How to Apply
Undergraduate applications are handled centrally by the UC Berkeley campus Admissions Office. Applications are due in late Fall (November) to begin study the next Fall term (August). The Bioengineering Department does not review or admit freshman applicants, or offer direct scholarships—please direct all application inquiries to the Admissions Office.
Unlike other colleges within UC Berkeley, applicants to the College of Engineering must apply to a specific major or to the Engineering Undeclared major. Admitted students are not able to change majors until after they have been in residency for at least a semester—it is not possible to apply to one major and enter as a freshman in another major. Learn more about admission to the College of Engineering.
What do we look for in applicants to bioengineering?
Successful applicants to the bioengineering program have strong skills in mathematics and the sciences. Bioengineering does not set a minimum GPA or score above the basic university requirements. UC Berkeley uses a holistic review process where no one piece of information is weighted more heavily than others. In addition to adequate preparation for rigorous math and science courses, we value personal qualities and life histories that show the candidate has the capacity to succeed at Berkeley and will contribute to the academic and cultural community of Berkeley and eventually of the field of bioengineering.
Applicant Demographics: Fall 2024
2996
Applied
50% Female, 21% URM,
19% 1stGen
235
Admitted
52% Female, 26% URM,
27% 1stGen
106
Registered
49% Female, 22% URM,
24% 1stGen
The Bioengineering Scholars Program
Undergraduates admitted to the bioengineering major (as freshmen or transfers) are able to apply to the Bioengineering Scholars Program (BioESP) after their official offer of admission before starting their first semester at Berkeley.
How do I transfer from another school?
Applicants from another university may apply to become a junior transfer. Transfer applications are available each August to begin study the following Fall. See more details of the application process at the campus Admissions Office.
Berkeley Engineering offers a suite of programs to support our junior transfer students. These include the T-PREP program for newly admitted students, Transfer Link class, Transfer Mentor Program, Engineering Transfer Center and more. Transfer students in the College of Engineering are not eligible to change their major within the college, and are allotted five semesters to graduate.
The most competitive candidates for transfer admission to bioengineering will have completed most of the lower division requirements for the major.
Prioritize completing your college's versions of:
- Math 1A, 1B, 53, 54
- Chemistry 1A/1AL, 3A/3AL
- Physics 7A, 7B
- Engineering 7 or CS61A
- English 1A & 1B
Bioengineering admits a small number of transfers each year, and they are some of our best students!
Transfer Demographics
145
Applied
40% Female, 29% URM,
30% 1stGen
24
Admitted
54% Female, 21% URM,
33% 1stGen
13
Registered
31% Female, 8% URM,
23% 1stGen