University of California, Berkeley

The flagship UC campus and a world-leading public research university.

Berkeley, CAUniversity
2026-2027 cycle
View official admissions source →
Next deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Regular Decision
Essays
8
Prompts
Supplement
Required
2026-2027 cycle
Platform
Not listed
Check official site
Selectivity
11.4%
Selective
Enrollment
32,831
Large undergrad

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Application deadlines

RoundDeadlineStatus
Regular DecisionNovember 30, 2026131 days away

Supplemental essay prompts

  1. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

  2. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways. Describe how you express your creative side.

  3. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

  4. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

  5. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge.

  6. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

  7. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

  8. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Personal Insight Question: Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

How to approach University of California, Berkeley's supplemental essays

Prompt 1 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 2 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 3 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 4 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 5 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 6 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 7 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Prompt 8 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Example essay shell

Use this as a blank structure for a University of California, Berkeley supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.

  1. Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
  2. Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
  3. Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
  4. End with the contribution you want to make at University of California, Berkeley, not a compliment.

Need more help with this application?

Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.

PlanSupplemental essay guide →ResearchWhy Us essay guide →ReviewEvaluate an essay draft →

Frequently asked questions

How many supplemental essays does University of California, Berkeley require?

University of California, Berkeley has 8 supplemental essays listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.

Does University of California, Berkeley accept the Common Application?

No — University of California, Berkeley uses its own application portal, not the Common App.

What is University of California, Berkeley's acceptance rate?

University of California, Berkeley's most recently reported acceptance rate is 11.4%.

When is University of California, Berkeley's next application deadline?

University of California, Berkeley's next listed application deadline is the Regular Decision round on November 30, 2026.

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: Describe an example…" prompt (#1, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: Every person has…" prompt (#2, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways. Describe how you express your creative side.

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: What would you…" prompt (#3, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: Describe how you…" prompt (#4, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: Describe the most…" prompt (#5, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge.

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: Think about an…" prompt (#6, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: What have you…" prompt (#7, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

What is University of California, Berkeley's "Personal Insight Question: Beyond what has…" prompt (#8, 350 words)?

Personal Insight Question: Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Sources and verification

We prioritize University of California, Berkeley's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.

Review official source →