<p>I'm a current junior at a public school in Minnesota, class size of 680. Class rank isn't used anymore, but I'm giving an educated guess at around 30 of 680.
GPA: 4.21(after 3 quarters, guessing around 4.3 after 4)
ACT- 32 (retake, hopefully 33)should I take subject tests?
IB Diploma Candidate
HL Math, HL English, HL History, SL Biology, SL spanish, SL Art
2 year varsity soccer (team captain of both freshman and sophomore teams)
2 year varsity lacrosse
2 year lettering member of math team
coach youth teams for both sports during summer
member of premier level soccer club over summer(big deal)
member of presidential student council at school(not like student gvt, volunteer basis, not a huge deal)
Volunteer at local library
Work as ice-rink attendant during winters
1 year of team rowing
Any suggestions of things that will strengthen my resume?
Also, suggestions for colleges that would fit me well?</p>
<p>I'd put you at a reach, because none of your ECs are exceptional, your ACT is just above average, and you're OOS. Geographic diversity could help, as not too many people apply from MN I'm guessing.</p>
<p>I'd really focus on the essays, they'll make it or break it. Perhaps emphasize how you'll add to the diversity of the campus, what you learned growing up in MN, etc.</p>
<p>
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member of premier level soccer club over summer(big deal)
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Unless you're a recruited athlete, this won't help you. Soccer is the biggest youth sport in CA, and many of our premier teams are nationally ranked. It's not uncommon to play premier club, and many, many applicants end their high school careers with several years of premier experience. Playing only one summer really doesn't show them much other than that you were involved in ECs</p>
<p>Sorry, the way I wrote that was ambiguous. I have actually been playing premier soccer for 4 years, I was just implying that this takes place over the summer. And I'm not a recruitable D1 athlete, especially not in California, so basically I listed that, like you said, as an EC</p>
<p>i'd say you'd get in, but being out of state.. idk how that will affect your chances. just have an amazing essay. talk about motivation & what you can contribute to your school (don't say specifically cal since itll go out to all the other uc's you apply to as well, unless you're just doing cal)</p>
<p>Your ACT is fine at 32, but retake it if you think you will score higher. The UC's require Subject tests- check the UC website for particulars. You need two and the math has to be the new one (Math 2C?) if that is one you want to choose. Your gpa is within range. Sell them on who you are and why Berkeley is a good fit. Take a look at the report on comprehensive review at UC Berkeley (google it or find it on this site if it is still here) to get an idea of what exactly they are looking for when they read your application. It is 60 pages long and offers insight to what they give weight to when reading applications. If I remember, it lists all kinds of ec's and other activities that they like to see. It is an academic study so be prepared to wade through a lot of tables and data to get to the info you are looking for. Also, remember that at the UC's, all information not conveyed in the five spots you have for activities/awards needs to be included in your personal statements or they will never see it. Essays will make or break you at Cal.</p>
<p>Thanks for the info Bessie, that helps alot. By the way bartleby, my GPA doesn't include honors classes as weighted. My schedule freshman and sophomore was almost fully honors classes, but the weight only takes into account my 1 year of IB diploma program and the IB math class I took sophomore year.</p>
<p>I'd say a difficult chance unless you're essays are very good because you are out of state. Unfair, I know...but that's how it is. Try to show that you are different somehow and will contribute to the campus.</p>
<p>@vc08, re: post #2,</p>
<p>being from MN doesn't help, it actually hurts. UC's give in-staters priority</p>
<p>When I toured UCLA, the hot tour guide said that OOS students have no disadvantage in holistic review. The packet that the UCLA readers get has nothing about the state of residence of an applicant. In fact, I've seen no evidence that standards in holistic review are different for in-state students and out-of-state students.</p>
<p>Check below link for admit stats. It has all kinds of data that you can filter on. Generally, it is tougher for OOS (Californians pay taxes to fund the UCs) but still doable. Goodluck!</p>
<p>I would think that OOSers have a harder change since UCs are public universities in California and are meant to serve residents of California. And tour guides are definitely not authorities.</p>