I applied to UC Berkeley as a Business major, but didn’t do my research and realized that they only accept 4s and above for AP exams. At my community college, I was able to skip English 101 or my “first” English course because I got a 3 on one of my AP Lit exams in high school. My counselor told me UCLA will accept it, but I forgot to ask about this for Berkeley.
I’m filling out the supplemental forms right now and I am unsure if I should spend time answering the essay prompt knowing that the 3 on my exam won’t be taken as credit for English. I only took 1 English course at my CC and put in my UC application that the second required English course was fulfilled by AP credit. Since Berkeley does not accept 3s, should I still apply and fill out the essay portion?
IGETC overrules the 4 requirement and they accept a 3. However, Haas doesn’t accept IGETC, so that does seem problematic. If you completed IGETC for the other UCs and it gets certified by your CCC, you will be fine. You need to specifically ask Haas.
Thank you for the responses! Yeah, I have all pre-reqs done for the other UCs except Riverside, which will be done in the Spring. IGETC is already completed. I guess I’ll call Haas to check up on the English course. Not bummed if it is an automatic rejection, but bummed that I spent $70 to apply without looking into it (which was my fault).
This is my limited outsider take FWIW: They’re going to say one of two things: (1) No, we won’t accept it, or (2) maybe. I simply don’t see them flat-out saying it’s ok. That’s not how the UCs work. They always equivocate. “We can’t tell you, we do it case by case,” etc.
As UCbalumnus said, as I’m sure you know, Haas is extremely strict — plus, the English isn’t simply a GE requirement. Both English courses are major requirements.
So best case scenario, they say maybe and you’re going in with a massive risk. It’s not a lost cause if you take the first English this term. You won’t get units as it’s out of sequence, but you will get the subject credit. And then note in the Haas additional comments that you just found out the AP wasn’t a replacement. However, you don’t seem that upset, so you might decide to pass.
I’ll be very curious to hear what they say. Please let us know.
@Ohm888 I called the admissions office. Haas does not accept 3s and my application would be rejected. They’re strict with their policies. She mentioned that I could take the class in the Spring and try applying, but also advised to withdraw, speak to my counselor, and apply next year. I decided to withdraw.
Berkeley is a great school, but I did a campus tour summers ago and it didn’t feel “right” for me. UCB isn’t my first choice, so I’m not too upset about it. Mistakes were made and lessons have been learned.