Each year the admissions office recruits and admits some of the country’s most promising, diverse, and dynamic students to the Berkeley Law student body. Although we are one of the most selective law schools in the country, our admission philosophy reflects a commitment to admitting human beings and not simply numbers. We hope that the following profile provides some sense of the excellence and diversity that define us. Berkeley Law students are astoundingly accomplished and come from a wide range of backgrounds, interests, life experiences, and perspectives.
| Sample of Past Positions Held and Passions Pursued Before Law School | |
|---|---|
| From Business & Finances | Various founders of companies and entrepreneurs; Corporate Paralegal; Investment banker; Worked for a technology company that developed an app for electronic voting. |
| From Public Service | Fulbright English teacher abroad; Case Manager at a homeless shelter; Peace Corps Volunteer; 911 operator; Domestic Violence Advocate and Legal Intern; Middle school principal; Intern at Centro Legal de la Raza; Intern for Prisoners’ Legal Services of MA; U.S. Navy Pilot; Volunteer for an organization that helps people in the criminal justice system; Intern for the World Health Organization (WHO); Pre-School teacher; various Teach for America and AmeriCorps participants. |
| From Sports | Lead aerialist at Circus Camp; Black belt holder in Taekwondo; Yin Yogi practitioner; Professional bowler; Fly fishing guide in Alaska; Various varsity athletes; Division 1 Ultimate Frisby player; Competitive synchronized swimmer; Competitor in national jump rope competition; SF Marathon finisher. |
| From Arts & Entertainment | Actor in a comedy short film; Member of a musical sketch comedy troupe for underrepresented genders in comedy; Assistant at an entertainment agency; Dallas Symphony Chorus member; Honor Marching Band Member; Competitive hip hop dance team member; Classical ballet dancer; Competitive concert pianist. |
| From the Sciences |
Participant in a research project reconstructing an ancient indigenous language from South America; Participant in the Moderna Covid vaccine trial; Designer of an unmanned aerial system; Manager of a 300 acre cannabinoid-rich hemp farm; |
| From Government & Politics | Intern at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York; Criminal Defense Investigator; Union contract bargainer; Intern with the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD); Various Legislative and Congressional staff; Paralegals; Intern for the EPA; Worker on Planned Parenthood’s legal team; Co-creator of legislation that is now a ballot measure; Various campaign volunteers; Federal Policy Consultant; Congressional climate policy advisor; Press Office Intern; Volunteer poll worker and phone banker. |