<p>Hey guys I was reading online that the Berkeley minimum required GPA for out of state applicants is 3.4 and you can't have a grade lower than a C. During my Freshman year I got a D in one class, and very bad grades in the others (C's, B's) resulting in a 2.54 unweighted GPA and a 2.94 weighted GPA. However, during Sophomore year I got a 3.9 unweighted GPA and a 4.52 weighted, and Junior year I got a 3.95 unweighted GPA and a 4.95 weighted.</p>
<p>Taking into mind that for the four years in High School every class I have taken has been Honors, AP or advanced (9 AP's), would this hinder or void my application (even with a pretty good upward trend)?</p>
<p>P.S. My cumulative unweighted GPA is 3.54 and my cumulative weighted GPA is 4.21.
My cumulative GPA's including the 1st Semester of senior year are 3.60 (U/W) and 4.31 (W).
I am also applying to the College of Letters and Science for a Computer Science Degree. I have above average and unique EC's and a 2350 SAT score (35 ACT score), I was part of the accelerated math program (taking AP Calculus BC Junior year instead of Senior year), and I am out of state. </p>
<p>Also, I’ve heard that Berkeley only counts Sophomore and Junior year grades in a UC “capped” GPA? Is that true?</p>
<p>Not sure about the D situation freshman year, you should probably get into contact with the admissions office about that. All UCs use a capped UC GPA, meaning that you can calculate your GPA using 8 semesters (4 classes) with bonus AP/Honors points. Because you’ve taken so many AP’s and Honors, this unfortunately means that your capped GPA will be considerably less than your regular weighted GPA. That being said, the admissions office will definitely take into account that you challenged yourself and that is certainly a bonus within your application. Judging by your ACT/SAT scores plus out-of-state status (higher acceptance rate and trending upward compared to in-state), you should have a good chance. The D might become a problem, however, you might want to look into if there’s any way you could retake it and replace that grade.</p>
<p>Quick disclaimer: I do not guarantee admission to UC Berkeley or any other university</p>
<p>According to Berkeley’s admission website, Berkeley will take note of your upward trend. Also, your UC GPA is calculated using 10th and 11th grade UC-approved courses only. </p>
<p>For more info, you can go here: <a href=“Freshmen Requirements - Office of Undergraduate Admissions”>http://admissions.berkeley.edu/freshmanrequirements</a> </p>
<p>Also, this blog post may be helpful to you for your overall application process: <a href=“http://■■■■■■/VYxgdq”>http://■■■■■■/VYxgdq</a> </p>
<p>Hope this helps!</p>
<p>Peggy Hsieh
Undergraduate Admissions Blogger
UC Berkeley Class of 2017
blog.admissions.berkeley.edu</p>
<p>Note that the D disqualifies the course from being counted in a-g requirements. If it is in an a-g requirement that cannot be validated by taking a higher level course with a C or higher grade, then you have to make it up somehow.</p>
<p>Validation exists for language other than English (a higher level validates lower levels) and math other than geometry (algebra 2 validates algebra 1; precalculus, trigonometry, or calculus validates algebra 1 and algebra 2). Some a-g requirements can be fulfilled by sufficient AP or SAT subject scores.</p>
<p>Since you are out-of-state, take a look at the net price calculator to see if you can afford to attend. Out-of-state students do not get need-based financial aid for the $23,000 additional out-of-state tuition.</p>
<p>So, ucbalumnus, if my D was in English I Freshman year and I then received an A for English II and an A for AP English, it still wouldn’t be validated?</p>
<p><a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors; indicates that validation by higher level courses is not available for English, so if you fulfill the requirement with high school courses, you must have four years of high school courses with C or higher grades.</p>
<p><a href=“University of California Counselors”>University of California Counselors; indicates that some standardized tests or college courses may be used to fulfill the English requirement.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus, Thanks, I think my SAT scores and AP scores validate the D in English.</p>