Berkeley C/O 2019 Applicants (2015-2016) Forum

[shineoncrazydiamond]

Hi everyone... just to ease some worries here.

I was accepted this morning! No FR, under review 1/15.

Good to know, and more importantly, congratulations!

[RationalHeretic23]

I have a few ASW Qs if someone with access to the admitted student website would be able answer.. for travel stipends do they require pre-approval? and how long does it take to get your login info? I know it took a long time at first but with new admits is the turnaround faster? I want to plan my trip out asap!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

What if you're in-state but far enough to require a flight? I'm in San Diego... Probably 8 hours away

There is a different amount for people coming from in-state. I don't believe it matters where from in-state, but feel free to double-check me. I think it may be like 150 or 200

[SD619]

I have a few ASW Qs if someone with access to the admitted student website would be able answer.. for travel stipends do they require pre-approval? and how long does it take to get your login info? I know it took a long time at first but with new admits is the turnaround faster? I want to plan my trip out asap!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

What if you're in-state but far enough to require a flight? I'm in San Diego... Probably 8 hours away

There is a different amount for people coming from in-state. I don't believe it matters where from in-state, but feel free to double-check me. I think it may be like 150 or 200

I would double check but I'm not sure where. They haven't sent me my login info yet. Do you know who I contact about it?

[lemoknope602]

In via email this morning! Delighted. Berkeley's a top choice for me.

I went UR 1/21.

[wellitsover]

Congrats to those who are getting in this week!

Does anyone know whether, if you went UR late Jan, you might still end up in FR? Or is it just immediate decision from here (accept, waitlist, ding)? I'm wondering because I went under review late Jan and noticed some people with similar UR dates ended up on FR2.

[RationalHeretic23]

I have a few ASW Qs if someone with access to the admitted student website would be able answer.. for travel stipends do they require pre-approval? and how long does it take to get your login info? I know it took a long time at first but with new admits is the turnaround faster? I want to plan my trip out asap!

I called them about this and the way it works is you bring your travel documents/itinerary with you to ASW and you will receive a prepaid 300 dollar visa debit card as your reimbursement if you're coming from out of state. No need for them to pre-approve your travel plans. As for how long it took to get my login info, it took quite a while. Honestly it took over a month for me. But I was admitted early so that might have had something to do with it.

What if you're in-state but far enough to require a flight? I'm in San Diego... Probably 8 hours away

There is a different amount for people coming from in-state. I don't believe it matters where from in-state, but feel free to double-check me. I think it may be like 150 or 200

I would double check but I'm not sure where. They haven't sent me my login info yet. Do you know who I contact about it?

Yeah that's a good point haha. I didn't think about you not having access to the admitted students website.

For everyone who doesn't have access to the site but wants the info on the travel reimbursements for the admitted students event, here is the relevant info copied from the site:

"To make it easier for you to visit the School, we are happy to offset all or some of your airfare. Your airfare for one round-trip ticket will be offset by a stipend of either $150 for travel from another California city to the Bay Area, or $300 for travel from a city outside of California to the Bay Area. The stipend will be provided contingent upon your participation at Admitted Students Weekend on Thursday and/or Friday. Please note that if you are coming for Saturday only you are not eligible for a travel stipend. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact Kristin Theis-Alvarez at ktalvarez@law.berkeley.edu. Here are the steps you need to take in order to obtain the stipend:

1. Tell us whether or not you will attend by submitting the RSVP for Admitted Students Weekend Form online. Note: This form asks that you indicate if you are eligible for the $150 stipend or the $300 stipend. The default stipend amount is $150. In order to receive $300, your itinerary must show that you flew to the Bay Area from outside of the state. Although we ask you to indicate the amount for which you think you will be eligible, we reserve the right to make the final determination whether you receive $150 or $300.

2. Make your personal travel arrangements. The Oakland International Airport is the nearest airport Berkeley campus, but we can also easily be reached from the San Francisco International Airport via BART. The San Jose airport is much further away but is another Bay Area airport to consider. If you are travelling from the East Coast, we suggest you book a flight for Wednesday evening or Thursday morning to arrive in the Bay Area by 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.

3. Print an extra copy of your airline itinerary to submit on Thursday or Friday of Admitted Students Weekend . You must submit your itinerary to verify that you are eligible for the airfare stipend.

4. Attend Admitted Students Weekend on Thursday and/ or Friday. Locate the table designated for “Airfare Stipend”, submit a copy of your itinerary, and sign to verify receipt of the stipend. You will be eligible to receive the stipend only if you attend Admitted Students Weekend on Thursday and/or Friday and submit all required documentation. We do not reimburse for non-air travel, including ground transportation, rental cars, or lodging. The stipend is for one person only. Your stipend will be in the form of a prepaid credit card. If the cost of your airfare is less than the amount of your gift card, you are free to apply it to any other expenses. * Note: If it will present a severe financial hardship for you to purchase your air tickets in advance and be reimbursed on Thursday or Friday of Admitted Students Weekend, please let us know via email to ktalvarez@law.berkeley.edu. While we cannot guarantee that we can make other arrangements, it may be possible for you to direct-book through our office under certain circumstances. Please explain your situation fully and attach any documentation you are able to provide."

[MrR10]

Yeah that's a good point haha. I didn't think about you not having access to the admitted students website.

For everyone who doesn't have access to the site but wants the info on the travel reimbursements for the admitted students event, here is the relevant info copied from the site:

"To make it easier for you to visit the School, we are happy to offset all or some of your airfare. Your airfare for one round-trip ticket will be offset by a stipend of either $150 for travel from another California city to the Bay Area, or $300 for travel from a city outside of California to the Bay Area. The stipend will be provided contingent upon your participation at Admitted Students Weekend on Thursday and/or Friday. Please note that if you are coming for Saturday only you are not eligible for a travel stipend. If you have any questions or concerns about this, please contact Kristin Theis-Alvarez at ktalvarez@law.berkeley.edu. Here are the steps you need to take in order to obtain the stipend:

1. Tell us whether or not you will attend by submitting the RSVP for Admitted Students Weekend Form online. Note: This form asks that you indicate if you are eligible for the $150 stipend or the $300 stipend. The default stipend amount is $150. In order to receive $300, your itinerary must show that you flew to the Bay Area from outside of the state. Although we ask you to indicate the amount for which you think you will be eligible, we reserve the right to make the final determination whether you receive $150 or $300.

2. Make your personal travel arrangements. The Oakland International Airport is the nearest airport Berkeley campus, but we can also easily be reached from the San Francisco International Airport via BART. The San Jose airport is much further away but is another Bay Area airport to consider. If you are travelling from the East Coast, we suggest you book a flight for Wednesday evening or Thursday morning to arrive in the Bay Area by 11:00 a.m. on Thursday.

3. Print an extra copy of your airline itinerary to submit on Thursday or Friday of Admitted Students Weekend . You must submit your itinerary to verify that you are eligible for the airfare stipend.

4. Attend Admitted Students Weekend on Thursday and/ or Friday. Locate the table designated for “Airfare Stipend”, submit a copy of your itinerary, and sign to verify receipt of the stipend. You will be eligible to receive the stipend only if you attend Admitted Students Weekend on Thursday and/or Friday and submit all required documentation. We do not reimburse for non-air travel, including ground transportation, rental cars, or lodging. The stipend is for one person only. Your stipend will be in the form of a prepaid credit card. If the cost of your airfare is less than the amount of your gift card, you are free to apply it to any other expenses. * Note: If it will present a severe financial hardship for you to purchase your air tickets in advance and be reimbursed on Thursday or Friday of Admitted Students Weekend, please let us know via email to ktalvarez@law.berkeley.edu. While we cannot guarantee that we can make other arrangements, it may be possible for you to direct-book through our office under certain circumstances. Please explain your situation fully and attach any documentation you are able to provide."

Thank you for this!

[davis1994]

Anybody heard anything today?

UR since 1/15 - but nothing.

[CiscoDisco]

SO in yesterday via email!

[cranburial]

Anybody heard anything today?

UR since 1/15 - but nothing.

Same UR date as you. Given that it took three weeks to go from complete to UR, I'm guessing they haven't gotten around to us yet.

[davis1994]

When did you go under review?

[crystallize]

Anybody heard anything today?

UR since 1/15 - but nothing.

Same UR date as you. Given that it took three weeks to go from complete to UR, I'm guessing they haven't gotten around to us yet.

Same here!

[lizzyluna]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but how long did it take to get access codes to the admitted students' website after the initial acceptance email?

[gamerish]

Sorry if this has already been answered, but how long did it take to get access codes to the admitted students' website after the initial acceptance email?

I got mine immediately but it says it can take a little while.

[periwinkley]

Just went UR yesterday and I applied on 1/16. Do the previous posts and the reddit thread indicate that they're not even accepting people anymore, at least until they hear back from those who they've already accepted?

[ramybamy]

Just went UR yesterday and I applied on 1/16. Do the previous posts and the reddit thread indicate that they're not even accepting people anymore, at least until they hear back from those who they've already accepted?

people have posted on this thread that they've gone accepted since the reddit post, so I would say it's safe to assume they are still accepting

[SamuelDanforth]

Just went UR yesterday and I applied on 1/16. Do the previous posts and the reddit thread indicate that they're not even accepting people anymore, at least until they hear back from those who they've already accepted?

I have zero insight or inside knowledge of the Berkeley admissions situation, but the interpretation of that second-hand reddit post is almost certainly false. Under that interpretation, by the time December test-takers applied in early January, Berkeley had already admitted more than 1,000 students? No way. I haven't bothered to look at mylsn, but I'm sure there hasn't been enough acceptances reported to extrapolate out to anything close to 1,000 acceptances. They've probably admitted more than 275 though, so the dean was trying to explain that they wouldn't take people off of the WL until they see how yield is playing out.

[shineoncrazydiamond]

Just went UR yesterday and I applied on 1/16. Do the previous posts and the reddit thread indicate that they're not even accepting people anymore, at least until they hear back from those who they've already accepted?

I have zero insight or inside knowledge of the Berkeley admissions situation, but the interpretation of that second-hand reddit post is almost certainly false. Under that interpretation, by the time December test-takers applied in early January, Berkeley had already admitted more than 1,000 students? No way. I haven't bothered to look at mylsn, but I'm sure there hasn't been enough acceptances reported to extrapolate out to anything close to 1,000 acceptances. They've probably admitted more than 275 though, so the dean was trying to explain that they wouldn't take people off of the WL until they see how yield is playing out.

That makes sense. It looks like folks who applied or went under review or to FR or what have you later than that initial poster have gotten in so it probably doesn't mean they are "closed."

[sjp200]

So if I don't go under FR, I'm probably out right? I'm under review now but as my #1 choice I'd contemplate sticker for Berkeley but the way I expect my last 6 applications to shake out I'm getting concerned. I'm median LSAT <25%GPA, above average softs. I read the "Berkeley's Ideal Candidate" on the school page and thought I really fit the bill in that aspect so hopefully the holistic view helps me out.

[clarf]

So if I don't go under FR, I'm probably out right? I'm under review now but as my #1 choice I'd contemplate sticker for Berkeley but the way I expect my last 6 applications to shake out I'm getting concerned. I'm median LSAT <25%GPA, above average softs. I read the "Berkeley's Ideal Candidate" on the school page and thought I really fit the bill in that aspect so hopefully the holistic view helps me out.

You don't have to go under FR to be accepted. In fact, your odds of being accepted from FR aren't great. When did you go complete?

[fliptrip]

So if I don't go under FR, I'm probably out right? I'm under review now but as my #1 choice I'd contemplate sticker for Berkeley but the way I expect my last 6 applications to shake out I'm getting concerned. I'm median LSAT <25%GPA, above average softs. I read the "Berkeley's Ideal Candidate" on the school page and thought I really fit the bill in that aspect so hopefully the holistic view helps me out.

Sticker at B= but, hey, maybe you have the loot.

Anyway, it makes perfect sense for you to apply in this case. The black box cuts both ways...good luck!

[clarf]

FR2. Tbh, this is starting to get old.

That is sort of ridiculous. From a school's perspective, what can change between now and 3 weeks from now? Will they see that many different applicants that you'll be in a substantially different light? Do they need more eyes to see it?

FWIW, I'd rather be in FR2 than on the WL, but still... I sympathize.

Just pure speculation, but I'm assuming that if you went FR 1 --> FR 2, then you were probably literally on the fringes of getting accepted, or else they would just waitlist you. So they probably just want to see the rest of the applicants and see if after seeing all of those how you hold up. From this logic, I would assume that you would have a better chance than the avg FR 2 applicant....but again, pure speculation.

I hope you're right. To be honest though, getting jerked around like this has put a bad taste in my mouth, and I'm starting to question whether or not Berkeley is even the right school for me.

[fliptrip]

FR2. Tbh, this is starting to get old.

That is sort of ridiculous. From a school's perspective, what can change between now and 3 weeks from now? Will they see that many different applicants that you'll be in a substantially different light? Do they need more eyes to see it?

FWIW, I'd rather be in FR2 than on the WL, but still... I sympathize.

Just pure speculation, but I'm assuming that if you went FR 1 --> FR 2, then you were probably literally on the fringes of getting accepted, or else they would just waitlist you. So they probably just want to see the rest of the applicants and see if after seeing all of those how you hold up. From this logic, I would assume that you would have a better chance than the avg FR 2 applicant....but again, pure speculation.

I hope you're right. To be honest though, getting jerked around like this has put a bad taste in my mouth, and I'm starting to question whether or not Berkeley is even the right school for me.

Take it with a grain of salt, but Bud's speculation just has to be right. They might have slots for certain types of admits and you might have been #4 in the 3 slot purple bodied green haired monster with a PhD from Alberta category they have. In FR2, they might have 2 slots for those PBGHM's from Canada and they want to see how you stack up against them. Either way, it's not hard to sympathize with you. Hopefully you get good news here soon.

[Lawcat11]

Hey all, dumb ASW question- are we supposed to receive some sort of confirmation email after we RSVP? I only ask because it made it sound like there were slots for class visits and that if we didn't get one on Friday we would have to come earlier on Wednesday or Thursday.

[GrumpyYellowOgre]

Hey all, dumb ASW question- are we supposed to receive some sort of confirmation email after we RSVP? I only ask because it made it sound like there were slots for class visits and that if we didn't get one on Friday we would have to come earlier on Wednesday or Thursday.

Don't know, but thanks for reminding me to RSVP. Oddly enough the Save the Date email we received doesn't mention RSVP. If I get a confirmation email I'll let you know.