UC Berkeley GPA Requirements: What You Need to Get In
The University of California, Berkeley (Cal), is the flagship campus of the UC system and one of the most prestigious public universities globally. With its world-renowned faculty and competitive programs, Berkeley maintains extremely high admission standards.
Quick Answer: UC Berkeley typically admits students with an unweighted GPA of 3.9+ and a weighted GPA of 4.4+. The middle 50% admitted have GPAs between 3.89-4.00 (unweighted).
UC Berkeley GPA Requirements
Official GPA Statistics
Average Unweighted GPA
3.94
4.0 scale
Average Weighted GPA
4.43
Including AP/IB courses
Middle 50% Range
3.89 - 4.00
Unweighted GPA
Acceptance Rate
11.4%
Highly selective
UC GPA Calculation Method
Important: UC GPA is Different!
UC Berkeley uses the UC GPA system, which is calculated differently from your high school GPA:
- Only includes grades from sophomore and junior year (a-g courses)
- Caps honors points at 8 semesters total
- Only California-certified honors/AP/IB courses get extra weight
- Uses specific UC course requirements (a-g subjects)
GPA Requirements by College
| College/Program | Average GPA | Minimum Competitive |
|---|---|---|
| College of Engineering | 4.46 | 4.3 |
| Haas School of Business | 4.48 | 4.35 |
| College of Letters & Science | 4.41 | 4.2 |
| College of Chemistry | 4.44 | 4.25 |
| College of Environmental Design | 4.38 | 4.15 |
| College of Natural Resources | 4.35 | 4.1 |
UC Berkeley Admission Statistics
Fall 2024 Admission Data
- Applications Received: 128,226
- Students Admitted: 14,614
- Acceptance Rate: 11.4%
- Enrolled Students: 6,931
- Yield Rate: 47.4%
Academic Profile
- Average SAT: 1530
- Average ACT: 34
- Top 10% of Class: 96%
- California Residents: 68%
- International Students: 15%
Admission Rates by Residency
GPA Analysis for UC Berkeley
What GPA Do You Need?
California Residents: UC GPA of 4.20+ competitive, 4.35+ target
Out-of-State/International: UC GPA of 4.35+ competitive, 4.45+ target
Engineering/Business: UC GPA of 4.45+ highly recommended
GPA Distribution of Admitted Students
Application Strategies for UC Berkeley
UC Application Requirements
A-G Course Requirements:
- History: 2 years
- English: 4 years
- Mathematics: 3 years (4 recommended)
- Laboratory Science: 2 years (3 recommended)
- Language other than English: 2 years (3 recommended)
- Visual/Performing Arts: 1 year
- College Preparatory Electives: 1 year
Personal Insight Questions Strategy
UC's Comprehensive Review:
UC Berkeley uses comprehensive review, considering 13 factors beyond GPA and test scores:
- Academic achievement in context
- Number and rigor of academic courses
- Quality of senior course program
- Leadership and extracurricular activities
- Special talents and achievements
- Community service and engagement
If Your GPA is Below 4.2
- Exceptional Test Scores: SAT 1550+ or ACT 35+
- Compelling Personal Story: Overcome significant challenges
- Research Experience: Independent projects or internships
- Leadership Impact: Started organizations or initiatives
- Underrepresented Background: First-generation college student
- Geographic Diversity: From underrepresented regions
Berkeley-Specific Tips
- Research Fit: Show knowledge of specific professors and programs
- Academic Passion: Demonstrate intellectual curiosity
- Social Impact: Highlight community engagement and activism
- Innovation Focus: Emphasize entrepreneurial or creative projects
- Diversity Contribution: Show how you'll add to campus diversity
UC System Comparison
| UC Campus | Average UC GPA | Acceptance Rate | Average SAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | 4.43 | 11.4% | 1530 |
| UCLA | 4.31 | 8.8% | 1520 |
| UC San Diego | 4.28 | 23.8% | 1480 |
| UC Davis | 4.11 | 37.0% | 1430 |
UC GPA Calculator Tools
Use these specialized calculators to calculate your UC GPA and assess your Berkeley chances:
Conclusion
Getting into UC Berkeley requires exceptional academic performance, with most admitted students having UC GPAs well above 4.2. As one of the world's top public universities, Berkeley looks for students who excel academically while demonstrating intellectual curiosity and social impact.
Remember that UC Berkeley practices holistic admissions, so strong essays, meaningful extracurriculars, and unique perspectives can help compensate for slightly lower GPAs. Focus on presenting yourself as someone who will thrive in Berkeley's rigorous academic environment while contributing to the campus community.