The University of California - Berkeley

“I got good grades and spent a year abroadOct 16 2010English
I got good grades and spent a year abroad volunteering with children, but I think the essays really sealed the deal for me. Don't underestimate the power of your individual voice! The essays give you an opportunity to prove that you're more than a series of numbers.
ACT: 31 Female

“High School GPA: 4Oct 12 2010Other
High School GPA: 4.25
ACT: 32
SAT: 1400 (the old one)
SAT II: 680 Math, 800 Writing, 700 Elective

I also did a lot of volunteer work, clubs, and extra-curriculars and had a fair number of awards. I did everything I could to get in.
ACT: 32 SAT: 1400 Female

“I worked full-time for several years and went toMay 20 2010Journalism
I worked full-time for several years and went to community college and transferred in. There is no doubt that it's easier to get in as a CC transfer than as a HS student. I highly recommend the CC transfer process. You'll save a ton of money and, to be honest, you may even learn more at the CC level than at Cal. Call me a Debbie Downer, but I think that Cal is severely overrated. I've completed so many classes and thought, "Great. I'm glad that's over. I did a whole bunch of work and learned absolutely nothing."
Female

“I did debate at my community college before IJan 29 2010Political Science
I did debate at my community college before I transferred. Getting involved in debate (and having at least a 3.5 GPA) is pretty much a guarantee you will get into Berkeley. Everyone on my team who applied here got in...
Female

“How I got in: good grades in high schoolNov 23 2009Linguistics
How I got in: good grades in high school. Extra curricular activities like varsity sports, music and volunteer work., etc

My advice to anyone considering Berkeley: know what to expect from a large univ. vs. a small college. Berkeley has over 35,000 students! That is larger than the population of some cities.

Know what to expect of the city of Berkeley itself. It's very urban, there are a lot of homeless people everywhere. San Francisco and the Bay Area in general, is a beautiful place to live, but also very expensive. Food is expensive, entertainment is expensive, but most of all rent is really expensive.
Female