<p>Hi everyone! I have been hearing on CC and a bunch of other places that the UC's in general place great emphasis on gpa/rank. I attend a very rigorous public school and have managed to secure all A's except for three B's, 2 junior year, and one sophomore year. My graduating class is only about 330 kids, but we send about 6-10 to Stanford, 25-30 to UCB, 15 to UCLA, and 3 or 4 to each of MIT and Caltech. My question is how does Berkeley distinguish one school from another, an easy one from a hard one? My UC gpa is 4.21, which is just about the average at Berkeley, but I know I am well above the average with regards to SAT(2260), ACT (34), writing skills(I am a published poet), AP Tests(straight 5's), and subject tests(800 Math 2c). I wish to major in EECS, which I know is one of the most competitive majors in Berkeley, but I am worried that this "great emphasis" Berkeley places on GPA may hurt my application because the admissions office has no way to comprehend the difficulty of my high school. Also, I find the same problem existing with the ELC top 4% program. I don't know if I can make top 4% at my school due to its competition, but I don't think it'd be fair if Berkeley admits students into majors like EECS, mostly on the basis of their high gpa/ELC status. Also, when assessing a student's track record and gpa, would admissions officers at Berkeley EECS just see my 4.21 UC gpa and not go into the details(i.e. the 3 B's)? Why does Berkeley and the UC's cap the gpa? I have taken much more than 8 semesters of honors courses and since Berkeley is one of my top choices, I feel all that extra time and effort has been wasted if I don't get rewarded in terms of GPA boosts. Please let me know if what I'm hearing is accurate and what Berkeley has done to ease such concerns.</p>
<p>GPA is immensely important at Berkeley; the average UW GPA, according to the new Common Data Set, is a 3.9, and 94% had above a 3.75 on a 4.0 scale. Though it says they don't consider rank, they do have to consider where you sit in your class to determine whether you fit the guidelines set for UC (accepting the top 12.5%) and/or ELC (the top 4%).</p>
<p>Berkeley will see how difficult your school is by the profile that your counselor will submit. And they'll probably already recognize your school, since it's a feeder school. So despite having a few Bs, you should be okay, since they'll know how difficult it is. However, not being ELC might be a slight hindrance, considering that roughly half of the students that are ELC are rejected. And this is further complicated by the fact that you're applying for a competitive major. However, your SAT scores are great, you seem accomplished, and as long as you have good ECs, you should be a match.</p>
<p>They will see the Bs, because they'll be calculating your UC GPA. But a 4.21 is about the average for Berkeley. You should be fine.</p>
<p>But believe me, they will definitely know how difficult your school is -- if not by reputation, then by the run-down that your counselor submits.</p>
<p>I can sympathize, but I'm hoping that there were benefits to the classes you chose aside from getting into Berkley. Surely your effort was not "wasted"!</p>
<p>Why aren't you applying to UCLA, Caltech, MIT, Stanford, etc.???</p>
<p>Though those extra AP/Honors classes won't be reflected in your GPA, it's not a wasted effort because they'll still see all the classes you've taken and what grades you've gotten in them. You seem to be a good match for EECS.</p>
<p>I don't think Berkeley admits students mostly on ELC for EECS. From what I've seen, it seems to be mainly GPA, SAT II Math, SAT II Science, SAT I/ACT, ECs that show leadership and focus, and finally the essay.</p>
<p>pdef - With those stats, I'd imagine that he probably is applying to UCLA as well, and likely Caltech and Stanford. Maybe even MIT.</p>