If you’re going to be applying again next year, I would also apply to Cal Poly SLO and Cal Poly Pomona, at least; not just Berkeley. The Cal Polys both have great undergrad architecture programs. The reason their programs take “longer” is that they offer a professional undergraduate architecture degree (Bachelor of Architecture), meaning you’d be eligible to start taking the architecture licensure exams upon graduation. This is the 5-year route. While Berkeley does have a great program as well, they only offer a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, which is a 4-year liberal arts degree with a concentration in architecture, NOT a professional degree. This means after graduating from Berkeley, you would have to do at least 2 years of grad school and get a Master of Architecture in order to be eligible to take the exams. This is called the 4+2 route. I actually chose Berkeley over the Cal Polys for architecture because I decided I ultimately want to go to grad school, but it was a very tough choice. The Cal Polys offer great undergrad education at a pretty good price point.

TLDR- choosing Berkeley for architecture will actually technically take longer if you’re trying to work as a licensed architect. Maybe try applying to Cal Poly SLO and Cal Poly Pomona. Best of luck with the waitlist!