@USUG21 the “initial read” is probably a numerical algorithm. Berkeley wouldn’t waste its time asking radom applicants for letters of rec (ones they know they won’t accept and ones they know they will).
I went through the threads above. What is the conclusion then ? The ppl who are asked LORs , their application shall be read second time and are in consideration…can i assume this
It sounds that way, if you watch the video.
To all those wondering and if you don’t want to watch the video:
The initial read was a numeric algorithm comparing your app to the class of 2015. It will output yes/maybe/no. By no means is that an actual read of the app. Just used for LOR. Maybes got LOR. Yes did not mean you are in. It meant you would most likely not need a LOR and vice versa for nos. Your application would still be read and scores by two human readers unless you got your LOR request after an actual human read. We don’t know what kind of request you got but the Professor said the overwhelming majority got the mechanical request. Bottom line is if you get a request send two letters in. I was most likely a maybe last year (high GPA below avg test scores for engineering) and I sent two letters in and was ultimately denied. Last year people read way too much into this. Think of it as just another application step and patiently wait until March. Good luck 2021!
Mine may be a mech request. As i got lor request immediately after submitting the app …within a day
Hmm, I got my LOR request almost a month after I submitted my app.
I think your analysis is right. In the video also it said that those who were outside the MAYBE band were less likely to get a LOR request - which means that some of them also got LOR request.
Out of curiosity - where did you decide to go eventually?
Asking this question again: Does Berkeley more heavily weigh the math and English section of the ACT compared to the reading and science section?
I wasn’t asked for a LOR but my friend with a higher test score (but lower math/English score) and lower UC GPA was asked to submit one. Another friend of mine from school was also asked to submit one. He had a lower UC GPA than me and a lower math/English score.
Seems like the algorithm outputed a “yes” for me, but I’m not too sure.
@cricketfan I chose to attend UCLA for electrical engineering. It was my second choice school after Stanford and I couldn’t be any happier. I SIRd before finding out my Berkeley decision last year. But Cal is an excellent school.
@ap012199 Honestly I wouldn’t read into it too much. If you put forth your best effort into the app that is all you can do. Enjoy senior year, college is a whole different world. You’ll be happy at whatever school you end up at.
Guys does UC Berkeley will accept my LORs as my recommenders submit the LORs an hour later than the deadline ? and secondly my transcript isn’t received to LSAC but it was posted to LSAC on 6th January
FYI - I disagree with @cricketfan and would disregard the analysis in the video (but didn’t have an hour to sit through the entire video). My dd was in class of 2016, received LOR request last year and was granted regents and now attends Cal in engineering (no hooks). Note that all regents dd is aware of also received LOR requests last year. Thus, the LOR request doesn’t only go out to middle applicants. DD’s stats and extras were stellar. DD2 is now applying and has not received a LOR request (also has great stats). Unsure of how exactly they determine who to send LOR requests to, but it certainly isn’t only to middle applicants…
@patentj as someone pointed out to me, the video was from Berkeley.
@Fishnlines29, I understand and didn’t watch the entire video. However, actual admission facts for current freshman differ from only sending LORs to middle/maybe students. Everyone will receive their decision soon enough…
@Fishnlines29 what video?
@DaCheaPet see post #88
I agree with you that MAYBE applicants were not the ONLY ones receiving the LOR. The video said that all the MAYBE applicants were asked for LOR and the chance of solid YES or NO applicant to receive that request was less (but not zero).
So in other words, if you received a LOR request then you could be in either of those three categories. However, if you did not receive a LOR request then you are most certainly not a MAYBE.
@ap012199 if your GC sent a LOR berkeley isn’t going to even bother reading it. Someone on their we sister it says that LOC that are sent without being asked will not be read. Anyways LOR are submitted electronically through the portal.
@sofiavb02 I actually asked my GC about that and she said that she had no idea how that happened. She didn’t send anything and there wasn’t even a letter of rec for her to send.
@patentj I am with you! My child got a LOR request and not only has amazing stats and ranks at the top of her class, but she has amazing awards and ECs that she is passionate about. My gut tells me she is being considered for a Regents or some scholarship…she most likely was not a “maybe” candidate!