School Guide

How to transfer to Berkeley

Everything you need to know about transferring to UC Berkeley - from requirements and deadlines to competitive majors and insider strategies.

24%

Transfer Accept Rate

3.78

Median Admit GPA

80%+

From CA Community Colleges

Nov 30

Application Deadline

Berkeley transfer quick facts

Location

Berkeley, California

Semester System

Fall Only

No spring or winter transfer admits

Minimum Units

60 semester / 90 quarter

Junior-level standing required

Minimum GPA

3.0 (CA residents)

Competitive admits average 3.6–3.9

Berkeley transfer requirements

Berkeley evaluates transfer applicants holistically. Here's what you need to be competitive.

Academic Requirements

Minimum eligibility requirements for transfer consideration:

  • 60 UC-transferable semester units (90 quarter)
  • UC-transferable GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Complete the 7-course pattern: two English, one math, four from at least two areas
  • Junior-level standing by end of spring before transfer

Major Preparation

Berkeley places heavy emphasis on completing prerequisites for your intended major:

  • Check ASSIST.org for your CC-to-Berkeley articulation
  • Complete all or most major prerequisites before applying
  • Engineering requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and strong math/science prep
  • Haas School of Business has a separate, highly competitive application

UC Application & PIQs

Same UC application as all UC campuses, with important nuances:

  • One mandatory prompt about major preparation
  • Choose 3 of 7 additional Personal Insight Questions (350 words each)
  • No letters of recommendation required during application
  • Transfer Academic Update (TAU) due January 31

IGETC & General Education

IGETC completion is recommended but not required for all colleges:

  • IGETC/Cal-GETC satisfies Berkeley breadth requirements
  • Letters & Science: 7-course pattern required, IGETC highly recommended
  • Engineering: IGETC is not recommended - focus on technical prerequisites
  • Strategy depends on your target college within Berkeley

Competitive transfer majors at Berkeley

Acceptance rates vary by major. Understanding the competitive landscape is key to a smart application strategy.

Haas School of Business

Business Administration

One of the most competitive transfer programs in the country. Separate supplemental application required.

Very Low

Accept Rate

3.8+

Competitive GPA

Very High Competition

College of Computing & Data Science

Computer Science (BA)

Extremely popular major with intense competition. Strong math and CS prerequisites required.

Low

Accept Rate

3.8+

Competitive GPA

Very High Competition

College of Engineering

EECS

The BS in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science is among the most selective transfer programs at any public university.

Very Low

Accept Rate

3.9+

Competitive GPA

Very High Competition

College of Letters & Science

Economics

Popular among transfer students. Requires strong quantitative preparation.

Moderate

Accept Rate

3.6+

Competitive GPA

High Competition

College of Letters & Science

Psychology

High demand relative to available spots. Research experience strengthens applications.

Moderate

Accept Rate

3.6+

Competitive GPA

High Competition

College of Letters & Science

Political Science

Competitive humanities major. Strong writing and analytical skills are valued.

Moderate

Accept Rate

3.5+

Competitive GPA

Moderate Competition

Berkeley transfer timeline

Missing a deadline can cost you an entire year. Here are the dates that matter.

1

August 1

UC Application Opens

Begin working on your UC application. Draft PIQs and gather course information.

2

October 1 – November 30

Application Submission Window

Submit your UC application. Aim for early-to-mid November to avoid last-minute issues.

3

January 31

Transfer Academic Update (TAU)

Report final fall grades and planned spring coursework. Critical for admissions decisions.

4

Late April

Admission Decisions Released

Berkeley typically releases transfer decisions in late April. SIR deadline follows in June.

How we help you get into Berkeley

Our team provides expert guidance tailored specifically to UC Berkeley transfer admissions.

College-Specific Strategy

Berkeley has multiple colleges (L&S, Engineering, Haas, Chemistry, etc.) each with different requirements. We ensure you're targeting the right one and meeting its specific criteria.

ASSIST Course Mapping

We build your semester-by-semester plan using ASSIST.org articulation agreements specific to your community college and Berkeley major.

Haas Supplemental Application

For Haas applicants, we provide dedicated support on the supplemental essays, resume, and leadership narrative that set this application apart.

PIQ Development

We guide you through multiple drafts to create Personal Insight Questions that demonstrate your readiness for Berkeley's rigorous academic environment.

7-Course Pattern Planning

We ensure your coursework satisfies Berkeley's required 7-course pattern while also completing major prerequisites efficiently.

Post-Submission Support

TAU preparation, spring coursework monitoring, and waitlist/appeal strategies if needed.

Let's get you into Berkeley

Whether you're just starting at a community college or approaching application season, our team can help you build the strongest possible Berkeley transfer application.

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