Can I get into UC Berkeley?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

Hello! I am an upcoming Senior and an out of state Class of 2020 high school graduate. I really want to get into UC Berkeley, but after this year I’m afraid that my dreams have been cut short. I have had a 4.0 (unweighted) GPA all throughout HS, but lost it after getting an A- in Spanish. After this year, I will have a 3.993/4.133 GPA, with a UC GPA of 4.202. After Senior year I should end with a 3.995/4.197 GPA. My HS did not weight GPA, or else I would have had a higher weighted GPA. I have taken a lot of AP classes: AP Lang, AP Calc 1, and AP Psyc, and AP Lit, AP World History, and AP Clac 2 on the docket for next year, I took both the ACT and SAT, with 33 in two different tries on the ACT and 1370 on the SAT, but I am planning on retaking at least the ACT, but hopefully both. I am very involved in ECs: Soccer (Varsity), Tennis (JV), Science Olympiad, Forensics, Both Orchestra and Choir, NHS, Link Crew (welcoming incoming freshman), Spanish Club, Musical, GEAC, Thirst Project, and probably more that I’m forgetting. What I think will really boost my application is that I am a Scout BSA, but more importantly, I am an Eagle Scout. I feel like I could put together pretty good essays, and have a lot to write about with a lot of personal things I have been through. I am just really scared that I won’t get in. My step-brother just recently got in, and I have higher test scores, but he has a higher weighted GPA since his HS weights GPAs. I am scared that my A- with bar me for being accepted. I am going to be applying for the College of Letters and Science in Physics, or Pre-Law. How likely with it for me to get in with my A-???

2

You need to find your uc gpa. Don’t use your school gpa. You can use this website to do it.

https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

3

It does not matter at all how your high school computes GPA. Universities are well aware that different high schools use wildly different ways to calculate GPA. They will see your actual grades.

One A- will not stop you from attending Berkeley. It also will not stop you from attending any one of a long list of other very good universities.

Since you are out of state, expect to be full pay if you do get accepted. There are many other very good universities and it is generally a mistake to be fixated on one school.

4

UCs is do not consider + or -‘s . An A is the same as A- .

5

I had all A-, with the exception of one A+, and I got into EECS. Hope should not be lost.

6

Some UCB statistical data:

2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 capped weighted and not major specific:
UCB: 10%

2018 Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 4.20 or above capped weighted and not major specific:
UCB: 37%

2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23

25th - 75th percentiles for ACT:
UCB: 30-35

  • BERKELEY

  • Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
  • Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience
  • Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency, AP/IBLH exam scores
  • Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
  • LOR's by invitation only as of 2017 Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity. Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared. 
    Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped            majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice,         and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and                portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters.

The business major is in a separate division and admits students in a       competitive holistic process. Frosh intending business majors begin in      another division (usually L&S), take the business major prerequisites,      and apply (usually in their second years). They also need to take               prerequisites for a backup major in case they are not admitted to the       business major.

All students who apply to UC Berkeley and select a major within the             College of Natural Resources are evaluated based on their application,      not on the particular major they select.