<p>I'm a Junior. I heard UCs mostly care about your GPA, not your EC's. Also, I heard they don't take into account your freshman year grades.</p>
<p>This is going to kill me. I was a 4.0 student until the end of sophomore year. And then, well, let's just say I was stricken with the curse of 88%s. 4 B's 1st semester of Junior year. This semester it will probably be 2 B's. I'm taking all advanced courses.</p>
<p>If I do well on the SATs and AP tests do I have a chance? I took AP bio last year and got a 5 on that (if that helps). </p>
<p>And if I don't have a chance, what schools should I consider? Thanks!</p>
<p>I’m a Junior. I heard UCs mostly care about your GPA, not your EC’s.</p>
<p>^ NO! This is false! Especially for upper UCs like Berkeley the ECs will matter a lot. There are many top students with highly qualified stats who apply to Berkeley so the things that make you stand out will be what you do besides being smart in school. </p>
<p>The valedictorian at my school this year got spring admit to Berkeley while many people lower than him got fall admit. The reason was because our valedictorian, with straight A’s since freshmen year, had less than stellar ECs.</p>
<p>=/ what a bummer. first of all, what are your interests? if you excel in biology and want to pursue it, then some standout universities in california include UCSD, UC Irvine, UCLA and Harvey Mudd. however, don’t lose hope on berkeley; plenty of people have gotten in despite their disastrous GPA’s. I believe that UC’s do consider your EC’s, though perhaps not as much as GPA. if you can show in your essays that you are outstanding in some way, berkeley is still a viable option for you. also attempt a 2000+ SAT score, pass the bulk of your AP’s, and write solid essays.</p>
<p>It’s really depressing. I worked really hard the rest of the time I’ve been at school. I only have a 2070 on my SAT but I can definitely improve it. But I don’t know, I think I’m probably hopeless for Cal. I got 4 B’s last semester. I’m expecting 2 this one. I’m trying, though.</p>
<p>Yeah, I’m pretty good at Bio. I got a 5 on the AP test, 790 on the SAT II. But I heard without a Chem SAT II to accompany it it’s pretty useless. </p>
<p>Ugh, well what’s the chance that I can transfer from a different college?</p>
<p>ECs and your essay matter a lot for Berkeley. As long as your stats are reasonable, you still have a great chance depending on how well you present yourself. I got in this year with quite average stats.</p>
<p>I will tell you that you will have a chance at getting in. The problem is the majority of people on the cusp will have the same stats as you. You need something that helps you to stand out. It could be good essays, great extracurriculars, community service or personal circumstances. I can tell you right now I got in with a much lower GPA than you, but my essays, EC’s and personal circumstances must have made a big difference to them and I got in.</p>
<p>i too got a 2070 in my SATs, a GPA only slightly above 3.5 (senior year), and i got lots of Bs throughout high school, even Cs. and i got in. oh and also i’m international. all i can say is that you have a chance. definitely. what’s important is how to differentiate yourself from the rest because you can bet lots of applicants will have your stats.</p>
but I can definitely improve it. But I don’t know, I think I’m probably hopeless for Cal. I got 4 B’s last semester. I’m expecting 2 this one. I’m trying, though.</p>