<p>Hey whoever will help,
Berkeley is my first choice, and I've become really nervous thinking about whether or not I will get in. I think I'm pretty borderline. My SATs are REALLY low. But, that is because no one in my school knows how to take the test (not that its a good excuse). My score was a 1760, and SATIIs were in the 500-600 range. But, to give you an idea of how low the scores are in my school, one of the valedictorians got a 1730, and I think the highest score in my class was around a 1900. I'm not sure if they will look at my scores compared to others in my school. My gpa is >4.1 and I'm ranked 13 out of about 270. Although they only offer a total of six AP classes at my school, I'm taking four this year (Spanish, English Lit, Calculus AB, Physics B) and I got a 4.7 last semester. My ECs include: 4 years of hs soccer (1 year jv, 3 years varsity), 4 years of hs softball (2 years jv &jv captain, 2 years varsity), 11 years of playing piano, POTUS club, 4 years of camping club, 3 years of club soccer. Um, volunteer work includes math tutoring, lakeside cleanups, child care, and volunteer pageant that raised money for winner and community functions. Honors/Distinctions are 3 years member of NSOHSS, Admittance and Completion of Stanford High School Summer College (8 units), Kiwanis Hope of America Award, Nomination to attend science camp at Whittier with scholarship. </p>
<p>I also wrote really good essays. One was about integrity where I discussed a difficult situation I was in when one of my best friends stole a final and tried to get me to cheat with her. The other was about my parents divorce and how it has inspired me to seek knowledge and be successful.</p>
<p>I didn't get an additional supplement request so that could be a really good or really bad sign. Please help me ease my mind :), or accept the inevitable :(.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I came from a school were our valedictorian had a 4.2 and a 2,100 SAT</p>
<p>The most APs u can take here is 7, however, it is really limited.
We also get no SAT Prep at all.
Our grad class was 300
I was in 25 out of 300</p>
<p>What I can tell u is that in my school at least 20 people get accepted to UCs.
They compare you with others in your school as well, because they know that not all schools are the same.</p>
<p>It’s part of their holistic approach</p>
<p>I had a friend get into Berkeley with a 3.8 GPA and a SAT I of 1,800</p>
<p>What’s your major? I remember reading an article about UCB’s '05(?) admission. It said that every application was read initially by 2 readers and a score of 1-5 (1, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 5 or N) would be assigned to the application. Only when the scores from the 2 readers disagree widely, the application would be read by a third reader, the lead reader. Score<3 ~= rejection. And depending on the major, acceptance would be granted. The top majors (Engineering, Business, …) only take 1’s and some 2’s and may be a few 3’s. </p>
<p>Most schools, including UCB, would say that they look at school performance first. Your GPA looks good, your SAT is a bit weak, your other stat is good. So, your major could be the key.</p>
<p>my major is industrial engineering. But I am a female and engineering is not a common major for females so I think that would work as an advantage for me.</p>
<p>Yeah your score is low… but it is slightly taken in the context of your local environment. Is your school low performing in the bottom of the API rankings? Then it might help some. A guy in my school got into Berkeley with a 1660 last year (Asian male, near top rank). </p>
<p>However, your ECs are spectacular and your GPA is decent. </p>
<p>i think they will understand your situation!</p>
<p>however, they may also look at it like this: at least you live in the states, where everyone (mostly) takes SAT/ACT. I come from Canada, and I had to do all prep completely on my own. Same with others from my school… however the scores we got were from 2200-2350 ish, with one 2050 ish i think. So they might be thinking, “wow people from other countries who have no guidance in this area were able to score higher than people who are supposed to have heard about it their whole life.”</p>
<p>But they usually do look at the context of your school with gPA, so why not SATs too, right? Dont worrry! All your other stats are fine, and your SAT isnt THAT bad… its not like you got 1600 or less.</p>
<p>Yeah I know its horrible. And its wrong to put the blame on my school but I am recycling the opinions of many students who go to my school and have graduated from there. It is definitely not the most competitive environment. I also think that Admissions Officers from Berkeley may see that I am clearly terrible at taking the sat tests because I got such a low score on my math subject tests, yet I have never received below an A in any math class I have taken. I hope that works out in my benefit.</p>
<p>Yeah, I totally understand. I come from a small ski resort town, I think that’s probably like the highest anyone from my school has scored on it. Do you like not getting an information supplement was good or bad?</p>
<p>Stereomuse7, Industrial Engineering took applicants with scores of 2.75 and better (for the '04, pardon me not '05, admission). The article covered statistical studies of the correlations between admission and some factors, like ethnicities, GPAs, SAT scores, etc, but not genders. So, can’t tell if being a girl is an advantage or not.</p>
<p>Being asked for an information supplement would mean that you were borderline and they needed more to make a decision. Nonetheles, there would still be the wait after the supplement’s submitted, like one without supplement.</p>
<p>Does Berkeley care about what “intended major” you put on your app? I chose undecided because i heard that it’s difficult to change majors at such a university and felt like i also wanted to explore the academics there. I also thought that Berkeley admitted you solely based on the college you applied to (L&S, engineering, etc) not the specific major you chose within that college.</p>
<p>Your SAT score is really quite low. I dont know how they will look at it though…</p>
<p>Im a girl, and being a girl, I think, will help! :] I dont know about individual majors, but schools need to keep a balanced boy/girl ratio overall. You might be able to find a job more easily if your a girl majoring in an uncommon subject.</p>
<p>Noob, the answer to your question is yes; at least according to the article I read regarding '04 freshman admission. </p>
<p>Chanigng major within the same department is (more) possible. I had talked with an Engineering student regarding this matter. My interpretation of her response was if you entered as a, say, L&S major, and asked to switch to, say, Engineering, unless your performance was superb, you would be disappointed. Whereas, if you were admitted as a,say, Mech. Engineering major and, in your freshman/sophomore year wanted to switch to, say EECS, your application could very likely be approved; of course, provided that you were doing well in your current program.</p>
<p>FYI, I am a UCB bear mom and went thru the application craze 2 years ago. I know it is a hectic process for applicants (and their parents). Now it’s the time to take a break before the big envelopes come in and you have to decide which one to go to and … All that could be/had to be done, should be done, except your grade 12 report. So, relax and get back to your regular rhythm.</p>
<p>There are some top-secret places with code names like “Barnes and Noble” and “Borders”. Give them enough money and you’ll get a bag of “SAT test preparation material”. It is illegal in many school districts, but all the rich cool kids are doing it these days. You lie awake at night and read the material, and you soon score big.</p>
but i appreciate it… it was hard to get exactly 2200 haha.</p>