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UC Berkeley Acceptance Rates [Updated 2020]

UC Berkeley Acceptance Rates [Updated 2020]

So… you’re thinking about applying to UC Berkeley. But with Berkeley’s notoriously competitive acceptance stats, what are your chances of being admitted? What SAT/ACT and GPA will you need? In this post, we’ll take a close look at UC Berkeley acceptance rates in 2019 and 2020, and discuss the scores it takes to become a Golden Bear.

Related Article: UC Admissions and Coronavirus

Table of Contents

UC Berkeley Admissions Stats

This is a snapshot of the statistics of Berkeley’s admitted freshman class for fall 2019.

Acceptance Rate:

16.4%

SAT Range:

1340 – 1540

ACT Range:

30 – 35

GPA Range:

4.15 – 4.30

What Are The UC Berkeley Acceptance Stats?

UC Berkeley Acceptance Rates

What are the chances of getting into UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley acceptance rates for prospective 2019 freshmen was 16.4%. In other words, for every 100 applicants, just 16 students were admitted — making UC Berkeley the second most competitive undergraduate campus in the UC system (after UCLA). 

With 80,000+ applicants vying for so few spots, applying to Cal may seem quite intimidating. But remember: UC Berkeley practices holistic admissions. A combination of strong stats, stellar UC essays and meaningful extracurriculars is what will truly distinguish you.

Berkeley Admissions Stats

Applicants 87,393
Admits 14,336
Overall Admit Rate 16.4%

Average ACT/SAT For UC Berkeley Admission

What ACT/SAT is required for UC Berkeley? 

While UC Berkeley acceptance rates are very high and it requires all applicants to submit scores from either the SAT with Essay or ACT with Writing, there is technically no minimum SAT/ACT score requirement. 

But what ACT/SAT score will you need to be competitive?

You’re more than just a number, of course. But, you need top SAT and ACT scores alongside a strong UC GPA at minimum to get into Berkeley. To give yourself the best shot, aim for the 75th percentile — that means at least a 1540 on the SAT or a 35 on the ACT.

Here’s a look at the test scores for admitted students in the 2018-2019 admissions cycle:

Berkeley SAT Score Range

Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
Evidence Based Reading & Writing 660 750
Mathematics 680 790
Essay 16 19

 

Berkeley ACT Score Range

Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English Language Arts 28 32
Composite 30 35

Average GPA To Get Into UC Berkeley

How to get into UC Berkeley

What GPA do you need to get into Berkeley?

To be a Golden bear, you’re required to have at least a UC GPA of 3.0 (3.4 if you’re out-of-state). 

Not too bad right? 

Not so fast. Merely fulfilling the minimum admission requirements won’t suffice. Aim high. To be the most competitive, you should have mostly A’s and multiple AP or IB courses under your belt. 

Popular Majors In UC Berkeley

What majors are UC Berkeley known for? 

UC Berkeley offers over 150 undergraduate majors and minors. Some of the most popular majors include:

  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (EECS)
  • Economics
  • Business Administration
  • Data Science

UC Berkeley Tuition And Cost

UC Berkeley acceptance stats and Tuition

What is the cost to attend UC Berkeley?

Well, check it out: Tuition for Berkeley students during the 2019-2020 academic year was $14,254 for California residents and $44,008 for nonresidents. 

Especially if you’re out-of-state, Berkeley’s tuition is quite a hefty one. So, how much financial aid does UC Berkeley give?

You’re in luck: Berkeley is ranked as the nation’s 5th best value college by Forbes in 2019. In fact, more than 65 percent of Berkeley undergraduate students receive financial aid.

The table below shows the estimated student budget of 2019-2020 freshman:

  CA RESIDENT NONRESIDENT
Tuition and Fees $14,254 $14,254
Nonresident supplemental tuition $29,754
Student Health Insurance Plan** $3,286 $3,286
Room and board $17,220 $17,220
Food $1,644 $1,644
Books and supplies $870 $870
Personal $1,876 $1,876
Transportation $400 $400
TOTAL $39,550 $69,304

UC Berkeley Post Graduation Outcomes Class of 2019

So you got into Berkeley. But what happens after?

For the class of 2019, the vast majority were employed full-time straight out of UC Berkeley. Not only did these Bears secure jobs, they secured the bag as well: The overall average starting salary for UC Berkeley’s Class of 2019 was $75,000! 

Here’s what the starting salaries look like by college:

Class of 2019 First Destination

Employed Full-time 60.5%
Graduate/Professional School 18.7%
Other Endeavors 7%
Still Seeking 13.8%

 

Class of 2019 Average Starting Salary

College Starting Salary
Haas School of Business $82,273
College of Engineering  $100,577
College of Chemistry $66,576
College of Environmental Design $53,834
Rausser College of Natural Resources $55,995
College of Letters & Science $79,206

UC Berkeley is, no doubt, a launchpad for successful lives and careers. As a result, Cal is also extremely competitive. But don’t be discouraged, becoming a Golden Bear is far from impossible. You can do it! 

Related Article: UC GPA Calculator For UC Applicants

Have more questions about How to get into UC Berkeley, UC Berkeley acceptance rates and stats, and your admissions chances? Ask away in the comments below!

UCLA Acceptance Rates And Stats 2018-2019

UCLA Acceptance Rates And Stats 2018-2019

Curious about what UCLA acceptance rates and admission statistics looks like? Well, you’re in the right place! Here, we’ll discuss important stats of admitted students — such as average SAT/ACT scores and GPA — helping you find out where you stand in the race to become a Bruin. Read the article to learn the requirements of UCLA and how to get into UCLA

Table of Contents

UCLA Admissions Stats

Here’s a quick look into the admission statistics of prospective fall 2019 freshmen.

Acceptance Rate:

12.4%

SAT Range:

1360 – 1550

ACT Range:

30 – 35

GPA Range:

4.18 – 4.32

UCLA Acceptance Rates

UCLA Acceptance Rates

So, how to get into UCLA?

This past year, UCLA was THE most applied to university in America, with over 100,000 applications! So of course, it’s extremely competitive — in fact, with an acceptance rate of only 12.4%, UCLA is the most competitive undergraduate campus in the UC system. 

To stand out, solid grades and test scores are just the first step. UCLA practices holistic admissions; therefore memorable UC essays and impressive extracurriculars are vital as well.

UCLA Admissions Stats

Applicants 111,306
Admits 13,747
Overall Admit Rate 12.4 %

What ACT/SAT Score Do You Need To Get Into UCLA?

75 percent of admitted UCLA freshmen in 2019 had an SAT score of 1360+ and an ACT score of 30+. So, to get into UCLA, your ACT/SAT score should — at the very least — be meeting this threshold.

However, with so many students vying to be Bruins, only being in the 25th percentile won’t cut it. To give yourself a competitive edge, aim for the highest possible score you can achieve! And if you’re seeking to be an engineer at UCLA, then seriously — you should aim as high as 75th percentile whenever possible.

In short: while there is no minimum ACT/SAT score that you need, per se, you should try to get at least a 1550 on the SAT or a 35 on the ACT.

Here’s a breakdown of test scores for admitted students in the 2018-2019 admissions cycle:

UCLA SAT Score Range

Section 25th Percentile

75th Percentile

Evidence Based Reading & Writing 670 760
Mathematics 690 790
Essay 16 19

 

UCLA ACT Score Range

Section 25th Percentile

75th Percentile

English Language Arts 29 32
Composite 30 35

What Is The Average GPA To Get Into UCLA?

How to get into UCLA

UCLA’s fall 2019 admits had an average UC GPA of 4.24. 

So what does that mean for you?

It means… while UCLA only requires you to have a GPA of 3.0 if you’re in-state, or 3.4 if you’re out-of-state, you really should be at a 4.24 — at least — to be seriously considered.

However, just meeting the 50th percentile will not necessarily be enough. Again, aim high! If you want to have a good chance of becoming a Bruin, you should be a straight A student who has taken plenty of honors and AP/IB courses.

UCLA Most Popular Majors

What majors are UCLA known for?

UCLA offers over 130 undergraduate majors. The top 6 most popular undergraduate majors are:

  • Biology
  • Business Economics
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Psychobiology
  • Economics

UCLA Tuition

UCLA Acceptance Stats Admission requirements

How much does it cost to go to UCLA for 4 years?

Well, check it out: Tuition for UCLA students during the 2019-2020 academic year was $13,239 for California residents and $42,993 for nonresidents. 

Does UCLA give good financial aid?

UCLA is ranked as the nation’s 4th best value college by Forbes in 2019. In fact, approximately 55 percent of UCLA undergraduate students receive financial aid, with an average gift aid award of $18,808.

The table below shows the estimated student budget of 2020-2021 freshman:

  CA RESIDENT NONRESIDENT
Tuition and Fees $13,239 $13,239
Nonresident supplemental tuition $29,754
Student Health Insurance Plan $2,668 $2,668
Room and Meals $16,104 $16,104
Books and supplies $1,314 $1,314
Personal $1,422 $1,422
Transportation $588 $588
TOTAL $35,335 $65,089

UCLA Post Graduation Outcomes Class Of 2019

College is only 4 years. Afterwards, you have a choice of getting a job immediately after graduation or going to graduate school (or you could sail around the world for a year, who knows).

For those of you that want a job right after college, aren’t you curious how much you’ll get paid? Well, check this out: The overall average starting salary for UCLA’s Class of 2019 was $58,027. And, you’ll be happy to know that approximately half of UCLA graduates are gainfully employed right after college. Not bad!  

Here’s what the starting salaries look like by college:

UCLA Class of 2019 Post-Graduation Outcomes

Employed 46%
Graduate/Professional School 16%

 

UCLA Average Starting Salary

College Starting Salary
Engineering and Applied Science $84,800
Herb Alpert School of Music $38,815
LS: Basic Biomedical Sciences $34,558
LS: Humanities $38,308
LS: Institute of the Environment and Sustainability $36,542
LS: International Institute $36,774
LS: Physical Sciences $56,170
LS: Social Sciences $45,878
School of Nursing  $79,667
School of the Arts and Architecture $42,302
School of Theater, Film, and Television $22,606

There’s no question about it: UCLA acceptance rates are very competitive and it is very hard to get into. But, with great stats, essays, and extracurriculars, you can truly tip the scales in your favor.

Have more burning questions about UCLA acceptance stats and what it takes to become a Bruin? Tell us in the comments below!

UCSD Acceptance Rates And Admission Stats 2018-2019

UCSD Acceptance Rates And Admission Stats 2018-2019

Wondering what it takes to become a Triton? Keep reading! In this post, we’ll breakdown UCSD admissions statistics, including UCSD acceptance rates, average SAT/ACT, and GPA and all the information you need to get into UCSD.

Table of Contents

UCSD Admissions Stats

Take a look at the admission data from the 2018-2019 admissions cycle.

Acceptance Rate:

32.3%

SAT Range:

1300 – 1520

ACT Range:

28 – 34

GPA Range:

4.03 – 4.28

All You Need To Know About UCSD Acceptance Rates And Stats 

UCSD Acceptance Rates And Stats 2020

How hard is it to get into UCSD? 

UCSD acceptance rates are 32.3% and without a doubt UC San Diego is a competitive school.

Keep in mind: many UCSD majors are capped, which means they have a limited number of spots. That means, it is significantly harder to be admitted if your desired major is capped. Moreover, even if you’re admitted into UCSD, you may not get your first choice major. 

Therefore, if you’re interested in a capped major, it is even more important to have solid grades, high-quality extracurriculars, and strong UC essays.

UCSD Admissions Stats

Applicants 99,125
Admits 32,005
Overall Admit Rate 32.3 %

UC San Diego Average ACT/SAT 

What are the required SAT/ACT to get into UCSD? 

UCSD does not have a minimum SAT/ACT score requirement. So technically, there is not a specific score that you need. However, in the 2018-2019 cycle, 75 percent of accepted freshmen had an SAT score of 1300+ or an ACT score of 28+. So, to be a competitive applicant, you should have — at the very least — a 1300 SAT or 28 ACT.

UCSD is especially known for science and engineering — in fact, it was named the 4th best public university for high quality science by Nature. So, to all you STEM fanatics, the 25th percentile won’t cut it: shoot for at least a 1520 on the SAT or a 34 on the ACT to set yourself apart from the rest of the STEM focused crowd.

Here’s a more detailed look at test scores for prospective fall 2019 freshmen:

UCSD SAT Score Range

Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
Evidence Based Reading & Writing 640 730
Mathematics 660 790
Essay 15 18

 

UCSD ACT Score Range

Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
English Language Arts 26 31
Composite 28 34

UCSD Average GPA 

UC San Diego Acceptance Rates

What GPA do you need to get into UC San Diego?

All aspiring Tritons need to have a UC GPA of 3.0 if you’re in-state, and 3.4 if you’re out-of-state. 

But according to the UCSD acceptance rates and stats, simply achieving the minimum admission requirements is not enough for a competitive university like UCSD. To be a truly competitive UCSD candidate, there should be no shortage of A’s, honors courses, and AP/IB courses on your transcript.

Popular Majors in UC San Diego

What majors are UCSD known for?

UCSD offers over 130 undergraduate majors. Some of UCSD’s top majors include:

  • Biology
  • Computer Science and Engineering
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Economics

UCSD Tuition Fees And Costs

How much does it cost to go to UCSD for 4 years?

Tuition for UCSD students during the 2019-2020 academic year was $14,451 for California residents and $44,205 for nonresidents. 

Does UCSD give good financial aid?

In 2019, Forbes ranked UCSD as the nation’s 13th best value college. In fact, 70 percent of UCSD undergraduate students receive financial aid.

Here’s a breakdown the estimated student budget of 2020-2021 freshman:

Cost of Attendance Living with Parents On Campus Off Campus
CA Resident Tuition/Fees $14,480 $14,480 $14,480
Housing and Meals $6,835 $14,680 $13,942
Books and Supplies $1,124 $1,124 $1,124
Transportation $1,767 $1,363 $1,537
Personal Expenses $1,954 $723 $1,287
Estimated CA Resident Total Costs $26,160 $32,370 $32,370
Non-California Resident Supplemental Tuition $29,754 $29,754 $29,754
Estimated Non-California Resident Total Costs $55,914 $62,124 $62,124

From the cutting-edge research to its stunning location, UCSD is no doubt a catch. However, being such a prestigious university, no shortage of students are rejected. 

But fear not — we are here to help! 

Check out our ultimate guide to UC essays to find out how you can stand out and achieve your dreams of becoming a Triton!