Is it worth applying?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I've noticed that Berkeley is ~90% in-state, and only ~10% out of state, and I'm applying from out of state(Kentucky, where schools aren't that great.)</p>

<p>In addition, on collegeboard, 97% submitted their SATs, but it's not required, but should it be assumed that it IS required?</p>

<p>my SAT is 1810
math:650
CR:590
Writing:570
Essay:9</p>

<p>my ACT is 28
math:35
reading/science/english:26(yes, all of them...)
Essay:8</p>

<p>AP tests taken: Stats(5), EnglishLang(4)
AP classes taking sr yr:EnglishLit, CalcBC, Psych, CompsciAB, French(only 1 non-AP class sr yr)</p>

<p>less than impressive awards/ECs.(top 10%, French Club, NHS, and that's about it.)</p>

<p>school doesn't rank, but I am in top 10%.</p>

<p>UW GPA as of end of Jr yr:3.91
W GPA as of end of Jr yr:4.0</p>

<p>First generation College Student</p>

<p>I feel like since I'm out of state and my SAT is much less than impressive, I don't even have a chance. Is it worth a shot for applying? and should I even bother sending them my ACT? It doesn't look like they pay much attention to it according to College Board, considering they don't even have a median range for it or a % submitted, so I assume it's extremely low.</p>

<p>Also, Financial Aid is a huge problem for me and my family. We made ~$30k last year and will probably need close to full tuition for any school, and I haven't heard great things about Berkeley's financial aid, is this true?</p>

<p>Thanks for any responses! I really appreciate it.</p>

2

<p>Not worth it – with California’s budget crisis, it’s most likely that you won’t even receive a penny of financial aid.</p>

3

<p>Your scores are okay- for Berkeley, they’re not the best, but if you’re going to apply to other UCs, you’d probably have a much better chance of getting in. Also, getting a nearly full ride would be impossible, but some financial aid is probable. If you really want to go to Cal, you should definitely apply, but unless money will be a definite issue, I think you’d be better off applying to a private school.</p>

4

<p>I’m applying to USC as well, but Berkeley would definitely be the only school that might top USC in my opinion for what I want to do, which is Computer Science. How much financial aid do you think is probable? I’m definitely willing to work and take out loans in order to get a good education, but there are limits to these things, and my actual family contribution, sadly, will be close to 0.</p>

5

<p>If you apply for EECS, you won’t get in. Apply L&S Undeclared.</p>

6

<p>Okay you guys obviously didn’t read Yudof’s recent announcement about fee increases. He said 1/3 of undergraduate fee increase profit and 1/2 of graduate fee increase profit will be going toward financial aid and he is going to increase the income bracket that receives aid by 10-20k. The middle class is getting screwed here and since this guy is well below middle class income, he should be safe in getting a decent amount of financial aid once he is in. The problem is that he is out of state and his SAT scores are at the bottom quartile of usual Berkeley admits. Considering out of state and international admits have higher median and mean SAT scores and GPA, he’ll have to try again for a better score in SAT if he wants to have a good shot of making into Berkeley.</p>

7

<p>you have a good chance. cal cares more about 1st generation college students than probably any of your other targets. do LS undeclared (say you want to do peace/conflict studies) and then just pick classes for CS LS and eventually try switching to EECS if you want. you will not get shafted, except being provided the wrong counselor at orientation, which of course is useless anyways if you just ask questions on cc.
1500s can get regents; nothing is “out of your league” at berkeley.</p>

8

<ol>
<li>you’ll get fin aid if you get in. 2. usc is gonna cost more than berkeley and their fin aid can be pretty scanty…just an fyi. 3. grade-wise, you’ll probably be borderline getting in; a reach school, essentially. 4. I believe ucs do accept ACT scores. 5. eh give it a shot. I’m living in the dorms for a second year right now with a bunch of freshmen mainly. It amazes me how some of them got in really (proofread a couple essays…). And of course, since berkeley does have spring semester offers, you could get in during the spring. </li>
</ol>

<p>Eh.</p>

9

<p>First thing - acceptance may be hard to get, your scores are on the low side, especially for OOS students. Being a first generation college student won’t get you in alone, even with those scores. I know a couple first gen in state with similar scores who did not. You need to really explain in your essays why you would belong/do well at UC. </p>

<p>Though Berkeley may accept more OOS b/c of budget crisis, they’re doing this for the money. Since your EFC is close to zero, your chances of getting decent financial aid is low - you’ll get the pell grants and federal loans (subsidized/unsubsidized) but you’re ineligible for cal grants which can make up a significant portion of your financial aid. And on top of that, your tuition is way higher. Without getting the regents’ scholarship or several others, you’ll be looking at mostly loans, maybe some work-study. Blue & Gold Opp Plan (mentioned in Yudof’s announcement) applies to resident undergraduates only. California’s budget crisis is only going to get worse.</p>

<p>Because of your OOS status, I would recommend you applying to private universities that have offer more financial aid. USC’s aid is pretty bad also. It doesn’t hurt to apply to Berkeley but I don’t feel like it’s worth it since the financial aid is pretty bad.</p>

10

<p>As stated above do not rely on the “first generation college student”. I was that and was admitted spring although I was lucky enough to do the fall extension program (which means I was borderline admitted). My GPA was 4.2 and had an SAT score of 2040. I also was low-income. IMO do not apply. You may get help but I honestly don’t think it will be enough. You would be better off applying to other UCs. If you do apply make sure your personal statement is the ****. Berkeley seems to pay significantly more attention to it than other UCs.</p>

11

<p>I heard on news UCB will be accepting more out-of-state due to budget crisis (they get more profit this way I presume). Look it up?</p>

12

<p>UCB will but that’s for money. OP needs lots of financial aid and doesn’t really fall in the category of “revenue for the university”</p>

13

<p>Buy a lottery ticket. If you get rich, give Yudof a call and he’ll make you an administrator at a starting salary of half a million.</p>

<p>i don’t know how many California students will be going to Berkeley next year as Yudof is trying to make it unaffordable for all but rich students. The numbers could be radically different next year.</p>

14

<p>the UC system is now bankrupt and I don’t think you have a great chance getting sufficient FA.
Don’t apply, rather focus on other applications to make them better.</p>

15

<p>Apply. Your ECs could be the key.</p>