Transfer Admissions Overview - UC Berkeley

"The amount of opportunities that are offered here and the great community that surrounds Berkeley is the primary reason I chose to come." - Lydia Vasquez-Trucios (Comparative Literature Major, Education Minor)
Interested in transferring to UC Berkeley? Hear transfer students speak on how they made UC Berkeley their home and learn about the application process from admissions staff. 🐻💙
Here's everything you need to know about UC Berkeley's admission requirements for transfer applicants:
admissions.ber...
Nine campuses. One application. Get started today and take your first step towards the best public university system in the world:
apply.universi...

[@BelinayGuler-p6y]

Hi! I’ve read through almost every page dedicated to international transfer students but I wasn’t able to find much specific knowledge about whether it is possible to change majors while transferring to uc berkeley. I am currently an engineering student, considering to try transfer to psych in uc berkeley. I would be very glad if you could answer 😊

[@limerentobjection5932]

Just finished my first year as a transfer at Berkeley! :)

[@berkeleyadmissions]

Congratulations!

[@Yang415zh]

What’s your GPA before you transfer? Need 3.9?

[@Him2clean2]

@@Yang415zhsome people have 3.3s but I think it depends on your overall resume including GPA, clubs you are in and a other things!

[@unicornlens]

Stefan hits the marks as to what applicants need to do in order to be a compelling and competitive transfer applicant. In their holistic review, they look for grade trends, extracurriculars and more importantly, volunteering. Successful transfers are not only book (and street) smarts , but authentic and in-touch with their community. Great video!

[@berkeleyadmissions]

Thank you for the great feedback!

[@unicornlens]

Thank you! As a Cal alum, I can certainly attest. 🐻

[@mariafrancescahojilla4856]

Hi I just want to know how can international students transfer to Berkeley?

[@berkeleyadmissions]

Hi there! For more info on applying as an international transfer student, head here: admissions.berkeley.edu/apply-to-berkeley/international-students/

[@wohzey2229]

Can I get into Berkeley with a 3.56 Econ major transfer?

[@ogennn]

🤣

[@gunitsingh6035]

nah

[@janet-lj9kj]

Hi! If I am unable to finish my GE within the 90 units I’ll be finishing to transfer, will completing the Essential Skills be enough to reach the requirement for L&S in order to apply? Sorry, I just want to make sure and confirm that this is correct. Will it be possible to finish my GE at Berkeley if I am admitted? Thanks so much!

[@berkeleyadmissions]

Hi there! To be eligible for UC transfer admissions you need a minimum of 60 semester or 90 quarter UC transferable units. Without meeting the unit minimum you will be ineligible for admissions. You can use Essential Skills to satisfy core general education requirements for the College of Letters and Science, but you may have to complete other coursework on campus for college or university graduation requirements.

[@lightyagami-jc4gj]

@@berkeleyadmissions So it is possible to transfer without all 60 credits completed, but the student would have to complete the credits at Berkeley?

[@juanelias1309]

@@lightyagami-jc4gj they clearly said you need at least 60

[@neilfosteronly]

What is the Computer Science GPA needed to transfer? I see engineer needs 3.5, is this the same for CS? I have one college degree , a bachelor of science in finance. Last 8 years I have been a teacher in 3rd world countries and want to do something new. I am planning to go back to a California community college and finish classes need to transfer for a Computer Science degree. I am afraid my GPA for undergraduate is only 3.0 and impossible to raise to 3.5.

[@juanelias1309]

As someone in that major. You will not be competitive unless you have a 3.7 gpa. I recommend completing prerequisites at a community college in order to enter a computer science masters program

[@neilfosteronly]

@@juanelias1309 Good advise. Looing at prerequisites at Cabrillo community college. Don't need Berkley a different UC would still be great. Problem is that it seems public 4 year universities in CA don't want a previous college graduate.

[@juanelias1309]

@@neilfosteronly That is correct. Most UC's don't offer a second bachelors and others offer It for only selected programs. Your best bet is to reach out to schools directly. After, you can see if it's even worth going that route. I'm going to be honest, UC's have transfers with close to 4.0 gpa's trying to get into computer science that still get rejected. In which case, the masters makes more sense.

[@neilfosteronly]

@@juanelias1309 This is what happened to my friend. He already had a degree from a UC. Did everything to transfer and was told no because you already went to a UC. I went to a state school and took classes at community college to save money. Got a bachelors of science in finance. But now want to get a second 4 year degree and think I would have to go to private school. I don't have that money, so not going to do. I can afford a CA public school. Not sure a 2 year computer degree from community college is worth it. I have made money programing in Unity using c#. Going all in for c# and hoping to get job. Plan was to go to Cabrillo and transfer. But now not sure. It sucks that already having one degree prevents you from going back to college.

[@juanelias1309]

@@neilfosteronly you can get certificates at cabrillo and work hard to land an internship. Also, finishing a codecademy pathway. Another thing I saw some classmates who already had a degree do is finish all the coursework required and transfer into San Francisco state. Either option you choose, best of luck!

[@yunush]

Someone needs to tell the Associate Director, Stefan, to smile and be a bit more enthusiastic!

[@mmakotal4388]

Why

[@yunush]

@@mmakotal4388 why not?

[@parkerd.7068]

@@yunushbecause it’s rude

[@MsLaBajo]

This is incredibly helpful. Thank you!

[@luft3109]

Hello! I'm already studying mechanical enigiring here in Brazil ant UFSM (first year), but how can I transfer to Berkeley? What do I need?