I wrote to Berkeley, Civil engg acad. affairs and this is what they had to say:
I applied to the SEMM program for a PhD position.... Has anyone been accepted already (International)? Looks like chances are getting slim.. if they are there at all ... This was my only app!
I applied for a PhD position in UC Berkeley- the SEMM program. Not heard from them yet.. argh! Any international students here who've been contacted by them?!? (applied for funding?)