<p>Hi, I'm probably a "typical" nerd. Strong stats, but very mediocre ECs. Is it possible to make it to Berkeley simply based on my stats? </p>
<p>California resident; Asian male</p>
<p>SAT: 2250: 700 / 780 / 770
SAT subjects: Math II 800; Physics 800</p>
<p>GPA: unweighted 4.0
UC GPA: 4.45 (that means many AP / Honor classes, etc). </p>
<p>ELC, so I'm top 4% of my class. About 400 from a decent public school (Bronze in USNews High School Ranking). </p>
<p>But my ECs are nothing outstanding: about 200 hours to homework tutoring, playing pianos for 10 years, some minor club president, etc. I did have a paid internship. </p>
<p>So what do you say my chance to Berkeley, or other UCs? I guess it's impossible to get to Caltech / Stanford / Cornell, so I should not bother and save my parents a few hundreds application fees? </p>
<p>Please share your thoughts. Thanks, and I'll chance back!</p>
<p>you can get into berkeley alone with that, if you aren’t applying to engineering.
caltech maybe if your internship and some other ECs are really sciency. cornell you have a shot at. stanford is probably unlikely unless you have really good essays.</p>
<p>Actually, my stats were less spectacular than yours (well, besides SATs) and I got into Cal EECS and Cornell, waitlisted Caltech. So give it a shot! You never know what might happen. :]</p>
<p>(also, I hope that even if you say “by stats alone” you’re still going to try on the essay.)</p>
<p>^^ I somewhat disagree.
Cal engineering put heavy weight on math and science, and for a very good reason: It won’t do anyone any good if the well-rounded and holistically blessed kids flunk out after a year or two becasue they can’t take the heat.
OP, you’ll beat those who have lesser academic achievements and ECs up the wahzoo. Those who have the same academic achievements and better ECs will likely have greener pasture to graze. In summary, you have a very good shot at Cal engineering.</p>
<p>You have an extremely good chance of getting into L&S. For COE, it’s not as high but still respectable. You basically have no control over anything at this point except your essay so be sure to put extra effort into it. Even without significant “official” ECs, you can still drop hints in your essay about your passion for engineering (assuming you are applying for engineering) that might add to your repertoire of listed ECs, such as programming in your spare time, building radios, etc etc.</p>
<p>I give you an 100% chance of getting in Berkeley, if you are in state.
I give you 70% chance Cornell.
80% Caltech.
10% Stanford.</p>
<p>Lower on Cornell and Stanford who care a lot of more about your ECs.
Also try raising your SATs. Since Privates take superscore, raising your CR shouldn’t be that hard.</p>
<p>StarryNights percentages are heavily misleading, IMO. You definitely have a good shot at Berkeley, even engineering, granted you don’t mess up your essays (it doesn’t look like you will judging from your stats). Caltech is not that easy to get into, but most people who get into Cal also get into Cornell if they apply. If you’re interested in matriculating at Cornell, go ahead and apply. Stanford and Caltech probably have an equal chance of accepting you, both of which are pretty low. Go ahead and apply anyway, because no one on this forum knows how your application readers will take your personal statements which could be spectacular. For Caltech, I’d say focus on your paid internship.</p>
<p>Without heavy science/math ECs, Caltech is a gamble really. I’d say it’s close to impossible if you didn’t have strong scores in math and physics, along with good class standing. </p>
<p>You should make it to Berkeley if I’m not much mistaken, and even to the COE. Cornell should be fine too. Try a bit on the essays and say something semi-meaningful.</p>
<p>You have a very good chance at Berkeley regardless of what college you apply to, a slim chance at Caltech, and you will need a miracle for Stanford.</p>
<p>I don’t think my percentages are over exaggerated.</p>
<p>100% for Berkeley. With ELC and his numbers, he would have not write his essays to not get in.</p>
<p>Cornell: 70%. Not to get into, but essays and EC is more important here. With that many AP classes/a UW 4.0. Seriously? Even with around average recs and essay he has a 70%, I feel</p>
<p>Caltech: 80% He has good math/physics scores. If you look at his ECs relating to math/science, they’re not bad. Paid internship = work experience. President of club= leadership. Piano = artistic. He’s pretty well rounded. Probably better than he’s actually claiming online. </p>
<p>Caltech looks for more than just test scores. If you don’t have some science or math related ECs especially competitions under your belt, you will have a hard time getting in.</p>
<p>Thanks a millions! Great feedback beyond my expectation (that is why I didn’t come back to check sooner…)</p>
<p>To give you a bit more context, I think I’m pretty good at numbers, like Math, Stat, programming, etc, but clumsy at anything requiring some real handy jobs, like physically setting up a computer from components… So I’m looking at L&S instead of engineering. Perhaps something like Economics, or even Stat / Math? I knew IB got a pretty bad name these days (my dad is a banker). Any thoughts? Does it make sense? I figure if I do stat, I can still go for all those data related careers, which can range from insurance, to google, to medicine, …</p>
<p>Surprised to hear I might have some real chance at CalTech? I’d be thrilled if I can make it. I may still apply for Stanford, but ok, I won’t place much hope there.</p>
<p>ok, I guess my realistic chance could be a good UC. Now do you think I can get some merit money from one of them, say, from UCSD / UCD, etc? If so, what kinds of things can or should I do? I figured these kinds of awards might be helpful if I decide to go to pursue a Ph.D after college. (A specific question: my dad said we’re not qualified for any aids, so he won’t fill in those forms. Does merit-based scholarship at UC require them?) With a science degree instead of an engineering one, not sure where could I get a job these days… My parents push me for pre-med, but I really don’t want to play with animals, tubes, or those sorts of things… </p>
<p>really hope this could generate similar amount of feedback Anyway, thanks.</p>
<p>you could do a stat + cs double major, which is what i’m doing. pretty much endless career options: software engineer, quantitative finance, academia, statistician, etc.</p>
Anyway, thanks.</p>