<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I'm like 70% sure that I'm gonna get rejected and 100% hoping that I won't. I know that UCs tend to be a lot more number based (eg. gpa, sats, etc. etc.), something which I seriously laack. I was just wondering for all the Cal people already in, what were some of the lowest scores you heard people who made it in Cal got. (Excluding sports scholarships).</p>
<p>Any information would be nice, as it would hopefully ease my anxiety. haha.</p>
<p>Lowest SAT score I know of is around 1800. The person was a valedictorian with tons of EC's (class president, editor, water polo, etc) from a school with a low API though.</p>
<p>I share the same sentiments as you, jarjarfrank.</p>
<p>friends of mine has 1810s and got in. however, they were highly ranked/gpa</p>
<p>Berkeley's considerably less numbers-focused than many other UCs. Notice that essays are considered as important as GPA and rigor of course load, according to its common data set. Scores are considered less important.</p>
<p>Everything Kyledavid says is true, at least it was for me. I don't know what Cal looks for except unique. Jar, I totally felt the exact same way as you and I got in. My scores and my peeps were all over the place. Based on my personal stats (too embarrassing to mention!), high gpa and great essays are key, and a real desire to go to Cal. Even if you don't get in, you can always try to transfer later. Lots of students like me with strange (for CC) stats. I really think the admissions people look at each app and ask themselves will this applicant fit in and succeed? It's NOT a numbers game here.</p>
<p>I think Cal does look at a high GPA as the most important variable. I think they don't take the SATs as seriously as they do a high GPA but the average SAT here is still pretty high. I know plenty of people with high stats who have been rejected (high as in 1550 on the old SAT, so equivalent of 2350 or so on new one).</p>
<p>Lowest one I know for non-athletes? Maybe around 1250 on the old scale...pretty low but this person had a high GPA and ranking.</p>
<p>Cal seems to focus on GPA first, then SATs/ECs/essays (given equal ranking).</p>
<p>Cal is a unique environment, and not always an easy one to live in. The urban area, huge school feel, and the academics can be challenging. Most people I know who go there end up loving it, but it can still be stressful. I think one of the reasons admissions there can be capricious is that the adcoms are truly trying to find the candidates who will be successful at Berkeley. A kid who has great stats but doesn't get in may have not appeared to be a resilient applicant or the admissions people just thought he wouldn't have been a good fit there. Being smart isn't enough at Cal. It has to be the right fit. I know a lot of kids who THINK they want to go there, but in reality, may not be the best fit. Please don't take the comments in a negative light... I have nothing but admiration for Cal. It's just that the better I know it, the more I think it isn't for everybody. If you don't get in, it might be a mistake or it might be the best thing that ever happened to you. And I say this as a parent anxiously awaiting the admissions results next month. Good luck to all of you. BTW GPA is the most important thing as long as it was earned in rigorous classes, evidence of intellectual curiosity and demonstrated independence probably help as well, and the test scores? Well, Berkeley is always trying to get rid of those in one fashion or another so they obviously don't mean too much.</p>
<p>yeah i agree with ^^. i got a 1730 and a 4.2 gpa and i got here. lol. you need to show that you can overcome adversity.</p>
<p>From Berkeley's common data set, GPA, rigor of course load, and essays are the most important factors (rated "very important"). Scores, ECs, volunteer work, work experience, personal qualities, etc. are considered "important."</p>
<p>bessie: I agree, Berkeley is not for everyone. The same could be said of any school, really -- it's about fit.</p>
<p>I've seen a lot of people with relatively low SAT scores (< 2000). Someone on my floor got somewhere between 1600-1700.</p>
<p>ive seen some 1700's</p>
<p>eitherwhich way, you need to get over this "omg im gonna get rejected" BS. the fact of the matter is that youll find your place anywhere you go. really, berkeley isnt really meant for many people who get in; theres too much riding on the prestige factor for people to logically think about what kind of school fits them. but yeah, stop going on the internet and stressing about this kinda stuff. go out and kick it during senior year</p>
<p>Actually, I know some people can get in with less than 1700 if they have enough extracurriculars and leadership.</p>
<p>I know someone who got in with about a 1500 SAT on the new one. Average middle-class financially stable white person, but first generation college student. Also had high gpa and was in the top 10 of the class. It doesn't really matter what kind of stats other people have had, either you're going to get in or you're not and no one here can predict or tell you whether you'll get in.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the info...I guess I'll just wait patiently until the 27th. Thanks again!</p>