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UC Berkeley

Contact Information

EAP Reciprocity Information:

Berkeley Programs for Study Abroad
160 Stephens Hall
University of California
Berkeley CA 94720-2302
Phone:510-642-5820
Fax: (510) 643-8370
Contact:Scott McEhinney
E-mail
 Website
Welcome Letter

Visa & Immigration Information:

Berkeley International Office
International House
2299 Piedmont Ave.
Berkeley CA 94720-2321
Phone: (510) 642-2818
Fax: (510) 643-7289
Website
New Student Welcome Information
Information for EAP Students

Resource: A reference guide for new Berkeley students

The Berkeley International Office has an e-mail listserv that will automatically send you messages regarding immigration procedures, and other items of interest to international students at UC Berkeley.

Housing Information

Housing is not guaranteed. Be aware that the standard rental agreement for some housing options is nine months (or until the end of the academic year for students arriving in spring). Students leaving their housing before the end of the agreement may be subject to a cancellation fee.

California Housing Board (Non–UC Housing)

The California Housing Board provides a forum for all Education Abroad Program participants to share information about housing for rent and housing accommodations in California. Students are encouraged to post messages about housing sublets, shared housing situations, rooms for rent, and rentals.

About the Housing Board
Go to Housing Boards

International House (UC Affiliated)

Graduate/Undergraduate Students

Address: Admissions Office, 2299 Piedmont Ave, Berkeley CA 94720-2320
Phone: (510) 642-9470
Fax: (510) 642-5220
E-mail
Website
Application

 

EAP students are not required to submit a transcript or letter of invitation.

On the online application, under the "I have been admitted through" question, choose "Education Abroad Program" in the dropdown menu.

Application Deadline: Apply as soon as possible.

Application Fee: $35 non-refundable application fee to be processed upon the completion of the I-House housing application.

Advance Payment Required: $500 refundable security deposit and $500 advanced pre-payment to hold your space are requested at the time the student signs the contract.

Method of Payment Options: Wire transfer and credit card payment preferred (Visa, Master Card, American Express accepted). International money orders and travelers’ checks are also accepted.

Housing Offers: Sent by e-mail within two weeks of receipt of application. Students are responsible for monitoring their e-mail and informing the I-House admissions office of any change in their e-mail address.

Residence Halls (UC Housing)

Undergraduate Students

Address: Cal Housing Office and Cashier’s Office, 2610 Channing Way, University of California, Berkeley CA 94720-2272
Phone: (510) 642-4108
Fax: (510) 643-7126
E-mail
 Website
Application

Application Notes: Students must have a CalNet ID number and Pass Phrase to apply. Your CalNet ID number will be sent to you at your home university international office as soon as it becomes available. If your EAP application was complete and on time, you should receive your CalNet ID in time to meet the application deadline. Students may wish to consider giving priority to apartment living when ranking their choices.

Application Deadline: June 6, 2009

Even if the deadline has passed, there still may be places available in campus housing. E-mail the assignments office if you are interested in applying for housing after the announced deadline. For the best chance of placement, check the box indicating "will accept any room size or location."

Application Fee: $20 non-refundable (Online credit card payment)

Advance Payment: $300 returned with contract.The remaining balance of the payment is billed to your student's account (CARS).

Method of Payment Options: Online by credit card

Notification of Housing Assignments: Sent by e-mail. On receipt of confirmation of assignment, student must accept online. Students are responsible for monitoring their e-mail and informing the Cal Housing office of any change in their e-mail address.

When completing application forms, students should identify themselves as Education Abroad Program students. Few singles are available. More mature students may wish to apply for apartment options.

University Apartments (UC Housing)

Graduate Students

Address: Cal Housing Office and Cashier’s Office, 2610 Channing Way, University of California, Berkeley CA 94720-2272
Phone: (510) 642-4108
Fax: (510) 643-7126
E-mail
 Website
Application

Application Deadline Date: Students are advised to complete the application as early as possible.

Application Fee: $25 non-refundable

Advance Payment: $250 security deposit

Method of Payment Options: Check/international money order payable to UC Regents. Use express mail to ensure fast, secure return of the signed contract and payment.

Notification of Housing Assignments: Sent by e-mail. Students are responsible for monitoring their e-mail and informing the Housing Office of any change in their e-mail address.

University Apartments (UC Housing)

Family Student Housing (Married or domestic-partnered students, with or without children or single-parent families.)

Address: Apartments Assignments Office, 2610 Channing Way, Berkeley CA 94720-2272
Phone: (510) 642-4109
Fax: (510) 643-7126
E-mail
 Website
 Application

Application Notes: Assignment is not guaranteed but first priority is given to students with children from a chronological waiting list. Applicants with families should be prepared to find housing in the community if necessary.

If an assignment cannot be made by your "want" date, contact Cal Rentals for community housing.

Application Available: Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as assignments are made in a chronological order. Fax application and supporting documents showing eligibility; mail non-refundable application fee.

Application Deadline: None. Applications can be submitted anytime but recommended 6-12 months prior to "want" date.

Application Fee: $25 non-refundable

Deposit Required: Security deposit of $250. Required at time of move-in.

Method of Payment Options: Personal check, cashier's check or international money order payable to UC Regents.

Notification of Housing Assignments: Students are encouraged to inquire about the waiting list by calling or e-mailing; offers will be made by e-mail or telephone.

Student Housing Cooperatives (Non-UC Housing)

Graduate/Undergraduate Students

The University Students’ Cooperative Association
 Address: 2424 Ridge Rd, Berkeley CA 94709
Phone: (510) 848-1936
Fax: (510) 848-2114
E-mail
 Website
 Application

Priority Status: EAP students are given priority on the placement wait list.

Approximate Date Application Available: Currently available

Application Deadline: No deadline but early application is encouraged. Students are added to the waiting list and placed as space becomes available. Housing is not guaranteed.

Application Fee: $50 (Students who withdraw their name from the waiting list will be refunded $40.)

Deposit Required: $250 on return of contract

Method of Payment Options: Credit card (Visa or Master Card accepted by fax or telephone), international money orders, travelers checks, cash.

Notification of Housing Assignments: Sent by mail. If assignment is made close to start of term, students are contacted by telephone/e-mail. Students are welcome to contact the office by e-mail to check the status of their application.

 

When completing the application form, students should identify themselves as Education Abroad Program students to benefit from priority status on the placement wait list.

Co-ops provide a living environment that may be very different from living in a campus residence hall. See definitions. Students may find smaller co-op houses quieter and cleaner while larger co-ops provide opportunities for meeting a greater variety of students.

Community Housing (Non-UC Housing)

Graduate/Undergraduate Students

Cal Rentals
This office offers housing listings (ads) and practical advice for UC students seeking housing in the community.

Address: 2610 Channing Way #2272, University of California, Berkeley CA 94720-2272
Phone: (510) 642-3642 (phone hours: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Fax: (510) 642-4026
Email
 Website
 Tips on Finding Housing

For a charge of $20, students can view room/apartment listings via the Internet for 3 months. If you do not yet have a CalNet ID number, select the "Newcomer and Affiliates" login and identify yourself as an EAP student. EAP provides the names of applicants to Cal Rentals for identification purposes.

Other Housing Resources (Non-UC Housing):

Students should be aware that this housing is not UC sponsored or endorsed and that it not advisable to rent prior to arrival when you can visit the rental in person.

Arrival Information

Dates

Suggested Arrival Date: August 16, 2009

You may arrive no more than 30 days prior to the start of your academic program. Program dates are printed on your visa certificate of eligibility. Students who do not have pre-arranged housing should arrive as early as possible.

Program Start Date on Certificate of Eligibility: August 26, 2009

Term Begins: August 20, 2009

First Day of Instruction: August 26, 2009

Residence Hall Move-In: Your move-in date is determined by your room assignment.

I-House Move-In: August 20, 2009

Berkeley International Programs (BIP)
Check-In Session and Orientation (Mandatory)

Date: August 17, 2009; 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Location: International House Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Avenue

Take the following to the check-in and orientation meeting: your passport, your I-20 form (F-1 students) or DS-2019 form (J-1 students), and your I-94 form (a card issued by the immigration officer at arrival in the U.S.)

EAP Events

EAP Welcome Reception
Date: August 20, 2009; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Moses Hall Courtyard

Reciprocity Meet, Eat and Greet!
Date: August 28, 2009; 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Blake's on Telegraph (2367 Telegraph Ave.)

College Orientations

College of Letters and Science (L&S) Orientation (Mandatory for L&S Students):

Date: August 17, 2009; during morning session of general orientation
Location: International House Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Avenue
Note: The L&S orientation will occur during the BIP general orientation. It will cover essential college information and include a question and answer period.

Haas School of Business Orientation (Mandatory for Haas Students):

Date: August 21, 2009; 10 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Room S518
Note: Orientation is for designated business administration majors only.

College of Chemistry Orientation:

No formal orientation will be held, but students are encouraged to contact the department advisor Sandra Rehling for any questions

Temporary Accommodation Information

Temporary Accommodation (UC-Housing)

UC-Berekely summer visitor housing
Dates: June 1 to August 19, 2009

Temporary Accommodation (Non-UC Housing)
 Costs are subject to change.

Ground Transport to Campus

Costs and times are subject to change.

Course Enrollment Information

Department Links
Schedule of Classes
Course Catalog
Bear Facts (Provides information regarding registration, grades, billing, class schedule, and more. Information is updated daily.)
Tele-BEARS Tutorial
Tele-BEARS Enrollment Instructions
Tele-BEARS

Phase I: Enrollment begins on the date listed for your host college. Phase I ends midnight, July 15, 2009. (All hours are Pacific Standard Time.)

Enrollment limit is 10.5 semester units in Phase I. You will enroll in the remaining units -- for a minimum enrollment of 13 units -- during Phase II.

Haas School of Business: You will receive an email from the academic advisor.

College of Environmental Design: June 18, 2009

College of Engineering: July 3, 2009

College of Chemistry (includes chemical engineers): June 26, 2009

College of Letters and Science: July 13-14, 2009  

College of Natural Resources: June 26, 2009

College of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science, and College of Natural Resources students only:
To enroll in courses, students must obtain an advisor code, which will be available from the New Student Services/CalSO web site. Instructions on how to obtain an advisor code will be e-mailed to students one week prior to your Phase I enrollment time.

Phase II: July 16, 2009 through August 16, 2009

Check TeleBears for your appointment time.

Adjustment Period: Begins on August 17, 2009

Prerequisite Clearance Request Form

De-Cal: Democratic Education at Cal The de-cal program facilitates student initiated courses in cooperation with UC Berkeley faculty to broaden the education and university experience of all Cal students. Courses often address current or popular subjects of interest to international students. 1-2 units credit per class.

Undergraduate Students

Students must have a CalNet ID and pass phrase to enroll. Your CalNet ID number and PIN will be sent to you at your home university international office as soon as they become available.

Graduate Students
Graduate students usually register after arrival and after consultation with the department’s graduate advisor. Check with your host department for registration advising.

English Language Placement Testing

Language Placement Exam: None required

Academic Support Services: Academic support for non-native English speakers is offered at the Student Learning Center.

Website

Health Insurance

2009-10 costs and information are listed below.

Requirement: Students are automatically enrolled in the University’s Student Health Insurance Plan unless they complete a waiver form that provides proof of equivalent coverage, and it is approved.

Cost: $966 per semester (graduates and undergraduates)

Billing: Each semester

Payment Deadline: Students are advised to pay insurance fees at the cashier’s office as soon after arrival as possible.

Effective Dates:

Fall Semester: August 15, 2009- January 14, 2010
Spring Semester: January 14, 2009 - August 14, 2010

Insurance Information
Waiver Requirements
Waiver Form

Waiver Deadline: Students may return the waiver request form by mail or use the online form.

Fall Semester: April 1 through July 15, 2009.
Spring Semester: December 1, 2009 through January 2, 2010.

Students who waive SHIP enrollment for Fall 2008 will have enrollment waived automatically for Spring 2010.

Health Center Website

Note: To receive a waiver, plan must have coverage comparable to the UCB plan, and be from a recognized company that is owned, headquartered and operated in the United States. Foreign insurance plans with U.S. affiliates/representatives, travel insurance plans and reimbursement programs do not qualify.