<p>Here is how it all goes down...this is how Berkeley in particular makes their decisions along with some sample applications that were admitted/ denied.</p>
<p>any thoughts on this?</p>
<p>That video was terrifying, but really gave me a reality check that admissions officers are people, not machines. They do know how to read into applications and take everything into consideration, and that video shows there really is a holistic approach to admissions and that one C or low SAT score will lock you out of a school. But this video is from 1999, so I am wondering how much has changed since then. Still, it was refreshing.. thanks for the link :-)</p>
<p>Thanks for the link I found it interesting too. Like spiffy said, its old but I think it probably still gives a good idea of what the process is like. Did anybody try judging the applicants and guessing the adcom decisions? I was surprised by the essays they weren't what I was expecting to see. Maybe its because they're from 1999 and things have changed? It seems to me that all the essay advise you read now a days stresses how its important to be creative, unique, etc. These seemed to have a different tone all together. Anybody else get the same feeling?</p>
<p>It's interesting, but how old is it? It says Berkeley got 30,000 applicants, and that was years ago. This past year it received about 45,000. (Not to mention that the applicants they showcase are not the typical accepted student these days.)</p>
<p>To be honest, I don't think it gives all that great of an insight.
Clearly these applicants are instate- there is no way that a kid with an 880/1600 SAT could get into Cal oos (this taken from the "did they get in?" part of the link).</p>
<p>^^ to be honest, not even in-state applicants get in with those numbers, usually. Those who have a weak score in one section usually have a pretty high score in another.</p>
<p>what i take from that "rate these applicants" thing is that UC Berkeley admissions are total, complete bull*****. someone with 880 combined SATs got in. so he had good grades- they werent straight A's, or even A's and B's....those are meaningless from high school to high school. but, he was african american and 1st generation college student. ahem. but, the kid with the 1550, national merit, great essay and EC's. so he's focused on science, at least he knows what he wants. they dont let him in though. TOTAL BS.</p>
<p>^^ again, this is really old. What you see here is much less pronounced in admissions. Near-straight or straight As is most common for those accepted; a very tiny percentage of students got in the 400 range on the SAT; the bar isn't lowered very much, if at all, for URMs anymore; etc.</p>
<p>Isint it shocking how much the standards have changed in about 8 years...this article means someone who would usually be at UCI...could get into Berkeley. </p>
<p>Im sure some of the things they said and the approachs they were using was just for cameras but it is nice to see how things really go down behind closed doors.</p>
<p>Apply early in the process...meaning well before the RD deadline approaches, to give them TIME to examine your application. Avoid HIGH PROFILE elite schools who get bombarded with applications from all over. Focus on match and safety schools. Pick schools where you FIT.......and just do your best. Its a fickle process...capricious and arbitrary. And know that no matter where you end up it will all work out. </p>
<p>Your life is NOT tied to one school or whether you get into a top30 school or not. That is just plain ludicrous.</p>