<p>did you get UCB?
I dont know about Caltech, i hear social life sucks.</p>
<p>did I get UCB? If that means: did I get admitted to UCB? Than yes, I did get UCB. (are you international, because that is how my british friend talks about college)</p>
<p>I was putting Caltech up there for the OP. I heard the same thing, and also that it was exceedingly rigorous. That’s why I dropped off of the waiting list.</p>
<p>sorry about my english.
im not supposed to be on here, so if parents catch me, im going to be in trouble, so im being abrupt.
what did you do that got you into UCB?</p>
<p>I heard that, because of the weighting system, many applicants (possibly more than spots available- I’m not sure) have perfect UC GPAs. This means that everything else becomes more important in order to differentiate applicants with 4.0 UC GPAs (which I was). My test scores were very high, and were perfect or near perfect. My class schedule was very rigorous and well-rounded, and I took 3 more math/science classes than the average honors/AP student at my school. My HS is one of the top publics in the nation. My essays were creative and I think they definitely made me stand out. My recs were probably good. And my ECs demonstrated passion and success in math, science, and sport.</p>
<p>And also did they award you an extra point for honors courses?</p>
<p>I don’t know. What do you mean an “extra point”? I didn’t think they admitted based on a points system. Did honors/AP courses give me a boost? Definitely. I know that it was at least reflected in my UC weighted GPA, and they probably look at rigor of schedule as well when considering applicants.</p>
<p>itry, out of state students will only receive the extra GPA point for AP/IB courses, not for school-designated honors courses.</p>
<p>From the UC website <a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/askuc/answers/calculating.html#2[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/resources/askuc/answers/calculating.html#2</a> :
</p>
<p>i thought about applying to caltech, but i didn’t think they would admit me so i ended up not applying. my interest in math/science doesn’t manifest itself in me doing projects or research or competitions. i like math and science, and it’s what i’m good at. there was no way i could write that into the essays caltech asked of me.</p>
<p>perhaps that’s why i didn’t get into UCB either.</p>
<p>^I’m like you, except I applied anyway. For the essay that asked how I demonstrated my interest, I made up some lame reasons for doing math tutoring; they probably saw right through it. And for the short answer that asked about my quirky humor, I ended up just writing about how I like late night TV. I even admitted in my response that it probably wasn’t what they were looking for (FAIL).</p>
<p>btw, Rice is awesome. It ended up above UCB in my books, even for engineering. Very underrated IMO, at least in the midwest.</p>
<p>Thanks alamemom</p>
<p>rice is not as good compared to UCs in terms of mechanical engineering.</p>
<p>sorry if im bothering anyone, but does gym or health count into gpa in general (for state universities, like UCs, U Mich or UIUC). I didnt think it did but im hearing it does.</p>
<p>Can taking a VPA course senior year count?</p>
<p>whats that?</p>
<p>academic classes only for the UC’s. (No health, PE nor driver’s ed).</p>
<p>Yes, VAPA course (visual and performing arts) taken senior year will count.</p>
<p>do you go to a UC school?</p>
<p>No, Rice does not rank as high as some of the UCs for ME. But then again, Rice is ranked higher overall. Hmmmmmmm…</p>
<p>:P </p>
<p>It’s not all about the rankings. I visited a few UC campuses, including LA and Berkeley, and didn’t like them. Even if I had got into UCB, I don’t think I would have gone. I visited Rice and absolutely loved it.</p>
<p>i LOVE california, and its great that UCs have good programs in my interests</p>
<p>Great choice, schee. With the exception of a few specialized programs, IMO the UCs are over-priced for OOS. For the same money, you could attend an excellent private and obtain better services (smaller classes, advising, counseling, career placement…)</p>
<p>again, im not worrying about financial. btw, does it help to get in if you pay higher for OOS?</p>