<p>So guys, what are my chances of getting into UC Berkeley (number one choice) and UC Irvine (safety).
Female
"caucasian"
Public High school in MN
Intended Major: chemistry
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<p>ACT: 30 (W:34 M:28 R: 34 S:25)
SAT: 2110 (R: 690 M:720 W:700)
AP Exams:
Calc I: 5 Am. Lit: 5 Psychology: 4 US History: 5
(intended stats, and calc II)
SAT II:
Lit: 700 USH: 720 Math:750</p>
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<p>GPA: 3.98
Class rank: 7 unweighted, 1 weighted
Course work: tons of accelerated/honors/ap classes, taken whatever possible</p>
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<p>Extra Curricular/Awards:
played the violin for 9 yrs, 1st chair in school orchestra
math team: have won state like...twice I think
science Olympiad (also, captain this yr): 1st place in state for experimental design, 2nd place for health science, 2nd place in regionals for health science, 2nd place in regionals for "technical writing"
NHS: also did tutoring
Chess Team: 1st place in grade level, twice?
Synergy: environmental group at my school
Chinese School
Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award</p>
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<p>Volunteering (all done for several years):
Tsu Chi Foundation: Ronald McDonald House, nursing homes, homeless shelter
Local Library: Helped librarians, helped run summer reading program
"Candy Striper" at a hospital</p>
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<p>Work Experience:
Cashier at Target during one summer
Private tutoring</p>
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<p>Final things to consider
Essays should be pretty good
no "senior slide" classes
Brother enrolled at Berkeley (not sure if that matters tho)</p>
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<p>Be honest--and thanks!</p>
<p>bump, please respond. :(</p>
<p>The Bausch & Lomb award, the science award and the chess ranking stands out--along with the GPA and test scores.</p>
<p>I think you'll get in--even from out-of-state. Your background and interests are varied enough--but show your focus on each one--to the degree that should make you interesting to UC Berkeley. Plus winning a state science award is going to get you a ton of points with the admissions committee.</p>
<p>(Here's a tip--but it kind of depends on where you really want to go:</p>
<p>If you really want to improve your chances at UCB, don't apply to any Ivies or to Washington Univ in St. Louis, because to do so would indicate that you would be unlikely to enroll at UC Berkeley if admitted, because the other schools are your real "dream schools" Instead, just apply to other schools in the midwest that have good chemistry programs--and maybe to a school like Swarthmore in Pennsylvania. Only do this if you are sure you can afford the out-of-state tuition, though--which is going to be around $32,000/year or so at UC Berkeley. If tuition is going to be a problem, then you should apply to WUSL and to an Ivy--like Cornell or Brown--where your test scores are competitive.)</p>
<p>Yes, you have an excellent shot, OOS. I assume that the Math subject test is Math 2, (which Cal's College of Chem would prefer to see). And, yes, cost of attendance OOS exceeds $40k, and for that kinda money, you could attend a private school, but your bro is there so I guess you already know that. No, no tip for having a relative there. But, possible tip for a female applying to Cal's College of Chem (instead of Letters & Sciences).</p>
<p>I totally disagree with Calcruzer's tip. The UCs won't care about your other apps, nor will they see 'em. You could apply to Stanford for all they would care.</p>