Frequently Asked Questions
A sampling of some questions we have received this year and in years prior! Please email chief[at]bmun.org with any additional questions you have.
2023-24 Membership Questions
Do I have to have done MUN to apply? Will I be at a disadvantage if I haven’t done MUN?
No, you do not need Model UN experience to apply. We are looking for members interested in education with baseline writing skills. In fact, we love it when our members haven’t done Model UN since they tend to give us a better perspective on how we execute our goals. Model UN is only the vehicle we use to promote our tenets of research and philanthropy. At our core, we are focused on our educational mission and that transcends our utilization of Model UN.
I am not studying International Relations, nor anything humanities-related. Am I still a good fit for this club?
Absolutely! Everyone is welcome to join. Our club spans 17 different majors with nearly 40% of them STEM-related fields. We do not give preference to specific majors, we just want applicants to demonstrate an interest in philanthropy, education, and public policy.
What is the difference between Berkeley Model United Nations (BMUN) Conference and UC Berkeley Model United Nations (UCBMUN)?
Berkeley Model United Nations (BMUN) Conference (our organization) is an institution primarily focused on education and research. We aim to reduce inequities in the communities we serve through our educational mission and fundraising goals through our yearly high school conference on the UC Berkeley Campus, outreach sessions, and workshops in the fall. We are best known for our high school conference since it is the oldest MUN conference in the world! BMUN also has no associated club fees.
UC Berkeley Model United Nations (UCBMUN) focuses on their competition team including traveling to and attending conferences at other colleges. We encourage you to check out their website if you are interested.
Can I be a member of Berkeley Model United Nations (BMUN) Conference and UC Berkeley Model United Nations (UCBMUN)?
At this time, we do not allow cross membership as our conference preparation schedule conflicts with many of their travel competitions. We encourage you to apply to both organizations and determine which is a better fit for you.
Do you require any fees to join this club?
Berkeley Model United Nations has no club fees. We pay entirely for our members’ expenses, including our team retreats, bonding events (including picnics, team dinners, game nights, etc.), and all meals during club events, including conferences and meetings.
What times are weekly meetings?
Please block out 6:30-8 PM PST on Wednesdays for our weekly meetings. The length of the meeting tends to vary, but free food will always be provided!
Do I have to be a Berkeley Student to join BMUN?
Yes, the only people that can join BMUN are UC Berkeley undergraduate students.