engineering Student Services. PREP has been offered for over 20 years with the format and length of the program evolving to meet the needs of a changing student population. Increasing expenses have pushed the program to $2,000 per student, but PREP continues to be offered at no cost to its participants due to generous gifts from industry (Boeing, Lockheed Martin), alumni supporters (RECARE Foundation) and the College of Engineering.

The purpose of PREP is to provide incoming students with insight into the rigors of the first-semester engineering curriculum at UC Berkeley. Our engineering program challenges students to work harder, think creatively and learn in ways they have never before. PREP assists new first-year students in learning to work collaboratively in an engineering environment. We want this fall’s first-year class to be an academic “powerhouse”, and teamwork is essential to successfully negotiate Berkeley’s demanding engineering curriculum. In this program, students are taught how to combine what at first might seem like two opposing strategies, competing academically while also successfully employing collaborative learning techniques.  The program will focus on the academic issues facing students from groups that have been historically underrepresented in the field of engineering or those from low income or first generation backgrounds, or students with an SAT Math score (or equivalent ACT score) of 700 or less.  All new College of Engineering freshmen are eligible to participate.

PREP consists of rigorous preparation in calculus, chemistry, and physics, which will provide participants with the hands-on experience in group study and problem solving that will be transferable to the students’ future coursework. During the program, students also participate in seminars in academic advising, financial aid, professional development and undergraduate research, as well as workshops that will help students master study skills and time management.

Overall, the demanding coursework and group projects, as well as living and working together, help foster a sense of community in which our cohort of students form friendships that last through college and beyond. In addition, PREP has proven to directly impact the success and retention of first-year students within the College of Engineering.

When Will PREP Occur?

PREP 2012 will take place from 1pm, Monday, August 6 through Noon, Thursday, August 16. Students selected to attend PREP are required to participate in the entire program, and exceptions to this will not be permitted since it will be disruptive to the program’s learning and community environment. At the conclusion of the PREP program, participants will be able to move into their assigned residence hall rooms for the academic year (one full day earlier than all other new first-year students!).

How to Apply for PREP

Applications for this year’s program are due Friday, June 22nd. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance after Friday, July 6. All decisions will be sent to the UC Berkeley email address of the applicant.  Click here to apply.

For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).