How to Get Involved: Undergraduates

For Undergraduates

How Does Berkeley Connect Work?

You go to the No. 1 public university in the world. How can you get the most out of it? Don’t try to do it alone—connecting with others is the key to a truly rewarding undergraduate experience. Get involved in Berkeley Connect, the program that provides you with your own personal graduate student mentor, introduces you to other students who share your academic interests, and helps you build relationships with professors and alumni.

How Do I Sign Up?

To sign up, simply enroll in Berkeley Connect when course registration opens.  To participate in Berkeley Connect, you enroll in a section of 98BC (lower division, primarily for freshmen and sophomores) or 198BC (upper division, primarily for juniors and seniors) through one of the participating departments that is of interest to you. There are no prerequisites and you do not have to be a major in order to participate. See Berkeley Connect: Finding the Right Program for more information on choosing a department. You can enroll in any section that meets your scheduling and credit requirements.

To find available sections, go to the Academic Guide and click on “Course Type: Berkeley Connect Course” in the left hand column, or search for 98BC or 198BC.

Berkeley Connect combines the intellectual strength of UC Berkeley with the supportive community that you might find at a small liberal arts college. We invite you to join—and see for yourself how your experience of Berkeley will change.

“Having a mentor offer advice and guide me through the semester really improved my outlook on my future at Berkeley.”— Berkeley Connect in English student

UC Berkeley is a great, big university. As a student, you may sometimes feel lost in the shuffle; you may long for more personalized conversations about your academic passions and challenges, your plans and goals. Almost every student wants to feel more connected—with their professors and with each other—and Berkeley Connect can help make that happen.

When you enroll in Berkeley Connect, you’ll be matched with an experienced graduate student pursuing a PhD at Berkeley, who will be your personal mentor for the semester. Your mentor will give you the individual attention that can be hard to find at Berkeley, and coach you on how to build productive relationships with your professors. You’ll also join a small group of students who meet regularly for informal, interactive discussions of topics related to your studies. The content is designed by professors to help you thrive in your academic pursuits.

“Berkeley Connect is….a community where I can talk about my thoughts, concerns, fears, and more. This is a place where I feel like I don’t have to be silent.”— Berkeley Connect in Sociology student

Each semester of Berkeley Connect includes:

  • One-on-one advising sessions with your mentor;
  • Small-group discussions on a variety of ideas and skills related to a specific academic discipline;
  • Special events where you can meet and mingle with professors and alums;
  • Field trips to explore all the campus has to offer you.

Berkeley Connect welcomes all undergraduates, regardless of major or year. The only requirement is an interest in one of these fields of study.

Students love Berkeley Connect

  • 94% would recommend it to a friend
  • 92% said it increased their confidence they can succeed at UC Berkeley
  • 90% said it increased their sense of belonging at UC Berkeley

(Results from Fall 2017 student exit survey)

You belong here

All students are encouraged to participate in Berkeley Connect; the program can accommodate over 1000 students per semester. There are no prerequisites, no extra fees, and no homework assignments, quizzes, or exams. You receive 1 unit of credit (Pass/Not Pass) for each semester that you participate.

Taking part in Berkeley Connect will expand your network and enhance your academic experience. You’ll get advice and support that is relevant to who you are and where you want to go. Don’t miss this chance to be part of an intimate and friendly community in which you can gain confidence, make connections, and build a clearer path towards your post-college career.