University Of California, Berkeley
Office of Undergraduate Advising

  College Policies  

College of Letters & Science

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Finding Your Way for Freshmen

Finding Your Way (FYW) is a comprehensive program for first-year students in the College of Letters and Science. This website will serve as the primary means of communicating important information and updates for freshmen throughout the year.

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Degree Audits for Seniors

  • At your request, the Office of Undergraduate Advising will confirm that you have met the specific graduation requirements for the College. We recommend that you request a degree audit in the semester before you graduate.

  • To confirm that you have met the requirements for your major, contact your major department.

  • To confirm that you have met the requirements for Entry Level Writing, American History and Institutions, and American Cultures, contact the Office of the Registrar.

  • If you are transferring credit to Berkeley during the semester in which you will graduate, send transcripts to: Evaluation Unit, University of California, College of Letters and Science, 113 Campbell Hall #2924, Berkeley, CA 94720-2924. Be sure to check with this office for deadlines and procedures. Call 642-7391 for more information.

Declaring Your Candidacy to Graduate

  • When? In the semester in which you will meet all degree requirements.

  • How? Use Tele-BEARS when you enroll for your final semester of classes, or file in person at the Office of the Registrar in the first five weeks of the semester in which you plan to graduate (fee imposed after the third week).

Guidelines for Graduation

  • If you miss the registrar's deadline at the end of the fifth week of the semester, file a Petition to Be Added to the Degree List in the Office of Undergraduate Advising.

  • If you have declared your candidacy but find that you do not have the 120 units needed for graduation, remove your name from the degree candidacy list by completing a Petition to Be Dropped from the B.A. Degree List in the Office of Undergraduate Advising before the last day of classes. Then, declare your candidacy for the semester in which you will meet degree requirements.

  • You do not have to be enrolled at Berkeley during the semester in which you are on the degree list.

  • Students seeking to become a degree candidate after an absence must meet the requirements current at the time they apply for the degree.

  • Call the Evaluation Unit of the Office of Undergraduate Advising at 642-7391 if you have questions about your status.

Commencement Ceremonies

You have some flexibility in choosing when to attend graduation ceremonies. For example, if you intend to complete your degree in Summer Sessions, you may, with approval from your major department, attend graduation with your class in the preceding spring. You do not have to put your name on the B.A. degree list to participate in spring ceremonies.