UC Berkeley Rec letter

This past week, a lot of my friends got asked for a rec letter by UC Berkeley.

I didn’t, and it’s one of my top schools, so I’m really worried. I have a 1570 on the SAT and two 800’s on my subject tests. My intended major is computer science, but not EECS. Just regular computer science. My essays weren’t that good, but my awards and extracurriculars were pretty good. I have done chemistry olympiads for two years and have one a 100,000 scholarship as well.

Is there a chance that they’re still considering me even though they didn’t ask me for a Rec letter?

Could my essays be enough to get me out of the admissions process? They weren’t the best, but they were still ok. Two of them were like 50 words under the maximum so could the admissions team have thought that I wasn’t serious about going?

It’s a very small percentage that gets asked for a recommendation letter. My kid was L&S CS last year also, didn’t get asked for a rec letter, and got in. I think you’ll be fine.

@ProfessorPlum168 phew ? thank you

@compSciLover Honestly, take it as a blessing that you weren’t asked for a letter of rec. In past experience (my sister is currently a Junior at Cal and 2 of my best friends are freshmen), getting asked for a letter may mean you’re borderline. My sister didn’t get asked for one and she got in immediately. My two friends who are freshmen got asked for letters and were both waitlisted and got in afterwards. My interpretation is that they ask primarily the people who are borderline between getting accepted and rejected. So no worries, my friend! While Berkeley does take the essays largely into consideration, the admissions committee does a holistic review of all applications. Extracurriculars are great, grades are the most important, and test scores are considered greatly but are not the most important factor at all.

I do NOT think that letter of rec is for borderline. It could be if they are looking at you for possible Regents candidate.

@plzzzadmitme that’s good news! I really hope so. UCB is definitely one of my top schools. Thank you for sharing!

@LvMyKids2 No, actually for the regents candidate it’s completely separate and they accept around this time anyways so…