<p>Hello all, I am applying to UCB. I don't need aid, will that improve my chances of acceptance? I know the UC are looking for OOS money so if it give me an edge? Are they need blind? BTW I have a 3.96 UC GPA and 31 ACT with IB Diploma.</p>
<p>As an OOS student, you would get little to no financial aid from UCB anyways, so being full pay will not have that much impact. That being said, you are a competitive applicant, so you have a good chance for acceptance either way.</p>
<p>Berkeley is need blind (<a href=“https://berkeley.askadmissions.net/emtinterestpage.aspx?ip=pictureyourself”>https://berkeley.askadmissions.net/emtinterestpage.aspx?ip=pictureyourself</a>), which means their admissions staff will have no idea of your financial status. </p>
<p>However, the admissions readers reportedly like applicants who overcame adverse conditions and barriers to achievement, many of which are poverty-related. So, while the admissions readers are need-blind in a financial aid sense, between two applicants of similar achievements, but one from a disadvantaged background and one from an advantaged background, the admissions reading evaluation may differ in favor of the one who achieved that level from a disadvantage background.</p>
<p>Of course, an out-of-state student needing financial aid probably won’t be able to afford to attend.</p>