<p>I've been hearing things about how Berkeley requires a personal statement that shows your interest in engineering, if you're going to apply to the engineering school. Otherwsie the adcom won't even consider your app as a potential accept?</p>
<p>Is this a new requirement as of recent years? I've never heard about this until last year.......</p>
<p>any ideas?</p>
<p>I don’t see why this wouldn’t be required in the first place. If you’re the admission officer, wouldn’t you want to see an application that talks about why the student wants to study engineering? This kind of personal statement will be required later whether you want to do grad school or applying for jobs, so consider it as a start.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s required for freshmen, but it certainly helps. If you’re able to tie your major into your personal statement (and it’s still a strong, cohesive essay) then it’s probably a good idea to mention it. If it doesn’t flow or doesn’t fit with your intended topic, then I don’t think it’ll kill you to leave it out.</p>
<p>For transfers, one of the essays is about why you’re interested in your major, so for that half of applicants it is required.</p>
<p>I’m most likely applying for a UC Engineering School(as freshman) but I don’t want to force an engineering personal statement. I have essay topics that I think are well written and simply tell my “story” better. Is it a right choice to not write about engineering?</p>
<p>I have a question on similar lines. My son is applying to all UCs as Electrical Engineering major except UC Berkeley where he is opting for Comp Sci in college of L&S (since ECE is very hard to get in UCB). So, the essay is focused on engineering obviously. Will it hinder in his chances at UCB ?</p>
<p>Quick Stats: WGPA 4.35 SAT 2310 (770x3). Math2 - 800, Chem - 800, Phy - 790. 10 APs (by senior year) + 2 Community classes (one each summer). AP Calc AB, BC, USH, Psychology - all 5. National Merit Semifinalist (as of Nov 2014 - finals announced next year). Decent ECs - soon to be eagle scout, 3+ yr volunteer etc.</p>
<p>mwahal, those Quick Stats are REALLY good. I’m just a high school senior but I’m pretty sure he will get into Berkeley regardless of his essay.</p>