Berkeley Supplementary Questionnaire

I know a lot of people already made posts about this, but I was wondering how much would poor first semester senior grades negatively affect my chances of admission?

I received the questionnaire a few days ago and got super happy knowing I was getting considered. However, during my first semester I received 1 C and 2 Bs. On the website, it said we had to at least maintain a 3.0 UW GPA in both semesters of senior year but I’m still unsure. I took 4 AP classes again this year so would the difficulty of the classes somewhat make up for my horrible grades? Will Berkeley be less likely to admit me because I got a 3.2 UW GPA first semester? Also, would a kickass letter of rec. make up for my lack of grades?

Sorry for all the repetitive questions; I just can’t seem to relax unless I get some closure!

Here are some of my stats & just basic info i put on my app:

4.12 UC GPA
9 AP classes in total
3,4,3,4 on my ap exams from jr year
1950 SAT
never took the ACT
poor SAT 2 math score
2 leadership positions
about 250 hours of community service
won a community award
part time job as a tutor
2 years of varsity badminton
1 year of JV XC
from a low income family
2 of my siblings are also in or about to go to college so we need a lot of financial aid

  1. if you got no grade higher than a B, how can your UW GPA be over a B? 3.2 > 3.0

  2. As you ought to know, the UC schools do not accept letters of rec

I got 1 C and 2 Bs and the rest are As… I didn’t think I needed to mention that, but okay.

Please read the topic of my discussion. The supplementary questionnaire asks students to submit a letter of rec from a teacher, counselor, or anyone else familiar with my academic background. That part is completely optional, but I decided to go for it.

Just to clear up on what the questionnaire is:

"We’ve begun our holistic review of your application and would like you to fill out a supplemental questionnaire(s).

Each year we ask a small group of students for additional information to enhance their application. We’d like to learn more about you and your academic experience, particularly in regards to specific information you have shared in your application, which will be addressed in the supplemental questionnaire.

We can’t emphasize enough that this information can only strengthen your case. It’s a unique opportunity to tell us more about your personal path to college without negatively affecting your application. In accordance with applicable privacy and other laws, we assure you that this information will be kept confidential.

To be considered in our review, all supplemental information must be completed in the next 10 days. Please note: Any supplemental information submitted AFTER the deadline will not be reviewed.

The steps are easy:

  1. To access and fill out the questionnaire(s), log on to myBerkeleyApplication: http://students.berkeley.edu/myberkeley/home.asp If you need help accessing myBerkeleyApplication, please check our login FAQ page: http://admissions.berkeley.edu/loginfaq
  2. Provide us with your fall semester grades in the questionnaire. If you haven't received your grades yet, don't wait for them. It's more important that the questionnaire is returned on time. Also, confirm or indicate changes to your spring class schedule.
  3. (Optional) Submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, coach or anyone familiar with your academic background and extracurricular skills/talents. Your recommender can fill out an online form at the following link. Note that in providing this link to your recommender, you waive your right to view this letter of recommendation at any future point: "

What did you decide to do? Do you have to submit your Fall grades or will you just let them eval you on letter of deco and essay?

For future applicants who check out this thread…I received the Borderline supplemental questionnaire in January and really gave it my all. I was admitted to UC Berkeley as a result of the questionnaire