UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
Admission Frequently Asked Questions
For students offered admission
Accepting Your Offer of Admission
Q: How do I accept my offer of admission?
A: Accepting your offer of admission includes, agreeing to the Honor Code, accepting your Conditions of
Admission and paying a $250 deposit (if required). The $250 is non-refundable, and will be credited towards
your first semester tuition bill.
Q: What is the admission deposit? What does it cover?
A: The $250 deposit is a portion of your first semester registration fees; it is not an extra cost. The funds are a
deposit. Like many other schools, we require a nonrefundable "down payment" to ensure a commitment on the
part of the student. The deposit will show as paid on your first billing statement.
Q: What does it mean that my tuition/enrollment deposit is waived?
A: An admission deposit waiver means that you will have to pay the deposit when fees for the semester are due
(in August for Fall semester, January for Spring semester). For some students, the campus agrees to wait to
receive these funds.
Q: How do I know if my deposit has been waived?
A: If your deposit has been waived you will not be prompted to pay after agreeing to the Honor Code and
Conditions of Admission. You will also see a “Deposit Waived” indicator in your MAP@Berkeley portal.
Q: May I pay my admission deposit a few days past the deadline?
A: Unfortunately, no. There are no exceptions.
Q: How do I pay the admission deposit? Can I pay by check?
A: There are three ways to pay your admission deposit; e-check, credit card, or wire transfer. Paper checks are
not accepted. You must complete each of the following steps by the deadline, in order for your acceptance of
your offer of admission to be considered submitted:
● Navigate to the MAP@Berkeley portal, which will direct you to your Next Steps
● Accept your admission and the Honor Code Agreement and check the box next to each
Condition of Admission, indicating that you understand and accept
● Select Continue
● You will then be instructed to pay the $250 admission deposit in full (plus a 2.75% service
charge for students who pay with credit card).
Q: Why is the 'Accepting my Offer of Admission' still showing on my Task list in CalCentral?
A: If you are still seeing a task to accept your offer of admission, it means you have not gone through ALL of the
steps to complete the process. The final action to complete this process is submitting your $250 deposit.
Q: Why do I see other charges when I try to pay my Admissions Deposit?
A: If you are enrolled in Berkeley's non-degree summer program you may see your tuition charges when you
are accepting your offer of admission. Don't worry! You can pay your deposit now and your other charges later.
Click Pay next to your account balance. Then, delete the charge you aren't ready to pay, leaving the $250
Admissions Deposit Item on the list and click "check out".
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
Q: What is a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)?
A: The SIR is an old term for newly admitted students that is no longer used at Berkeley. We are now
encouraging students to ‘Accept your offer of admission’ and to ‘Pay your admissions deposit’. Please bear with
us as we continue to change the language on our website and other Berkeley communications. If you see a
reference to SIR, please know that means to accept your offer of admissions.
Conditions of Admission
Q: What are the Conditions of Admission?
A: Every offer of admission is conditional. All admitted students have conditions that must be met in order to
sustain Berkeley's offer of admission. When accepting the offer, every admitted student is prompted to read
and accept each of their conditions. You can find a printable version of your Conditions of Admission in the
MAP@Berkeley portal, along with a printable version of your admission letter. Each condition check box must
be selected. The student must then click Continue in order to progress to the admission deposit payment
screen.
Q: How do I know whether Admissions has received all of my documents and that I have met all of the
conditions?
A: You will find the list of documents that you are required to submit, along with the status of each document
on the Task list at the center of the CalCentral Dashboard page. Each document will have one of the following
next to it:
● Due Date- IF it has not been received
● Received- IF it has been received and is in the process of being reviewed but is not yet
considered complete
● Complete- IF it has been reviewed by an Admissions Officer
You should print a copy of the FAQ and your Conditions of Admission for your records.
Q: If I am unable to meet all of my Conditions of Admission, what will happen?
A: Typically, your admission to Berkeley will be cancelled. You must contact the Admissions Office using the
Undergraduate Admission Update form, if you believe you will not be able to meet your Conditions of
Admission. The Undergraduate Admissions Update form is available to students on the MAP@Berkeley portal
page. PLEASE NOTE: If you are admitted before March 30, 2023, you may not be able to submit your updates
until after March 30. Rest assured, you will be able to provide your update. Thank you, in advance, for your
patience. For assistance or questions, call our customer service desk at 510-642-3175.
Transcript and Test Score Deadlines
Q: How do I know which documents I am supposed to send to Berkeley?
A: You should review your Conditions of Admission at MAP@Berkeley - as well as the detailed Cal Central Task
list - for a list of all required official documents and information about how to request each.
Q: How do I confirm that my documents have been received?
A: You should review your Cal Central Task list. You will see a listing of all your required final, official
documents that have/have not been received to date.
Q: What happens if I do not provide all of my official documents?
A: Admitted students who fail to provide their official documents or who have misrepresented their
coursework, grades, or test scores, may have their admission to UC Berkeley cancelled. Please refer to your
Conditions of Admission for detailed information.
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
Q: What makes a high school transcript official and final? May I fax it or send a scanned copy by email?
A: Fax, email, or paper copies of the official transcript will not meet the requirements. We require an official
high school transcript from your school with a date of graduation, original seal, and signature. If this proves
difficult to obtain, you can contact the Admissions Office at 510-642-3175 to discuss your options.
Q: What am I supposed to do if my AP, ACT or SAT tests scores are not available by July 15?
A: Berkeley acknowledges only AP scores that are 3 or higher. Reported APs with scores lower than 3 are not
required as a Condition of Admission. Your AP test scores are not available on your checklist until July. If we do
not receive your test scores within 10 days after the July 15 deadline you will be notified via MAP@Berkeley. If
we still do not receive these scores, your admission may be cancelled.
Q: Why do I have to send AP scores if I do not intend to take these courses in college and do not intend
to seek college credit for the AP test?
A: Because you were admitted on the strength and truthfulness of your application, you must send us your
credit-bearing AP scores. The admission of any applicant who has provided misinformation on AP exams or
scores is subject to cancellation.
Q: My grades will not be available until after July 1. Will you cancel my admission to Berkeley?
Q: I forgot to have some/all of my official documents sent to Berkeley, and now it is past the deadline.
Can I still send them?
Q: I am out of the country and will not be returning until after the official documents due date has
passed.
Q: I have requested my official transcripts many times, but my school is very slow about providing
them.
Q: My official transcripts are coming from a foreign school, and they may not arrive by the deadline.
A: The campus allows you approximately 10 additional days after the deadline to provide all official
documentation. If official documents are not provided, your admission will be subject to cancellation.
Q: Do first-year students in Fall Program for First-Semester also have to send official documents to
Berkeley by July 1st?
A: Yes. Please review your Conditions of Admissions document found at MAP@Berkeley. ALL admitted students
must submit the documents referred to in their Conditions of Admission by the deadline(s) shown in this
document.
Q: I am a new first-year, but I took some college courses. The grades that I received for my college
coursework are recorded on my high school transcript. Do I still need to submit a college transcript?
A: Yes. You must also submit an official transcript from the college or university that you attended while in high
school, even if the college grade is recorded on your high school transcript.
Q: I took a course/courses at UC Berkeley. Do I still need to send that transcript to you or do you
already have this information?
A: If you were enrolled in a Berkeley Summer Session course we will already have your transcript information.
However, if you enrolled through UC Berkeley Extension, you must request that the transcript be sent to our
office.
Q: If I was directly admitted to the Fall Program for First-Semester, can I appeal to traditional Fall start?
A: No. Students admitted directly to the Fall Program for First-Semester (FPF) are Berkeley students. The only
difference is taking your first Fall semester courses. FPF is a small, collaborative learning community for
first-year students in their first semester. FPF offers smaller classes and much greater connections with your
instructors, classmates, and FPF adviser. It’s like a small liberal arts college with the resources and opportunities
of a large research university. Learn more about FPF.
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
Deferring Admission
Q: May I defer my admission to next fall?
Q: I have been admitted to the fall term. May I defer my admission to spring?
A: The Office of Undergraduate Admission reviews requests to defer admission to a future term or academic
year with a compelling reason. Students who would like to request a deferral of enrollment may submit the
Request for Deferment form. The Request for Deferment form will be available from May 1 to June 15, 2023.
You will receive a response to your request for deferment by July 31, 2023.
Final Steps to Enrollment
Q: I am an admitted student and I do not know what I am supposed to do now. Is my admission final?
Q: When can I stop checking the website for new requirements?
A: If you meet all of the requirements in your Conditions of Admission, your admission to Berkeley is final and
no longer provisional. However, CalCentral will be your main source for information, so you must check your
personal checklist on a regular basis.
Q: Can I apply for housing before I accept my offer of admission?
A: No, you can only apply for housing after you accept your offer of admission and before the housing
application deadline using your CalNet credentials.
"Who Can I Talk to About...?"
Q: Now that I am admitted, who can I talk to about the courses that I should enroll in during my first
semester at Berkeley?
A: You’ll be invited through a task in CalCentral to complete Golden Bear Advising. Golden Bear Advising covers
campus academic resources, an introduction to your college, and how to enroll in your classes. Please visit
Golden Bear Advising for more information!
Q: Who do I talk to about a change in my courses, grades, or tests that occurred after Berkeley
admitted me?
A: You should report changes to your schedule to the Undergraduate Admission Update form on the
MAP@Berkeley portal page. PLEASE NOTE: If you are admitted before March 30, 2023, your admissions officer
may not begin responding to form submissions until March 30. Rest assured, your submission will be captured
and responded to. For assistance or questions, call our customer service desk at 510-642-3175.
Q: Who do I talk to about the American History and Institutions requirements and the American
Cultures requirement?
A: The American History and Institutions requirement is a University of California requirement. For more
information, click here. The American Cultures (AC) requirement is a Berkeley campus requirement. AC courses
are offered in more than 40 departments in many different disciplines. For information on how to satisfy this
requirement, please visit: http://americancultures.berkeley.edu/
Q: I still have a lot of questions about my enrollment! Who do I talk to?
A: Don't worry, we have you covered. Just go to the Cal Student Central website and check out the top
questions. If you cannot find an answer, you can open a case (instructions are on their website).
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
Waitlist Frequently Asked Questions
We realize that many students who learn that they have been offered a waitlist option to UC Berkeley will have
many questions. We hope that the following information responds to some of the questions you may have
regarding our admission decisions and is helpful in understanding the waitlist process.
General Questions
Q: What is the waitlist?
A: The waitlist is for first-year applicants who were not offered admission due to space limitations but who are
considered excellent candidates for admission should space become available in the current admissions cycle.
Being on the waitlist is not a guarantee of receiving an offer of admission at a later date. Because there is no
guarantee, it is important that you consider other offers of admission, and accept an offer at another university,
prior to the national decision day of May 1, 2023.
Q: I had good grades and test scores. Why wasn't I admitted?
A: Each year, over the last decade, UC Berkeley has experienced significant increases in the number of
applications received. Because the number of first-year enrollment spaces has remained relatively constant,
admission to Berkeley has become much more competitive. This year was no exception. For Fall 2023, we
received more than 125,000 first-year applications.
Q: Can I challenge the admission decision?
A: Appeals may only be filed by students who are denied admission. Since the waitlist offer is not a final
admission decision, the appeals process is not available. In order to express your interest in our campus and to
share more information for consideration, you may opt-in to the waitlist, by April 15, 2023.
Q: Is there any restriction about who can be on the waitlist?
A: Yes. The waitlist option is limited to first-year applicants by invitation only. If invited, you must opt in by
midnight, April 15, 2023.
(For students who applied to Global Management Program but were waitlisted)
Q: If I am admitted from the waitlist, will I be admitted to the Haas School of Business Global
Management Program?
A: No. Unfortunately, the Global Management Program spaces will be filled. If you are admitted, you will be
admitted to the College of Letters and Science.
(For students who applied to the Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology program but were wailsited)
Q: If I am admitted from the waitlist, will I be admitted to the Management, Entrepreneurship, and
Technology (M.E.T.) program?
A: No. Unfortunately, the M.E.T. program spaces will be filled. If you are admitted, you will be admitted to the
associated Engineering major from your application without the Business component.
Q: Am I on the waitlist automatically?
A: No, you received an offer for space on the waitlist, but you need to tell us if you want to remain on the
waitlist. Please go to MAP@Berkeley, and follow the instructions to remain on the waitlist (opt in). Remember, if
you want to remain on the waitlist, you MUST let us know by 11:59 PM, April 15, 2023 Pacific Time.
Q: What are my chances of being admitted to UC Berkeley after being on the waitlist?
A: Because we will not know until early May whether any spaces will become available and because the waitlist
is not ranked, our staff will not be able to forecast any student's chances of being admitted. Should spaces
become available, our review will focus primarily on your original application. The percent of students admitted
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
from the waitlist depends on the number of enrollment spaces we have available and the number of students
who opt-in to the waitlist.
Q: Does visiting the campus increase my chances of being admitted from the waitlist?
A: No. Our office will make decisions based on the original application and the information in the waitlist opt-in
form, only. Additionally, Admissions will not be able to provide interviews or personal appointments for
students on the waitlist.
Q: How will I find out if I get an offer of admission?
A: The review of candidates and available spaces will continue through the month of May. You will receive an
email directing you to MAP@Berkeley, and will have seven days from the time of notification to accept the offer
by accepting your offer of admission. To check your status, please login to MAP@Berkeley.
Q: Can I opt to be on a waitlist for more than one UC campus?
A: Yes, you can opt to be included on more than one waitlist, if the option is offered to you by multiple
campuses. (Each campus maintains its own waitlist.) If you subsequently receive offers of admission, you may
accept only one. If you accept an admission offer from a campus after you have accepted an offer to another,
you must rescind your acceptance to the first campus. The deposit paid to the first campus will not be refunded
or applied to the second campus.
Waitlist Process
Q: What do I do if I am admitted?
A: Waitlisted students who receive offers of admission from UC Berkeley must accept your offer of admission,
through CalCentral. You will be notified of the deadline to accept your offer of admission, if you are admitted.
The guide for how to accept your offer can be found in CalCentral.
It is important that you complete all other required documentation, including accepting your Conditions of
Admission, by all specified deadlines.
Q: What Can I Expect if I Receive an Offer of Admission?
A: Depending on space available, students selected from the waitlist may have limited enrollment pathways,
which may be different from a student offered admission earlier in the admissions cycle. For example,
applicants to the College of Letters and Science may receive an offer that comes in the form of an offer to join
Fall Program for First Semester to start their Berkeley career. Depending upon available space, one or both of
these programs may be your only enrollment pathway option(s) if you are admitted from the waitlist. Before
you opt-in, be sure to visit the websites for these unique programs to learn more and determine if they are a
good fit. Should space be available, both programs are great ways to commence your Berkeley experience.
Q: How long will I have to accept the offer of admission?
A: Approximately one week. You will have seven days from the time of notification to accept the offer by
accepting your offer of admission, including the day you are notified. Your individual deadline date will be fixed;
no extensions will be granted.
Q: What if I already accepted an offer to another campus?
A: If you are offered admission to UC Berkeley and have already accepted an offer of admission to another
college or university, you can still accept your offer. You will need to accept your offer to UC Berkeley and
rescind your acceptance at the other campus. The deposit to the first campus will not be refunded.
Housing and Financial Aid
Q: If I'm admitted off the waitlist, will I still be eligible for financial aid?
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
A: Yes. If you applied for financial aid and submitted your FAFSA to UC Berkeley on time, you will be able to see
an estimate of your financial aid at MAP@Berkeley.
Q: If I am admitted off the waitlist, do I still receive the housing priority?
A: Yes, waitlisted admitted students will receive a housing offer, IF you complete the housing application by the
deadline to accept your offer of admission and you indicate “any room, any location” as one of your
preferences. Housing priority can be jeopardized if you do not meet your deadline to accept your offer of
admission. Please check MAP@Berkeley for more information.
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
First-Year Selection Process
We realize that many students will be disappointed to learn that they have not been offered admission to the
University of California, Berkeley. Unfortunately, the extraordinary size and strength of our applicant pool
meant that many highly qualified candidates were denied admission this year. We hope that the following
information responds to some of the questions you may have regarding our admission decisions and is helpful
in understanding our first-year selection process.
Q: Why was I denied admission when I felt that I was a very strong applicant?
A: Due to the highly competitive nature of our first-year applicant pool, thousands of students who had
excellent academic and personal credentials were denied admission for fall. Each year over the last decade, UC
Berkeley has experienced significant increases in the number of applications received. Because the number of
first-year enrollment spaces has remained relatively constant, admission to Berkeley has become much more
difficult. For fall 2023, we received more than 125,000 first-year applications for approximately 13,000
admission spaces.**
Q: How were first-year decisions made for fall?
A: All first-year applications for admission were read individually, and each received two comprehensive,
independent assessments by well-trained readers. In accordance with the University of California Regents and
Berkeley faculty guidelines, Berkeley’s incoming class was chosen on the basis of a complete review of all
information, including the strength of high school coursework and grades, the pattern of grades over time, rigor
of the senior year program, honors and advanced coursework compared to what was available at the high
school, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Higher Level examination results, other indicators
of academic promise, participation and accomplishment in the performing arts and athletics, leadership in
school or community activities, employment experiences, community service, personal qualities and
characteristics, and likely contribution to the campus community. We recognize that Berkeley applicants vary in
their academic and extracurricular opportunities. Therefore, our assessments took into account individual
circumstances and the context for academic and personal accomplishments, including the depth of curricular
offerings available at each high school and personal experiences which may have impacted academic
performance.
Q: Who read and evaluated my application for admission?
A: The Berkeley undergraduate application readers were a group of nearly 200 professional admissions and
student affairs staff, college instructors, high school teachers, and guidance counselors. After undergoing
intensive training before the reading process began, the readers met weekly throughout the process to discuss
admission cases. In some instances, applications were evaluated by a third, and sometimes by a fourth or fifth
reader. We monitored our process closely to ensure that admission decisions were made in the fairest and
most equitable manner possible, following the first-year selection goals and guidelines outlined in the previous
answer.
Q: Why was another student at my school admitted when I have a higher grade point average?
A: It is important for applicants and their families to understand that our admissions evaluations encompass
more than just an assessment of grades, test scores, and other information that students may commonly share
with each other. Our selection process includes careful review of the application essay, participation in activities
both in and out of school, and individual circumstances that might not be apparent to an applicant’s peers.
Another factor which creates a perceived discrepancy between student qualifications and admission to
Berkeley is the college to which the candidate applied. Some College of Engineering departments have specific
undergraduate enrollment limits which make them especially competitive.
Q: I understand that for Fall 2023, UC Berkeley has a wait list. Why am I not on the waitlist? What is the
waitlist?
UC Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
March 2023
A: The waitlist is for first-year applicants who were not offered admission due to space limitations but who are
considered excellent candidates for admission, should space become available in the current admissions cycle.
(Being on the waitlist is not a guarantee of receiving an offer of admission at a later date.) Students cannot
appeal for a place on the waitlist.
Q: Can I appeal my admission decision?
A: Any applicant who is denied admission may submit an appeal. (Note: Appeals from students on the waitlist
will not be considered.) We strongly discourage an appeal unless you can provide significant new information
for us to consider. Our first-year selection process involves a careful, individual reading of each application, and
it is very unlikely that we will choose to reverse our original decision. If you do have significant new information
to present and decide to appeal our admissions decision, all Appeal requests are due by April 15, 2023.
Appeals completed by April 15 will be considered on time and will receive a response by August 2023. In the
appeal letter, you must provide significant new information (i.e., semester grades, additional achievements) for
us to consider. Advise us of any change in your email address in case we need to contact you during the appeal
process.
Even if you choose to appeal, we recommend that you do not delay in accepting an admission offer from
another college or university. We do NOT accept appeals mailed via postal mail, telephone, fax, or email. All
appeal requests must be made using this form.
Q: Can I speak with an admissions officer about my application for admission?
A: For reasons of confidentiality and because of the volume of applications we review, it is not possible to
answer specific questions about individual cases over the phone or in person. You may call our Admissions
Advising office at 510-642-3175 if you have general questions regarding the selection process.
Q: I never received a letter in the mail. Should I be getting one?
A: The Office of Undergraduate Admissions did not send paper letters to students who were not offered
admission. Because the overwhelming majority of our applicants prefer to learn of their admission decision
electronically, we are posting decision letters only on our secure applicant website, MAP@Berkeley.
**All Admissions statistics are projected and approximations.
