Dear Cal alums, parents, and friends,
Nseke Ngilbus faced several complex challenges when he started at Cal. He was an older student, a transfer student, and interested in product design — a field he knew little about. “For me, the academics were not the most difficult part,” he wrote in a blog. “Instead, it was understanding the things that are outside of academics … the hidden curriculum.”
An Oakland native, Nseke found his footing through two programs that, he said, “fed my soul.” NAVCAL helped him understand the hidden curriculum — the unwritten, unofficial lessons that students learn — and navigate financial aid and other supportive offerings. The Fung Fellowship deepened his knowledge of product design and design research. Now a graduate student in information management and systems, Nseke is one of only two students in his department to have received a prestigious fellowship — a testament to his persistence and ability to transform challenges into opportunities.
Nseke is just one example of the exceptional undergraduates who choose to make UC Berkeley their academic home. We announced in July that more students gained admission to the first-year and transfer classes this fall compared to last year — and they did so while competing with a record number of applicants. Approximately 14,500 first-year students were offered admission (787 more than last year), and 5,600 transfer students were admitted (128 more than last year).
One thing that struck me in the new data is the high percentage of Californians — 68 percent of admitted first-year students, and more than 80 percent of transfer students. UC was founded on the powerful promise that a stellar education should be within reach of the people of this state. That’s why admitting more residents, from our cities to our agricultural regions to our coasts, is more important than ever. Their bold ideas, passion, leadership, and talent will shape the future of our state.
Californians have invested in UC for generations. By widening our doors to our state’s students, we honor that investment, strengthen ties to our communities, and ensure that the broad-reaching benefits of this remarkable institution are felt right here at home.
Go Bears!
Chancellor Rich Lyons
Chancellor’s Choice
- Watch: “Music research contains multitudes”— From a medieval Germanic lyre to electronic music inspired by Turkish marble art, the research and creations of the Department of Music’s graduate students span media and millennia. Meet some of its harmonious stars in this video.
- Listen: “The Stakes Explained” — UC Berkeley Journalism has launched a new podcast and video series that breaks down the flood of executive orders and policies coming from the Trump Administration. With a sharp eye on the implications, graduate students interview scholars and community leaders to uncover what’s at stake for our democracy and our future. Recent episodes have covered education, immigration, and regulatory rollbacks.