The University of California - Berkeley (StudentsReview) - How to Get into UC-Berkeley (Undergraduate)

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Your Chances at UC-Berkeley
(on ACT score alone)

Your Chances at UC-Berkeley
(on SAT score alone)

	Men	Women
# Applicants	30,715	31,002
# Admitted	5,233	5,875
% Admitted	17.0%	19.0%
% Overall	18.0%

Students who got into UC-Berkeley:

Tips mention: Interview (1), ACT/SAT (27), Grades (36), Sports/Extracurriculars (26), College Essay (13)

“I acted as a leader within my community, earning

Mar 14 2016Mechanical Engineering
I acted as a leader within my community, earning my Eagle Scout award, founding a Science and Engineering club at my high school, involving myself with the school Marching Band, Drama club, Math Team, and Academic Decathlon club. I kept myself busy and maintained a perfect GPA, while pursuing extracurricular learning and my passions at home. If I could recommend one strategy: do what you love. Don't worry about what your resume will look like. If you find yourself, and pursue your passions, you will shine in the application process.
SAT: 2150 Male

“Play sport

Sep 30 2015Other
Play sports, volunteer, work, get amazing entrance exam scores. Be exceptional. Prepare yourself to learn as much and as fast as you possibly can. Do that and even Berkeley will be a piece of cake.
Male

“Extracur

Feb 22 2015Biology
Extracurriculars, leadership, and decent grades.
SAT: 2010 Male

“My credentials in high school:

Jun 06 2012Economics
My credentials in high school:
GPA: Unweighted 3.7, Weighted 4.4
SAT: 1990
ACT: 31
At the time of my application my extracurricular activities were as follows:
1) Piano: 13 years (With several competition wins)
2) Violin: 8 years
3) Mock Trial: 4 years (With county and state wins)
4) Capital Markets Contest (1st place)
5) Tennis: 13 years (4 years on HS team)
6) Community service: 203 hours

Really it's consistency that counts, but winning competitions doesn't hurt either. I applied to 3 schools: UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Yale. I only got into Cal, so I had no choice but to go here.

For you to get in based on my understanding and what I've witnessed from others at the university:
1) Academics don't hurt to be good, but as I am an example (and I know others as well) you can get in with mediocre grades and a bad SAT/ACT score, so even if you get low SAT/ACT score or have a bad GPA, still apply, you may get in.
2) Extra-curricular activities and consistency are vital. Cal wants to see
A) You are involved in stuff outside school and
B) You are consistent in your outside endeavors.

I got in over other students at my high school who had better grades and better SAT/ACT scores than me. Hope this helps in your application process and your choices in high school.
In the long run, you should understand that SAT/ACT is subjective and does not prove if a student is "smart". Cal admissions is aware of this, and you better show that you can be a beneficial citizen in society.
ACT: 31 SAT: 1990 Male

“I talked to my dad about it and he said ok

Aug 24 2011Social Work
i talked to my dad about it and he said ok
and my mom said i could fill out the application
if i still wanted to so i did.
i followed my counselor's map to general UC pre-med
course work, took arts music science language math lab science , boy scouts, experimente vwith drugs, do goofy kid stuff like trespassing on private propoerty
explore, discover, think deep and lofty thoughts and laugh a lot
Male