Should I even bother applying to Berkeley?

<p>I'm having second thoughts. Don't get me wrong, I really loved the school when I visited. Plus the area was great. I'm just not sure with the stats that I have I will even have a chance at getting in. I'm OOS so....yeah. Anyway, what do you think?</p>

<p>Female
Asian (Indian)
MA
Competitive public high school (sends many to top schools including Ivys)</p>

<p>Cumulative GPA: 3.8 unweighted. No idea what the UC GPA is. I'm thinking around a 4.1?</p>

<p>All Honors and/or AP classes...and this means 3 AP classes total. I know that's a shocker to some of you, but my school doesn't offer very many at all. This won't hurt me, right?</p>

<p>Rank: Top 5%</p>

<p>SAT (superscore):
CR-640
M- 660
W- 740 with a 12 on the essay
---->2040
I'm not the strongest test-taker, but hopefull they'll look past this?</p>

<p>SAT IIs: Bio-630...Math II-taking in Nov.</p>

<p>ECs: <em>Please note that I moved and therefore switched schools after my freshman year. There many seem a slight inconsistency in some activities because of this</em>.</p>

<p>Speech& Debate Team (9th)
-Went to many competitions and won numerous awards even on the state level. Could not continue because it was not available at my new school.
Violin
-Have been playing for 8 years, and freshman year played in the Symphony Orchestra.
Model UN (10th-12th)
-Delegate
Yearbook (10th-12th)
-Editor Senior year.
Science Club (11th-12th)
-Vice President
-Serve as a mentor for elementary school kids and help them conduct research at the vernal pool.
-Also set up many other fundraisers and events.
PEER Leaders (11th-12th)
-Community leaders from the school.
-We do various community service and help around the school.</p>

<p>Community Service (about 200+ hours):
-Elks Lodge (over 50 hours)
-Pediatric Doctors Office (about 30 hours)
-Local Hospital (about 50+ hours)
-Various other events including Special Olympics, Soup Kitchens, Church...etc</p>

<p>Other Stuff:
-Did some research in a Genetics Lab at URI. Did everything from PCR to Extracting DNA to helping with a primer design. Research wasn't published or anything, but spent 6 continuous weeks with countless amount of hours.</p>

<p>-Internined at InCube for a few weeks at the end of this summer. It's a biomedical research company in northern CA. Worked with a cell biologist and chemical engineer to help design and test a device that would be implanted in the spine to reduce pain. Paid internship...if that matters.</p>

<p>-In summer 2006, I went to India and for about 2 weeks and did some community service there. My grandfather lives in a small (rather poor) village, and he also works in a nearby clinic which treats patients from that area. I worked/volunteered at that clinic.</p>

<p>I will major in biology (or something bio-related) and my main passion/focus is medical research.</p>

<p>Should you even bother? OF COURSE.</p>

<p>It's not like your stats are bad at all.</p>

<p>As far as I know, your SAT score is in the avg range for Cal, you are in top 5%</p>

<p>But I guess since you are OOS, chances are harder.. But you'd have a good shot if you were in-state..</p>

<p>The thing is, I already have two reach schools...Hopkins and Brown. So I don't really want to apply here knowing I have like a 10% chance of getting in or something. If I have a somewhat decent chance, then I think I will.</p>

<p>bummmmp please.</p>

<p>ok seriously, i just want one more opinion at least.</p>

<p>I would apply, you are competitive and I wouldn't be surprised if you got in.</p>

<p>you should apply, but its still somewhat of a reach (OOS and a bit low GPA)</p>

<p>You should apply. Don't worry about your SAT. Last year someone with 1700+ SAT score got admit to all top UCs. UCs discount SAT heavily.</p>

<p>yeah I agree with Columbia_student. SAT is secondary. Essays are way more important so make sure to write stellar essays</p>