Recommendation Letter Request Good or Bad?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Berkeley
1

Hello! I am an out of state applicant (AZ). Does this mean that I have a good chance, or that they are on the fence or ambivalent about my application?

2

No one knows for sure except admissions. Some high stat applicants have posted they received an email for LOR’s and some borderline applicants also. Submit them and hope for the best.

3

Bump

4

Same thing happened to me. I’m a borderline student, and I’m hoping it’s a good thing.

5

I think this is a study - creating two groups - one control with LOR, and the other without LOR, and then comparing their admissions rates for the two sets of groups. I’m thinking it is random whether or not you get into one group or another. They plan to look at the admissions results this year, and then decide if they want to continue with LORs for next year.

I’m wrong: http://www.latimes.com/local/education/la-me-uc-recommendations-20151004-story.html

“Berkeley retreated partly for this fall and probably will invite letters from just 20% or so of this year’s applicants, mainly those whose prospects are between certain acceptance and rejection, according to Papadopoulos, a mechanical engineering professor.” That sounds like “borderline”.

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6

So I called the office of undergraduate admissions and the guy I talked to said that they looked over all the applications as they got them and if after a cursory glance at your essays and EC’s, they felt they had more questions about your interests and such, they requested a letter of Rec. I feel like its more of a way to see if you are genuine about your interests. If a biology teacher writes something amazing about you when you may not be able to express that as well in your essay (I for one am a terrible essay writer), a good recommendation gives them one more reason to accept you.

7

But other people also call them and see what they say!

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8

Honestly, does it matter? I would love to be able to send in a letter of rec; it can only help you unless you get a bad letter.

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9

My counselor said that she believed it was for borderline students and that it should be a good sign

10

@anxiousenior1 I agree with you! Even though I did not get one, I don’t think it would hurt to send in a great recommendation. And haha this is kind of off topic but is your profile picture Park Boyoung? :slight_smile: