Q: When can I apply to transfer to UC Berkeley College of Engineering?
Students who have completed a minimum of 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) of college-level work may be admitted in "advanced standing" to the College of Engineering.
Q: When and how do I decide on a major in Engineering?
You must choose a specific major when you apply for admission to engineering. The College of Engineering does not admit "undeclared" students at the junior transfer level. All of the engineering majors are described in the College Announcement. Each field has its own area of specialization and curriculum requirements that will affect your lower-division program. You may want to discuss professional opportunities with your college counselors before making your final decision on a major. You may also address questions regarding any of the UC Berkeley Engineering curricula to the department concerned.
Transfer applicants should choose their major carefully. Transfer students are not permitted to change majors after admission to the College of Engineering.
Q: What are the most difficult majors to gain admission in Engineering?
EECS has always been the most popular engineering major and consequently the most difficult to gain admission. The Engineering Science majors and Bioengineering are also popular and admission is very competitive.
Q: What are my chances of being admitted?
The answer depends upon the quality of the applicant pool and the number of spaces available in the program. Admission to the College is highly competitive and decisions are based on the completeness of the applicant's preparation and the quality of performance in college courses. Unlike the selection process in the College of Letters and Science, the College of Engineering admits BY MAJOR. Your choice of major plays a significant role in selection.
Q: How does Berkeley make its decisions?
Applicants are evaluated by engineering faculty from the appropriate departments primarily on two factors -- the completeness of the applicant's lower-division preparation and the level of academic achievement reflected in the student's grade point average. Applicants must complete the equivalent of all of the required core UCB preparation courses in order to be eligible for admission. If a Community College series of courses is required, all the courses in the Community College series must be completed to receive credit. No partial credit is given. Only applications who have completed 100% of the required core courses will be considered for admission. Required courses for the major must be completed by the end of the spring semester prior to call enrollment.
Other lower division UCB courses required for graduation are strongly recommended to be taken to strengthen one's application. The more of these courses completed, the stonger the application will be.
They also review the required personal statement or essay 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.
In addition to a student's academic record and personal statement, a limited number of other factors are taken into consideration including: total units earned (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); SES status; U.S. citizenship; California Community college attendance; unusual achievement; leadership; community service; employment; and special talent.
Test scores and letters of recommendation are NOT requested as part of the application.
Q: What courses should I complete in order to be a good candidate for transfer admission?
First you must be sure you are UC eligible. All applicants must satisfy the general requirements for Admission to the University (outlined in the General Catalog or the Office of Undergraduate Admissions web site). In addition, you should complete the lower-division requirements of the major for which you intend to apply. The requirements for each major are outlined in the General Catalog and in sample programs in Appendix I of the College's Announcement.
Technical Courses - You should complete courses which will satisfy the lower-division technical requirements (math, science, and engineering courses) for your intended major. Technical courses should all be taken for a letter grade.
English Composition - You should also complete the equivalent of UC Berkeley's English 1A and English 1B with courses of at least 3 semester units. These courses must be taken for a letter grade.
Breadth Requirements - The only non-technical requirement for admission to the College of Engineering is English composition. However, the College does have degree requirements for the humanities and social studies. Transfer applicants are encouraged to consult the College Announcement for more information on the lower division component of this requirement, if they would like to complete suitable courses prior to admission. Students should not follow IGETC.
Q: How can I determine which courses at my college will satisfy UC Berkeley requirements?
Through the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools, the University has an on-going program that formally establishes course equivalencies in "articulation agreements" with California community colleges (see www.assist.org). Your college counselors should have information on these equivalency agreements. In cases where formal equivalencies are not already established, your college counselors should be able to help you determine which courses most nearly cover the required subject on the basis of catalog descriptions.
Q: 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.
Another factor of some importance in this regard is the policy governing transferable units. 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.
Q: Is the personal statement important? What should I write about in the personal statement?
The personal statement or essay is very important. The faculty are particularly interested in the following: A. How did you get interested in engineering? B. Why are you interested in this particular major? What experiences (work, school etc.) were influential? C. What are your goals or aspirations? You should try to incorporate these items in your personal statement.
Q: Does the College of Engineering consider the alternate major on the admission application?
The College of Engineering at Berkeley does not consider you for an alternate major. However, if you apply to other UCs, you may be considered for alternate majors at those campuses.
Q: Can I change my major?
As an applicant, it is possible to change your college and/or major during the November application filing period ONLY. You should write to the admissions office at Berkeley in November, but no later than November 30. Any requests submitted after the deadline will not be honored. Transfer students are not permitted to change majors after admission to the College of Engineering.
Q: What is the difference between the EECS Computer Science option in the College of Engineering and Computer Science major in Letters and Science?
The lower division requirements for the EECS Computer Science option offered in the College of Engineering emphasize 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. However, with the help of a Faculty Adviser, similar upper division coursework can be taken in either program.
Q: Do I really have to graduate in 4 semesters?
Yes, our program is one which we feel our junior transfer students should be able to complete in 4 semesters. Advising is designed to help the student stay on track. However, if necessary, with approval from the Dean, an additional semester may be granted. Students who need additional time due to illness, work or learning disabilities need to meet with the Dean about additional time. We keep to this time limit because of the impacted nature of the College of Engineering. For every student that stays an additional semester, someone else will not be able to be admitted.
Q: What support systems are available to new engineering students?
We have the Buddy Program (new students are assigned a continuing student buddy), alumni mentorship program, tutoring, peer advising, academic workshops, career planning advising and counseling services.
Q: 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.
Q: If I am unable to attend the semester for which I am admitted, will Berkeley defer my admission to a later term?
No. Admission is valid only for the term in which you are admitted. If you wish to attend Berkeley in a future term, you must reapply without an admission guarantee. You will compete with all applicants who apply for the same term.
Q: Where can I get more information on transfer admissions?
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Your college advisers or your college transfer center - for information on transfer preparation, careers, course selection and equivalencies and UC applications.
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UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Admissions (
admissions.berkeley.edu) - for applications, information on general University requirements, application procedures and deadlines.
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Engineering Student Services (308 McLaughlin Hall, 510-642-7594) - for the College of Engineering Announcement, information on majors, curriculum requirements, Engineering admissions policy and procedures.
rev 4/07
