UC essay help/input needed

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Essay 1: This is what I'm most stumped about. There aren't any programs like the one listed where I live (semi rural area in Mississippi). What else would be considered 'taking advantage of educational opportunities'? Should I write about how, in the absence of programs, I took it upon myself to learn about the topics I'm interested in?</p>

<p>Essay 2 (the one i'm making 600 words): I'm writing about how my travels across the US and my time living in the south has molded my view of the world. Sound good to y'all?</p>

<p>Essay 3: No problem really. Just gonna explain a few dips in my grades and why my GPA sucks.</p>

<p>Any opinions on the first 2 essays would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Come on....they suck...they're extraordinary...this or that could be changed....any comments greatly appreciated.</p>

3

<p>thats odd im stuck on the third one i think it is a very poor question
sorry i dont have any real advice but i just wanted to rant</p>

4

<p>The fact that you're from Mississippi and want to attend one of the UC's is a bit disconcerting (they're rather overrated--they're only "good" because, at the in-state price, they're a nice bargain).</p>

<p>But, to actually answer your question, I would say you're on the right track. Now all you have to do is write them. I tried to keep in mind that the UC's don't really care about your essays--the system is numbers-driven--and that took away a lot of my stress.</p>

5

<p>I just want to get out of MS really. California sounds nice and from what I've heard UCB is a good school.</p>

6

<p>If your gpa sucks then you are wasting time applying to UCB as an out of stater.</p>

<p>On essays--</p>

<h1>1-What do you mean any programs like the ones listed? They don't list any. This is not about what is available at your school as much as it is about what you do, how hard you push yourself, what you excel at and if you have followed up on any interest outside the classroom. However, if your school is seriously deprived, then mention it.</h1>

<h1>2-good</h1>

<h1>3 - maybe</h1>

7

<p>If I'm calculating it correctly my UC GPA is 3.8....is applying still a waste of my time in your opinion?</p>

8

<p>I believe the avg. UC GPA for UCB is 4.1</p>

9

<p>the only other chances you have as an out of stater are
something crazy in your ECs or Awards, or Academic Decathalon winner. UCB seems to like that competition a lot.</p>

10

<p>Really? Damn. I don't have any crazy ECs or awards (sr. class president, eagle scout, national merit semifinalist, us senate youth program finalist, hornaday award, few others...nothing really exceptional unfortunately). I've got an ok SAT score (1460/740m/720v) and (from what i've heard) solid essays. Y'all still think i have no chance as an out of stater? they don't go for diversity from across the country or anything like that at berkeley?</p>

11

<p>Well, Berkeley is a University of California campus. They give a huge preference to California residents from what it seems and that's why out of staters have to do so well to even be considered.</p>