Q: When will I hear back from UC Berkeley about the admissions decision?
A: Applicants who are admitted to the M.E.T. program will be notified in either February or March of the following year.
My kid got an email from UCB to tell him about the (few) applicants who were accepted. My kid had been blissfully unaware until this email and felt disappointed after reading it. Receiving an email about it made it seem more like an official deferral, which I know is not the case and was not the point of the email. UCB perhaps made more kids feel worse more than they made kids feel better?
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If it’s any consolation, I think the intention of the letter is the exact opposite: to let applicants know that this NOT the same as a deferral and to emphasize that the vast majority of decisions - including the vast majority of ACCEPTANCES - will come in March. I think they are trying to be reassuring that not hearing yesterday does NOT indicate anything like a deferral or a lower chance of acceptance. But of course with the high stress of college admissions, seeing others get accepted probably just adds stress, no matter what the letter says.
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The university obviously realizes there is an issue here.
The better way would be to figure out how not to conflate this week’s process with the general acceptance process…
Which, based on the related portal astrology thread, is a real issue for some.
They’ve sent this letter out for years, so it’s not a new thing.
Engage in portal astrology at your own risk. I get some people like it, I’ve always personally NOT liked it because I think it causes a lot of additional stress for students. I also don’t remember portal astrology being done for the early acceptances in the past - it was more prevalent in March during the regular admission time. I think early acceptance portal astrology is relatively new. And it is not university - sanctioned, obviously, os users must assume the psychological risk of this. As I said, I know some students (and parents) enjoy it because it gives them something to do while they wait, but I’ve always personally disliked it for the anxiety I’ve seen it cause some students. That’s not on the university, though.
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I never said it was new…I said they obviously know there is an issue they need to address( hence the email)… an ongoing one as you highlight.
Happy to hear your opinion on portal astrology… and of course it is not on the university. I don’t think anyone said it is.
I’ve learned on this and the related portal astrology thread that some people have a very difficult time following my point.
My bad, I guess.
Have a good day, sincerely.
Well, students are bound to hear about the early acceptances (from classmates, friends, online, etc). If a student hears that another student has gotten an acceptance but they have not yet heard anything, of course they might worry that something is wrong. Instead of letting students panic and wonder, they send a letter explaining that a small number of acceptances were indeed sent out, but that the majority of decisions are not yet out and not to worry. Seems reasonable to me?
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Several schools that notify honors or scholarship students early, send a letter out to the rest of the applicants letting them know when they should hear their admission decision.
Many students (and parents) contact the schools to find out why they haven’t heard yet or ask where to find their decision. The letter is an effort to curb the phone calls and emails.
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Yes, sounds like a rework solution.
If they didn’t conflate the two separate processes, they wouldn’t cause the problem that they have to address with rework.
Imo
Welcome to college admissions! 
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Welcome to Total Quality Management!
I know the email said the majority of applications are still being reviewed. But specifically to MET, I was told by an insider that almost all offers were already made on Friday. They have very limited seats in the class. I guess if someone turns down the offer, new kids will hear from them in March.
Does it then mean that MET applicants have to decide before the general deadline of May 1? Your post suggests people who got in MET now, will turn down their MET offers before March 27.
I actually doubt it. The last sentence was my guess and probably off.
For all I heard, the rest might be considered for the engineering major instead of MET for the March announcement.
I’m not sure. Maybe ask admissions or maybe others may know such as Gumbymom. Let me do some research on it.
Per Ms. Sun, indicates that majority finds out in March.
Although Ms. Sub is no Gumbymom or UC admissions, “she” seems to be pretty definitive.
The link to Ms. Sun’s blog just states the majority of decisions will be posted in March.
Regarding the MET decisions, my understanding is that either all or almost all decisions were posted in the early round Friday February 7 and if not admitted then, MET applicants will now be considered for the Engineering major listed on their application. Again, this is not definitive but just from I have observed by looking at other websites. There is always the possibility that there are still some MET spots that need to be filled in March so all anyone can do is wait and see.
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MET admissions are all likely done at this point - they are always done in the early batch. Even if a MET admit declines admission right away they probably made initial batch of offers large enough to not make any other MET offers until the May 1 deadline. Generally speaking, if someone doesn’t get in for MET in Feb they are out of the running for MET and still in the running for COE.
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Hi,
Whenever convenient, if the admitted students can kindly share their stats, that would be very insightful. Thanks again and congratulations!
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