berkeley law essay

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Written Statements

The written statements of an application consist of:

• Personal statement (2-4 pages double spaced)
• Optional supplemental essays such as the diversity statement
• Addendum (optional)

Personal Statements

This statement is a critical sample of your ability to write, as well as an opportunity to tell the admissions committee about yourself. Since most schools do not conduct interviews, the statement represents an opportunity for you to present yourself as more than just a GPA and an LSAT score. With so many applicants possessing identical qualifications, the statement can be the critical factor that distinguishes you from the applicant pool. What you say in your statement can also help you offset weaknesses in your application. So, take writing the statement very seriously.

Most schools are interested in why you are choosing to pursue a legal education now and learning about the unique qualities and experiences you will contribute to their incoming class. To get started, gather information about yourself including:

• Work, school and community experiences, such as positions you have held, volunteer opportunities, and projects you have participated in
• Extracurricular activities, such as clubs, sports teams, leadership positions
• Personal challenges and experiences, including travel, disabilities, goals you have accomplished
• Unique talents or interests

Personal statement resources and samples:

• Crafting a Strong Personal Statement Narrative 
• In Their Own Words: Admissions Essays That Worked – University of Chicago Law School
• The Law School Personal Statement: A Collection – Schar School of Policy and Government

General Tips

• Write a concise narrative with one or two points. Go for quality over quantity.
• Tell a story where you are the main character and you changed, grew, or shifted your perspective.
• Write about any activity that shows off your best qualities. Review your classroom, student organization, work, and personal life for material.
• Show, don’t tell: conclusions should be self-evident. Well written statements use stories that illustrate your good qualities. You should not have to explicitly state them.
• Keep the focus on YOU, not an ill relative, remarkable client, or inner workings of an organization where you worked.
• Write several drafts and ask for feedback on early drafts.

Challenges, such as a string of low grades or a low LSAT score should be addressed in an addendum. Be brief and honest while offering a sympathetic explanation. Generally 1-2 short paragraphs is sufficient.

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Home — Application Essay — Law School — Why Berkeley Law: Social Justice, and Global Impact

Why Berkeley Law: Social Justice, and Global Impact

• University: University of California, Berkeley

About this sample

Words: 793 |

Published: Feb 15, 2024

Words: 793 | Pages: 2 | 4 min read

I have spent countless hours pondering the path that my future will take. I have questioned what it means to pursue a career that aligns with my passions, allows me to make a meaningful impact on society, and challenges me to continuously grow and learn. It is with this introspection that I am drawn to Berkeley Law, a place where innovation, social justice, and intellectual curiosity intersect in a distinctive and powerful way.

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Berkeley Law's reputation as a top-tier institution is well-established, but what truly sets it apart is its unyielding commitment to service and its progressive approach to legal education. The school's rich history of activism and its history of producing influential change-makers resonate deeply with me. I am inspired by the legacy of Berkeley Law graduates who have fearlessly championed causes ranging from civil rights to environmental justice.

One aspect of Berkeley Law that particularly excites me is its interdisciplinary approach to legal education. The school recognizes that the complex challenges we face in the world today require a multifaceted understanding that goes beyond traditional legal knowledge. By encouraging students to explore other disciplines and offering joint-degree programs, Berkeley Law creates an environment that fosters innovative thinking and prepares graduates to tackle the multifaceted issues of the modern legal landscape.

Berkeley Law's emphasis on experiential learning and hands-on opportunities is also a crucial factor in my attraction to the program. The school's robust clinical program, where students have the opportunity to work with real clients and engage in direct legal advocacy, aligns perfectly with my desire to actively contribute to positive change. I firmly believe that learning happens most effectively through practical application, and Berkeley Law's commitment to providing students with meaningful real-world experiences is unparalleled.

Additionally, Berkeley Law's vibrant and diverse community resonates with my own values and experiences. I am drawn to the opportunities for collaboration, dialogue, and growth that come from being surrounded by individuals from various backgrounds and perspectives. The chance to engage in thoughtful conversations and challenge my own beliefs while respecting the viewpoints of others is an invaluable aspect of a transformative education. I believe that Berkeley Law's commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity is not just a box to check, but a core value that permeates every aspect of the school.

Furthermore, Berkeley Law's global reach and impact provide students with the chance to engage with legal issues on an international scale. I am eager to take part in the school's numerous international programs and immerse myself in different legal systems and cultures. The ability to gain a global perspective and develop cross-cultural competency is crucial in today's interconnected world, and Berkeley Law's commitment to global engagement aligns perfectly with my own aspirations.

Beyond the academic and programmatic offerings, I am particularly drawn to Berkeley Law's strong sense of community. The school's commitment to cultivating an environment of support, collaboration, and mentorship creates a space where students can thrive both personally and professionally. The opportunity to learn from and alongside esteemed faculty members and engage with a passionate and diverse student body is one that I eagerly anticipate.

Ultimately, my decision to pursue law at Berkeley Law stems from a deep-seated desire to merge my passions for justice, advocacy, and critical thinking into a career that allows me to make a tangible difference in the lives of others. Berkeley Law provides the perfect platform for me to embark on this journey, offering a unique blend of academic excellence, social responsibility, and innovative thinking.

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In conclusion, the distinctive attributes of Berkeley Law make it an ideal fit for my aspirations. From its legacy of social activism to its commitment to interdisciplinary education, experiential learning, inclusivity, global engagement, and community, Berkeley Law embodies the values and qualities that I hold dear. Through my experiences and dedication, I am confident that I will not only contribute to the legacy of Berkeley Law but also be transformed by the rich opportunities it offers. I eagerly anticipate the prospect of joining the vibrant Berkeley Law community and embarking on this transformative journey of passion, purpose, and service.

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Uc berkeley law school: acceptance rate & how to get in.

Reviewed by:

David Merson

Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University

Reviewed: 10/24/23

‍ If you’re interested in joining one of the premier law schools in the United States, read on to learn more about the UC Berkeley Law School acceptance rate and how to get into Berkeley Law!

Robotic legs, atomic bombs, and wetsuits. While these elements sound like a terrible sci-fi movie, they’re actually all inventions and contributions made by faculty at UC Berkeley ! Aside from producing valuable inventions, UC Berkeley is also well known for producing excellent lawyers!

UC Berkeley’s law school is one of the top-ranking schools in the country and offers a diverse, constantly evolving curriculum to help students become world-class attorneys.

If you’d like to join UC Berkeley’s successful alumni, read on to find out more about getting into Berkeley Law.

UC Berkeley Law School Acceptance Rate

The UC Berkeley Law School acceptance rate is competitive, sitting at around 10%. The selective J.D. program only accepts about one out of every ten applicants . This is consistent with the admissions data of other high-ranking law schools , such as Harvard and Yale. 

For more information, take a look at this table with UC Berkeley’s acceptance rates from the past few years: 

Source: UC Berkeley Law Class Profile , 2022 Information Report , 2021 Information Report , 2020 Information Report , 2019 Information Report

UC Berkeley Law School LSAT Requirements

As a top-ranking law school, the UC Berkeley Law School LSAT score is very high on average. The median LSAT score for the class of 2026 is 170 , and the 25th-75th percentiles range from 168-173. This means you’ll need an LSAT score of at least 168 to be competitive. 

UC Berkeley Law School GPA Requirements

Unsurprisingly, Berkeley Law boasts high GPA numbers as well. The UC Berkeley Law School average GPA for the most recent entering class was 3.87. The 25th-75th percentiles ranged from 3.77-3.97.

To compete with these scores, you’ll need to study hard and achieve a high GPA. We recommended aiming for a minimum GPA score of 3.8, but the higher, the better! 

However, Berkeley Law has no minimum GPA requirement, meaning that you may still stand a chance at admission if you have a lower GPA . You’ll just need to work hard on the rest of your application!

Take our interactive quiz below to find out how likely you are to get into Berkeley Law School .

UC Berkeley Law School Programs

Depending on where you are in your law school journey, there are various law programs UC Berkeley offers prospective students:

J.D. Program

This is a traditional three-year program . UC Berkeley prioritizes and values the diversity found in its J.D. program and emphasizes a real-world focus, allowing students to gain hands-on legal experience. 

LL.M. Program

UC Berkeley offers several LL.M. (Master of Laws) programs for students to choose from. With diverse courses, students are able to customize their degrees to match their interests and obtain various certificates of specialization in their preferred area of law.  

Ph.D. in Jurisprudence and Social Policy (JSP)

This graduate program is best suited for students interested in policy research and analysis. It has a strong focus on scholarly study of the law and prepares students for teaching law.

J.S.D. Program

The Doctor of Juridical Science (J.S.D.) program is Berkeley’s most advanced law degree. It emphasizes independent research and legal scholarship.

UC Berkeley Law School Application Process

Much like other law schools, UC Berkeley requires the standard materials from interested applicants:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an Accredited University : UC Berkeley doesn’t have a preference for the type of degree you choose to complete.
• LSAT or GRE : You must complete the LSAT or GRE within five years of your application.
• Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Report : This includes your transcript summary and grades.
• Personal Statement : You must write a personal statement that is ideally four double-spaced pages.
• Resume : You must submit a law school resume of relevant post-secondary education and extracurricular experience (there is no page limit).
• Letters of Recommendation : You must submit two to four letters of recommendation . It is recommended that two come from academic faculty and one comes from a non-academic source.
• An Addendum : Addendums are optional and should only be written to explain unfavorable aspects of your application.
• Optional Essays : There are two optional essays students can write. One is a diversity statement, which should be 500 words maximum, and the other is a “why Berkeley Law” statement with a limit of 350 words. 
• Optional Video Submission : You may choose to submit a video response to one or more of four questions regarding your passion for law and future aspirations. It should be 4 minutes or 500 words maximum. 

While this application checklist seems extensive, it is essential you put equal effort into each component to maximize your chances of gaining admission to UC Berkeley.

UC Berkeley Law School Application Deadlines

Applying to law school can be a hectic and time-consuming process. To ensure you apply on time , you should keep the following deadlines in mind:

Source : UC Berkeley Law School

As you can see, the application process is lengthy! Ensure you begin preparing to apply well before applications become available in September.

UC Berkeley Law School Tuition Fees and Scholarships

Law school is expensive, and Berkeley Law is no exception. UC Berkeley Law School tuition and fees come to $62,566.50 each year for California residents and $74,994.50 for non-residents . 

However, if you’re living away from home, you’ll have other personal and living expenses to consider. With these additional costs, UC Berkeley estimates that residents can expect to pay $105,556.50 each year. Non-residents will likely pay closer to $117,984.50 yearly. 

UC Berkeley Law Scholarships

Luckily, there are many opportunities for scholarships and financial aid so that students can afford to attend the UC Berkeley Law School cost. This includes student gift aid, continuing student scholarships, UC-specific scholarships, and external scholarships. 

Berkeley Law also offers several programs that grant successful students a full-ride scholarship for the duration of their law degree. This includes the Public Interest Scholars Program , which covers tuition and fees for J.D. students demonstrating commitment to public interest work. 

You can also apply for the Berkeley Law Opportunity Scholarship , which offers full tuition coverage for first-generation college graduates. 

UC Berkeley Law School Ranking

UC Berkeley’s Law School has garnered an impressive reputation for itself. It ranks as the tenth Best Law School in the nation , #1 in Intellectual Property Law, #3 in Environmental Law, and #4 in Business/Corporate Law!

Some UC Berkeley School of Law notable alumni include:  

• Edwin Meese III , former United States Attorney General and Counselor to the President
• Annie Coker , the first African-American woman attorney in California 
• Leslie S. Klinger , award-winning literary editor and lawyer

Considering these high rankings, UC Berkeley is one of the best law schools aspiring lawyers can attend!

Tips to Get Into UC Berkeley School of Law

Considering its prestige, UC Berkeley is difficult to get into! Since the admissions committee only wants the best and brightest students to join their programs, it is highly selective.

However, there are tips you can implement in your application to increase your chances of standing out:

1. Pick the Right Major 

As your GPA is a major deciding factor in the application process, you’ll want to ensure you complete a degree in which you know you can do well. Luckily, UC Berkeley has absolutely no preference on which major you choose! Choose a degree that interests you so you’re more likely to put in enough effort to maintain a high GPA.

2. Stay Busy

Another important part of your application is your resume. Your resume should prove you are the type of person who always makes good use of your free time. You don’t want to have any lengthy gaps in your resume, as the admissions committee will question this.

Try to get involved in your community, at your school, and even in the legal field if you can. You want to show you are a capable, intelligent, and adaptive individual who can not only juggle various tasks at once but also excel at them.

3. Ace Your LSAT

This tip is probably a no-brainer, but you should study hard and create the perfect study schedule in order to get a high LSAT score . This will make you a more competitive applicant and add prestige to your application. 

4. Make Excellent Connections

As another part of the application process is submitting several letters of recommendation, you need to make good connections with all of your mentors. These mentors must be able to paint you as a one-of-a-kind person in order for these letters to have positive bearings on your admission chances.  

You want to be perceived as extraordinary by the admission committee. These letters give the committee direct insight into how others see you, which can influence the way they see you as well. Ensure you impress your mentors and form strong connections to secure outstanding letters of recommendation.

5. Trust the Experts

If you’re worried you won’t be able to implement all of these tips, or you just don’t know where to start with your application, Juris can be your guide! Our experts are dedicated to helping you realize your dreams and will help craft the perfect application for you.

FAQs: UC Berkeley Law School

If you have more questions about getting into UC Berkeley’s law school, here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Berkeley Law.

1. Is it Hard to Get Into UC Berkeley Law?

Yes. Like any other high-ranking law school, UC Berkeley Law is difficult to get into! With a low acceptance rate and high score requirements, UC Berkeley is competitive. But, with a stellar application and steadfast dedication, gaining admission to this prestigious school is definitely possible!

2. Is UC Berkeley a Good Law School?

Yes. Aside from consistently ranking as the best law school in the nation, UC Berkeley offers comprehensive, hands-on curriculums that prepare students for prosperous law careers.

3. Is UC Berkeley a Top 10 Law School?

Yes. UC Berkeley ranks #10 in the Best Law Schools in the United States.

4. What is UC Berkeley Law School Known For?

While UC Berkeley Law School is known for all of its legal programs, it is especially known for its intellectual property law program .

5. Does UC Berkeley Interview Students?

No, UC Berkeley does not interview any students. Instead, personal statements are used to introduce the students to the committee.

6. How Much Does it Cost to Attend UC Berkeley?

UC Berkeley’s tuition reflects its reputation. Residents can expect to pay around $62,566.50 each year in tuition and fees, and non-residents can expect to pay around $74,994.50 yearly.

Getting Into UC Berkeley Law With Juris

Whether you’re interested in attending UC Berkeley Law School to say you go to the school that helped invent atomic bombs, or you simply want to receive the best possible education to become a successful attorney, it’s crucial you submit an incredible application.

Luckily, you don’t have to bear the burden of this pressure alone! Juris’ team of skilled admission counselors can give you complete end-to-end application support to maximize your chances of acceptance and minimize your stress!

Whether you’re interested in attending UC Berkeley Law School to say you go to the school that helped invent atomic bombs, or you simply want to receive the best possible education to become a successful attorney, Berkeley Law is a fantastic choice. 

With the UC Berkeley Law School acceptance rate as low as it is, you’ll need to put together a stellar application. It’s crucial that you stand out from the crowd.

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Transcript Magazine Spring 2023 Volume 60 Berkeley Law

Sampler Platter Offers Tasty Synergies

Business law? Check. Tenant and housing rights? Check. Negotiation competitions? Check. And the list goes on.

As a University of Arizona undergrad, his wide-ranging activities included leading a spring break public service trip, competing for the school’s ballroom dance team, and interning at the International Rescue Committee. Whitthorne brought that same unquenchable approach to Berkeley Law.

A Multifaceted Quest for Equity

Even before arriving at Berkeley Law, Hollis felt its strong sense of community through alumni she spoke with before enrolling. That close-knit feeling has only increased.

Valued Voices Across the Legal Landscape

Faculty honors & scholarship:.

Assistant Dean, Communications Alex A.G. Shapiro

Managing Editor & Senior Writer, Communications Andrew Cohen

Creative Direction Laurie Frasier

Original Design & Layout Arnaud Ghelfi, l’atelier starno

Contributing Artist Davide Bonazzi

Contributing Photographers Jim Block Sascha Nour Fawaz Brittany Hosea-Small Cheska Torres Ibasan Shelby Knowles Darius Riley Update Your Address Email: [email protected] Phone: 510.642.1832 U.S. Mail: University of California, Berkeley, School of Law Development & Alumni Relations 224 Law Building Berkeley, CA 94720-7200

Visit www.law.berkeley.edu

Twitter & Instagram: @BerkeleyLaw Facebook: UCBerkeleyLaw TikTok: @ucberkeleyLaw

Essay on Berkeley Law

Students are often asked to write an essay on Berkeley Law in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Berkeley Law

Introduction to berkeley law.

Berkeley Law is a famous law school. It is part of the University of California, Berkeley. Many people who want to become lawyers study here. It is known for its strong programs and excellent professors.

History of Berkeley Law

Berkeley Law was started in 1894. It has a long history of teaching law. It is one of the top law schools in the United States. The school has produced many successful lawyers and judges.

Programs at Berkeley Law

Berkeley Law offers many programs. These include law degrees, masters, and doctorate programs. The school is known for its programs in intellectual property law, environmental law, and public law.

Faculty and Students

Berkeley Law has many excellent teachers. These teachers are experts in their fields. The students at Berkeley Law come from all over the world. They work hard and learn a lot.

250 Words Essay on Berkeley Law

About berkeley law.

Berkeley Law is a famous law school. It is part of the University of California, Berkeley. This school is known all over the world for its strong law programs. It is one of the top law schools in the United States.

Programs Offered

Berkeley Law offers a lot of programs. Some of these are for people who want to become lawyers. Others are for people who already are lawyers but want to learn more. They have programs in many different areas of law. This includes things like business law, environmental law, and human rights law.

The teachers at Berkeley Law are very good. They are experts in their field. They have written many books and articles about law. The students at Berkeley Law are also very good. They come from all over the world to study law here.

Impact and Influence

Berkeley Law has had a big impact on the world. Many of its students have gone on to do important things. Some have become judges. Others have become leaders in business or government. The school is also known for its research. This research helps to shape the law in many countries.

In short, Berkeley Law is a very good place to study law. It offers a wide range of programs, has excellent teachers, and its students go on to do great things. If you are interested in law, you should definitely consider Berkeley Law.

500 Words Essay on Berkeley Law

What is berkeley law, the history of berkeley law.

Berkeley Law started in 1894. It was first known as the Department of Jurisprudence. Then in 1912, it became the School of Jurisprudence. In 1948, it was named School of Law. Since 2008, it’s been called Berkeley Law. It’s named after a former dean, Dr. Herma Hill Kay. She was the first woman to lead a top law school in America.

What You Can Study at Berkeley Law

At Berkeley Law, you can study many different areas of law. Some of these are environmental law, business law, and human rights law. There are also other areas like criminal justice, technology law, and public interest law. This means students can choose what they are most interested in.

The Teaching Style at Berkeley Law

Life at berkeley law.

Life at Berkeley Law is not just about studying. There are also many clubs and activities. Students can join debate teams, sports teams, and other clubs. This helps them make friends and learn new skills. The school also has a big library with many books and resources for students.

The Impact of Berkeley Law

Berkeley Law has a big impact on society. Many of its students have become successful lawyers, judges, and lawmakers. They have helped to make important laws and decisions. The school also does research on important legal issues. This helps to improve the law and make it fairer for everyone.

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Why Berkeley Essay? Forum

Why Berkeley Essay?

Post by ttunsehc » Sun Aug 14, 2011 6:45 pm

Re: Why Berkeley Essay?

Post by rinkrat19 » Sun Aug 14, 2011 6:54 pm

Post by AffordablePrep » Sun Aug 14, 2011 6:56 pm

Post by Ernert » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:07 pm

rinkrat19 wrote: 1. Don't put your full real name on an internet forum. Yeesh. 2. --LinkRemoved-- No, Boalt does not require a 'Why Boalt' essay. 3. With the exception of places like Liberty and Pepperdine, most law schools are at least somewhat progressive. You could mention you like the progressive nature of the Bay Area, but not just as a one-sentence throwaway. Make sure you can speak intelligently and convincingly about the city if you're going to talk about it. 4. Make sure you have someone edit your personal statement for grammar.

Post by ttunsehc » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:31 pm

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Post by AffordablePrep » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:32 pm

ttunsehc wrote: So do you think a little line in my PS about Berkeley would make a difference?

Post by IzziesGal » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:34 pm

ttunsehc wrote: Does Berkeley need this type of essay? There pretty far upon the list. If so, do you think it would be smart to mention that I like Berkeley because it's known to be a progressive school?

Post by rinkrat19 » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:36 pm

Post by AffordablePrep » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:38 pm

IzziesGal wrote: ttunsehc wrote: Does Berkeley need this type of essay? There pretty far upon the list. If so, do you think it would be smart to mention that I like Berkeley because it's known to be a progressive school?

Register for access!

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Post by AffordablePrep » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:39 pm

rinkrat19 wrote: ttunsehc wrote: So do you think a little line in my PS about Berkeley would make a difference?

Post by rinkrat19 » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:41 pm

AffordablePrep wrote: you didn't think it made for a good why berkley essay? i found it moving.....

Post by shoeshine » Sun Aug 14, 2011 7:50 pm

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The legacy of eugenics

Professor Osagie K. Obasogie launches landmark series with L.A. Review of Books

• By Sheila Kaplan
• 11 min. read ▪ Published June 20
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These days, it’s a rare scientist who would admit to working in eugenics.

The word conjures historical horrors: mass sterilization of people judged unfit to reproduce, state anti-miscegenation laws, and Germany’s justification for the Holocaust.

Osagie Obasogie, Professor of Law and Professor of Bioethics at UC Berkeley

But to Osagie K. Obasogie , a professor of law and bioethics at UC Berkeley, the discredited theory that selective breeding can—and should—be used to improve the human race lives on in hidden but insidious ways. And he wants to bring those ideas in science and medicine out of hiding, in a national conversation that will prevent the repetition of the past.

“Few people today will call themselves eugenicists,” said Obasogie, Haas Distinguished Chair and professor of law; who also holds a joint appointment at the School of Public Health and the UC Berkeley/UCSF Joint Medical Program . “However, it’s not uncommon for mainstream scientists to embrace some of the ideas, ideologies and practices that would be imminently familiar to a eugenicist of the past.”

Reproductive technologies that purport to help parents select embryos with particular traits concerning, for example, hair or eye color, or create children who might excel at music or sports, might align with eugenic thinking in ways that people might not immediately realize, Obasogie says. He believes that such technology must be scrutinized from both a scientific and ethical perspective to avoid the terrible racism and classism that defined eugenics from its founding.

“This idea has been around for a very long time,” he said. “It’s been incredibly harmful and we have to maintain our historical commitment to resisting this way of thinking.”

Toward that end, Obasogie has teamed up with the Los Angeles Review of Books (LARB) to launch a two-year project called Legacies of Eugenics . It’s a national conversation on the history of eugenics and the ways it still shapes various aspects of science, medicine, and technology.

Experts from fields across the humanities, medicine, health and social sciences, and other disciplines will contribute a variety of eugenics-related essays to the series, which is supported by the Center for Genetics and Society , the Othering & Belonging Institute , and Nova Institute for Health , along with UC Berkeley School of Public Health . Articles in discussion will explore the entanglement of eugenics in statistics; the role of eugenics in the founding of Stanford University; and researchers’ quest for genes that are associated with high intelligence, among other topics.

Eugenics in California

In Obasogie’s introductory essay , published in April, he makes the case that eugenics thinking did not end in the last century, as many people believe.

“Eugenics stood for the idea that a person’s abilities and social position were innate traits determined by their biological and genetic makeup, and the same traits would be passed on to their children,” he wrote. “Everything from intelligence to poverty to criminality to general morality was thought to be inherited.

“In the late 19th century, when race science was all the rage, eugenics extended the conversation on scientific racism by providing not only a seemingly objective way to understand the achievements of wealthy whites across generations but also an explanation for why poor or disabled people and racial minorities seemed stuck, unable to break what appeared to be inescapable cycles of destitution. In short, biology was thought to be destiny.”

Social determinants like racism, classism, and environmental influences were not in the picture.

“State and institutional commitments to eugenics extended far beyond the end of World War II,” Obasogie wrote. “For example, California continued to sterilize some disabled and institutionalized people until 1979. And as recently as 2013, incarcerated women were routinely sterilized in California state prisons. Latin American women who gave birth at the Los Angeles County+USC Medical Center in the 1970s were coerced into sterilization , where victims recalled being ‘bullied by doctors and nurses who declared their children burdens on California taxpayers’

“There was even a so-called Nobel Prize sperm bank in Escondido, created by millionaire Robert Klark Graham in 1979. He hoped to create scores of purported superbabies. Graham convinced four Nobel laureates to contribute their sperm, including Stanford University professor William Shockley—inventor of the transistor—who was also an open racist and eugenicist in his own right. Shockley once said during a televised debate that his ‘research leads [him] inescapably to the opinion that the major cause of the American Negro’s intellectual and social deficits is hereditary and racially genetic in origin and thus not remediable to a major degree by practical improvements in the environment.’”

“From this vantage point,” Obasogie concluded, “eugenics is as Californian as palm trees, Hollywood, $2 million teardown houses , and $22 burritos .”

Startups and eugenics

Michele Pridmore-Brown, LARB’s science and technology editor, and a research scholar with UC Berkeley’s Center for Science, Technology, Medicine and Society , said she was immediately interested when Obasogie suggested they collaborate on the project.

“We hadn’t done this sort of thing before; it was totally new,” she said. “I had to do some convincing, but everybody was intrigued by the idea, especially since eugenics is still so relevant.”

Pridmore-Brown, who has herself written on eugenics, said she is wary of researchers seeking genes associated with high IQ, with an eye toward helping parents create smart babies.

“Startups are doing that sort of thing and it’s very dangerous,” she said. “It’s so short-sighted and blind. You might find particular genes associated with high IQ, and those same genes might also be associated with other traits— like, say, anxiety, allergies, and even lack of empathy—that may not be so good. Unfortunately the people in the business of doing this want to replicate themselves and their type of intelligence. It’s problematic.”

A eugenics fund at UC Berkeley

Obasogie’s focus on eugenics began in November, 2018, when an email that listed funding opportunities available at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health landed in his inbox. Among them was something Obasogie had never seen before: a call for research to be funded by the Genealogical Eugenics Institute Fund.

“I was stunned,” he recalled. “At first, this seemed like another benign funding email and then I read it and thought, ‘Wait a minute. Where did this fund come from? What is it?’ And no one really knew.”

Obasogie and other concerned faculty met with school administrators, who quickly suspended the fund. He learned that it came from a private trust which was developed “for the primary purpose of improvement of the human race through research and education in the field of eugenics.”

The fund had a circuitous path to the school. Established in 1960 as a private trust, it was later transferred to the UC Regents, then moved to UC Berkeley, where it ended up at the School of Public Health. The annual $70,000 payout had been used to fund student and faculty research unrelated to eugenics.

After a public apology , the school renamed the fund, and started using the money for projects to raise awareness about racism, disability discrimination and other forms of social bias in science and beyond—including Legacies of Eugenics .

Alexandra Minna Stern, UCLA’s dean of humanities, and a previous collaborator with Obasogie, has long studied sterilization and social justice. Stern, a professor with an appointment at UCLA’s Institute for Society and Genetics, also studies ecofascism: the distorted idea that environmental concerns such as climate change are caused by overpopulation, which far right advocates want to remedy by restricting immigration and limiting reproduction among minority groups.

The far right, she said, “is worried about the demographic composition of the country,” Stern said. “Who should have babies, and be let into the country with immigration policies.

“Ecofascism equates whiteness with purity and strength. I am working on an essay that addresses the new packaging of ecofascism in context of the emergency of the rise of the far right and how it perpetuates eugenic ideas.”

Another contributor, Jessica Riskin, the Frances and Charles Field Professor of History at Stanford, who studies evolutionary biology, is planning to write about the way in which eugenics is entwined in modern interpretation of Darwinism.

“Science is an element of culture, just like every other human endeavor,” Riskin said. “I think people think of it as if there is bad, corrupt, racist science and then there’s pure science. It just doesn’t work like that. You can’t separate science from culture; racism is built into the deep structure of biology.”

“The job of the series is to excavate the racism in the structure of science and reveal it, to think about it out in the open.”

Obasogie hopes this public conversation will spur more critical thinking about the increasingly popular mindset about engineering perfect babies.

“The idea that the traits society values or abhors are somehow all encoded at a genetic level that determines people’s behaviors and abilities is a bit of a stretch,” he said. “I think we need a deeper appreciation of the role that socialization and social groups play in helping people become the individuals that they are, and not necessarily reduce the attributes, good or bad, to some type of inherent genetic predisposition.”

“Eugenics transcends traditional left/right political divides. For example, just as some people on the far right embrace eugenics as a way to restrict immigration and reproduction among racial minorities, some on the progressive left find engineering perfect babies enticing. Others even go further in thinking that they—the smart and beautiful members of the elite—have a responsibility to have as many children as possible to repopulate the earth with their genes, or at least to not let those who are perceived as less capable out-reproduce those who are thought to be more talented. It’s a troubling mindset, and one that is not novel. We’ve seen this before, and this project is about making connections between certain ways of eugenic thinking when it’s largely believed that eugenics is a thing of the past.”

People of BPH found in this article include:

• Osagie Obasogie Professor of Law and Professor of Bioethics, UCB-UCSF Joint Medical Program, Community Health Sciences

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After protests, UC Berkeley pledges to expand antisemitism education to all new students

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UC Berkeley will expand antisemitism education to all incoming students beginning this fall, after pro-Palestinian protests over the Israel-Hamas war fueled anxieties among many Jewish campus members, Chancellor Carol Christ announced this week.

For the first time, the campus will provide a five-year funding commitment to widen the educational effort, which began on a much smaller scale in 2019, to all new students, leaders of official student organizations and residential assistants. Berkeley also will strengthen the Center for Jewish Studies with a new designation that will allow it to have its own endowed chairs and faculty members and launch faculty searches. A new Israel Studies minor, which has been in the works for years, will begin this fall.

The new programs will aim to counter the “deeply disturbing” rise in antisemitism at Berkeley and elsewhere since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel, Christ said in a letter to members of her advisory committee on Jewish student life and campus climate.

“I understand and acknowledge that many members of our Jewish community felt deeply disturbed, even unsafe, due to the presence and persistence of expression that was reasonably perceived to be antisemitic,” Christ wrote. “You can be confident that there is no complacency among campus leadership on these issues.”

Berkeley has been rocked by accusations that it fails to safeguard Jewish students and combat antisemitism, which campus officials deny. The U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights office and a House committee are investigating the campus response to such allegations. Jewish groups also have sued the university for what their lawsuit called the “longstanding, unchecked spread of anti-Semitism” — an accusation Berkeley Law School Dean Erwin Chemerinsky called “stunningly inaccurate.”

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Christ has drawn criticism from some Jewish community members after signing an agreement in May with pro-Palestinian protesters to dismantle their encampment on Sproul Plaza. In exchange, she said she would support a review of campus investments to make sure they align with Berkeley’s values upholding equality, human rights and abhorrence of war. Christ also pledged a review of complaints about global exchange and internship programs for any discrimination against Palestinians and others.

Some Jewish critics believed the agreement gave protesters unjustified concessions without consequences for violating campus bans on overnight camping and other rules. Others feared that the reviews of campus foundation and endowment holdings, along with global exchange programs, would open the door to boycotts, divestment or sanctions targeting Israel, said Ethan Katz, a Berkeley faculty member who chairs the advisory committee and directs the Jewish studies center.

But Christ, in her letter, clarified that the commitments with protesters confirmed existing campus policies around human rights and discrimination and did not target Israel.

“I have repeatedly expressed my opposition to any UC-wide, campus or Foundation policy that would boycott, divest from or impose sanctions upon Israel,” she wrote.

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Katz said Christ has worked hard to listen to Jewish community concerns and respond to them since the Oct. 7 attack — and particularly after the encampment went up in April . Although the encampment was largely free of violence, he said, the protest slogans and signs demonizing Israel and Zionism at times spilled into antisemitism and created fear and anxiety among many Jewish campus members, he said.

“That really made the environment feel very hostile to a lot of students,” Katz said.

But Katz said he never called for the encampment to be removed and shared Christ’s desire to avoid the violent encounters with police that occurred at UCLA, Columbia and the University of Texas at Austin. He also said he opposed efforts to “weaponize” accusations of antisemitism to silence all pro-Palestinian speech or promote other political agendas.

Jewish campus members at UC Berkeley quashed a move to bring in pro-Israel outsiders to stage a counterdemonstration, fearing that could lead to the kind of melee that roiled UCLA .

Katz called Christ’s letter “reassuring” in reiterating the university’s position against divestment from or boycott of Israel, and in favor of robust academic exchanges and support for Israel studies programs.

But he said Jewish community members remain concerned about what may unfold once students return to classes in the fall and whether protesters who violate campus regulations will be held accountable. Katz said he hoped to see the campus strike a middle ground between mass arrests and no consequences.

Christ, in her letter, said the campus is reviewing its regulations around protests.

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All About Kamala Harris' Sister Maya Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris and her sister Maya were born in California

Stephanie Kaloi is a contributing writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2022. She has also written about entertainment news for a number of outlets, including Entertainment Weekly, Parade and LittleThings.

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Many people are more than familiar with Vice President Kamala Harris ’ story: She was born in Oakland, Calif., by a Jamaican American father and Indian American mother who divorced when she was young. Her parents were both politically active and often took Kamala along with them while they attended civil rights marches — and the family was always joined by Kamala’s younger sister, Maya Harris .

Like her sister, Maya also pursued a career in law. After graduating from Bishop O’Dowd High School in San Francisco, Maya gave birth to her daughter, Meena Harris, in October 1984. Maya then attended the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford Law School, where she met her husband Tony West .

Maya later told Stanford Lawyer Magazine that her parents were a huge part of why she studied law in the first place. “Their activism and what they were striving to achieve was what we talked about at the dinner table,” she said. “I knew at a very early age that I was going to one day have a career that would allow me to work for social justice and focus on improving the quality of people’s lives.”

She went on to assist her sister’s political campaigns — first Kamala's 2003 run for San Francisco district attorney and most recently her 2020 bid for the presidency — and also worked as a senior policy advisor for Hillary Clinton ’s 2016 presidential campaign.

Here is everything to know about Kamala Harris’ sister, Maya Harris.

They have always been very close

Kamala Harris Instagram

Kamala and Maya grew up close, moving around between the Midwest, California and Quebec during their formative years. They stayed with their mother when their parents divorced in the early 1970s.

“We forged a bond that is unbreakable,” Kamala told The Washington Post of Maya in 2019. “When I think about it, all of the joyous moments in our lives, all of the challenging moments, all of the moments of transition, we have always been together.”

Kamala and Maya are both lawyers

Scott Strazzante/The San Francisco Chronicle/Getty

Both Harris sisters are lawyers. Kamala received her bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her juris doctor from UC Berkeley; Maya earned her undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and her law degree from Stanford. Maya was also raising her daughter, Meena, while she finished her college degrees.

Maya also met her husband, Tony West, while in law school. The pair later shared that neither thought they would become lawyers when they were young, but they both knew law careers would propel them to achieve their greater goals. West told Stanford Lawyer Magazine , “It was such an enriching, positive experience for me. ... Of course the best thing that came out of law school was that I met my wife.”

Maya gave birth to her daughter Meena shortly after high school

Meena Harris Instagram

Maya’s daughter Meena is a well-known figure, especially after the success of the Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign. As the founder and CEO, Meena has shared that she is “both humbled and proud” of the brand’s success .

Maya became pregnant with Meena during her senior year of high school, and she often took her toddler to class or on-campus protests while she was also enrolled in law school. Maya later recalled to E! News that she was often “juggling work, juggling school, you know, wanting to be the math mom and drive on the field trip.”

It’s clear that Maya made things work, and Meena told the outlet that she was trying to raise her own daughters, Amara and Leela, the same way her mother raised her. “I think I'm borrowing and replicating and trying to carry on that legacy of how I was raised,” Meena told the outlet.

Maya officiated Kamala’s wedding in 2014

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Maya was on hand to participate in Kamala’s 2014 wedding to Doug Emhoff in a crucial way: She officiated their ceremony! Kamala and Emhoff were married at the courthouse in Santa Barbara, Calif. Meena also read Maya Angelou’s poem “Touched by an Angel” at the ceremony.

Her daughter wrote a book about Kamala and Maya

In 2020, Meena published the kids’ book Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea , which was based on the vice president and her sister. HarperCollins Publishers described the book as “a beautiful, empowering picture book about two sisters who work with their community to effect change.”

Maya is also politically engaged

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Like her older sister and parents, Maya is also politically active. In addition to assisting Kamala’s 2003 campaign for San Francisco DA and her 2020 campaign for president, Maya also worked as a senior policy advisor for Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential run. Maya and Clinton weren’t well acquainted before she took the position, but they soon became fast friends as well as colleagues.

As Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta told Talking Points Memo : “Hillary really trusted [Maya’s] instincts. Maya would cut through the bulls---, brief her quickly and give her something to think about.”

She has been open about her lupus diagnosis

Maya Harris Instagram

In 2020, Maya wrote an essay for The Atlantic about her lupus diagnosis. Maya was first diagnosed with the condition while she was in college and kept it private for three decades. In fact, Maya decided to open up to the public about her experience with lupus after President Donald Trump suggested that hydroxychloroquine, a drug commonly used to control lupus symptoms, be used to prevent COVID-19 — despite its efficacy being entirely unproven .

Maya wrote, “When the president of the United States decided to hype — as a coronavirus treatment — the primary medication used for controlling lupus, he put an already disadvantaged group of patients in even greater jeopardy.”

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