Things You'll Need:
- Good grades
- A-G Course Requirements
- Above average test scores
- A well-planned application
- Personal statement (this is important!)
- Extra-curricular activities
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Step 1
Nation-less earth at UC BerkeleyGRADES Only approved courses taken your 10th and 11th year will be considered for admittance. For California residents, a 3.0 GPA is the minimum. For non-California residents, a 3.4 GPA is the minimum. I cannot emphasize MINIMUM enough. (In some cases, you may be elligible if your GPA is below the minimum if you have VERY high test scores, but you will need to explain why your GPA is so low).
You will be competing against many students and having the minimum GPA doesn't mean you will be accepted. UCB has an acceptance rate of about 20% and must turn away MANY students with a 4.0 GPA each year. If your grades are at the minimum you will need to demonstrate high achievement in other areas and an ability to succeed academically. -
Step 2
You will also need to complete the University of California's Academic Subject Requirements (a-g requirements).
See my article on these requirements: http://www.ehow.com/how_4805670_of-californias-ag-coursework-requirements.html -
Step 3
UC Co-Ops are a popular housing optionTEST SCORES You will need good SAT and ACT scores. How high this score needs to be depends on your GPA. Calculating this is tricky, but as a rule, a lower GPA will need higher test scores. Lower test scores will require a higher GPA. See your school counselor to determine these numbers and prepare for the tests. Hire a tutor, sign up for a test-prep class, buy a study guide...whatever it takes. You are allowed to take the tests multiple times, and only your highest score will show on your application.
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Step 4
Valley Life SciencesPLANNING Your application must be submitted online or postmarked by November 30. Start working on your application early, ideally 4 weeks or more in advance. Make sure every answer is filled in and have someone else proofread it.
Look over your transcripts before you send them to ensure all grades are correct. DO NOT send them with the application! They will be thrown away!! UCB will ask for the documents AFTER you are accepted.
If you are a Sophomore or even a Freshman, I recommend researching the acceptance process now. Download the application and look it over. This will give you a better idea of what UCB is looking for. Plan your classes and your extra-curricular activities accordingly. -
Step 5
Boalt, UCB's law school, was one of the first to admit womenPERSONAL STATEMENT This part of your application SHOULD take the most time. UCB does actually read every single personal statement and puts significant weight on its content. Start working on it early.
-Write and re-write 4 or 5 drafts
-Get feedback from others
-Edit and proofread
Do whatever it takes to make this paper like gold. Hire a writing tutor, have a friend proofread it, take a class on writing personal statements.
A good statement will be thoughtful and original. It should create a clear idea of who you are and how you unique. Make sure you stand out of the sea of applicants. As a writer who helps students write their statements each fall, I can assure you the most common mistake is sounding like everybody else. -
Step 6
Did you spend a summer volunteering in South America?EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES This can be anything from sports, music, to volunteering at a hospital. The more the better. UCB is a school that looks at the applicant as a whole, just having good grades and high test scores will not cut it. You need to show that you are a well-rounded person who will contribute great things to the campus.
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Step 7
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION When submitting your application, make sure UCB receives your fees, application, and personal statement. I recommend submitting online, it is faster and easier.
If you mail your application, include only the application, check or money order, and personal statement in the envelope. Everything else will be tossed to the shredder. Make sure the application is signed and your name and birth date is written on your form of payment!
DO NOT send your application certified or registered mail. DO NOT use an express delivery service either. All of these will slow down the processing.
DO get proof of mailing with a date on it. Keep copies of the application and statement for your records. -
Step 8
ADMISSION AVERAGES. The freshman admission averages vary slightly from year to year. These are the averages for Fall 2008:
GPA - 4.18
ACT - 29
SAT - Critical Reading - 665
SAT - Mathematics - 696
SAT - Writing - 674 -
Step 9
Located in the East Bay, UCB offers students a view of San Francisco, the Golden Gate bridge, and the bay.DIDN'T GET IN? If your application is not accepted you have a few options. You can go to a community college and apply to transfer to UCB your junior year. UCB favors community colleges in the Bay Area. If you are dead set on going to Berkeley, I recommend attending one of those schools. Figure out what you want to major to be and take the lower-division classes at your school. If your school doesn't offer many of the classes you need, move.
Another option is to appeal. However, appeals are rarely successful unless you have some new significant information. For example, say your Chemistry teacher accidentally gave you an F when you really earned an A. Hopefully, you would have reviewed your transcript before sending it in, but if something like this did happen, you can appeal.
Comments
bianchi said
on 3/12/2009 Wish I had this information in High School. I always wanted to go to Berkeley. 5*