Trying to understand...

Applying to College
1

<p>Like most people yesterday, I got a slew of rejection letters. Some were expected, but others I did not anticipate; UC Berkeley, for instance. I told my friends today that I was rejected, and they couldn't believe it; of all the people at my school who applied, I was at least equal if not better academically. I understand that academics aren't everything, but I'm still shocked and confused as to why I got rejected.</p>

<p>I knew that my dream schools (MIT, Columbia, CalTech, Cornell) were going to be pipe dreams; I actually felt relieved when they rejected me so I could stop worrying. I had a general idea of what schools would accept me and which wouldn't; UC Berkeley and UC Irvine were on that first list, so I was somewhat surprised when they told me I wasn't accepted.</p>

<p>Background:</p>

<p>-GPA: 3.79 (4.32 weighted)
-ACT: 34 composite w/ writing</p>

<p>-SAT II:
-Math II: 740
-Bio E: 690</p>

<p>-APs:
-AP Calculus BC (currently taking)</p>

<p>Major: Undeclared Engineering (Civil Engineering) or Computer Science
Minor: Technical Theater / Theatrical Design (emphasis on stage lighting) [not set in stone]</p>

<p>Colleges:
-Accepted:
-Tulane (EA with $27K/yr merit scholarship)
-Northeastern (EA with $18K/yr merit scholarship)
-NYU Poly (EA with $20K/yr merit scholarship)
-University of Illinois Urbana (RD)
-Boston University (RD)
-UC Davis (RD)</p>

<p>-Rejected:
-MIT (Deferred EA, later rejected)
-CalTech (Rejected EA)
-Cornell (Rejected RD)
-Columbia (RD)
-Tufts (RD)
-UCLA (RD)
-UC Irvine (RD)
-UC Berkeley (RD)
-USC (RD)</p>

<p>-Unknown:
-Harvey Mudd (Notified April 1st)</p>

<p>I'm heavily involved with the drama department as a theater technician and lighting designer (I'm designing lights for three of the six productions at my school this year). I'm also running a private math-tutoring service on the side, and have previously worked a well-known tutoring/homework help service. </p>

<p>In terms of paying for college, I have not received any money aside from the three merit scholarships offered to me. My family has very graciously offered me a blank check to whatever school I can afford, and in any case, I'm ineligible for financial aid from most of the schools I applied to.</p>

<p>The thing that gets me is that of all the people I've talked to about my rejections, from my friends to my teachers and counselors and even former students from my school that currently attend some of these schools, they all expected that I would at least get into Cal, if not UCLA. I've gone over all my applications and paperwork looking for something that would explain to me why I got rejected, but haven't found anything. Help?</p>

2

<p>Undeclared engineering is probably one of the most selective majors at Berkeley. Also, a 3.79 probably translates to a 4.1 or so UC-weighted GPA; 2009 engineering applicants to Berkeley with good chances had a >= 4.2 UC-weighted GPA (and admissions this year is almost certainly more selective). Also, your Math Level 2 score is not all that high for an engineering applicant.</p>

<p>Would it be correct to assume that you are a California resident? If so, is UC Davis the least expensive after financial aid and scholarships are applied? UC Davis has a high reputation in civil engineering and a good reputation in computer science.</p>

3

<p>Yes; I’m a lifelong California resident (<20 miles away from the Cal campus actually).</p>

<p>Sent from my DROID BIONIC using CC</p>

4

<p>UC Davis is a superb school! And affordable too. Listed in the top ten public Universities in the USA. Kids with 4.0 have been rejected from many UC schools, so don’t feel bad. And look at all the school that accepted you. Good work! And good luck with your Fall semester, hope you choose Davis.</p>

5

<p>How many ap classes did you take out of how many? I see two. Not enough.</p>