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; Director of Operations at a non-profit; Apprentice at CSA farm; Corporate Paralegal; Assistant at the Walt Disney Company; Software engineer for the NBA. |
| From Public Service | Fulbright English teacher abroad; Prisoners’ Rights Advocate; Public benefits paralegal; Wildland firefighter; Advocate for survivors of domestic violence; Grant writer; Refugee Advocacy Officer; Various Teach for America and AmeriCorps participants; Various members or veterans of the U.S. military. |
| From Sports | Whitewater rafting guide; SF Giants Manager of Experiences; Ski patroller; Competitor in figure skating; Various marathon runners and varsity athletes. |
| From Arts & Entertainment | Board game designer; Professional carillonist; Founder and coach of a semi-professional soccer team; Aerial rope and flying trapeze acrobat; Newspaper reporter; Tour Guide at the San Diego Safari Park; Jazz saxophonist; Singer in a semi-professional a cappella group. |
| From the Sciences |
Exploration Geologist; Fellow at the UN Institute for Global Health; Maker of a GMO plant; Various Master’s and PhD holders in the STEM field; Various patent holders. |
| From Government & Politics | Legislative Analyst for the Department of Toxic Substances Control; Iowa caucus organizer; Capital Habeas Paralegal; Public Policy Fellow for the Superintendent of Schools; Intern for presidential campaign; Foreign Affairs Legislative Assistant; State Legislature policy intern; Policy Advisor for City Councilmember; Press Secretary; Various campaign and election managers and interns. |