Hey I’m currently a Junior in high school and was wondering if there was any chance that I would get into UC Berkeley. My overall gpa for my 3 years (Freshman-junior) is a 3.7. I have been involved in several extra curricular activities such as youth and government program, model United Nations, councilor at a camp, heal the bay volunteer for 25 hours, member of freshman council, secretary of sophomore council, Vice President of junior council, student body president, key club member, animal club secretary, member of school committee, animal shelter volunteer with 50 hours, academic decathlon, high school governance council, district member of youth advisory council of the state of California and much more. Please let me know if I have a shot (if not what other prestigious schools I have a chance in) thanks!
Calculate your UC GPA: http://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
What are your test scores? If you still have not taken them, aim for an SAT of 2100+ ACT 32+ for the best chances. UCB is holisitic in their admissions, so EC’s and essays will play a large part in your admission decision. Spend time on your UC essays this summer. Repost with test scores and UC GPA to get more advice.
I haven’t taken the SAT but I will and aim to score really high. My UC GPA is 3.79. Do you think I would have a chance @Gumbymom ?
Ok, based on what I’ve seen, your chances are fairly low, and that is only because of your slightly lower GPA. The average acceptance GPA was above a 4. I would say depends on your major also as some colleges (engineering) are way more competitive than others, so if you apply to a less competitive college, you’ll have a better shot.
Make sure not to count your freshman grades when you calculate your UC GPA.
Did you take the SAT/ACT? Any AP’s? If you took rigorous courses/if your GPA is better than most of your peers, then it won’t matter as much.
But especially for Berkeley, major plays a huge role in admission.
That’s a tad bit low for UCLA/UCB applicants, but not too low either.
You seem to have a great shot, your activities are awesome. If you can get above 2,000 on the SAT and write a stellar essay I’d say you’re a shoe-in!
Thanks! What I plan in majoring at UC Berkely is Business
Ok, for business I would say you have a much better shot at. You have a lot of good extracurricular activites, maybe apply for U Chicago EA or Wharton ED?
They tend to look past the GPA more so than schools like Berkeley and your amount of leadership definitely helps.
You would have to be insanely lucky to pull Cal with a 3.79 UC GPA. If you really want berkeley, then consider doing CC + transfer into Haas (they have seats reserved for transfer students).
@leo415: Repost with your SAT score, but your UC GPA is way below the average of 4.18. You would need a very high SAT score to offset that GPA. Study hard for the SAT and write some amazing essays and you might have a chance. Good Luck.
Averages for Class 2014:
High School GPA
4.18
ACT Composite Score
31
SAT Critical Reading
677
SAT Mathematics
703
SAT Writing
691