Low Gpa, High Sat's; Berkeley?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hello everyone, I was hoping that someone could tell me what my chances are at UCB with a moderately low GPA but high SAT score? My current weighted GPA is close to a 3.8 and unweighted is about 3.4, and my SAT score is a 2300. My sophomore grades were weak, probably close to 3.2(weighted) or so, but I managed to get my affairs in order and raise my GPA up to a 4.0(once again, weighted) in my first semester of junior year. Currently, I'm in my second semester of my junior year and will probably end up 4.00+ again. Will the fact that I scored well on my SATs and that I have been showing an upward trend in my GPA compensate for my weaker GPA?</p>

<p>My ECs aren't great, to be honest, but they aren't particularly weak. I was an officer in several active clubs throughout high school, I have lots of community service hours (200+), I did track and field for 3 years, I worked at one of my parent's stores for the last five years every weekend doing cash register/inventory shizzle, and I plan on doing a paid internship over at CAL tech over the summer.</p>

<p>Also, I won some minor awards for a few short stories that I've written.</p>

<p>What are my chances, and please, be brutally honest D:</p>

2

<p>Is there a good reason why the GPA is so low (i.e. family problems, etc)? Because if so, tell the school, and you’ve got a shot at it. If you just slacked off a bit, I have a hard time seeing how you’d get in, but it really depends on the kind of person they decide you are. Colleges don’t like brilliant underachievers – which is what the amazing SAT score paired with mediocre ECs and an awful GPA (in Berkeley terms) demonstrates.</p>

3

<p>I had a similar GPA but much lower SAT and got rejected. I think you have a chance, but most people have higher GPAs. You may be a candidate for places like Davis, Santa Barbara, etc. though.</p>