RCSA Overnight Host Program

Prospective Scholars

Why ROHP?

Congratulations for reaching this stage of the application process! The University of California, Berkeley is one of the leading institutions in the world and it is no small thing to be considered for the title of Regents' and Chancellor's Scholar. But as we all know, academics are not everything and the RCSA Overnight Host Program (ROHP) was created to enable prospective Scholars to come and see if Cal is the right place for you. Through this program you will get a taste of the Cal student experience by staying in dorms, exploring downtown Berkeley, and hanging out with current Scholars.

We guarantee you will have an awesome time and meet people who, if you decide to come to Cal, will be your friends for your entire time here! If you're on the fence or not sure, e-mail rohp-guest@rcsa.berkeley.edu to have any and all fears or trepidations removed. Trust us - you will have an awesome time!

Heard about ROHP and want the specifics?

Dates

• March 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11
• April 17 (before Cal Day) and 18 (after Cal Day; currently limited to 50 participants who would like to spend a second night)

April vs. March days

The March days are meant for those prospective Scholars who are from northern CA, coming to campus to interview for the Regents' Scholarship and a chance to get your bearings and relax the day before your interview in addition to all the fun.

We understand the March days are likely to be on a day you have school but many CA high schools have allowances for missing class due to college visitation or "senior projects" so we encourage you to check that out with your school's administration. Also, we can tell you from our own ROHP experiences that it is well worth the possible extra work catching up!

April ROHP is for those people from southern CA who have already interviewed, to make it easier for them to come and enjoy Berkeley's open house, Cal Day. The second April night is currently limited to the first 50 people who want to spend a second night and perhaps make their Cal Day stay easier. This is a pilot program for this year so we may expand it if demand is high so don't worry about not "making it"; just sign up!

Only people coming on April 17 will be allowed to come April 18; sorry! We also ask that northern CA and southern CA scholars come on the days intended for them, respectively, but we will make exceptions. E-mail rohp@rcsa.berkeley.edu for information on this.

What time?

Please arrive at Sproul Hall by 5:00 PM.

Where to meet

We will meet at the west-facing steps of Sproul Hall on Sproul Plaza, across from the MLK, Jr. Student Union and the Golden Bear Café (campus map) for check-in. The entrance to Sproul Plaza is at the intersection of Bancroft and Telegraph. Please print out a map and bring it with you for reference if needed.

How to qualify for ROHP

Candidates for the Regents' and Chancellor's Scholarship who have been invited to interview with a faculty member for the scholarship qualify to participate in the RCSA Overnight Host Program (ROHP) put on by the Regents' and Chancellor's Scholars Association. You must send the Undergraduate Scholarships Office a signed Waiver of Liability form before getting confirmation that you can attend ROHP. Print out the waiver form and either mail or fax it to:

We need the Waiver of Liability in order for you to attend ROHP. Only after Undergraduate Scholarships has received the Waiver of Liability can we confirm your participation in ROHP by e-mail.

What should I bring?

• A sleeping bag and pillow
• Toiletries and a towel
• Slippers for the showers
• Some money for your personal use (for breakfast the next day and, you know, to buy that Cal sweatshirt you've been coveting for years.)
• Photo ID
• You must bring a cell phone to ROHP and provide us with the phone number when you RSVP.
• If you're having your scholarship interview, business or business-casual attire is recommended.

OHP Nightly Itinerary

4:45 PM

Hosts meet on the steps of Sproul Hall.

5:00 PM

Guests meet on the steps of Sproul Hall.

5:20-6:30 PM

Eat dinner in campus room nearby. Match hosts with guests.

6:30-7:30 PM

Hosts and guests move luggage to host's room, get acquainted with dorms.

7:30 PM

Meet back on campus for tour.

7:30-9:00 PM

Night tour of campus.

9:10 PM

Reconvene for tasty treat, dismissal to hosts.

Note: Due to reasons beyond our control, the above schedule is often not accurate past the 5:00 PM arrival time; please be there as close to 5 as you can!

What is the procedure the morning after ROHP?

You are free to enjoy your day in Berkeley starting at 8 am the next morning. We will provide you with a list of possible activities when you get here. To name a few: you can go sit in on classes, explore campus, check out our world-class libraries, attend an a cappella concert on Sproul plaza or explore the town of Berkeley. Rest assured that there will be plenty of things to do and we'll make sure you know everything going on! You're very likely to be on your own for breakfast unless you make it to International House for a complimentary continental breakfast the day of your interview (March days only). Below, however, is a list of convenient and delicious breakfast suggestions.

• For $7, you can eat breakfast with your host in the residence hall.
• Noah's Bagel (corner of Telegraph and Durant) has a wide variety of bagels and juice.
• Crepes A Go-Go on Telegraph has a large assortment of crepes for less than $6.
• Cafe Durant (on Durant, between Telegraph and Bowditch) has excellent breakfast for less than $10.
• Ann's Kitchen (corner of Telegraph and Dwight) has a wide variety of breakfast fare for less than $10.
• King Pin Donuts (on Durant, between Telegraph and Bowditch) has fresh doughnuts and coffee.
• Jamba Juice (corner of Bancroft, between Telegraph and Bowditch) has smoothies and pretzel treats.
• And, I-House Cafe, Cafe Strada, and Cafe Milano are all located on Bancroft Street, between Piedmont and Telegraph. They always have breakfast pastries and fresh coffee for less than $5.

How do I sign up?

Guests can sign up by filling out the guest registration form. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our ROHP coordinators by e-mail. If you've already registered, remember that you will also have to send in the Waiver of Liability before we can confirm your registration.

How do I get to UC Berkeley?

You have a couple of options on the best way to get to Berkeley. ROHP doesn't have any involvement in your trip to and from campus but we can offer a few suggestions to get help you:

• If you fly into Oakland, which is closer than San Francisco, you can:
  
  • Take a taxi from the airport to campus.
  • Take a private shuttle. Super Shuttle and Bayporter, and East Bay Express are often driving around campus. The Oakland Airport link should link to shuttle busses that will take you from Oakland to Berkeley.
  • Take the BART, our public train service. You will want to take the AirBART from Oakland Airport, transfer onto the BART train and then get off at the Downtown Berkeley station. The walk to campus is less than half a mile. We suggest walking south on Shattuck until Bancroft Street. Then walk east on Bancroft until the intersection of Telegraph. At that point, Sproul Hall is the big white building to your left. You can also find a taxi outside the BART station quite easily.
• If you take the Amtrak:
  1. Get off in Richmond, CA.
  2. The BART station is connected to the Amtrak station. Take the BART to Downtown Berkeley station. The walk to campus is less than half a mile. We suggest walking south on Shattuck until Bancroft Street. Then walk east on Bancroft until the intersection of Telegraph. At that point, Sproul Hall is the big white building to your left. You can also find a taxi outside the BART station quite easily.

Overnight Parking

Refer to your confirmation packet or log onto "My Berkeley App" to obtain information about overnight parking in Berkeley. It is a hassle but you can do it. Unfortunately, it will cost you money, sorry! If you have any questions, please e-mail us.

Didn't cover your question here?

Don't hesitate to fire off any and all questions you may have to rohp-guest@rcsa.berkeley.edu!

We really look forward to having you join us for this awesome experience!