Appealing and changing majors

<p>I did not get into UC Berkeley. It comes as no surprise to me for a few reasons.</p>

<p>-I have a mediocre GPA, at 4.1 weighted.
-Mediocre SAT at 2030
-Mediocre ACT at 30
-Terrible SATII's at 660 (Math II), 670 (Literature), 630 (Biology M)
-Essentially no extracurriculars besides a secretarial job I picked up maybe 2 months ago.
-I applied for the college of engineering</p>

<p>That definitely wasn't the most intelligent major to apply for, especially since I didn't even want to go into engineering at Berkeley. Of course, I figure I have nothing to lose by appealing except 18 years of pride.</p>

<p>I come to this board with two questions:
1) Are appeals meant to be handwritten or typed? Berkeley's site merely states that the request be in "writing". Whether this is HANDwritten or not I cannot say, as I always thought appeals to be more along professional lines.
Source: <a href="https://students.berkeley.edu/myberkeley/myberkeleyapp.asp?todo=cms&id=111&navid=N%5B/url%5D"&gt;https://students.berkeley.edu/myberkeley/myberkeleyapp.asp?todo=cms&id=111&navid=N&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>2) Is there any way to change my major within my appeal letter without sounding like an idiot, or do I appeal first and risk letting them think I want to get into engineering? I'm not even sure why I applied for E2 since for my entire life I've been intrigued with the social arts of psychology and politics... This entire year has been a series of inconsistent thoughts and decisions.</p>

<p>A second long-shot: I also planned on appealing to Davis. Do you think the UC campuses communicate to each other enough to think that I'm grasping for air?</p>

<p>So, Goggle-found college site, what are you thoughts?</p>

<p>Just a heads up that appeals should be postmarked by tmrw at the latest.</p>

<p>Haha, I did realize that. I just had spring break, too, yet I somehow could not manage to find enough time to write the letter that may decide my future. My priorities, man…</p>

<p>they don’t communicate with each other as far as i know</p>

<p>I think a change of intended major would only work well if you have show a change on interest (ie: with your comm. service, extracurricular activities) and such.</p>

<p>Same situation…waste spring break…and now writing the appeal letter. Letting the most important decision of my life pending.
I was wondering if I should change major (pre-business) too ?
I think HelloAll has a good answer for that question
Gdluck all “appeal people”</p>

<p>Hey, us appeal writers should get on AIM and discuss our various woes. Misery deeply enjoys company, and it is quite productive!</p>

<p>I also think a significant effect from an event (world, school, family) could also be used if you must change majors. Instead of presenting yourself as being merely someone who wants to change your major to get in a certain college (even if its not the case since you mentioned you never has interest in engineering in the first place), there should be something that the reader could find a reason from to accept you.</p>

<p>For compelling reasons, I do have serious issues with my family. It’s very complicated and personal, and it affects me psychologically. Even though I’m accepted to other quite good colleges, UC Berkeley is the only university my parents will let me go (again complicated reasons). If I dont appeal successfully, I will end up at a community college and lose my independence of choosing majors. My parents will decide for me :((
Can someone please suggest me how to explain a familial issue without coming across as a rebel child who hates her parents (I do sincerely love my parents) ?</p>

<p>Ah, the significant event. I assume pure insight would not be sufficient, though that’s what it was…</p>

<p>And NYC, I have no clue how to help you there. That’s some harsh stuff…</p>

<p>To SHOCKME: Thx anyways…
By the way, where do you plan to go ?</p>

<p>GL guys!!!</p>

<p>As of right now, I’ll probably head off to Cal Poly SLO for environmental engineering. I have considered going to UC Merced, then transferring into UC Berkeley, but I get a strange vibe from that plan.</p>

<p>And thanks.</p>

<p>Transferring from a community college is way easier…but well community college doesnt sound pleasant at all ! </p>

<p>I want to ask how can I know if UCB have received my appeal letter ?</p>

<p>^
Have no idea since Admissions is still hectic dealing with the transfer admissions (decisions are out at the end of the month) so be patient. </p>

<p>About the CCC not being pleasant…you’d be surprised. LOL. </p>

<p>Best of luck! [:</p>

<p>Er, wait, I held my job since November… that’d make it 5-6 months.</p>