An independent consulting service. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the University of California, Berkeley.
A university reading room

Everything we know, written down and free.

No email gate, no download form. Our three main guides are complete; shorter pieces go up through the cycle.

Main guides

Coming this cycle

  • Reading your own transcript like a reader would

    A checklist for spotting the three things in your record that need explaining.

  • The Additional Comments box: use it or skip it

    When context helps, and when it reads as an excuse.

  • Activities: writing the 350-character entry

    Scale, responsibility, and numbers, in very little space.

  • Choosing an alternate major that isn't wasted

    How alternate majors are actually used, and which pairings make sense.

These guides reflect our readers' own experience as applicants and alumni. They are not official guidance. Verify all requirements and deadlines against official University of California sources.