1. When can I apply for admission to Berkeley Engineering?

The annual UC system application period is November 1-30 for admission for the following fall semester. Students who have completed a minimum of 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) of college-level work (including those courses outlined in #5 below) may be eligible for admission to Berkeley Engineering. Learn more at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions.

2. When and how do I decide on a major in Engineering?

You must choose a specific major when you apply for admission to Berkeley Engineering (we do not admit transfer students as "undeclared"). All of the engineering majors are described in the College of Engineering Announcement: A Guide to Undergraduate and Graduate Study at http://www.coe.berkeley.edu. Each major has its own area of specialization and curriculum requirements that will affect your lower-division preparation. You may want to discuss professional opportunities with your college counselors before making your final decision on a major. You may also address questions about Berkeley Engineering curricula to the department housing your intended major (see the list of departments at http://coe.berkeley.edu/departments).

3. Will I be admitted?

The answer depends on the quality of the applicant pool and the number of spaces available in the major to which you apply. Both of these vary from year-to-year which makes it impossible to predict admission.

4. How does Berkeley make its admission decisions?

Applicants are evaluated primarily on the completeness of lower-division preparation courses and the level of academic achievement reflected in the student's GPA (minimum 3.0 GPA is required to apply). Only applicants who have completed 100% of the required core courses (see item #5) for Berkeley Engineering will be considered for admission. If a community college series of courses is required, all the courses in the series must be completed to receive credit (no partial credit is given). Required courses for the major must be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to fall enrollment. Other lower division UCB courses required for graduation are strongly recommended to strengthen one’s application.  The required personal statement is also reviewed (see item #8) for evidence of interest in the student's chosen major and thoughtful match between the academic program and the student's academic and career objectives. Please note that students who earn in excess of 89 units at four-year colleges (or in programs combining community college and four-year college credit) may be considered too advanced for admission to the bachelor's program in engineering. Test scores and letters of recommendation are not requested as part of the admissions process for transfers. For additional information, please see the Transfer Flyer at http://students.berkeley.edu/files/Admissions/12626_5.Info_TransAdm.pdf.

5. What courses should I complete to be eligible for transfer admission?

Transfer applicants must be sure they meet UC eligibility requirements by reviewing the information on the Transfer Flyer at http://students.berkeley.edu/files/Admissions/12626_5.Info_TransAdm.pdf.  In addition, all applicants must satisfy the general requirements for Admission to the University. Applicants must also complete the lower-division requirements of their intended major which are listed at http://assist.org (students should ensure they are completing all “required” courses for their major at  http://assist.org since we place emphasis on this and not on completion of IGETC).

·   The requirements for each major are also outlined in the General Catalog (http://catalog.berkeley.edu/) and in sample programs in Appendix I of the College of Engineering Announcement: A Guide to Undergraduate and Graduate Study at http://www.coe.berkeley.edu.

·   Technical Courses - Complete courses which will satisfy the lower-division technical requirements (math, science, and engineering courses) for the intended major (technical courses should all be taken for a letter grade).

 ·  English Composition - Complete the equivalent of UC Berkeley's English 1A and English 1B with courses of at least 3 semester units. Note: these courses must be taken for a letter grade and if a series of courses are required at the community college, all courses in that series must be completed in order to receive credit.

 ·  Breadth Requirements - Transfer applicants are encouraged to consult the College of Engineering Announcement: A Guide to Undergraduate and Graduate Study for more information on the lower division component of this requirement if they would like to complete suitable courses prior to admission.

6. How can I determine which courses at my community college will satisfy Berkeley Engineering requirements?

The Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools established course equivalencies ("articulation agreements") with California community colleges (see www.assist.org). In cases where formal equivalencies are not already established, Community College counselors should be able to assist in determining which courses most nearly cover the required subject on the basis of catalog descriptions.

7. Does it matter where I complete my lower division preparation?

California residents attending a California Community College are currently given special consideration over applicants from four-year colleges (including other UC campuses) for transfer admissions. The College of Engineering does not consider applicants as "community college" students if they have also done a significant amount of course work at a four-year college.  The University will transfer a maximum of 70 units from community colleges. Students who earn units at four-year colleges (or in programs combining community college and four-year college credit) may risk accumulating excess units that can affect transfer eligibility.

8. Is the personal statement important?

The personal statement on the application for admission is very important. Our faculty are particularly interested in learning about the applicant’s interest in engineering, interest in the selected major, experiences (work, school etc.) that were influential in the decision of the selected major, and goals and aspirations.

9. Does Berkeley Engineering consider the alternate major on the admission application?   

No. Berkeley Engineering does not consider you for an alternate major when making admission decisions.

10. Can I change my major?

The college and/or major can only be changed during the November application filing period by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools no later than November 30. Once you’re admitted to Cal, you may only change your major by seeing your assigned academic adviser and demonstrating you will still be able to graduate in the same amount of time as the degree to which you were admitted.

11. What is the difference between the Computer Science option in the College of Engineering’s EECS department and the Computer Science major in the College of Letters and Science?

The lower division requirements for the EECS Computer Science option offered in the College of Engineering emphasizes science and math and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. Computer Science in the College of Letters and Science does not emphasize science and math and leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree.

12. Do I have to graduate in four semesters?  

Yes, our majors are designed for transfer students to complete in four semesters, and utilizing advising will help you to stay on track. However, if you are missing three or more lower diversion technical courses once you start at Berkeley (due to equivalents to these courses not being offered at your community college), you will be granted a fifth semester. We have this time limit because of the impacted nature of Berkeley Engineering (every student who stays an additional semester means someone else will not be admitted).

13. What AP tests will I get credit for?

The College of Engineering gives AP credit for most AP tests. Depending on the test and score, students will get UC credit and/or College of Engineering subject credit. More information can be found in the College of Engineering Undergraduate Handbook available at http://coe.berkeley.edu  

14. If I am unable to attend the semester for which I am admitted, will Berkeley defer my admission?

No. Admission to Berkeley Engineering is valid only for the term in which the applicant is admitted. Applicants who wish to attend Berkeley in a future term must reapply for admission and compete with other applicants who apply for the same term.

15. What if, after I’ve applied, I drop or don’t enroll in courses I reported on my application for admission?

If students are admitted to Berkeley and they then fail to complete core courses which they reported on their application that they would complete prior to transferring, their admission may be cancelled. Changes in enrollment for your final term at your community or four-year college should be reported immediately to the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools.

16.  Where can I get more information on transfer admissions?

·  Course equivalency information: http://assist.org

·  UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools: 103 Sproul Hall, 510-642-3175, or http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-online/

· Berkeley Engineering prospective students website: http://www.coe.berkeley.edu/students/prospective-students

· Transfer Flyer: http://students.berkeley.edu/files/Admissions/12626_5.Info_TransAdm.pdf 

17. When will I enroll in classes if admitted to Cal?

New students should plan to attend one of the one-day sessions of the Cal Summer Orientation (CalSO) program held in June. At CalSO students will meet with their assigned academic adviser to learn about requirements and to enroll in courses for their first semester. New students who do not attend CalSO will enroll in courses after the CalSO sessions are complete. Admitted students receive information about CalSO after they submit their Statement of Intent to Register.

 Rev. 9/11