Chances Please - Low GPA, Decent SAT

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

<p>Hello, it's the summer and I'm already starting to write application essays and getting a bit nervous. Wanna help calm my nerves and give me a chance? :)</p>

<p>Cali/Male/Asian</p>

<p>1st generation to go to college in USA
born outside USA
One of the most competitive schools in Cali
Top 10%</p>

<p>GPA: 3.96 UC
SAT: 2100 (640CR, 720W, 740M), 2100 (600CR, 720W, 780M) ,retaking for 2250+</p>

<p>SAT II: MathIIc 800, Phys 750
APs: Calc BC (5), Calc AB Subscore (5), Eng Lang. (3), Phys Mech (3), Phys E&M (3), World History (3)</p>

<p>ECs: Piano - 7yrs, Marching Band - 4yrs (Instrument for 6yrs), Bio-related Research Internship - current summer, Siemens - (pending), Math Club - 4yrs, Riddle Club - 2yrs (President) </p>

<p>Wanting to apply to Bio Engineering</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>GPA isn't ideal especially when you're applying to bioengineering, which I believe is the most competitive major at Cal because of how new the major is. Need to know more about the bio-related research internship. Otherwise, might try applying to some other kind of engineering and try to transfer into bio once you get into Cal.</p>

3

<p>You need around a 2250+ AT LEAST to get admitted to any engineering program at Cal.</p>

4

<p>i know somebody w/ a 2.3-2.8 GPA that got into Cal......but he plays water polo on the national team........ so recruited of course</p>

5

<p>Your GPA is rather weak, though I've seen students with 3.5 UW get in. But since your intended major is competitive, your scores are not too high, and your ECs are nothing to scream and shout about, I'd say reach. It's possible, though it's getting harder and harder to say for Berkeley.</p>

6

<p>i got into cal engineering (undecided) with an SAT score of 2090, so i wouldn't say u NEED a score of 2250+, altho my gpa was 4.4(w), 3.95 (uw) so it's not the same situation</p>

<p>i've heard lots of cases where people who seemingly deserve to get in don't and people with lesser stats get in. i'm one to believe that the essays are more important than the stats. my stats weren't too impressive, the only thing that i has was my rank was 1/599. but my 600 word essay rly good. it was what the professor (at the regents interview) and i talked about mostly. </p>

<p>but i argee with the previous post that ur a reach.</p>

7

<p>jvl4289 is right; essays can make or break you. So, needless to say, make your essays awesome and you just might get in.</p>

8

<p>Would it be wise for me to apply Undecided engineering or just plain Undecided?</p>

<p>I've heard that UCs heavily weight GPA so would a 2250 SAT really help that much?</p>

9

<p>Umm, with your GPA, you might need to shoot for 2300s SATs and a stand out essay.... But, the internship does look good so you never know. Like the other posters said, Cal is harder and harder to predict.</p>

10

<p>i say you have a chance if you get over 2200. your UC gpa is kind of just average. dont' worry about ec'is and essays, seriously ucs really don't care. its better to spend that time studyng for that 2250+</p>

11

<p>uc's only read the essays if your numbers are good enough. i don't think they can really make or break you unless you're absolutely on the border.</p>

12

<p>vc08, where are you getting your information about the UCs only reading your essays if your numbers are good?</p>

13

<p>Yeah, what vc08 said is wrong; you can even ask an adcom, they definitely read the essays, especially at Berkeley where they're hugely important.</p>

14

<p>I just got back from calso -- one of the counselors (who was a sophmore) got in, having been rejected from san jose state. So I think it'd be pretty wrong to say that you get ignored if you don't have certain scores.</p>

15

<p>reach/slight reach</p>