Hi everyone –
I’m finally around to writing a more in-depth recap of my application process and some tips I have for the future applicants who will be reading these posts for hope, guidance, and insight.
FIRST: Since you’re reading this here on College Confidential, know that about half of everything you read will be helpful. The other half is usually speculation, rumors, and ridiculous self-inflated conspiracy theories that will only serve to make matters worse for you. Take everything you read with a grain of salt and know that every person’s process is unique. There is no cookie cutter fit (or short cut) through this application process.
My stats –
Northern California CC Student, 24 years old
Accepted: UC Berkeley Haas, UCLA BizEcon, UCSD Management Science, UCSB, UCSC, SJSU
Waitlisted: UC Irvine BIM (LOL, I even submitted my TAG for them!?!)
Rejected: CalPoly SLO (No idea why, but I also didn’t spend much time on the application)
^^ The only schools I wanted to attend were Berkeley and SJSU, the others I applied to just for fun and definitely had a good chuckle in the end.
3.93 GPA: In the past, I had quite a few W’s, some D’s, and even an F. However, I had the subpar grades removed from my GPA, leaving me with some B’s and an A on my transcript from then. Returning to school after years (and I mean years) of being away, I’ve since taken over 70 units at my current CC and have only received A’s.
EXTRACURRICULARS: Not nearly as “impressive” as other people – I’ve never been the president of anything, nor was I involved on campus much, and I haven’t started my own business. This is really important because ultimately, you don’t need to be any of these things, so don’t get discouraged if you aren’t. If you’re focusing on school and don’t have time for a lot of EC’s, that’s okay – because I didn’t, and I explained it. However, the things that I do and am a part of, I am very invested in, and I take A LOT of meaning and significance out of them. This includes extensive past work experience, current hobbies, and passions I pursue. If you have a passion, be sure to share it, but it’s not worth trying to add EC’s for the sake of it.
PESRSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS: This is 100% where you can shine, and you need to if you want to stand out. Everyone has stellar GPA’s, some form of hardship, or some wildly impressive achievements. But it’s in the essays where you get to separate yourself and express yourself – so do it. I poured everything I had into them, 30+ drafts for each essay, and maxed the word count every time. I thought about letting teachers or people read my essays, but I actually chose not to, and I don’t think you should let a lot of people be the ones to validate your writing either. If anything, choose 1 person you trust the most and let them read it at the very end. I recommend asking yourself why you want to apply to Haas, what you have to offer, and allow that mindset to structure your writing. Know the principles and build them throughout your writing, and don’t start writing until you’ve really found something worth writing about. (PROTIP: I purchased some successful MBA business essays books to give insight into writing styles. Even though it was for MBA schools and not undergrad, it was a great investment and I recommend it to get an idea of how to craft your writing) ALSO: I filled in every space I had to write - so I maxed out the 4 essays (250 words each), the “additional comments section” (500 words), the little additional comments section in between, and also the supplemental essay (500 words). AND guess what - I went back and read the essays after submission and I had a typo in two of them, safe to say that it’s not the end of the world 
OTHER TIPS:
- Stay away from the conspiracy theories. Read the generic Berkeley thread of this year to get an idea of how bad it can get. I didn’t receive an alumni email or take part in any effort to manipulate a glitch in the system or see 2 or 4 addresses. It’s really ridiculous and a harmful waste of time.
- I am not a fan of the “chance-me” thing here on CC and I didn't participate in it. It just made me more anxious, and I didn't want to make others anxious either. Your chances of getting in are the same whether or not someone else thinks so. Instead, ask fruitful questions, and know that by the time you’re applying, everything you’ve done is already done. The best you can do is put your best foot forward and be patient – it will happen as it should and when it should.
- Patience and perseverance. I poured over just about all the Haas threads on CC and nearly didn’t want to apply to Haas because I was afraid of stacking up against all these other individuals who have incredible stats. However, the most important lesson I’ve learned is that we all have our own experiences, and what we take from them and how we grow from them is what makes us unique. This entire process has been humbling for me and I don’t believe I deserve admission more than anyone else does, but I am confident in what I have to offer and how my life experiences will allow me to contribute to others.
Good luck to future applicants. Not sure if I’ll still be reading these threads in the future, but feel free to DM and I’d be happy to help when I can.
And I am pretty sure that I will do the precore program, so I might just not go to the transfer day.