First-year student DeAndra McDaniel, 18, is from Selma, California, and plans on studying psychology and sociology. “I chose Berkeley because I felt like it was the most well-rounded for academics and sports... We’re stacked with amazing people, really intelligent people, all hard-working, all with a really positive attitude."
Tommy Orange, an Oakland native and author of the acclaimed novel There There, will speak in Berkeley Monday, August 26. The work, which centers around the Native American experience in the Bay Area, was selected by a faculty committee and a team of student reviewers for this year's On the Same Page Program, which attempts to unite all incoming Freshmen by providing them with a copy of the same written work to read over the summer.
A total of 14,668 high school students have been offered freshman admission to the University of California, Berkeley, for the 2019-2020 admitted class, 8% more than the 13,561 admitted last year. In addition, 4,882 transfer students were admitted for the coming school year, up from 4,504 last year.
Berkeley is unique for its commitment to including undergraduate students in research enterprises, as evidenced by the fact that more undergraduates at Berkeley go on to earn Ph.D.’s than at any other college or university. The Office of Undergraduate Research helps students map out a strategy, connect with faculty and mentors, and obtain funding opportunities to support their research.
Research Programs
In general, there are two ways in which undergraduates get involved in research projects at UC Berkeley:
Growing up in rural Ethiopia, Lelisa Bera knew that getting an education wasn’t a given. It was a privilege that many parents couldn’t afford to give their children. But now he will graduate on Wednesday, May 22, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. And without a teacher who gently encouraged him to think bigger, he might never have made it to where he is today.
Pouya Amin, a triple major, will be graduating in May with degrees in molecular and cell biology — immunology and pathogenesis; nutritional sciences — physiology and metabolism; and psychology.
Beatriz Hernandez, who will graduate with a degree in media studies this May, says she’s at her most truthful and vulnerable when she’s performing for an audience. She has worked for Cal Performances as an assistant front of house manager for the past three semesters.