Berkeley English Undergrad

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi everyone,

As if there weren’t enough chance threads on here already. Also, I promise I’m being completely genuine by posting these stats, none of that bragging business. I work pretty hard but there’s always that nagging feeling I could do more. That being said, I’m curious how the community here would rate my chances of getting into UC Berkeley as an out-of-state applicant. I’m thinking of going in as an English major (I know, horrifying). So here are my stats (current junior):

U.S. State: PA
School Type: Suburban Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket Range: $200,000 - $250,000
Hooks: None

SAT I: Took twice, both times sophomore year
Sitting 1: CR 690 (bad day…)/710 Math/800 Writing 11 essay
Sitting 2: CR 780/730 Math/730 Writing 11 essay

SAT II: 740 US History, 710 World History
Will take Lit and maybe Math 2 this May/June

Unweighted/Weighted GPA: 3.94 unweighted, weighted unknown (prob around 4.3 - 4.5)

Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/465

AP/IB (place score in parentheses):
US History - 4
World History - 5
Stats - 4
Taking this year:
Lang - most likely 5
Gov - most likely 5
Psych - most likely 5
Calc AB - brink of 4 or 5, depending

Senior Year Course Load: AP Art History, AP Calc BC, AP Environmental, AP Lit, AP Microecon, Honors French 5 (school does not offer AP), Band/Choir/Orchestra. Also will be taking English classes at local Penn State campus

Awards:
Gold Key for Northeast region for flash fiction and personal essay in Scholastic Art & Writing awards
Top 5 in FBLA states for Global Business
1st in state for Women’s Club poetry since 8th grade
Local music awards for flute/piano
County and district ensembles for band/choir/orchestra
Will qualify for National Merit (PSAT 233)

ECs/Work/summer experience/Community Service:
Executive board for local newspaper, writer (9-12, hopeful intern)
Local piano quartet for retirement homes (9-11)
FBLA secretary (10-12)
Class secretary (9 - present)
School literary magazine editor (10 - present)
School newspaper editor (10 - present)
Mock Trial captain (10 - present)
Debate Club President (9 - 12)
Select Choir ( 9 - 12)
Volunteer at local library during summer (9 - 11)
PA School for Global Entrepreneurship at Lehigh University

I’ll have a really good rec from my English teacher (we’re very close). Still figuring out the second rec. I’m assuming I’ll have pretty decent essays (hopefully).

Sorry this was super long, and I get if a lot of people won’t read through the whole thing. Anyone who cares to chance me though, I really appreciate! Thanks.

2

Tell me about Mock Trial.

What is the fascination with this (club?) and do students learn anything from it?

3

@JustOneDad You’re right in saying that it’s a pretty popular club. Personally I think that there’s a lot to be gained, including public speaking skills and critical thinking skills. It also helps you learn how to think on your feet, as you never know what the opposing counsel will ask you in a competition. Mock trial is exactly how it sounds - you are literally doing a mock trial. I find it fun and engaging, and kind of a thrill every time we compete. Of course, it is not for everyone.

4

Also, I will chance back!

5

Are there knowledgeable moderators for Mock Trial? I can see how students could develop some substantially incorrect knowledge without something to ground on.

6

@JustOneDad By moderators do you mean during the competitions themselves? If so, yes. Even in the local competitions ours were held at the local courthouse where real judges presided over the case, and lawyers acted as the jurors. Furthermore, there is a set case released by the state which has some background info as well. Of course, formulating correct knowledge and understanding how the court system works often falls on the participant themselves to research. Or, the advisers of the school’s club should be helpful in this aspect.

7

Your stats look great! With good essays and recs, I would say a high match/low reach just because its a high caliber school. Good luck!
Take a look a my thread if you could please :smile:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18124943#Comment_18124943

8

Bump

9

Defiantly a competitive applicant! High Match / Low reach but I wouldn’t bet against you! Chance back?
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/1744078/chance-me-ucs-and-privates/p2

10

Bump

11

Bump