UC Berkeley/NYU Admissions

College Search & Selection
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<p>Hey guys-</p>

<p>So I'm thinking of applying to UCB/NYU for Philosophy.</p>

<p>What do you think? Does anyone know what their requirements are?</p>

<p>Please if you can tell me the minimum score to get considered for the following:
SAT
SAT II
IB total score (important!)</p>

<p>Also, if you or anyone you know of that takes Philosophy as a Major, please let me know what you think about it. Is it inspiring? Do you enjoy/ regret it? What are the top Philosophy major schools in US apart from the Ivy Leagues?</p>

<p>Thank you everyone!
counterpain</p>

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<p>There is no cutoff. NYU just has nothing of the kind, and if you aren’t far above the minimum requirements to apply to Berkeley you stand no shot at getting in.</p>

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<p>SAT requirements</p>

<p>UCB: usually around 2100~2300 (low score a bit higher for OOS)
NYU: usually around 1900~2100 (Arts & Sciences)</p>

<p>To be honest, in undergrad philosophy major is strong for all the top 20 colleges or so. However, NYU philosophy is outstanding (even if it’s not on top 30).</p>

<p>p.s: IB scores don’t count in college admissions for the U.S</p>

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<p>Wow- thanks this is great help.</p>

<p>Lots of people are telling me Philosophy is a “bad” major. What do you think? Why do you think NYU’s program is outstanding?</p>

<p>I thought US universities value IB because it’s a “vigorous” course? I’m also an international student, and I heard they don’t really look at ECs… I’m so confused!</p>

<p>Is SAT really important for NYU…? What if my grades are great and I have great ECs?</p>

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<p>Speaking of NYU, I’m a bit concerned about their 4 year history requirement. My school does not allow freshmen to take any social science courses.</p>

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<p>Sensation is overestimating UC Berkeley’s SAT “requirements” - the averages are:</p>

<p>SAT Critical Reading: 665
SAT Mathematics: 692
SAT Writing: 676</p>

<p>which is roughly 2000. NYU is less competitive, so I wouldn’t stress too much about your scores.</p>

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<p>@ counterpain: Hey! I’m actually a philosophy major. I’m just transferring to Berkeley, so I can’t tell you firsthand what the classes there are like. However, I have taken philosophy courses at my local CCC, and I’ve loved them. Being able to read and analyze the various schools of philosophy, whether they be western or eastern or existential or ethical, is fulfilling and inspiring! I HIGHLY recommend this major.</p>

<p>So far I’ve read Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, Bentham, Kant, Krishnamurti, Nietzche, etc. </p>

<p>It’s truly incredible when you can pull from these philosophies in your every day life, and apply their teachings to difficult situations and decisions. It’s also one of those majors where lots of reading is involved…LOTS. Although, because of this, philosophy majors score the highest on MCAT’s and also score very highly on the LSAT. Philosophy will improve your vocabulary and help you critically analyze and piece apart arguments and formulate your own claims and viewpoints. </p>

<p>I’ve never taken philosophy at Berkeley (yet), but I will tell you that phil at Cal is VERY difficult. From everyone I’ve spoken to and read about on here, phil is considered to be one of the hardest majors at UCB. Generally, this is due to the dense and large amount of reading, the extremely delicate process of analyzing the arguments, and being able to convey your points succinctly and precisely. </p>

<p>For example, I know for Ancient Philosophy at UCB (a class you’ll need there), there are weekly quizzes, a 2-page, 3-page, and 4-page paper, and that’s all. Sounds easy - right? Nope. I’m telling you that at Cal, it’s VERY difficult to get great grades in classes like this. The average grade for this class is a B-. I’ll be taking it next semester, and I’m already studying for it lol.</p>

<p>What you can actually do is go onto iTunes U and listen in on Berkeley philosophy lectures:</p>

<p>[UC</a> Berkeley on iTunes U](<a href=“http://itunes.berkeley.edu/]UC”>http://itunes.berkeley.edu/)</p>

<p>I’ve been doing that on and off to prepare for what I’ll need to understand next semester. This is a great resource to get ahead of the game. </p>

<p>Anyway, I don’t mean to scare you off lol. Phil at UCB is top-notch. I’m actually a double major in psych and phil, and I can tell you that these are 2 of the best programs in the nation. They are rigorous, but you will learn so much and appreciate the brilliance of the professors and GSI’s. Definitely get to know your GSI too. They will help you whenever you have questions during office hours.</p>

<p>Sorry to write so much, but I’m passionate about philosophy! If you have any questions or would like to know more about the major at UCB, definitely hit me up! Best of luck!</p>

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<p>[The</a> Philosophical Gourmet Report 2009 :: Overall Rankings](<a href=“http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.asp]The”>http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/overall.asp)</p>

<p>NYU’s faculty is outstanding.</p>

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<p>@Spanglish:
I’m not exaggerating. Considering the rapid increase of number of applicants for both Berkeley and NYU, one should also adjust the standard of SAT scores for both schools.</p>

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<p>Are you instate for Berkeley?</p>

<p>If not, can you pay full freight for both NYU and Berkeley? </p>

<p>Or, is money a concern?</p>

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<p>@emilsinclair9- You are fantastic, just what I needed. I’m really confused as to what to study and you are exactly who I need to speak to. Hope you don’t mind me bothering you!
I’m really considering Philosophy and Psychology as a double major or possibly with Political Science. I’m thinking of studying Philosophy as my undergrad degree then going to Law School since, like you said, it really helps with the LSAT test. How much do you read on average? Thank you once again for sharing with me :)</p>

<p>@mom2collegekids- Money is not a concern, although I would like to apply for financial aid. I live in Asia so I am an international student.</p>

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<p>Yes, that’s way above what berkeley takes. average accepted student has a 2050, average matriculated well under 2000. This as not moved much for years.</p>

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<p>You will fit in right in Berk =P and I thought out of state/interntional Berk students had a harder time getting in and thus higher SAT was required?</p>

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<p>Ahhh! I really don’t know what to do… so IB predicted scores aren’t really valued in U.S.?</p>

<p>So it’s all down to my personal statement, SATs and recommendations…!</p>

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<p>

This statement does not make sense. If “money is not a concern,” why are you applying for financial aid? </p>

<p>In any case, you are not eligible for and will not receive financial aid at UC Berkeley, and OOS costs are approx $50,000 per year. I am not familiar with policies at NYU.</p>

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<p>NYU gives no aid to internationals too. Both are bad choices if you can’t comfortably afford over $5oK/yr.</p>

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<p>Sorry: money is not a concern, although it would be nice to of course to be on scholarship (not financial aid) is what I meant.</p>

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<p>NYU is stingy with scholarships. Most CAS students have around 2100 SAT scores, so to get good merit aid from them, you’ll probably need 2200-2300. That said, their philosophy department is by far the best in the nation.</p>

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<p>Oh,you were asking about scholarships: Berkeley has the Regents’ and Chancellor’s scholarships - their most prestigious awards. For students without financial need, they are $1,000/year honorariums. [UC</a> Berkeley Financial Aid Office: Undergraduates Types of Aid Scholarships Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship](<a href=“http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/undergraduates/RCbenefits.htm]UC”>http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/undergraduates/RCbenefits.htm)</p>

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<p>UC Berkeley concentrates very much on the GPA for admissions</p>

<p>you could have a 2,100 SAT but if your GPA is below 3.8, you might have problems getting admitted</p>

<p>I am surprised no one has mentioned this by now</p>