Same here. I moved here 3,5 years ago.
And yes, if you are transffering from cc you are not an international student
I am an international student ! I was willing to take the interview but after seeing the $220 cost, I am hesitating now… I think I am gonna contact Berkeley later to ask for clarification
All I wanna say I’m not paying some people in China $200 to tell me if I’m English proficient or not.
I hope my resume and 4.0 gpa show that my english is decent enough.
P.s. I don’t know why I’m so pissed lol. Waiting for the decisions is already stressful enough…
Please let us know after you call
I got that email too, @resonanx sup! Please do call, $220 for interview is RIDICULOUS, really…
I got the email too, but I am a native English speaker, born and raised in California. Why did I get it if I am a native speaker? OMG im freaking out cause some international students didnt get it and natives didn’t get it…
Is this a random audit or something since some people didnt get the email?
@ayovivian Have you finished all of your English class requirements?
@boxandwhiskers I did, i finished ewrt 2 in the fall quarter of 2015 with an A so basically just finished in december of 2015.
I just called them and they say that they select applicants randomly, and the interview is optional and could only add value to your application.
The only thing that prevent me from doing this is the $220 cost…
Sup ! @Sumner
This is what my TAP coordinator said:
"Thanks for forwarding the email. UCB is conducting these interviews to assess English fluency for some students. They chose a random selection of students who are immigrants or international students, so the fact that you were picked isn’t because there is anything wrong with your application; it just has to do with your residency status. The interview is optional, so if the cost is too much of a hardship, you don’t have to do it. If you can afford it, though, I would strongly recommend doing the interview. Since your English is very strong, you should do well in the interview, and that can only help in the admissions process.
It is expensive, though, so if you just can’t afford it, I would suggest logging in to your UC application. You can actually still access the TAU, and can add a comment explaining that although you received the invitation to interview from UCB and would have loved to participate in the interview, you could not because the cost would be a hardship for you. You can reference your specific income and the fact that you are supporting yourself and receiving no help from your family."
So any of you guys thinking of doing it? I just can’t afford it. I would’ve loved to 
BTW, would updating your TAU this late affect your application? It shouldn’t right? I did submit it initially before the end of January.
@paninichan do we really need to update it in our application? 
Thanks for your info though !
@resonanx You’re welcome! 
I don’t think so. It would just be a feedback as to why the interview isn’t an effective method because it’s expensive. It doesn’t affect the application if you don’t take it.
So “not taking the interview” won’t impact our admission chances in any way?
@VeniVidiVici1 It can only improve your application if you take it. If you don’t then it won’t make your application bad or anything like that.
@paninichan Thanks 
@VeniVidiVici1 You’re welcome! Are you planning on doing it? I really can’t afford it and it’s frustrating. I want to do all that I can to make sure I get in but ugh. Money.
A chance me please would cool, since I just got this interview email.
GPA: 3.6
Major GPA: 4.0
Units Completed: 50 (20 from IB diploma)
Major: Political Science
Pre-reqs: 5/3 (I did the other ones for other campuses)
IGETC: Will be completed this semester
Awards/Honors: Dean’s list, Honor List, AGS Honor Society
ECs (listed on app):
School ECs: Model United Nations, former sailing instructor, Mock Trial mentor to underprivileged in east bay
Work Experience - Intern at Congressman’s office, District Attorney Intern, former city council campaign consultant (2015 cycle), current Intern at a Clean Energy Super Political Action Committee in SF, and District Delegate to the California Democratic Party.
PS: 8/10, did well on the first question, not as confident on second prompt.
Hooks: first gen student, went to school in France, Switzerland, and Australia. Had former UCB alumni board president give in a good word.
Applied to all UCs, minus Riverside and Merced.
Special Note: I’m doing this whole transfer process in 1 year instead of two, with the help of IB credits.
My son also got the email. He is international student at California CC. Ya it is really unsettling… he does not plan to do it … it is costly and we can’t be sure whether it will add value to the application (whether the interview result will be considered good or not so good in terms of content etc, who knows).
I didn’t get any emails in regards to the interview. I am an international student at a cali cc. Hmm…not sure if it’s a bad or a good thing?
@itakenotes
The interviews were randomly selected, don’t worry about it.