June 25, 2026

Transfer Student? Start Here.

Explore Campus, New Students, Transfers

By Vincent Vidana
3 MINUTE READ
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Welcome aboard

Congratulations, you made it to UC Berkeley! It took a lot of time and effort, but you got here one way or another. Being a transfer student is certainly tough; whether you’re coming from a campus with a close community or a slightly less connected one, the change to the bubble of academia and busy nightlife around Cal can be jarring. 

To help you get your bearings here, I’ve put together some of the best Berkeley Life articles to get you ready to hit the ground running. But don’t worry too much, you’ll get the hang of all this Berkeley stuff pretty quickly. Take it from me, another transfer, when I say everyone looks great in blue and gold.

1. The basics

Before all the fun starts, you should get through the basics, such as classes and housing. For academics, make sure you’re on track and read through our Transfer Enrollment Tips, as well as Choosing Classes @ Cal. For housing, there are a few choices; check out Housing as a Transfer or my article on life in the Berkeley Student Co-Ops.

2. The finances

College can be expensive, even with grants and scholarships. Learn how to manage your finances and make the most of your resources here at Cal by looking at our articles on Managing Your Finances and Student Loans. Also, take a look at 6 Financial Aid Tips to Make Your Life Easier.

Financial Aid office advising.

3. The place

Berkeley has a lot to offer as a college town. I called it a bubble before, but that’s only because the whole campus and surrounding city gives you everything you would typically look for in a college experience. So go out and explore Berkeley, take all the walking paths, and check some boxes on your Berkeley bucket list.

The Bay Area during a supermoon. Photo by Adam Lau/Berkeley Engineering.

4. The life

Once you’re finally all acquainted with campus, it’ll be time for you to start figuring out which community suits you best. Start with Making Friends @ Cal. A great way to do that is by joining clubs! I highlighted a couple of our special Blue Heart Clubs here, which are clubs open for anyone to join, no requirements.

Skateboarders outside the Student Union.

Take your time, do it right

It can be difficult coming in midway through a four-year experience; trust me, I get it. And with how rigorous Cal can be, there may be a bit of shell-shock in your first few weeks. Try not to get overwhelmed, though. This place is up for your taking and enjoyment now. As transfers, we don’t get as much time here as some other students, so make the most of it.

 

Vincent Vidana, Class of 2026, majored in English. Cover photo courtesy of UC Berkeley Life.