<p>The supplementary form UC Berkeley sent me states that I could send in a recommendation letter. I was wondering if the person who writes the recommendation is limited to just my teachers or school staff? The reason why I'm wondering is because my personal statements extensively talk about my participation in a community organizing group, so I think that having my supervisor from that group write a rec for me would be more related to how I presented myself in my application. </p>
<p>Or, does this all even matter haha?? Maybe i'm stressing out too much over this! Sorry for asking a silly question.</p>
<p>Hello,
I applied as an English major. I honestly applied to Berkeley just to see what would happen, because my stats are below average. My supplemental questions asked me about school resources, work experience, and what I have done for my community, so that rules out the talent and disability questionnaire!</p>
<p>My SAT score: 1980 first try, 1780 second try ^^;
My UC GPA is 3.74, and I don’t know about unweighted GPA but it’d be a pretty sad number.
My AP scores so far is 4, 4, 4, and a 5 in AP Language
My SAT 2 scores (although I don’t think this matters at all haha) were Biology: 720, US History 670, and World History 650
Rank: 64/500
I think UC Berkeley is interested in my essays, because I wrote about my experiences in community activism, and this one time I confronted a City Councilmember at a dinner party, haha… -_-; My other essay was about my lawyer aspirations in order achieve social justice.
Although, with that being said, I honestly don’t have much ECs to boast of at all. </p>
<p>I don’t know if any other aspect of me counted towards anything! Again, Berkeley’s a pipeline dream to me, so I feel way psyched about this opportunity.</p>
<p>I think this is a borderline type, sent because of the involvement and passion visible from your essays - not just membership or years activity in community projects, but indications that it matters to you and might be something you would pursue more actively in college. </p>
<p>I would take this as a good sign - not a guarantee but your odds are much, much better than the stats alone would indicate based on this request. If your responses show them that your passion will be an interesting example and complement to the rest of the incoming class, if they highlight how you would take advantage of the unique opportunities of a top tier university environment, then they might very well select you over someone who would waste some of the opportunity here. If it were me, I would read up on the history of Cal with social justice, activism, and then mention ways you would benefit from access if you were to be admitted. They want the most interesting, varied and committed student body, not the highest scoring or most rounded individuals but the most rounded and best overall group of students who might consist of some with extreme strengths in just one or a few dimensions. Such as, commitment to activism and improving the world. </p>
<p>Anyone getting a supplemental request has the chance to ‘make their pitch’ for why they are interesting to the university, how they will contribute to a more interesting and rich environment for other students, and why they are likely to do more with the resources at UCB than other potential students.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback, guys! I always knew Berkeley had a history with social activist movements so it’s beyond cool to me <em>__</em> Hehe, yes, i’m going to take this supplement very seriously. I couldn’t find anyone else from my school who received the same thing (although it’s too early to tell) so i’m stressing out even more now…</p>
<p>@delutedcraze: What was the result of this supplemental form being filled in? And if you don’t mind me asking, did you make it into UCB?
Thanks for your reply.</p>