<p>Specifically, is it possible? Does anyone know how Berkeley looks at private undergrad apps?</p>
<p>Graduate programs are a completely different beast. Get the best possible GPA, do awesome on the required tests and make sure that your extracurriculars/classes reflect your interest in the program you’re trying to go in. </p>
<p>That’s pretty much it. It helps to be at a better school already, but it’s not really a deal breaker.</p>
<p>@Lacey909: majoreco is on the right track with his/her response, but it would be important to know what program you would be applying for. Are you looking at graduate programs in the humanities, sciences, or professional (MBA, law)?</p>
<p>GPA is important (along with taking the honors component). For the humanities, the GRE is the least important component (it is much more so for the sciences, MBA and the LSAT for law). As you are looking at Cal for a graduate degree, I left out the MCAT as there isn’t a medical school.</p>
<p>Research is important. For the humanities, get involved with as many levels as possible (supervised independent, apprenticeship, honors thesis, funded research programs [McNair Scholars, etc.]). I don’t have personal knowledge of the other areas, but I would assume that lab research would be important with the sciences (and which labs you are associated with), and internships for the professional degrees. Any papers published in academic journals or delivered at a conferences would be icing on the cake.</p>
<p>Of primary importance are the letters of recommendation from 3-4 tenured (or tenure-track) professors. Their recommendations can make the difference in the long run (as long as you aren’t seriously deficient in other areas). The prof’s reputation and connections play a role in this as well. Make sure that they really know you and your work to avoid the dreaded ‘form recommendation letter’. You want to make an impression on them and impress them enough to list you in the ‘top 5-10% I ever taught’ category.</p>
<p>Right up there with your letters of rec (I would weight this one a little more) would be your own Statement of Purpose. This is where you justify your ‘why’ reasoning for studying at Cal. You should have an idea of what you might want to pursue as far as your thesis. You should be familiar with the faculty in the program (and programs that might also benefit your intended research). You also get the opportunity to list what you have done to develop your interests and prepare for graduate study.</p>
<p>Where you go is of less importance. As long as your undergraduate program has a decent faculty and a relationship with Cal (many professors at Mills College do) you should be in a decent position. You can also take 1 course per semester at Berkeley as a Mills College student. This would be a good way to introduce yourself to Cal professors in your intended field of study.</p>