Chances for UC Berkeley?

<p>Hello everyone!</p>

<ul>
<li><p>Applying to: UCB Letters and Science (Bio/Public Health)</p></li>
<li><p>Class Rank: Top 10% </p></li>
<li><p>School API (8)</p></li>
</ul>

<p>Academics:</p>

<p>-Unweighted/Weighted GPA/UC Capped: 3.67 / 4.17 / 4.00
- ACT Composite Score: 33
- AP Scores: Calculus AB (5), U.S. History (4), Chemistry (3), Biology (3), Environmental Sci (Will take), Statistics (Will take)
- Total AP Classes taken: 6
- SAT II's: Chemistry (700), Math 2 (660), Biology M (670)</p>

<p>Volunteer/Community Service:</p>

<p>~ 300 Hours Total
- American Cancer Society
- Association for the Chinese Families of the Disabled (I plan and host parties/celebrations for children with mental disabilities)
- Key Club International
- Volunteer at local library (Shelved books and helped library patrons find books)</p>

<p>Work Experiences: </p>

<ul>
<li>Children's Tennis Instructor (I teach kids how to play tennis on the weekends and work as a tennis camp counselor in the summer)</li>
</ul>

<p>Awards:</p>

<ul>
<li>Varsity Athlete Award (Boy's Tennis)</li>
<li>Most Outstanding Musician (3-time recipient)</li>
<li>Black Belt in Kung Fu</li>
<li>Mathematics Department Award</li>
<li>Junior Tennis Tournament Doubles Champion</li>
</ul>

<p>Other Extra-Curriculars:</p>

<ul>
<li>String bass player in the school orchestra</li>
<li>Varsity tennis player</li>
<li>President of school's Key Club</li>
<li>Lieutenant Governor of Key Club (serving 14 Key clubs in my area)</li>
<li>Orchestra council treasurer</li>
</ul>

<p>I would really appreciate any kind of feedback. Thanks!</p>

<p>UCB: High Match/Low Reach (GPA a little low/ACT on target)</p>

<p><a href=“Student Profile - Office of Undergraduate Admissions”>http://admissions.berkeley.edu/studentprofile&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your GPA is below average, so UC Berkeley is a reach, maybe a low reach.</p>

<p>My GPA is very similar to your GPA. 3.66 unweighted, 4.29 weighted, and 4.00 capped UC. My SAT score is 2300. UCB, UCLA, UCSD, and Cal Poly SLO rejected me. UCD and UCI waitlisted me.</p>

<p>I understand that my GPA is below-average and such, but if they considered the other factors of my application (like activities listed above), would I have a better chance?</p>

<p>What is your GPA by each year? </p>

<p>Since numbers aren’t the only thing they look at, it seems like you have several extra activities that should give you a better chance and then it also comes down to the personal statements. </p>

<p>@zenoodle‌ </p>

<p>Freshman year - 4.14 (1 Honors course)
Sophomore year - 4.17 (2 Honors courses)
Junior year - 4.11 First semester, 4.28 Second semester (3 AP’s 1 Honors each semester)
Senior year - 4.42 predicted first semester (2 AP’s 1 Honors)</p>

<p>ECs are nice, but a bit scattered. Your choice major (biology) should in your application look like your passion and direction in life. To me, it looks like your ECs lack science-related activities. Also, I don’t see many leadership or awards. Good luck! However, I’m sure that if you write a spotless essay, you’ll be fine. </p>

<p>Hi @zenoodle‌ ,</p>

<p>Thank you so much for your feedback! Most of my leadership has been focused into Key Club, and I do agree that I don’t really have any EC’s that show my passion in biology. However, I made sure to really stress that and talk about this major choice in my essay(s). I will definitely be sure to take in your advice. :)</p>

<p>Once again, thank you all for your feedback!</p>