<p>I am having second thoughts about Berkeley after everyone telling me how hard it is to maintain a high gpa and get into a good graduate school. I am not looking to go into medicine or anything of that nature, but i was wondering how hard it is to get into a top graduate school for other areas. </p>
<p>What I'm basically asking ( since I have no idea how the process works) is what do graduate schools mainly look at when they seek out a candidate:</p>
<p>GPA
GRE scores ( or whatever you call them)
Recommendations
Outside experience</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Most graduate schools want you to have some kind of experience outside the classroom before you apply. Having a degree from Cal is a big plus on your resume when you apply to jobs. So even if a high GPA is hard to maintain (though I know plenty who've graduated from Cal with 3.75 and above from L&S, so it's not impossible), having a tier 1 school on your app for grad school will ALWAYS look good.</p>
<p>remember, a lot of GPA slips happen because you're in an unrestricted environment where no one is taking attendance and a lot of partying happens (just as at any other college). if you take your studies seriously, you'll be fine.</p>
<p>don't sacrifice admission to a top school because you think you won't get a good GPA.</p>
<p>well, what are your options? most grad schools do not care about GPA as much. the most important thing in the package is letters of recommendation, then your research experience. if your GPA and GRE above a certain value, it is good for them. </p>
<p>also like editrice said, your school prestige is an important factor too. a lot of professors at other schools have some connection with berkeley (undergrad, grad, postdoc etc). this can be an advantage to berkeley applicants. from my grad school interview experience (all top schools), i can say that berkeley is better represented by other UC's and LAC's.</p>