Berkeley for CS vs Stanford for CS: Which One Is Harder to Get Into?

Introduction

Choosing between the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and Stanford University for a degree in Computer Science (CS) can be a challenging decision. Both institutions are renowned for their programs in CS and EECS, offering exceptional academic and research opportunities. However, the admissions process and acceptance rates can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location and financial status. This article aims to clarify the differences between UC Berkeley and Stanford CS/EECS.

Admissions Requirements and Geographic Factors

One of the key factors influencing the difficulty of gaining acceptance is the application status as a state resident. For students who are not California residents, gaining admission to UC Berkeley's Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) program can be more difficult compared to Stanford's Computer Science (CS) department. This is due to the limited number of spots available to non-Californians, as well as the high tuition fees for out-of-state students.

For California residents, UC Berkeley often offers full rides to EECS majors. However, non-residents who apply to UC Berkeley's EECS program and are accepted face a significantly higher tuition burden. Similarly, Stanford's EECS program tends to be more lenient in accepting students from out-of-state, but the tuition costs are notably higher for these students. It's important to note that both universities have stringent admissions criteria, with limited spots available in their respective department.

Graduate School Admissions and Liberal Acceptance Policies

When it comes to graduate school, Stanford EECS generally presents a more lenient acceptance policy. For instance, Chin Dae-je, a prominent computer science scholar, helped build the Samsung Semiconductor company. This highlights the caliber of researchers and scholars that Stanford attracts and retains. On the other hand, UC Berkeley's EECS is known for its rigorous admission process, with only 100 to 200 spots available.

For graduate students, the acceptance rates at UC Berkeley tend to be lower for both the College of Letter and Science (LS) and the College of Engineering (CoE). The lower acceptance rate for a BA in Computer Science in the LS College of Letters and Sciences and the BS in EECS in the CoE College of Engineering is often due to the high quality of applicants and the competitiveness of the programs.

Undergraduate Admissions: Comparing Acceptance Rates

Undergraduates face different challenges when applying to UC Berkeley and Stanford due to the lower admission rate and smaller student body at Stanford. UC Berkeley, being a state school, aims to be less selective in its admissions process. This means that the overall acceptance rate for undergraduate students at UC Berkeley is higher, with lower rates for specific disciplines.

Specifically, the acceptance rate for UC Berkeley's Computer Science in the College of Letters and Science (LS) stands at 14.5%, while the acceptance rate for Computer Science in the College of Engineering (CoE) is much lower at 5.2%. These acceptance rates do not automatically lead to admission to the major, as students must still meet additional departmental requirements.

Stanford, on the other hand, accepts students as undeclared majors during their freshman year. As a result, the university uses its overall acceptance rate of 3.95% for the class of 2025, which is significantly lower than UC Berkeley's rates. This broader acceptance rate reflects the university's philosophy of allowing students to explore their interests before declaring a major.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the difficulty in gaining admission to UC Berkeley's CS/EECS program or Stanford's CS/EECS program can vary based on several factors, including geographic location, residency status, and financial capacity. If you are a California resident, UC Berkeley's EECS program may be easier to gain acceptance into, offering full ride opportunities and no additional tuition burden. However, non-Californians may find greater success and lower financial burden applying to Stanford's EECS program, which tends to be more lenient and flexible in its admissions process.

Sources

UC Berkeley EECS Admissions Data Stanford CS Admissions Data UC Berkeley LS and CoE Admissions Data