Hey guys. I received a request from Berkeley a couple of months ago to submit 2 letter of recommendations. I was kinda scared about it but still did it. My major was Computer Engineering (I am willing to change it). And my weighted GPA is 3.6 on a 4.0 scale :(. I’m really disappointed in myself because of my low gpa and Berkeley would be a dream to get into. I was wondering if it my teachers submitting a letter for me was good on my application or why they even sent one to me. I don’t know if this is relevant but a UCB admission counselor came to my school and told me that my school is its own applicant pool meaning we’re all competing against each other only! I noticed only a little less than a few of my friends got the request for the letter. Anyways thanks for listening and any insight would be really helpful for me ! Thank you.
It could be for several reasons…Perhaps an opportunity to explain a decline in your grades, perhaps a challenge you mentioned that they want more info about, perhaps a commitment you had that limited your ability to take advantage of some opportunities. They just wanted more context to better understand your application.
Did you submit the letters? Hopefully you did and they were excellent - if so, that can only help you. Just a week more to go, and you’ll have your answer. I know the wait is hard, but there’s really nothing else you can do at this point. Good luck!
Yes I did submit them but I only read one which made me shed a tear lol. My other recommender didn’t send me the draft but he is known for writing really well and I trust him. I had 20/20 extra curricular activities and have several leadership positions. My piqs were pretty good as well. I heard that If engineering majors get one they don’t usually get in and this is my top choice😕.
I don’t think you can draw that conclusion. It may seem that way but that’s because engineering is such a hard admit - the reality is that most applicants, whether they get an LOR request or not - will ultimately be rejected. It’s just really really competitive.
In your situation, I would see it as a positive thing, though. You know your GPA is on the low side for UCB, especially for a super competitive major. The fact that they asked you for LORs means that they are giving you a chance to make your case - they didn’t just toss you in the reject pile, but see you as a possibility. They wouldn’t have wasted your time or their own time by asking for LORs if they didn’t think you had a chance at admission.
Obviously that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get in, but it does mean you’re in the game.
This may help you understand why you may have been asked for LoRs:
Policy 2110 to which they refer:
https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/2110.html
In any case, good luck!
My daughter was asked for the letters of Rec from Berkeley also Additional comments and information from UCDavis and UCLA she has a 3.77. Denied at UCLA waitlisted at UCDavis and UCSantaCruz let me know how it goes!
I don’t have a lot of hope for Berkeley after the results of the other UC’s but you never know!
Good luck 