<p>Is it really true that most people that come from low performing high schools that were top of there class struggle a lot more at Berkeley because that is exactly my situation. I dont expect to get awesome grades but I do want to at least pass...sigh now im not sure if going here is the best desiscion. </p>
<p>What is generally the dilemma for those stuck in this predicament up in Cal?</p>
<p>Would it be better to go to a different UC?</p>
<p>If Berkeley did not think you would succeed there, they wouldn't have accepted you. Now attend berkeley!</p>
<p>Yes, kids from the best high schools do have an advantage over those from other high schools. But it's really minor. Just work hard and you'll be fine.</p>
<p>There are many academic support services available on campus. The biggest mistake students make is waiting until late in the semester when they are bombing to get help.
Choose your classes carefully, select a reasonable course load, and plan for support from the beginning.
You will succeed...you are so smart to be thinking ahead.</p>
<p>It's just common sense. If the school is easy (low-performing), they won't be as prepared with Berkeley as if they came from a hard (high-performing) school.</p>
<p>yea, if berkeley accepted you, they obviously see something in you & think you can do it.
just be prepared to work hard & keep going even if you fail. cuz i hope to just pass & graduate too!</p>
<p>Yeah you'll have to work hard and space yourself out. Take the minimum full load first semester, don't challenge yourself first semester with courses that might be a struggle, go to the student learning center (a lot!) and take advantage of all their adjunct courses and tutoring and you'll do FINE. Believe me, you will NOT be the only one from a low performing school, not by a long shot. But keeping a schedule and sticking to it is essential!</p>
<p>Well, it depends on if you went beyond the curriculum in your low-performing school (e.g. did you self-study for APs?)</p>
<p>What's your work ethic like? Did you just take advantage of the low standards and do the minimum amount of work you needed? Or did you do more than what was required?</p>
<p>What are your standardized test scores?</p>
<p>All these questions can help you determine how academically prepared you are for Berkeley. I know kids who are incredibly prepared for college who go to schools with low standards, and vice versa.</p>
<p>Berkeley's hard for everyone. That's the great thing: wherever you go, there's strength in numbers ;)</p>
<p>Thanks you guys. I just wondered how much they really end up suffering up there and if, in the end, I'll be albe to survive. Heh. I'm also really nervous because I dont know if i'll be able to handle the academic stress along with the fact that i'm so far away from home. Nonetheless, I'm excited and can't wait to be at berkeley.</p>
<p>GO BEARS!</p>
<p>It's just a more difficult learning curve. Top students are top students, whether they come from the best or worst high schools.</p>
<p>You already made the right decision by showing that you care. Go take advantage of everything you can and hope for the best. It might be more difficult for you, but they wouldn't have accepted you if you simply had no way of succeeding.</p>
<p>Far away from home? Think about us international students. I have no relatives in the western hemisphere. Sometimes I miss home but I work hard and I'm doing very well. Stress exist especially right before finals, but that's the case for everyone.</p>
<p>Good luck at Cal! ^_^</p>
<p>that's what i thought about when i was thinking of berkeley being "too far." i live in southern cali. i thought of people going all the way across the country, then i thought of international students. so now i dont think its so bad (:</p>
<p>I have similar concerns about my D ( but I won't share them with her....shhhh!). She was accepted at Berkeley but chose Duke and I assume the situations might be similar. Her school is not known for being "low performing" ( a tiny Christian School ), but they do not send kids to "top tier schools", and I became suspicious when my D's ACT's where much, much, much lower than her SAT's. The research on the ACT's seem's to have some data that might interest you if you took it, OP. Still, I think you will be fine if your work ethic is good.</p>
<p>Are any of you folks that responded actually in this situation?</p>