UC Berkeley Waitlist Acceptance Rate: Stats and Tips

With over 124,000 applicants for the Class of 2028, UC Berkeley remains one of the most competitive public universities in the country. Only 13,701 students were admitted, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 11%. For those placed on the waitlist, the odds are even steeper: the waitlist acceptance rate was just 0.3%.

In this post, we’ll walk you through how the UC Berkeley waitlist works, what the requirements are, and what you can do to improve your chances if you’re waitlisted.

• What Is UC Berkeley’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?
• What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by UC Berkeley 
• Is It Worth Staying on UC Berkeley’s Waitlist?
• Frequently Asked Questions 
• Takeaways

What Is UC Berkeley’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?

Although UC Berkeley has not yet released waitlist statistics for the Class of 2029, the most recent data from the Class of 2028 highlights how competitive the process is. Of the 10,894 students offered a spot on the waitlist, 7,853 accepted, but only 26 were ultimately admitted, resulting in a waitlist acceptance rate of just 0.3%.

One reason waitlist admissions are so limited is that they depend heavily on the university’s enrollment yield and the number of spots available after admitted students respond to their offers. Let’s understand this further with a breakdown of UC Berkeley’s waitlist trends over the last few years:

In recent years, UC Berkeley’s waitlist acceptance rates have shown significant variation. On average, the waitlist acceptance rate across the Classes of 2025 to 2028 is about 5.3%. However, this number doesn’t reflect the dramatic year-to-year swings.

The average number of students offered a spot on the waitlist is around 9,500, and on average, about 405 students are admitted each year. But those figures are pulled up by one exceptional year and pulled down by others, with very limited movement.

The data shows how unpredictable the UC Berkeley waitlist process can be. For the Class of 2027, more than 1,100 students were admitted from the waitlist, possibly due to a lower-than-expected yield from initially admitted students. On the other hand, for the Class of 2028, only 26 students were admitted off the waitlist, suggesting that most admitted students accepted their offer, leaving little room for waitlisted candidates.

In short, while the average acceptance rate may suggest a moderate chance, the actual outcomes range from virtually none to relatively high. This highlights how much waitlist movement depends on variables like enrollment yield and available space—factors that change every year.

What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by UC Berkeley

Getting waitlisted at UC Berkeley can feel like being stuck between a yes and a no. So, to make it simple, here is what UC Berkeley wants you to keep in mind:

The waitlist is by invitation only.

UC Berkeley’s waitlist is by invitation only and is limited to first-year applicants, meaning that you cannot sign up for it yourself. After the first round of decisions, some applicants who are not admitted right away may be invited to join the waitlist, and when that happens, you will be able to see the invite right in your applicant portal. 

Opt in to the waitlist on time. 

If you are invited to join the UC Berkeley waitlist, you need to accept the offer by the deadline through your online portal:

• Freshman applicants must opt in by midnight on April 15.
• Transfer applicants generally have until May 15.

In case you end up missing the deadline or forget to respond in time, it means you will not be placed on the waitlist. Remember to mark the date on your calendar as soon as you get the invite so you do not miss your chance.

No need to submit any additional materials.

If you are on the UC Berkeley waitlist, you do not need to send anything new. Basically, no extra essays, recommendation letters, or other updates are required from your end. The university will review the same UC application you already submitted when deciding if a spot opens for you.

Also, things like visiting the campus or writing letters to show interest will not affect your chances. What you need to do is simply focus on your current application; it already has everything UC Berkeley needs to arrive at the admission decision.

Submit your Statement of Intent to Register elsewhere.

Considering you are on UC Berkeley’s waitlist, you should accept an offer from another university and submit your statement of intent to register (SIR) there. This is important because being on the waitlist does not guarantee admission to UC Berkeley.

Think of it in terms of having a backup plan where you will have a confirmed college to attend, and if UC Berkeley admits you later, you can always make the switch.

The UC Berkeley waitlist is not ranked.

The waitlist does not work on a “first-come, first-served” basis, and students are not ranked. If spots are available, the admissions staff at UC Berkeley reviews all waitlisted students using their original applications.

They select students based on the university’s needs to complete the incoming class. These are things like your intended major or whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student. So, just being early will not change your chances.

When will you hear back?

The updates on UC Berkeley’s waitlist usually come between May and August. If a spot opens up for you, the university will send a notification to you through your applicant portal and give you about one week to accept the offer. So, always keep an eye on your portal and email during this time so you do not miss your chance if an offer comes.

There is no appeal process for waitlisted students.

If you are placed on the waitlist at UC Berkeley, it’s important to know that you cannot appeal your status. Appeals are only considered for students who were completely denied admission, not those who are waitlisted.

Additionally, being on the waitlist does not guarantee admission. UC Berkeley can only extend offers to waitlisted students if enough initially admitted students decline their offers, which means available spots are never certain.

Pro tip: Stay hopeful but plan for other options too. It is important to have a backup college to ensure you are prepared, no matter what happens with the waitlist.

Is It Worth Staying on UC Berkeley’s Waitlist?

Whether staying on the UC Berkeley waitlist is worth it depends on several factors, primarily the historical variability in waitlist acceptance rates and your own preferences.

Looking at recent years, UC Berkeley’s waitlist acceptance rate outcomes have been highly unpredictable:

• In Fall 2023 (Class of 2027), the waitlist acceptance rate was unusually high at around 17%, with 1,191 students admitted from a pool of 7,001.
• However, in Fall 2024 (Class of 2028), the acceptance rate dropped sharply to just 0.3%, with only 26 students admitted from 7,853.

This kind of fluctuation shows there is no fixed pattern. In some years, more students are admitted off the waitlist due to lower enrollment from initially admitted applicants. In other years, when more students accept their offers, very few waitlisted applicants are offered admission.

Staying on the waitlist can be worthwhile if UC Berkeley is your top choice and you’re prepared for the uncertainty. However, it’s essential to secure a spot at another college as your primary plan. Given UC Berkeley’s historically low waitlist acceptance rates in some years, relying solely on the waitlist is risky. Accepting another offer ensures you have a clear path forward—even if you don’t end up getting in from the waitlist.

In short, remaining on the UC Berkeley waitlist might be worth it if it’s truly your first choice and you’re willing to wait without guarantees. But due to the highly variable—and often very low—acceptance rates, it’s wise not to depend on it as your only option.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the UC Berkeley waitlist acceptance rate for the Class of 2028?

UC Berkeley’s waitlist acceptance rate is dynamic, and it changes every year. For the fall 2024 (Class of 2028), it was extremely low at 0.3%, with only 26 of 7,853 waitlisted students admitted. 

2. Does UC Berkeley rank students on the waitlist?

No, UC Berkeley does not rank students on the waitlist. The waitlist is unranked, and all candidates are considered individually if space becomes available.

3. When is the UC Berkeley waitlist decision date?

Waitlist decisions are typically released in May or June, with some extending into July depending on space availability. First-year applicants must opt in by April 15, and transfer applicants by May 15.

4. How many people does UC Berkeley waitlist?

UC Berkeley waitlists about 9,500 students each year, with an average of 405 admitted. But the numbers vary widely. For the Class of 2027, over 1,100 were admitted from the waitlist, while only 26 were admitted for the Class of 2028—showing how unpredictable the process can be.

5. Can waitlisted students at UC Berkeley send a letter of continued interest (LOCI)?

No, UC Berkeley does not accept letters of continued interest (LOCI) or additional materials from waitlisted students. If you’re offered a spot on the waitlist, your original application will be reconsidered as-is.

Takeaways

• UC Berkeley’s waitlist is extremely selective. For the Class of 2028, only 26 students were admitted from the waitlist—a 0.3% acceptance rate, down from 17% for the Class of 2027.
• Admission depends on available seats; if more accepted students enroll, fewer spots open up.
• UC Berkeley’s waitlist isn’t ranked. Decisions are based on major and residency needs.
• You must opt in by April 15 (freshmen) or May 15 (transfers). And since nothing is guaranteed, it’s smart to secure a spot elsewhere while you wait.
• Considering the UC Berkeley waitlist acceptance rate and looking at the cut-throat competition for admission at UC Berkeley, working with an expert college admissions consultant can be an excellent decision to improve your application.