<p>Hey all, I have a passion for physics and I wanna pursue it as a researcher. I've consistently seen UC Berkeley top the rankings for natural sciences, so I have been wanting to get into UC Berkeley for a long time. Im 18 this year, taking my ' A ' Levels, am a Singaporean.</p>
<p>I'll be taking my SATs in June, what are the scores that would enable me to enter UCBerkeley? I've signed up for SAT reasoning test, MATH II, Physics and MATH I. I intend to major in physics (theoretical).</p>
<p>Here are my stats:
2007: Represented secondary school to participate in SMO Math Project Festival (didnt win anything but a COP)
2008: -SAJC (my high school) Commendation awards for Science Stream (x2)
-Represented school in Singapore Physics Olympiad (didnt win anything but a COP)
-A*star-MOE student attachment programme, Research institute: Institute of Microelectronics
-Took part in Youth Science Fair (Didnt win anything)
-Took part in SSEF (Singapore science and engineering festival) (didnt win anything)
2009: -SAJC (my high school) Commendation awards for science stream
-In Talent Management Program
-Represented school in NTU Mech Challenge (didnt win anything)
-took up 2 H3s in Physics and Mathematics, their university subjects (few in my school have that)</p>
<p>I have participated in many scientific activities, but I didnt win anything yet :( Is it over for me to enter UC Berkeley? Is there another option for me besides UC berekely i dont mind other colleges, as long as they are good for natural sciences (physics) and well-known.</p>
<p>As an international applicant, getting into Berkeley would be very, very difficult. So many applicants with very strong stats were rejected. If you can score at least 2,100 on your SATs, your chances are higher. But Berkeley weigh high school GPA more than it does SATs. 99% of the students were in the top 10% of their graduating class.</p>
<p>Hey i’m from SA too… I’d say you need to get a few more CCA achievements or get a stunning SAT score… Work hard and do your SAT well… I think its your best bet… Up and on!!</p>
<p>SAT Critical Reading: 580 - 710<br>
SAT Math: 630 - 760<br>
SAT Writing: 600 - 720 </p>
<p>That’s the 25-75th percentile score. But you need to keep in mind that it’s mostly for in-state students who makes up about 90 percent of Berkeley undergrad. The stats are higher for out of state students and even more so for international. That should give you a general idea about the SAT score for UCB students.</p>
<p>You seem to have plenty of ECAs so i guess you don’t need to worry about that… but i’ve heard UC berkeley apparently emphasises heavily on academics … so focus on that. </p>
<p>And why are you taking math 1 and 2 both? Go for math 2 only and switch math 1 to chemistry or something.</p>
<p>I dont know if it’s over for you … you haven’t posted your stats. Have you taken your SAT 1 … if so what’s the score? try to get an great score for sat 2 which should be pretty easy compared to A levels.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>PS. I’m an international like you… i’m from Bangladesh. Got into berkeley and intend to enroll this fall :)</p>
<p>Hi. Berkeley is a state university, so I think they will emphasize academics more. The above poster is absolutely correct about SATs - try to get as much as you can, 2200+ maybe? And you don’t need financial aid, do you?</p>
<p>hi brilliantminds… i just got into a few places but am struggling to get the money… my best bet is the university of new hampshire and i think i should be going there this fall but i’m still happy that i’m going somewhere… all my top choices gave me virtually no money. and en1gma is right… go for chem instead of math 1 but if you can do it try a different subject like chinese or something… you look good if you do different things. and yeah, no reason why you can’t take your SATs during NS… by the way, i just noticed you want to major in theoretical physics; so do i :)</p>
<p>(Singaporean, now living in US, accepted to Berkeley for fall 2009 in some fluke)</p>
<p>I don’t understand why you’re taking Maths II <em>and</em> Maths I - the latter is a subset for the former; just do Maths II and then pick a third subject. Don’t do Chinese if you are Chinese - enough Americans think that Singapore is in China that it’s not going to go in your favour at all, and possibly work against you (obviously this doesn’t apply if you’re Malay/Indian/non-Chinese or if your legal name is distinctly non-Chinese). Do Chemistry or a third language (if you know one); rumours have it that it’s good to do a “contrasting subject” but unless you have some inclination for Literature/History don’t. Also remember that SAT subject tests cannot be taken on the same day as the reasoning test. </p>
<p>I heard Berkeley’s big on the numbers (SAT I/II scores + A Level grades) so definitely do well in those (although they’re changing the methodology and de-emphasizing SAT IIs in favour of SAT Is it’s obviously still best to do well in both). Apparently it’s easier to get in as an international during bad economic times (:D) and definitely don’t ask for aid or it’ll be very very hard to get in - rely on government scholarships. </p>
<p>Also for US universities essays tend to be on the cheesy/dramatic/over-the-top side (“The monkey jumped. I fired the gun. […] Such is the beauty of the world, embodied in the swift movements of our jungle friends.”) rather than “For the past two years I have been involved in research at Lab A and from this I learned X, Y and Z” which apparently is what causes the downfall of many. </p>
<p>And spin your activities; e.g. “selected to represent school in national physics olympiad”, “one of X students out of a total body of Y to receive school award for Z”, “competed in NTU Mech Challenge as a leading member/captain of a team of X people/the only selected person from SAJC where I/we created a robot/model/whatever to do something” - it’s not a lie and it makes you look better. I know it seems shameless (I definitely felt that way) but remember that the people reading the apps are unlikely to remember or indeed meet you again :P</p>
<p>It’s a myth that it’s harder to get into Berkeley as an international, the acceptance rate is the same as for Californians. They especially need the higher tuition dollars internationals pay now. If you have the stats and the $50K, you have a fine chance.</p>