Is it even possible for me to get into UCB?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a sophomore with a pretty sappy looking GPA; 3.5 weighted.</p>

<p>Right now, the only class that is pulling me to down is Chemistry. Right now, I have a C+ and I'm unsure about how many points I need to hit a B-. That whole possibly bombing my last test doesn't help either.</p>

<p>I'm taking 4 AP classes next year and possibly 5 my senior year.</p>

<p>Will the admissions people over look the whole C in chemistry? =/ Or am I destnied to like fail?</p>

<p>I also don't have that much community service time either; I have like four. I'm not in any school clubs and I don't play school related sports. But, I have won trophies in competitive go-karting (does that even help? :( )</p>

<p>So, does anyone have any advice for me?</p>

2

<p>Yes you have a chance.</p>

<p>Write some kick ass essays.</p>

3

<p>My best friend got into Cal with a 3.5... about five AP classes... her highest math was precalc... she's gotten a number of Cs and a D in PE freshman year.. and 1840 SAT... she got rejected by LA though.</p>

4

<p>it seems that admissions are very erratic.</p>

5

<p>yup, admissions to LA and Berkeley are very very random, it's not even funny at all...if you don't have a 4.0 UC GPA, honestly i think they begin pulling names out of a hat and picking only like 10% of the people. it's what it feels like at least..cuz ppl with lower GPAs got into Cal and some with higher GPAs didn't get into Cal. it's so random that you can't predict anything at all</p>

6

<p>kierkier:</p>

<p>Assuming you are a California resident,
UCB: Reach</p>

7

<p>Eh...it will be tough, but definitely not impossible.</p>

<p>Not that Berkeley has a low yield, but...show a HELL of a lot of interest...</p>

8

<p>Interest won't help you at all. Berkeley doesn't track it and even if it wanted to, it doesn't have the resources to track that many people.</p>

<p>As some have said, write some incredible essays. If you have some personal hardship that helped contribute to those low grades, trumpet it and show passion.</p>

<p>The reason why it seems so erratic is because UC Berkeley, and nowadays it seems UCLA as well, have started evaluating candidates like private schools--through holistic evaluation, rather than straight point system like they used to.</p>

9

<p>Actually, I've found that UCLA is much more random than UCLA.</p>

<p>Now, if you're not a Cali resident, I'm going to say you have little chance.</p>

<p>But assuming that you are...well here's the thing:</p>

<p>I go to a pretty good public high school. There is only one person in my class with a 4.0, so getting straight A's take some effort. I had a 3.5 UNWEIGHT GPA, and I got in spring semester (translation: barely). My SATs were pretty good (2250/790/780), and I had some okay (not amazing) ECs. After perusing the boards and reading many profiles, I have not seen anyone yet admitted to Berkeley who has a lower GPA than mine. Now, I'm sure there are some, but they're in the minority. Will UCB overlook the C? Well you should certainly try to give them some very good reasons to!</p>

<p>So, your chances: if you keep the 3.5 weighted GPA up it will be a very long shot for you. GPA is the #1 criteria colleges look for.</p>

<p>What you can do: The good news is, you're still a sophomore. If you have a great junior year, it could definitely help your chances a lot. I recommend:</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Don't take four AP classes. I took 4 AP classes junior year and ended up with 3.17 the 1st semester which completely killed my GPA. Now, I don't know how difficult your AP classes at your school are, but unless you are sure you can get at least 3.6 UW with them, I would recommend dropping one or two. A 3.8 uw with 2 AP classes will look a lot better than a 3.3uw with 4 AP classes.</p></li>
<li><p>Do some SAT preparation. GPA is still #1, and there's no need for a 2400, but SATs could definitely help you. Get a prep book and do some serious practicing before the test. Don't blow studying off until the week before the test. Try studying the concepts in the summer. Maybe take a class if you feel the need.</p></li>
<li><p>Get involved. Do some activities. Again, don't go overboard and neglect your GPA, but from what you've said, you definitely need more ECs. Consider doing leadership.</p></li>
<li><p>When applying in October, make sure to have some solid, polished essays. Get people to read for you and make suggestions. Read some essay books for inspiration. However, don't think a few good essays will get you in. Make sure the rest of the application is good.</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Btw a word about community service: I don't know how useful it really is. I've heard of people doing 500, 600 hours, and I really don't know if that really helps them a great deal. Maybe they do...I don't know. In my opinion it's probably not worth it. Do maybe 50-100 and try to make sure you have a good GPA and SATs and ECs instead.</p>

<p>Even if you do all this, I don't know how good your chances will be. I suggest taking a look at some other colleges as well, especially some of the other UCs. But if you really have your heart set on UCB, I think it's possible with a lot of determination and diligence. I wish you the best on your endeavors.</p>

10

<p>"My best friend got into Cal with a 3.5... about five AP classes... her highest math was precalc... she's gotten a number of Cs and a D in PE freshman year.. and 1840 SAT... she got rejected by LA though."</p>

<p>simply.."Wow" lol it gives me hope.</p>

11

<p>vicissitudes : "Actually, I've found that UCLA is much more random than UCLA."</p>

<p>That violates all thermodynamic laws on entropy ;)</p>

12

<p>Oh what the heck did I type...........I meant UCLA is much more random than UCB!!! :o</p>

<p>Thanks for the correction. I hate this "no edit after 20 minutes" rule.</p>

13

<p>Try and get some leadership in. Since you're not part of a club, make one. Key Club and Interact Club are two that come to mind. They're internationally known and well supported by their sponser club. It would be a bonus in your app. if you can brag about being president/founder of a well known club and building something out of nothing. If you can manage to do something that'll help the world (i.e. raise money to send to Africa to build pumps) that would be a nice bragging right in you essay.</p>

14

<p>well, the GPA thing is most important. U can be presient of a country and not get UCB cause its a rather number centricm place. Id advise u work harder (sounds very superficial) but thats what u gotta do...</p>

<p>The karting thing is asnother EC and will help u as much as something else will..</p>

<p>Best of luck :)</p>

15

<p>but not likely...with the average gpa for entering frosh around 4.33 weighted, I doubt very many have C's on their transcripts. The stories given above are exceptions and not the norm. Good luck though...If you're really set on Cal btw, perhaps you can take the community college route which in my opinion is not only easier but a lot more practical (cost-wise) as well.</p>