Cal has always been a dream school of mine, and when I found out that I was Waitlisted for Bioengineering, I was really disappointed. I’m not sure if Cal is even right for me, since I don’t like the competitive nature of it, but despite that I really want it as an option!
My questions are does Cal actually look at the final transcript, since on the waitlist form it only asked for fall, winter, and spring grades? Does this means I only need to report those three term grades, and not the final grade(fourth term grade)?
Most importantly, I literally have no idea what they mean by NEW and COMPELLING info? Is this supposed to be a 500 word essay or a list of things we accomplished senior year? Are they asking for a different story or side of us? if they are, what would be most appropriate?
If anyone can send me links of successful essays that got off the waitlist or have any other advice on how to get off the waitlist for Bioengineering that would be most appreciated. Also I got into UCLA and UCSD for bioengineering, should I mention that or something?
Getting off the waitlist is pretty random. Remember that a waitlist means that you were technically “admitted” but that there simply was not enough space in the class.
The best things you can do include:
finish out senior year with great grades
continue participating in your activities
earn some tangible achievements (like awards, scholarships)
@nevergiveupp I’ve heard that some people do that, but I personally advise against it.
If UCB already knows you’ve gotten into UCLA, an outstanding university, what incentive does UCB have to “help you out,” so to speak? I would avoid focusing on other college acceptances unless the best option yout had was well below your stats (like GPA, test scores).
placed on wait list: 3,375
took a place on list: 2,143
admitted off list: 437
It is far more common (I think) to be offered spring admission than to be accepted from the wait list. Given your apparent ambivalence about the school, I’m not sure it’s worth your time or energy to fret about it. And Berkeley is not likely to care about your being accepted at UCLA and UCSD.