Transfer Students to CEE From Outside UCB

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

What are my chances of getting in?
The answer depends upon the quality of the applicant pool and the number of spaces available in the program. Admission to the College of Engineering 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.

How does Berkeley make its decisions?
Applicants are evaluated by Engineering faculty from the appropriate departments primarily on two factors: 

1. The completeness of the applicant's lower-division preparation. The applicant should have at least 80% of the lower division courses completed by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment. Completion of lower division requirements in the summer immediately preceding fall admission to Berkeley will not be considered in reviewing applicants for admission. The full completion of lower division requirements is very important. 

2. The level of academic achievement reflected in the student's grade point average.

Faculty reviewers also carefully read the required personal statement for evidence of interest in the student's chosen major and a thoughtful match between the academic program and the student's academic and career objectives. The personal statement is very important.

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.

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). 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 of Engineering Announcement.

Technical Courses. You should complete courses that 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 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 the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC).

How can I determine which courses at my college will satisfy UC Berkeley requirements?
The University has an ongoing program through the Office of Undergraduate Admission and Relations with Schools that formally establishes course equivalencies in "articulation agreements," primarily with California community colleges.

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.

Check ASSIST, the online student transfer information system.  ASSIST shows how course credits might be applied when transferring from one institution to another.

Does it matter where I complete my lower division preparation?
Community college students 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, which can affect transfer eligibility.

Is the personal statement important? What should I write about in the personal statement?
The personal statement is very important. The faculty is particularly interested in the following: 1) How did you get interested in engineering? 2) Why are you interested in this particular major? What experiences (work, school etc.) were influential? 3) What are your goals or aspirations?

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. If you have questions about a particular department’s curricula, you should contact that department.  In the case of CEE, contact ceugrad@ce.berkeley.edu.
 
Transfer applicants should choose their major carefully. Transfer students are not permitted to change majors after admission to the College of Engineering. 

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 universities in the UC system, you may be considered for alternate majors at those institutions.

Can I change my major?
As an applicant to a fall term, it is possible to change your college and/or major ONLY during the November application filing period. 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. If you made an honest mistake, i.e., indicated an incorrect major code, we will correct it. It is highly unlikely that a transfer student will be able to change majors after admission to the College of Engineering.

Do I really have to graduate in 4 semesters?
While graduating in 4 semesters is encouraged, a number of our junior transfer students find it necessary to petition for one additional semester because they are unable to complete a majority of their engineering undergraduate courses at their junior college. Transfer students who have taken a full-load (12 units) of course work but find that they are unable to graduate at the end of 4 semesters may get approval for an additional semester from the Dean.

What support systems are available to new Engineering students?
We have the Buddy Program, in which new students are assigned a continuing student; an alumni mentorship program, tutoring, peer advising, academic workshops, and career planning and counseling services.

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.

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.

What resources are available to transfer students?
See Transfer, Re-entry and Student Parent Center.