UC Berkeley Admissions Chance and Questions about Admissions

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>ACT: 35
SAT: 2130 (Took in tenth grade so it's probably not relevant. I sent these scores anyway since UCB requires all test scores)
SAT Subjects: Math 800 Physics 800 US History 680
Unweighted UC GPA: 3.81 (this only includes tenth and eleventh grade, they don't use freshman year grades. IMPORTANT: I TOOK 6 AP'S IN 10TH GRADE AND THE WORK WAS OVERWHELMING SO I GOT 3 B'S THAT YEAR. THE REST ARE ALL A'S)
Note: my school uses a 7 point scale, but Cali uses a 10 point. If I used a 10 point, I would only have 1 B in hgih school.
Overall Unweighted GPA: (this includes freshman year grades, which I got all A's, UC's don't look at this but this is just for reference)
Weighted UC GPA: 4.64</p>

<p>5 AP's (Calc BC (5, 5), APUSH (4), AP English Lang and Comp (4), AP Physics B (5), AP Music Theory (4))</p>

<p>Been taking college classes since 11th grade.</p>

<p>Teacher Recs:
AP Phys Teacher: She loves me so pretty good
College English: He liked me so pretty good</p>

<p>Essays:
Essay 1: Wrote about how my family is financially stable but we live in a poverty-stricken area and how that inspired me to take up tutoring. (7-8/10)
Essay 2: Wrote about grandfather's attempt at suicide in my backyard and how that affected me. Didn't talk too much about the event itself and I focused more so on myself and my transformation from being lonely and confused into an active member of my community. (7-8/10)</p>

<p>EC's/Awards</p>

<p>Online tutor for state-funded online public school and Tech Lead (leadership role). Founded PTC Academy, a student resource database and AP Physics TA
College Biology TA
Volunteered at adult literacy center and local church. Did research project on gun awareness after Sandy Hook and presented it classmates and peers as volunteer work.</p>

<p>College tutor (job).</p>

<p>National Merit Semifinalist, AP Scholar w/ Distinction, Presidential Volunteer Service Award, Ronald Reagan Student Leader Award, Reached level 10 of Royal Conservatory of Music Exam (highest level for juniors for piano)</p>

<p>Founder/President of Chess Club-peak USCF of 1072, won 2 tournametns and placed in top 4 in 7 of them.
USTA Tennis-Varsity Tennis, won 6 state tournaments and peak rank of 117.
Treasurer of Science Olympiad, TSA, and STEM Club. (I have some awards from the competitions, but I didn't post them because no room.)
Played piano for 11 years and Co-Founder/Co-President of Performing Arts Club. (Organized elementary school Christmas performance, but I didn't mention this in the app)
Published video game on kongregate.com</p>

<p>I AM AN OUT OF STATE STUDENT.</p>

<p>My question:
My unweighted GPA is a little low for my grades after 9th grade to before 12th grade (it's a 3.81). I'm out of state, and I took 6 AP's in one year in tenth grade and I got 3 B's that year. How negatively will that affect me? The high school I attend is in the top 20 in the nation, so will UCB take that into account? And will they compare me to kids that are also applying from my school? My school only has 50 kids... Also, will my 680 US History score or my SAT scores from 9th and 10th grade affect me? UC Berkeley doesn't require SAT subject test scores for the college I'm applying to (Letters and Sciences) so I was wondering how it will affect me? Last thing, I got some state-level awards for Science Olympiad and TSA, but because I didn't mention them, will it negatively affect me? I feel like it would have boosted my app. Same thing applies with the organization of the elementary school Christmas performance. Did not including that kill my chances? It's a pretty big leadership role.</p>

2

<p>…I don’t know.</p>

<p>With it unweighted so low, I don’t know. But your weighted is pretty high. </p>

<p>Being OOS is not helping you… I’m sure there’s someone that can help you more than I on this. Your other stats, especially your weighted UC GPA, looks great. </p>

<p>On the topic of the other stuff to send in, I feel like it definitely would have added to your app.</p>

3

<p>@JuniorBengal‌ Thanks!</p>

<p>Overall, my unweighted GPA is a 3.9, but UC is so stupid to not include 9th grade grades!!!
And yeah, I kinda regret not telling them, but there’s only space for 150 characters…</p>

4

<p>Do UC schools even look at your unweighted GPA? I honestly don’t know…
You look like a great candidate so I would say you are a MATCH for Berkeley…
Good Luck! :)</p>

5

<p>Why would you want to apply to a school system that you consider to be “stupid”?</p>

<p>That attitude is going to come back and bite you. </p>

<p>OOS students pay full fees.</p>

6

<p>I’m not saying the education is stupid; I’m saying the admissions policy is. @"aunt bea"‌ </p>

7

Haha I was actually like “thank god” for UC schools ignoring 9th grade.

But to answer your question, the things you mentioned may or may not affect you. But there’s little you can do about it; send in everything you can, and make contact with admissions officers if you can, but then relax. From my experience, freaking out about my decision didn’t help me one bit. Whether you’re accepted or rejected, you’ll have to wait 3 months to find out.

So continue your normal life, pursue your passions, and don’t let college become a hindrance in life.

To actually answer your question,

  1. UC schools, I believe, do consider your pre 10th grade marks (otherwise why would they ask you to input them in detail?). But the GPA used for admissions and statistical purposes is UC. Anyways, they consider your entire transcript as part of the process.

  2. I don’t think not including awards will be the difference between a rejection/acceptance. It’s not like a points system (actually it somewhat is, but a different kind) where each award gets you a score. I think they’re looking for passion and enthusiasm, not simply a list of awards/ecs. (on my app for all schools, I only listed 3 serious ecs)

  3. SAT 2 scores, if good, should be sent in, regardless of necessity. I think you should send the first 2.

  4. I don’t think a 3.81 is “low”. Not all GPAs are created equal; the entire transcript is the important part. I don’t think a 3.81 vs a 3.9 will affect your decision, especially if the other parts in your app aren’t lacking.

  5. UCB will account for high school rigor. How can they not? That’s like saying a poor rural high school is equal to TJ, where probably the worst student could be near the top of the class at that rural school. A top 20 is pretty impressive, and a 3.81 achieved there is not equal to other 3.81s.

btw, I didn’t know that UCB allowed teacher recs…(?)

also, your personal statement matters a lot, and unfortunately it’s highly subjective. The officer’s mood, his/her personal preferences etc. can all impact the decision.

8

Hi guys I am an International IB Diploma student currently studying in year 12 in Dubai and am not quite happy with my predicted grades at the moment and am looking to do Biotechnology in UCB if possible

My HL subjects are:
Biology-6
Chemistry-6
Math-5
SL:
Spanish-6
Eng-6
Psychology-5
My total predicted score is a 34/42
I have done the igcse in year 11
Biology, Chemistry, ICT, Math-A*
Eng,Physics-A
Travel and Tourism-B

I do play the piano and volunteer often as it is a part of the core requirement for CAS
Will I be using these predicted grades released in june to apply to UC’s or is it possible for me to push my predicted grades by November before applying?
I will be sitting for my SATs in Oct