<p>I applied to UC Berkeley as an electrical engineering major and got rejected. I know that Berkeley's College of Engineering is difficult to get into and this is an impacted major, but I feel that I am highly qualified. Now, I am trying to appeal. Can I state that I would like to change majors (possibly to Computer Science in the College of Letters & Science) in my appeal letter? I feel that this might be an easier way to get accepted, but on the other hand, it will most likely harm my chances of getting in. By the way, I got accepted into UCLA, UCSD, and UC Davis. I chose electrical engineering for all three. </p>
<p>In the letter, I would like to discuss new family/financial hardship and my interest in Berkeley. It is my number one choice... if they accept my appeal, I am definitely going there. Any tips for appealing? What do you think my chances are?</p>
<p>Here is some info about me:
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Weighted GPA: 4.36
SAT: 2120 [CR: 700, M: 750, W: 670]
SAT II's: Math Level 2-790, Chemistry-750
AP Courses Taken: AP Chemistry, AP US History, AP Calculus AB
Senior Coursework: AP Calculus BC, AP Art History, Honors Physics, and three regular courses
I also have lots of community service hours, internship experience, work experience as a tutor, and was granted ELC (top 4% of my school).</p>
<p>Also, I am a woman, which I thought would be a boost, since there are few women engineers...</p>
<p>watercolor : One suggestion. Since you are from the Bay Area and you have indicated that there has been a change in your family/financial situation, you may want to center your appeal on that factor requesting that you need to be closer to your family for both financial and family reasons. I don’t think they will look favorably on your idea of changing majors ( particularly CS in the college of Arts and Sciences) since it may appear to them that you are gaming the admission process. If your interest is in EE as opposed to CS, then my recommendation is stay the course and go to UCLA if Berkeley does not accept your appeal. UCLA EECS is a pretty good school - clearly not as renowned as Berkeley, but pretty darned good.</p>
<p>Your credentials are really good - so you should have a decent shot at an appeal. Remember that this is going to some extent depend on how well Berkeley yields. Last year their yield was 41%. I am not sure to what extent Berkeley uses a wait-list. But if their yield numbers are worse than usual, then they are more likely to accept candidates like you, who probably should have gotten it in a normal year. If you have done well in Calc BC and Honors Physics, then have the teachers write you a letter of recommendation.</p>
<p>Thanks dadmm85. Your response was helpful and much appreciated. Do you think that playing the financial need card is OK though? I don’t think that the admissions officers consider that in their decision. I do plan to use Berkeley’s prime location though. I plan to commute by BART my last three years. Should I also mention how interested I am in Berkeley (i.e. great job/intern opportunities and world-renowned faculty)? </p>
<p>And one more thing, would it look bad on my part to include an official transcript and 2 letters of rec with my appeal? On their website, they say they want seventh semester grades or a letter of rec. I want to include anything that could potentially help me. Thanks again!</p>
<p>This is Ms.Suns college admission blog. She has a lot of really useful information and if you want extra help you can hire her to help. If you just want to read what she has to say then scroll down and she talks about how to handle freshman appeals. </p>
<p>Heres the site and good luck!! :D</p>
<p>[Ms</a>. Sun’s UC Admissions Blog](<a href=“http://askmssun.livejournal.com/]Ms”>http://askmssun.livejournal.com/)</p>
<p>Don’t bother. Appeals don’t work for the most part. Especially since its EECS. I have a close friend who had better stats than you. He got rejected EECS Berkeley. He appealed, but idk, maybe he didn’t do it right…he was devastated. But at least he ended up going to Caltech.</p>
<p>He never understood why he was rejected for having such high stats. I don’t either. Tufts syndrome?</p>
<p>I would never say don’t bother. She should not give up before she even tries. Cal does have a really low appeal acceptance rate, but they also have a low acceptance rate in general. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. As for the stats they look fantastic to me. Even if MrPrince’s friend did have higher stats it does not mean you will not get in. You two both have entirely different life stories and Cal looks at that. And what’s the worst that can happen? If you don’t get in then you are in the same place as you were before, and you still have a list of amazing schools to go to. Good luck and you should be proud of yourself either way. :)</p>
<p>hopingforltr: Thank you for the support 
Everything you mentioned is true and conveys my sentiments perfectly. I think I may have a chance here though. Wish me luck! By the way, do you know anyone who appealed and got into Berkeley?</p>
<p>I do not personally know anyone who has appealed to Berkeley, but I do know people who have appealed to other schools (UCLA & UCSB) and have gotten in. When she did the appeal people were telling her not to bother ( it was the year that the Uc’s did their first really big acceptance cuts) and she got in. Just remember that when you appeal you have to show them what circumstances they did not know before that would make a difference. ( like ms. Sun said). Good Luck!</p>