<p>I'm a resident of California and a rising senior who intends to apply to UC Berkeley. My new SAT score is 2340 and I received 3 800s on my subject tests (Math 2, Chemistry, and US History). I'm expecting to receive a National AP Scholar award this fall, and share my class ranking of 1 with about 4 or 5 others in a class of 400+.</p>
<p>I've completed all the "a-g" courses except a year of visual and performing arts (i.e., music theory, theatre, band, art, photography, etc.)</p>
<p>Will my lack of this required class bring my chances to matriculating to UCB to 0?</p>
<p>Maybe I'm just being paranoid. But if there are any out there who know about how flexible UC is with their "requirements," please respond.</p>
<p>Can't you complete it this year? I don't think the UC system is know as flexible. They are very by the book. Everything else looks great, just take some art or music!</p>
<p>Yes, Zagat. I can complete it this year. However it would be at the cost of taking another AP, which might help me get into some of the private schools I'm looking at.</p>
<p>It's a tough decision for me, but thank you for your reply.</p>
<p>This shouldn't be that tough. One AP class is not bound to make a big difference at a top college whereas if UCs are your safety schools you really do want to fulfill their requirements.</p>
<p>Top colleges are a lottery that reject many, many kids with your stats. UCB ends up being the best option for many a top stats CA kid and often for financial considerations.</p>
<p>Once you get into college you realize that who they admit seems more random..</p>
<p>I got into Cal with a 1220 SAT (the old version), 3.98 GPA unweighted, my writting SAT II score wasn't good enough so I had to take the Subject A test, I got a 680 on the chem SAT II, and I don't remember my math score at all but it was probably around 720... my extracurriculars were volunteering at the hospital and girl scouts.</p>
<p>My then-boyfriend got rejected from Cal with around a 1480 SAT (old version again), he took way more AP classes than me - got 5's on the tests, had around a 3.7 GPA (unweighted), 760-800's on his SAT II's (higher than me), he was in several school clubs like model UN, and mock-trial. He was also an eagle boy scout.</p>
<p>On paper, I would think my then-boyfriend would have gotten in over me.. but he didn't.</p>
<p>From what you've said about yourself, it sounds to me like you should get in... but who knows.</p>
<p>With impeccable scores like this, one less AP isn't going to ruin your chances at UCB. On the other hand... take the visual/performing arts class or you could be kicking yourself forever.</p>
<p>Well the thing is, UC B is not what I'd consider my dream school - I'm thinking about some others besides this. So it's not that I'm worried about one fewer AP for the UC, it's that I'm worried about the one fewer AP for the other 11 schools I'll be applying to.</p>
<p>My dilemma is having to choose between a requirement for one school and a boost for 11 others.</p>
<p>If you want Berkeley to be a backup school, then you need to take all the a-g requirements. Otherwise, you are not a UC eligible applicant, and will have to rely on admission by exception. This is a highly variable process which depends heavily on how many spots happen to be available that year.</p>
<p>It may be possible to fulfill the visual/performing arts requirement by taking a class at your local community college. Our local cc offers quite a few Saturday art classes as well as evening classes. Usually one semester at cc is treated as a year of hs. It might also be possible to take the course at cc in the summer and be admitted to UC contingent upon completion -- check with your school gc or uc admissions directly.</p>