Official Transcript
Unofficial Transcript 
Min GPA Requirement .svg)
Written Answers 
English Test B2 
Additional Requirements 
Online Application From 
Application Fee 
Parent/Guardian Consent 
Application is closed
Berkeley Changemaker™is a residential summer program that is designed to sharpen your skills in critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, while exploring what changemaking looks like in a wide variety of disciplines.
Non-credit
Residential
Accepts International Students
Final project
The Berkeley Changemaker® track offers international and domestic high school students the opportunity to live on campus and enjoy the summer at Berkeley. Since its inception, UC Berkeley has always attracted changemakers whose vision challenges the status quo and whose contributions make our world a better, more equitable place. Our Pre-College Scholars Berkeley Changemaker track draws from, and builds on, elements that make Cal unique, including a singular history for leading inclusively and an agency for making society better. Our curriculum activates our students’ passions and helps them to develop a sharper sense of who they want to be and how to make that happen. Regardless of whether your interests lie in entrepreneurship, societal change, or you’d simply like to think more entrepreneurially, there is a place for you here in our learning community.
By taking advantage of the Berkeley Changemaker track, you will sharpen your skills in three key areas—critical thinking, communication, and collaboration—while exploring what changemaking looks like in a wide variety of disciplines across campus. You will also become part of the campuswide Berkeley Changemaker, which has already enrolled some 20% of Berkeley’s undergraduates since its launch in summer 2022. Through daily lectures, compelling faculty interviews, and interactive team assignments with your fellow changemakers, you will develop your own changemaking mindset and learn how to turn your ideas into action, experiencing first hand all that UC Berkeley has to offer.
Your summer residential experience begins with orientation sessions, a campus scavenger hunt, and opportunities to meet with program staff and other participants. Activities and excursions are planned by UC Berkeley undergraduate Resident Assistants and Mentors (RAMs) and the program staff to help you build community with other students in your program, make the most out of your time at Berkeley, and prepare for your future college experience.
Students should not apply for housing, as room and board are provided by UC Berkeley, and all participants are required to live in assigned residential housing. Students will live with other Pre-College Scholars program participants in a residence hall within walking distance of the main campus. They will be under the full-time supervision of residential program staff Resident Assistant Mentors.
Students will be housed in Bowles Hall. Students will be sharing rooms (doubles) and will receive their housing assignments upon arrival. Rooms and roommate assignments are done at random. The assignments are not negotiable. Our beautiful residence hall includes a historic library, study rooms, high-speed wifi, game room, washers and dryers, and a large lounge. Rooms will have dressers, desks, mirrors, and closets. As Pre-College Scholars, students will be subjected to a daily curfew from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM.
Meals
Students will receive a meal plan that offers 3 meals per weekday and 2 meals per day on the weekend and on holidays. During weekdays, if you are rushing to class, unable to eat in the dining area, or simply would like to eat later, you can request your meal to be saved.
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, societal change, or simply want to think more entrepreneurially, this is the perfect summer program for you. It is designed for pre-college scholars interested in exploring campus life through the lens of making change at UC Berkeley. The two-week immersive program empowers you to become a Berkeley Changemaker. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to explore the three core pillars of Berkeley Changemaker: 1) critical thinking, 2) communication, and 3) collaboration as you work on a team changemaking project.
In this two-week program, you will work with the core Berkeley Changemaker faculty during the morning sessions. After lunch, you will reconvene with your peers to engage in activities designed to extend your learning from the morning sessions. Throughout the two weeks, you will be placed in a Changemaker Pod where you will work with other students to reimagine the university campus of the future.
Together, we will use the beautiful UC Berkeley campus as our sandbox to provide you with an opportunity to explore the three pillars of changemaking as you work with and through others in an experiential, hands-on format.
Learning Objectives:
The goal of this program is to set you apart as an innovative changemaker! After taking this course, you will:
discover what changemaking means to you
learn what changemaking means to UC Berkeley
better understand yourself and how to lead with and through others to impact change
explore different tools and techniques to support you in thinking critically, communicating your ideas, and collaborating with others
gain a better understanding-of, and familiarity with, the UC Berkeley campus and with the college experience in general
In addition to participating in the daily Berkeley Changemaker® curriculum, students will benefit from extracurricular activities, opportunities to connect them with the UC Berkeley campus, college preparatory workshops, and a program-related excursion. Some activities will be mandatory and all are designed to help you meet other students in your program, make the most of your Berkeley learning experience, and prepare for your university studies. Dates, times, and events are subject to change.
Pre-College Orientation
To ensure your smooth transition to UC Berkeley, your orientation will be a three-step process beginning with a video recording, a pre-arrival live webinar, and, finally, an in-person session. All Pre-College Scholars participants will be required to attend their orientation to the program. Important topics include program curriculum, health and safety, health insurance, library resources, and much more will be discussed in detail.
College Exploration Workshops & Extra-Curricular Activities
We will offer academic enrichment and college exploration workshops designed to help students prepare for the college admission process and beyond. Past workshops have included: "College in Perspective," "The Best College for You", and "What Admissions Officers Look For."
If you are interested in entrepreneurship, societal change, or simply want to think more entrepreneurially, this is the perfect summer program for you. It is designed for pre-college scholars interested in exploring campus life through the lens of making change at UC Berkeley. The two-week immersive program empowers you to become a Berkeley Changemaker. Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to explore the three core pillars of Berkeley Changemaker: 1) critical thinking, 2) communication, and 3) collaboration as you work on a team changemaking project.
In this two-week program, you will work with the core Berkeley Changemaker faculty during the morning sessions. After lunch, you will reconvene with your peers to engage in activities designed to extend your learning from the morning sessions. Throughout the two weeks, you will be placed in a Changemaker Pod where you will work with other students to reimagine the university campus of the future.
Together, we will use the beautiful UC Berkeley campus as our sandbox to provide you with an opportunity to explore the three pillars of changemaking as you work with and through others in an experiential, hands-on format.
Learning Objectives:
The goal of this program is to set you apart as an innovative changemaker! After taking this course, you will:
discover what changemaking means to you
learn what changemaking means to UC Berkeley
better understand yourself and how to lead with and through others to impact change
explore different tools and techniques to support you in thinking critically, communicating your ideas, and collaborating with others
gain a better understanding-of, and familiarity with, the UC Berkeley campus and with the college experience in general
In addition to participating in the daily Berkeley Changemaker® curriculum, students will benefit from extracurricular activities, opportunities to connect them with the UC Berkeley campus, college preparatory workshops, and a program-related excursion. Some activities will be mandatory and all are designed to help you meet other students in your program, make the most of your Berkeley learning experience, and prepare for your university studies. Dates, times, and events are subject to change.
Pre-College Orientation
To ensure your smooth transition to UC Berkeley, your orientation will be a three-step process beginning with a video recording, a pre-arrival live webinar, and, finally, an in-person session. All Pre-College Scholars participants will be required to attend their orientation to the program. Important topics include program curriculum, health and safety, health insurance, library resources, and much more will be discussed in detail.
College Exploration Workshops & Extra-Curricular Activities
We will offer academic enrichment and college exploration workshops designed to help students prepare for the college admission process and beyond.
Domestic students must meet the following requirements to apply to this track:
1 - Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school studies in the subsequent fall
2 - Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework
3 - 16 years of age by June 16, 2024
4 - Require residential housing
International students must meet the following requirements to apply to this track:
1 - Have completed the 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and plan to continue their high school in the subsequent fall
2 - Have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all of their high school coursework (or comparable qualitative evaluation)
3 - Meet our minimum English Language Requirements, if applicable
Maintain their own health insurance coverage as outlined in our health insurance requirement*
4 - 16 years of age by June 16, 2024
5 - Require residential housing
High school graduates: Students who have graduated from high school before the start of summer classes are not eligible for the Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Summer Changemaker Track. High school graduates can attend Berkeley Summer Sessions as a visiting student and need to apply using the visiting student application.
Official Transcript
Unofficial Transcript
Min GPA Requirement
Written Answers
English Test B2
Additional Requirements
Online Application From
Application Fee
Parent/Guardian Consent
1 - Application: (Gather all of the following information before you begin):
- Basic biographical (name, birth date, gender, citizenship, etc.) and contact information
- Emergency contact information**
The student email address and parent/guardian email address must be different. Failure to comply with this policy will result in a significant processing delay and/or the denial of your application. If you have any questions or concerns, contact our Pre-College team.
2 - Complete the personal insight questions. When completing the online application, all students are required to submit two short answers (100 words each) to the following questions:
- What in your academic background prepares you to participate in this program?
- The UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars Program seeks to create an engaged and inclusive community that is welcoming to students from various backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for the Pre-College Scholars program?
3 - Your most recent high school transcript (PDF copy). Upload a PDF copy of your most recent high school transcript, showing all high school work through Fall 2023 (official or unofficial). The transcript must include the student's full name and cumulative GPA. Report cards are not acceptable. Please be sure to include an official translation of the document if it is in a language other than English. Must also include information for at least one full academic year.
4 - Review the Waiver of Liability & Authorization Form
5 - Review the Release of Authorization for Emergency Treatment Form
6 - Review the Consent to Release Student Information Form
7 - Review the Student Code of Conduct Agreement
8 - Review the Storage and Administration of Medications Form
9 - Review the COVID Community Compact
10 - Review the Program Travel During a Pandemic Notice Understanding Form
11 - English Proficiency Requirement (if applicable): All students who attend high schools outside of the United States are required to provide documentation of meeting the English Language Proficiency Requirement unless their school country is exempt from the requirement. You will need to provide this documentation during the application process.
12 - Summer Sessions Application Fee: $25.
Complete applications are reviewed by program staff on a rolling basis. If your application is complete, you will be notified of your admissions decisions to the program via email. If you are admitted to the program, you will have 48 hours to accept your offer of admission on your student portal before the offer expires.
Deadline
To confirm your enrollment in the Pre-College Scholars program, you will need to:
1 - Accept your offer of admission within 48 hours. You will receive an email about your admissions decision. You must accept your offer of admission in your application portal within 48 hours of receiving your offer. Failure to do so will result in your offer being withdrawn and your spot will be offered to another student.
2 - Set up your UC Berkeley CalNet account within 48 hours. Within 48 hours of accepting your admission, you will receive an email with your student ID number and instructions for setting up your CalNet ID and passphrase. If you encounter any issues with receiving your CalNet information, please check your SPAM folder or contact [email protected]
3 - Log in to CalCentral & complete your required pre-enrollment tasks within 7 days. Once you create your CalNet ID and passphrase, you will be able to log in to the CalCentral to pay your fees, and access information about UC Berkeley. You will see an active hold "Visiting High School Student" under your Status and Hold section. This is normal.
Under Tasks, you will see several required action items including: Student Financial Agreement and COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement. You must complete these tasks as soon as possible. You will NOT be enrolled in the program until you complete these tasks.
Pay all tuition and fees within 7 days. The program fees will be assessed to your CalCentral account and must be paid in full within seven calendar days of admission to the program. Failure to pay on time will result in the cancellation of your admission. To withdraw from the program without the financial penalty, all applicants must submit a formal withdrawal request via their admissions portal before the Thursday, April 11, 2024 cancellation deadline.
Jun 16 - Jun 28
2 weeks
Residential
Pre-College Scholars Changemaker® track fee includes tuition & fees, housing, meals, orientation, excursions & activities, basic health insurance, and on-site support.
The following are Summer 2023 rates. Please check back for more information on Summer 2024 later.
Summer Sessions Application Fee: $25
Program Fee: $5,060
Please note that the cost of any necessary flights to and from the Bay Area and all other miscellaneous expenses are the responsibility of the student.
Financial Aid
No financial aid is available.
Official Transcript
Unofficial Transcript
Min GPA Requirement
Written Answers
English Test B2
Additional Requirements
Online Application From
Application Fee
Parent/Guardian Consent
Application is closed
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