I’m a California applicant with ELC who applied to UC Berkeley. I have a 4.0 UW, 4.4 UC GPA from a competitive high school in California. I’m in top 2% of class and have a 33 ACT Score. My classes are very rigorous, the only flaw on my app is only 3 AP’s junior and senior year while some kids did 5+ APs at my school. However, I am socioeconomically disadvantaged and this has contributed to this schedule choice. I have significant work experiences in the financial field and have volunteered extensively over the past 4 years.
Nonetheless, I was sent a “borderline supplement” and option for additional letter of rec… I understand that Berkeley is highly competitive for In State, but I was 99% sure that my stats were high enough to not be borderline for Berkeley. After reading about this on CC, I’ve noticed that usually people who received borderline supplements had low GPAs or low Standardized Test Scores.
I have earned all A’s in all honors courses at a highly ranked CA School, have ELC, and have a standardized test score within the top 1 percent of those taking it. Does anyone know why I was sent a “borderline” supplement?
Was it simply my low income with high achievement that prompted this supplement?
Berkeley is my #1 and I really want to be admitted! Any help would be highly appreciated. I already have had my counselor send a letter of rec and thoroughly filled out the supplement.
This is confusing to me as well. You’re basically a shoe-in for Berkeley, which is not difficult for California students. I predict that you will be admitted. What does the borderline supplement consist of?
Well the ECs sounded pretty good. Would Berkeley really get cold feet about an outstanding student because of a weak essay? I thought they were somewhat more stats-oriented…
Even students with 2400’s get rejected from Berkeley. Berkeley gets applications from all over the world and the best students from California. They look at test scores and GPA and top 1% of high school. Right now, you might be somewhat safe with a 34-36 ACT score.
Berkeley also looks at how tough a schedule you took in high school. This is really important. They compare you to the large numbers of socioeconomically disadvantaged youth from California who are taking as many AP’s as possible-East LA, South Central students, etc. It’s not personal, it’s business.
ELC only means that if you don’t get into your “choice” school, you get into Merced. It’s their choice, not yours.
UCB, in what way do they matter? My impression was that they were another part of the picture, and could make or break an applicant who was borderline in other ways, but that a lackluster essay wouldn’t lead to a rejection for someone with excellent stats and ECs, etc. Is this correct?