Hi! My mom and I have basically given up on me going to MIT or Caltech but I was wondering if I at least have a shot at US Berkeley.
Some general information about me
I’m Asian
Female
Currently in my sophomore year of high school
Weighted GPA : 4.28
Unweighted GPA: 4.00
Class rank : Currently number 1 in my grade of 578 students
Earned a 5 on APHG last year, and a 3 on AP physics 1
Schedule for this year:
AP Euro
AP Comp Sci
Honors English II
Honors Biology
Spanish 4
AP Chinese
Honors Trig/Calc A
Honors Chemistry
Current amount of volunteer hours : 95
EC’s :
I am a Sensei at People’s Kenpo Karate, where I learned Jiu Jutsu, Judo, Karate, Kenpo, and mixed martial arts. I earned my first degree black belt recently after training for 6 years
I play piano and is the President of our music club, I have attended Federation , gone to state, I also do ABRSM, or Royal schools of music from England. I passed level 7, and is testing this year for level 8 which gets me a bachelor degree in music performance
I play competitive tennis, was on JV last year, probably will be on JV again this year, but junior year, I’m aiming for Varsity.
I’m part of TSA(technology student association) and am competing in software development this year.
Could some of you give me advice on how to continue my high school career and from the looks of it now, do you think I have a shot at getting accepted into UC Berkeley
Are you instate? UC Berkeley is a public state college.
I’m curious as to why you’ve dropped consideration of MIT or Caltech, considering your grades are on par with what is expected there and your ECs are diverse and quite good as well?
I think right now you have a pretty good shot of acceptance at Berkeley given the breadth of your experiences. With solid, unique essays, and a good SAT/ACT score, you’ll have a great profile (and application) to work with.
@IBscholar The reason why I dropped my consideration of MIT and caltech is because those schools are way too competitive to get in and I don’t think its worth it to give it a shot. My mom and I have been seeing our friends and neighbors all get rejected from MIT and they’re absolutely amazing so I feel like I don’t stand a chance, that’s why I’m aiming for UC Berkely instead.
@aunt bea unfortunately I’m not in California, would that reduce my chances greatly?
OOS students do not receive financial aid, and, as a public university, priority for admission goes to the children of California taxpayers. If you can afford $55K per year, then apply.
Also, OOS students have extreme difficulty in getting the A-G requirements completed.
Example: One year of visual and performing arts-in a graded classroom setting.
As soon as I saw the word “asian”, I knew that we were going to have some “augmented” reality problems here. Let’s set the record straight: MIT and Caltech are both crapshoots. Some people get accepted, lots get rejected. Is there a “trend” that you see in accepted applicants that you also see in not accepted ones? Of course. As long as you don’t mess up, Caltech and MIT are worth the application (given money and time). You’re a great student (so far) and to discount yourself like that is such a pity. Also, Berkeley EECS is a crapshoot too. Think Ivy Standard.
Way too soon to consider. UC’s look at junior and sophomore grades. Come back in a year and get the best grades you can! 
Good luck!
@IBscholar1 thanks! Will be trying to get the best grades I can, so far the workload is a lot but im learning quite a bit
MIT is harder but I think you have a good shot at Caltech. The admit rate for female is like 20%. Dont give up, it’s an EA school.
I didn’t get your test scores or UC GPA.
oh… this is sad. Another overachiever thinking they aren’t good enough… listen, you are. You should know that you are good enough. No offense to your loved ones, but they don’t know what “chances” you have of getting in somewhere any better than someone else. Unless you mom works in admissions and a likened school to MIT or Caltech, she is not a good judge of your chances. Apply to MIT, apply to Caltech. The only way you are sure not to get in is if you keep listening to other people telling you that you can’t get it and subsequently not even applying when in fact you clearly have better than average chances gauging by your list of accolades and academic excellence.
Do not discount your ability to get into the school of your dreams. You clearly are not only active, but academically on top of your game.
I got into UC Berkeley… I wasn’t #1 of my class, I don’t rescue baby seals in my off-time, I didn’t event the cure for cancer… the list goes on of the things I didn’t do. What I did do, is grow, learn, illustrate that I can overcome challenges and succeed. I showed that I was dedicated to my studies, I showed I was clears as to my vision for my continuing education, I was clear that I was a great student. I was clear that I am passionate about what I am doing and where I am going.
It is frustrating to see people, like yourself, get psyched out by other people telling you what you can and can’t do when in fact they don’t have a honest clue.
Shoot for the stars, you are bound to hit one.