Architecture Program - UC Berkeley

Diverse Discovery! Activities and sights to suit every interest await in the vibrant surroundings:

• Soccer
• Volleyball
• Lawn games, and more.

Experience the true first-year students lifestyle on UC Berkeley campus!

• Share a gender-segregated dorm room without A/C, accommodating two to four students, in the iconic Unit 1 or Unit 2 Residence Halls.

• Rooms contain an extra-long twin size bed, desks, drawers, mirror and a closet.

• Bed sheets and linens will be provided (but extra blankets and towels are recommended).

• Shared common bathrooms, just like first-year college students.

• 24-hour security and electronic keys to enter each building and dorm room.

• Enjoy meals at the bustling Crossroads Dining Hall or explore local Berkeley eateries.

• Catering to most dietary needs, ensuring everyone has delicious and healthy meal choices.

• Bay Area Exploration: Discover attractions like the Exploratorium and Chabot Space & Science Center, including the NASA Ames Visitor Center.
• Cultural Richness: Embrace the history, sights, parks, and famous landmarks the Bay Area has to offer.
• Berkeley Arts & Culture: Dive into the arts and culture scene with UC Berkeley's vibrant community offerings, including parks, stages, and renowned restaurants.
• California's Great America: A 100-acre amusement park with famous attractions, including the celebrated Gold Striker roller coaster.
• San Francisco Scavenger Hunt: Discover San Francisco's famous landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman's Wharf through an interactive scavenger hunt.

Educational Excursions:

• Visits to top San Francisco architectural firms: Studio Sarah Wilmer, Aidlin Darling Design, Studio O+A.
• Opportunity to explore mimetic design concepts.
• Culminating project set amidst the natural backdrop of Inspiration Point, Tilden Regional Park.

• Group airport transfers: $95 each way.

• Transfers outside of the official group pick-up and drop-off time window: $195 each way

• Unaccompanied minor transportation: $145 total each way

Arrivals During Flight Window:

• Greeted by campus staff.

• Stay at the airport with staff until the flight window closes and all students have arrived.

• Transported to campus after the flight window ends.

• No immediate meeting by staff; must wait for the official arrival window.

• For late arrivals(within reason), for those that pay a transfer fee will be met at the airport.

General Departure Information:

• Students who opt for departure transfer (with a $95 fee) will arrive at the airport at maximum 10:00am.

• Suitable for flights departing at 12:00pm or later.

• With additional fee, there might be service for flights departing before 12:00pm.

Program Overview:

• Master all the steps of building a structure—from strategic ideation to the finished product.
• Design buildings, select materials and analyze the sustainability impact as you perform hands-on design simulations.
• Prepare a portfolio of your final presentation, including hand drawings and digital scale models.
• Visit professional firms and tour behind the scenes of local attractions to see the best examples of various architectural styles

Course Schedule:

• First week: Five 3-hour classes, 9am-12pm, Monday to Friday
• Second week: Four 3-hour classes, 9am-12pm, Monday to Thursday
• Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to additional academic time (excursions, speakers)

Dave Kesler - Architect, AIA:

• Principal of Dave Kesler Architecture with over three decades of industry experience.

• Diverse portfolio with 200+ projects including residential, commercial, and institutional designs.

• Internationally published work, featured in major museum permanent collections.

• Two decades of teaching experience, currently instructing at City College of San Francisco.

• Holds a Master's in Architecture from Columbia University, Bachelor's from Pratt Institute.

• Expertise spans SF architecture, interior design, land use, landscape architecture, and 3D modeling.

• Airport Shuttle service: $95 (Each way)

• Registration fee: $99

• Architecture Course Supplement: $250 tuition (Included in course fee)

• Pocket Money: We suggest an extra $100 per week.

Criteria for Admission:

• Vaccination Requirements: May be necessary for in-person programs, depending on university policies.

• Academic requirements:

  • For students entering grades 9-12

  • A grade point average of 3.0 (or equivalent)

• English Proficiency for International Students: Telephone interview or minimum test scores:

  • TOEFL: 490 (paper) or 60 (iBT).

  • Cambridge: PET-Distinction or FCE-C.

  • SAT: 450 in Reading/Writing.

• Decisions are emailed within 7 to 10 business days after application review.