Anyone here know about Berkeley's Regents' Scholars program? I've heard it's pretty prestigious and challenging to get into. What does it entail, and what are the benefits of being in the program? Thanks, guys!
Definitely, the Regents' Scholars program at Berkeley is the most prestigious scholarship offered to entering undergraduates. Berkeley's Regents' Scholar designation comes with a $2,500 per year award for in-state students and $10,000 per year for out-of-state students, for up to 4 years.
The benefits beyond the monetary are significant as well: priority registration for classes (a huge advantage given that popular classes can fill up quickly), guaranteed housing, and membership in the Regents' and Chancellor's Scholars Association (RCSA), an on-campus organization designed to foster community among participants, are among them.
In terms of admission, it's quite competitive. The invitation to apply for the scholarship is extended to top-performing applicants in the freshman applicant pool, and decisions are made on the basis of the students' achievements and personal interviews. So, far more than just academic prowess, Berkeley is looking for students who have demonstrated leadership qualities, original thinking, and potential for significant impact in their field of study or career.
However, once in the program, scholars do not face stricter academic requirements than other students. As with all students, they must maintain a 2.0 GPA to stay in good academic standing, but there is no GPA requirement to stay in the program.
Hope this helps, and best of luck if you're planning to apply!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.