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Chiron Strategy
UC BerkeleyComputer ScienceCollege AdmissionsEECSApplication Strategy
ET
Editorial Team
March 16, 202612 min read

How to Get Into UC Berkeley for Computer Science

Your comprehensive guide to mastering UC Berkeley CS admissions with data-driven strategies and insider insights

UC Berkeley's Computer Science program consistently ranks among the top 3 globally, producing leaders at companies like Google, Apple, and Meta. With an acceptance rate hovering around 3-4% for out-of-state applicants and 8-10% for California residents, getting into Berkeley CS is more competitive than Harvard or Stanford. This guide reveals the exact strategies, statistics, and insider knowledge you need to craft a winning application.
3-4%
Out-of-state acceptance rate
$180K+
Average starting salary for CS graduates
1580
Average SAT score for admitted students
4.3
Average weighted GPA for CS admits

Understanding UC Berkeley's CS Program Structure

Berkeley offers Computer Science through two distinct pathways, each with different admission requirements and competitiveness. Understanding these options is crucial for developing your application strategy.
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EECS (Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences)

Direct admission to CS major in College of Engineering. Most competitive path with ~2-3% acceptance rate. Requires strong math/science foundation.

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L&S Computer Science

Admit to Letters & Science, declare CS later. ~8-12% admission rate but requires 3.3+ GPA in prerequisites to declare major.

Academic Requirements That Matter Most