Getting into UC Berkeley

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey guys I got a quick college question...</p>

<p>I will start with some basics about me:
-California resident (about 40 mins or less depending on traffic from UCB campus)
-Senior in high school</p>

<p>I really hope to attend UCB when I get out of high school.</p>

<p>Now I will do a brief description of my high school experience so far:</p>

<p>At the start of my high school career I was on a rocky road. I started out in a charter high school where I pulled straight A's without lifting my finger. Then, because it was too easy, I transfered into a public school for the second semester where I did OK with my grades-- nothing exceptional, but not terrible. I didn't do so hot there because I was exposed to a public high school half way through the year when everyone had gotten settled, except me, leaving me to fend for myself.</p>

<p>After my freshman year, I transfered into the high school I really wanted for my soph year and that was another rocky year since I had just gotten on my feet and I was getting used to having a normal high school year. I also had a bit of a mix in with some drugs which hampered my ability to do better and which I eventually got over through a lot of hard work (please advise me if this is something to include in my application/ essay or not as it is a sort of overcoming a tough hardship type of thing). Here I pulled OK grades-- mostly B's, some C's and a D+ I made up in summer school.</p>

<p>Now, during my junior year, I pulled much much better grades. If it wasn't for a small slip up at the end of the year, I would have pulled a 4.0. I took AP English (only did it for the first semester) and AP US History (finished). I scored a 1700-something (in the 1700-1800 range, not sure what number specifically as I would have to do check) and I plan on taking it again along with the ACT and SAT subject tests.</p>

<p>So far, my transcripts show a steady rate of improvement in GPA and I believe I will be able to justify why it went from low to high instead of high to high since I had a really rough entrance into high school.</p>

<p>As for extracurriculars and life hobbies and what not, I have quite a few. I am an avid photographer-- I do photoshoots for Oracle and Profit magazine as well as a lot of freelance work. It is basically my own personal photography service business that I run to make money as well as for fun as it is my hobby.</p>

<p>I am an artist as I do large canvases with spray paint for fun. It is a new hobby and I am not that good but it is something I enjoy and am developing on.</p>

<p>I play several instruments (guitar, drums, some bass) and I have been playing for years now. I never joined the band or anything but I have developed some good friends and acquaintances because of music.</p>

<p>I donate money annually to an orphanage in Kenya for children who lost their parents because of AIDS and HIV. My mom started donating and I add money to what she sends as well. This year we may develop a non-profit organization that I will personally head to help raise money for them and hopefully expand aid for those sort of people.</p>

<p>I work as a counselor at an after school program during the school year which turns into summer camp during the summer. Here I work with kids from grades 1-5 and I basically play with them and provide them with someone to look up to and someone who can resolve their conflicts whether its on the playground or at home. It is a pretty steady job that I am committed to.</p>

<p>I have also built two of my own personal computers.</p>

<p>In terms of money and college payments, I am totally covered. My grandparents gift to me and all of their grandchildren is payed college, no matter where I go. Literally all aspects of college are being payed for-- tuition, classes, books, living arrangements, food, clothing, etc. I think this would be an excellent thing to mention because I won't be one of the stressed students that has to worry about all of these payments and loans-- I have the great opportunity to just relax and have time to really concentrate on my studies.</p>

<p>So guys this is about all I can really think of right now and I will add more later if I can think of it but I just basically want to know what my chances are at getting admitted into UCB.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>You probably already know that UCB is one of the top UC schools, so your grades might hurt your admissions there. What's you SAT score? If you have solid test scores, that'll be a bonus. Your extracurriculars are very strong.....so I think you have like a 50/50 chance. Just write really good essays... If you don't get in, you can always go to another UC or transfer from community college. GOOD LUCK THOUGH!</p>

3

<p>Simply based on numbers, I think it may be a bit difficult, but as long as you write beautiful, descriptive and original essays, I feel like you'll be in! Have you narrowed down any tentative majors? I've heard that expressing a particular interest in a certain major or field helps in terms of admission. It shows "passion." :] </p>

<p>Basically, you're good. Strong SAT II scores, I think, are key.</p>

<p>Please return the favor and chance me! "Stanford EA?"</p>

4

<p>^ totally agree with a_learner. I made my english teacher and counselor read and proof my essays and I seriously credit that with getting me into UCB, UCLA,UCSD,UCD, and UCSB. - GO BEARS!!!!!!!!</p>

5

<p>Hey guys thanks for the responses.</p>

<p>A teacher at my school that I took an SAT class under wants to work with me on the essay which I thought was really nice. With her help and support I will be able to know exactly what goes into the essay and what shouldn't go. She will be a valuable tool in my process.</p>

<p>I was just also wondering when do I send in my application/ get it started? I know I have to do it early but for UCB I don't know when.</p>