<p>This applies to many elite colleges and universities. Besides your academic and nonacademic performances, the quality of your essays can make or break your chance of admission; it is a criterion UNC, UMich, NYU, and other great schools that receive a bulk of applications use to make fundamental decisions about an applicant. I mean think about it, UCB receives over 10,000 transfer applications, but can only admit about 1/3 of them. Mind you that most, if not, all of the applicants are more than qualified for admission to that institution. Most will have 4.0s, 1600s, outstanding ecs, completion of prereqs, completion igetc, etc.; despite that fact, UCB cannot admit all of them. So what is the groundbreaking criterion they use to admit the student that will contribute the best to the academic and social scene of UCB--lo and behold the ESSAYS. The essay or personal statement is a chance for you to indicate how you are distinct from the rest of the applicants. You must demonstrate to the school that you have a genuine interest to pursue your studies there, and that you are THE ONE UCB looks for in a student. That is the purpose of the essay. If you blow off the personal statement and think that your objective stats will guarantee you admission, you're in for a drastic disappointment; I am speaking from experience. For future reference, especially for grad and professional school purposes, when a school requires you to submit a personal statement, classify it as the most integral part of your application because like I said, "It makes or breaks your chances of admission." But yeah, in any event, Natalie you should appeal--you have nothing to lose. Good luck.</p>
<p>"1/3 ?? Is that true? cuz I thought they said 50% of the admission decision is based on grades and 35% is based on personal statement? If that was true, then it really sux"</p>
<p>we're in a different pool reviewed by a different group of people.</p>
<p>I am pretty sure I completed all of the prerequisites...i followed exactly what assist outlined. </p>
<p>As for the essays, that has to be the reason even though I thought they were pretty good. Guess not...but I think I will appeal anyway, just incase. </p>
<p>Side question-I was thinking of mentioning in my letter that my mom graduated from Berkeley....do you think that will make a difference? haha...i dont know! Maybe that doesnt count for anything anymore...</p>
<p>Also, Ive been hearing that Berkeley uses the point system in their decisions....do any of you know if thats true? I thought that was something that they got rid of a long time ago...maybe not.</p>
<p>I wouldn't think that's compelling evidence to overturn their decision. I still can't figure out why you didn't get in. You said you <em>think</em> you had the pre-reqs done...you have to be absolutely sure, or they'll just kick it back w/o even looking.</p>
<p>in my essay i showed how prepared i was for my major, i did lots of ec and I also finished all my courses before spring so they had every single one of my grades. I also took 18 units at once and got all a's so that shows them i can handle a lot of work. I also worked a lot and my personal statement was probably a big help. i got into psych with a 3.85 by the way.</p>
<p>whats "THE POINT SYSTEM"?</p>
<p>It's true, you have nothing to lose by appealing since it's free. And, you are at an advantage because during the appeal, a 'senior reader' reads your application--not one of the knucklehead 'community members' they get to help them. But unless you have new and compelling information to offer, you'll likely get your ego shattered all over again when they reject the appeal. And DEFINITELY DO NOT mention that your mom is a Cal alum--that would be interpreted as elitist and likely **** them off. They want personal statements that let them get to know you as a person--not just some specific facet of your life (i.e. skating). </p>
<p>But don't give up hope--I wouldn't be sitting in Berkeley's main library working on a 15 page paper (that's due tomorrow, haha) if I hadn't appealed. They tend to gloss over a lot of the applications since they have so many to look at--but they do read each and every one of the personal statements according to the admissions officers I've talked to. (Disregard that thing about only 1/2 of them being read, or whatever it is) And, as you have found out, personal statements are important. You're up against a pool of applicants where everybody has good grades--why? cuz community college is easy.</p>
<p>On a perosnal note, I sometimes wish I wouldn't have even bothered with Cal and gone to a CSU somewhere. I'd be doing half the work and graduating magna cum laude in a shorter time frame. And, with that powerhouse GPA, I'd be able to choose what law school I wanted instead of the other way around. It sucks getting rejected I know, (UCSD, UCLA, and at first CAL rejected me) but don't get tunnel vision for Cal. There are so many other schools in which you can accomplish your goals. </p>
<p>If your appeal is accepted, prepare to go in the Spring though.</p>
<p>Berkeley doesn't use the point system.</p>
<p>Also, I agree with yeahbi*ches about disregarding the "1/3 of essays being read" thing. The source from which we learned of this is a few years old; also, the lady said that, in the future, they hoped to be able to read all essays. This is the future.</p>
<p>yeahbi: how did you write your appeal letter?</p>
<p>For Berkeley's appeal, do you guys recommend getting letters of rec or something? Or is a letter enough?</p>
<p>its expected that you have letters. Three is about sufficient, more is overkill in my opinion, two doesn't provide enough light.</p>
<p>Ok...I never thanked everyone who replied to my post so THANKS! It was definitly helpful to read all the advise! And i decided to appeal afterall and just got a call today and i got in! Wohoo! So thanks again for the advise!</p>