<p>Kevin101: Thanks so much for your advice. It’s nice to have a “Senior Member” [or whatever College Confidential likes to call you people,] offer his expertise.</p>
<p>jainap: Thank you for your time. I don’t want to go to Berkeley because I like to have somewhat low expectations and I don’t think Berkeley will take me. It also seems a bit too prestigious for me and my 50+ year old dad is also getting his MBA there, so I kind of want to go somewhere else. But we’ll see in March. </p>
<p>Pianodude: Thanks for your time as well, and LOL to our screennames. Let’s be best friends and play piano all day! </p>
<p>To everyone else who commented, will comment or will just read and say “she’s dumb for giving in to this ‘what are my chances craze’”: Happy Holidays and thanks for reviewing my post. :]</p>
<p>I came to know this forum 4 years ago (2006) when I was trying to get into my dream school UCLA and lots members were very helpful providing very useful information and tips. I have succeeded that dream and graduated from UCLA in math/accounting.</p>
<p>In May 2011, I will complete my Master program in industrial engineering at USC so i’m very excited. Anyone who has questions about graduate schools can ask me as well. </p>
<p>Since I have some times these days, I would do whatever to give back to this community. </p>
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<p>To Pianodude, international students are way harder to get in. UC always give priority to CA candidates first. </p>
<p>To both you piano experts, any tips for this newbie piano player (me) :D</p>
<p>UCB is a low reach, UCLA is between low reach/high match, and the others are matches or safeties (UCSC). Best of luck, you’ll get into UCLA more likely than not- I would bet on it!</p>
<p>haha, I wouldn’t exactly consider myself a piano expert, but through my 11 years of experience, I can give you some, hopefully, good advice.</p>
<p>First off, FOLLOW THE FINGERINGS, I don’t care how much you don’t want to, trust me, the composers/piano teachers gave you those fingerings for a reason, I learned this the hard way…</p>
<p>PARTICIPATE IN COMPETITIONS AND PUBLIC RECITALS, Yes very intimidating and challenging, but you’ll be surprised at the motivation that these events will provide you with.</p>
<p>Any other help considering specific techniques, feel free to PM me :D</p>
<p>I actually had no idea what to tell a beginning pianist [i started learning from my mother when I was three b/c she’s a music teacher]. </p>
<p>But, following the fingerings seems like legit advice that even I seem to trail off from at times.</p>
<p>And make sure you hands are round like apples…[er probably not applies] but make sure your hands aren’t draggin all over the piano [although that seems only obvious].</p>
<p>UC Berkeley - low reach / high match
UC Davis - match
UC Irvine - match
UC Los Angeles - low reach / high match
UC San Diego - mid-to-high match
UC Santa Barbara - MATCH FOR SURE
UC Santa Cruz - MATCH FOR SURE
You can never be too sure about UC Berkeley or UCLA :P</p>
<p>Problem with la and Berkeley are they are very random. Your GPA and SAT’s match but I feel that you could have done better with your EC’s. Hopefully your essays are superb!</p>
