Can anyone chance me for UC Berkeley EECS?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I'm just about done with my UC app, but there's one area that I'm slightly worried about (more about that in the last paragraph). Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 4.0 unweighted, 4.25 weighted
ACT: 35
SAT: 2370 (800 W, 800 M, 770 R)
SAT II: 800 Math 2, 800 Physics
APs: took 8 tests (Calc BC, Comp Sci A, Physics C Mech & EM, Econ Macro & Micro, English Lang, APUSH), 5 on each one</p>

<p>Course load: some of the toughest classes offered at my school, will have 10 APs completed by graduation + multivariable calc this year.</p>

<p>Major Awards: NHS, National AP Scholar, National Merit Semifinalist, several math & comp sci competitions</p>

<p>Extra-curriculars: officer of multiple clubs, founder of one</p>

<p>Other activities: participated in a summer program, the strongest one in my state, where I took two college-level math classes, finished with a 4.0. Also did a comp-sci related project with a professor at a prestigious university. </p>

<p>Recs: two teachers who I'm close with and who know and like me a lot - both should be solid, counselor - should be great</p>

<p>Essays: now this might be a weak spot of my app. I'm a good writer in general, got 5 on AP Language and 800 on SAT writing, so my essays are written well. The problem is that they might be a little cliche and overly general. One of them is about my immigrant experience, the other is about determination and competitiveness. Really common, I know, but I couldn't come up with anything more unique. I tried to put an interesting spin on them, and I think they're pretty interesting, but might still blend in with hundreds of other essays. So, my main question is, what are my chances considering these generic and cliche essays? And, as a bonus, does anyone have any idea how I could improve these essays and maybe make them stand out a bit more?</p>

2

<p>First of all…wow. You have achieved so much, you make me feel bad haha.
I think for your essays, a little humor would be good. I’ve researched some essays online and even though the topics were very generic, they added their own personality to it so that they stood out. As long as your essays have life to them, you should be good. You sound like an amazing candidate for UCB, I hope you get in!</p>

3

<p>What if you wrote a UC app specific to Berkeley? If that is the only UC you are applying to, then I think along with your amazing stats it might help to show that you are only considering them, not sure though to be honest. Probably would not if you are considering UCLA or another UC.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the tip, that’s pretty reassuring. I agree about the sample essays. Many of the ones I read simply talk about the student’s accomplishments, but with a really personal and unique voice. I guess mine turned out to be similar to that.</p>

<p>And I actually did only apply to Berkeley. UCs are extremely expensive for OOS, and my parents are only willing to pay this much for Berkeley, since it’s considered of the best in the nation when it comes to comp sci. But that’s an interesting idea, I haven’t even thought about that. Does anyone else know whether it’ll help at all if I specifically mention Berkeley in my personal statement?</p>

5

<p>Well is there a reason you are specifically interested in Berkley? Can you name reasons off the top of your head and maybe work them in naturally to your essays, if so I think that would help a lot in demonstrating interest. Though yeah, I would check with other people not just me before you do something like this.</p>

6

<p>Well, to be honest, the main reason I’m so interested in Berkeley is because of the strength of the comp sci and engineering programs… It’s as simple as that. Of course, there are some other reasons, but this is the main one. The thing is, this actually would fit really well into my second essay, and I still have some room in terms of the word count. I’ll try to get a second opinion on that, as you said.</p>