<p>GPA : 4.05 out of 5.0 weighted (pretty bad I know, that's like top 18%ish in my HS although our school does not rank, I'm not very good at my humanities classes. But my grades show a very strong upward trend)</p>
<p>SAT: M:800, CR:660, WR: 690(or 650 if Berkeley takes the highest combined score)</p>
<p>SAT II's : Math Level II: 800, Chemistry: 800</p>
<p>AP's: BC Calculus-5, Chemistry-5, Statistics-5</p>
<p>EC/Awards:
-two time USAMO qualifier (AMC12: 129, AIME: 9)
-ARML participant (scored a 7 out of 8 in the 2006 ARML, which is like top 50ish that year?)
- AMC school winner/high scorer
- 3rd in my state (MA) math competition this year
- member of school math team
- random volunteering (60+ hours) for local non-profit organizations</p>
<p>major reach. not to sound blunt or anything, but only 8% of the freshman class is OOS, and your SATs and GPA aren't even in the top 25% range. not to mention that math is one of their most competitive majors to get admitted to. Same goes for UCLA, if you were considering applying there. I know in state applicants with 2160s who were denied admission, so it's pretty tough. if you get your SATs into the 2200s and up and raise your GPA a lot you might have a shot though. sorry if i discouraged you, that wasn't at all my intention. it's just that it is so competitive...</p>
<p>"only 8% of the freshman class is OOS, and your SATs and GPA aren't even in the top 25% range."</p>
<p>UCLAri: slight reach/reach? More like a reach/major reach. Berkeley relies heavily on numbers. People with perfect SATs apply all the time OOS. In fact, Harvard and Stanford are two of the biggest overlap schools. His GPA will hurt a lot, unless his UC GPA is higher. SATs need to go up at least to a 2250+ to have a decent shot. That being said, I know a few people with 2350s and much higher GPAs who were denied OOS. Not that he can't get in though, he just needs to improve in a few areas.</p>
<p>also, what's OP? It's probably pretty obvious, but I'm having a brain fart...</p>
<p>To clarify (as I didn't above), a 4.05 is below average for in-staters, and 99% of them were in the top 10% of their class. You're an out-of-stater in the top 18%, without spectacular scores (good in math and SAT IIs, though). Good awards, but they're not quite above average for OOSers (or even in-staters), especially since you're from a small state.</p>
<p>vc08: Berkeley does not rely "heavily" on numbers... where do you get your information?<br>
This information is from the Berkeley Admissions website:</p>
<p>"You may already know that Berkeley is a highly selective public university. But did you know that every freshman application to Berkeley is read individually in our comprehensive review process? That's because we're looking for students who can add to the extraordinary educational atmosphere at Berkeley; we're not just looking at the numbers. Yes, high grades and test scores are important factors in our admission decisions, but we also like to see students apply who have challenged themselves in their coursework and activities—students who clearly like to learn and are eager to contribute."</p>
<p>And the Berkeley Freshman Selection Process:</p>
<p>Numbers are definitely important and Berkeley is becoming more and more competitive. I know just as many 1800 SAT admits as I know 2300 SAT rejects. Berkeley heavily the 'potential to contribute' to the Campus community and the world.</p>
<p>kyledavid80 --Hmm I thought my awards would be an advantage lol.(I was under the impression that there are less than 200 USAMO(<a href="http://www.unl.edu/amc%5B/url%5D">www.unl.edu/amc</a>) qualifiers nationally who will be applying for college this fall?) Also MA isn't really a small state (pretty large population)?</p>
<p>I agree that my grades are VERY VERY weak and my SAT is nothing spectacular... (I'm a pretty stupid person... I can't do well in school or on SAT's :( )</p>
<p>Again if chances are too unlikely, maybe I shouldn't apply.</p>
<p>It's a great award, but it isn't a hook for Berkeley OOS. You have really great honors/awards, but again, GPA is much more important, and you have few ECs. But what the hell, go ahead and apply, you just might get in. Make your essays awesome.</p>
<p>(Btw, MA is a tiny state in comparison to CA, about 1/6 the population. Thus, there are people in CA who have the same awards as you, and I suspect it's more competitive in CA.)</p>
<p>CA2006: they do rely "heavily" on numbers. Sure, if an applicant is borderline they will dig deeper into the review process. But all schools have to write that quote you printed out anyway, otherwise people wouldn't apply bc they would think they had no chance. And it is true that they read the essays as well. but with 40,000 applications, the process is hardly individualized. unless the OP has a highly unusual circumstance which hindered his academic progress, his chances are slim. he can stilll improve, however.</p>
<p>yeah this is bad... All the schools that have good math programs are too difficult for me to get in, while the schools that I can get in probably have math classes that are too easy for me.</p>
<p>BTW I came to U.S. at the age of 12 without any knowledge of English... but I'm pretty sure that is not a good excuse for getting B's in humanities classes... :(</p>
<p>Also I'm going to apply to college this fall so I don't see how I can improve my GPA. All I can do is probably retake the SAT and get like a 2200 at best.</p>
<p>true about the diversity thing, but you have to use it right. there are a TON of people who are going to say the exact same thing (e.g. Hispanic immigrants), so don't just use it as an excuse for poorer grades.</p>