<p>Well application time is just around the corner and I am incredibly nervous about if I would have any chance of getting admission to UC Berkeley. I was just posting to get some opinions on my chances of getting admission, and I might do to improve my application (ie. extra cirriculars)</p>
<p>I am a part of the UC Berkeley TAP program- just thought I would throw that in there.</p>
<p>Major: Media Studies (possibly double majoring in Sociology)
GPA: 3.7 (possibly going to be a 3.8 by the time I apply?)
Coursework: all required courses+ IGETC will be completed well before Spring 2011
Work Experience: worked for about one year at Jamba Juice
Extra Cirriculars: volunteer at the local YMCA for 4 hours a week, tutor ESL students for 2 hours a week, was a part of the CCP (cross cultural program) for one quarter.</p>
<p>I can't think of any other information, and I have yet to come up with what to say in my personal statement- an additional thing I would need help on.</p>
<p>I guess I'm mainly concerned about my extra curriculars and them pertaining to my major because I hear it is important for them to relate and so far I don't have too much which relates to my major.</p>
<p>With TAP, you have an excellent chance of getting into Cal. Your work and EC’s are fine. Generally speaking, your GPA is low for Media Studies, but with TAP you’ll be good to go.</p>
<p>Aw, I remember how nervous I was last year. I suggest you FINISH your essays this summer and then polish polish POLISH them until November 30th. Utilize your TAP counselor as much as possible. Start emailing them the drafts of your essays now. The problem with TAP counselors is that sometimes they don’t explicitly tell you that your essay is bad, so if they’re not like “wow, this is great!” then there’s something wrong with your essay. Just screen your essay for flaws and go through EVERYTHING with your TAP counselor, and tell them to be as harsh as possible with criticism.</p>
<p>i wrote my essay the same day i turned in my app (mid november) and got in. gunna need to show some passion though (mine was glowing with it, i think. basically, i poured out my emotions and then pressed submit)</p>
<p>Don’t worry about having the essay done by summer, it’s definitely not necessary to have a ‘perfect’ essay. In fact, I wrote mine the week before it was due and only let 3 casual friends to proof-read it.</p>
<p>But you should follow HigherHopes’ advice, your essay should have heart and passion. Most importantly, and as cliche as it sounds, it should convey who you are. I know the prompts can be rather ambiguous and consequently, nerve-wrecking, but that’s just the way it’s structured to give students more freedom to write. My advice is: don’t over-analyze it. Don’t worry about ‘what would the admission think if I wrote this compared to this instead…’ In my experience, the best ones are often the ones that are sincere and honest. Your essay doesn’t have to be unique or special, it just has to be you.</p>