Do you think I'll have a shot at getting into Cal?

WishWash · 07-17-2008, 05:11 PM

This school just made it's way to the top of my list.. and I'm really hoping that I'll have a shot at getting in. Do you think I'll have a chance..?..

Rising Junior. Minnesota Resident. White Male.

Taking into consideration that the UC's Ignore 10th grade.. my sophomore GPA was a 3.5. (Trimester 1: 3.17, Trimester 2: 3.72, Trimester 3: 3.55) (9th grade was inexcusably awful... but the UC's don't care about that.) I can do so much better though. It would total out in the mid 3.7's. (3.8ish with Weighted AP grades.)
I'm aiming for a 30+ on the ACT.. I'm getting private tutoring for it.
SAT: 2000+ hopefully

Junior schedule is ALL Honors/AP's. 10th grade was half and half. Senior is all AP's. Taking 4-5 years of EVERYTHING.

My extracurriculars are REALLY good. I'm really diversely involved, and take leadership positions in the arts, academics, and athletics. In the fall, I'm so involved that I'm at school for 17 hours a day.

If I get a 4.0 Junior year in the hard classes, 30+ on the ACT, and maintain my extracurriculars, do you think I'll have a shot at Cal-Berkeley?

WishWash · 07-17-2008, 05:23 PM

I apologize. I didn't notice the "official chances thread" until after I posted this.

= )

greennblue · 07-17-2008, 05:24 PM

You're out of state. No realistic chance.

Schmoomcgoo · 07-17-2008, 06:18 PM

Sure you have a shot with decent subject tests and the other test scores you're hoping for, as long as you can write some great essays and get the grades you're planning on in your junior and senior years.

The UC's don't ignore 10th grade though.

Viromonkey · 07-17-2008, 06:20 PM

I'd hate to agree, but greennblue is right.

WishWash · 07-17-2008, 06:25 PM

My editing skills go to show that I shouldn't be going here... I meant to say that they ignore NINTH grade.

whosthat1234 · 07-17-2008, 06:56 PM

You really should have a 4.4+ weighted GPA, esp. since you're out of state.

celsius_233 · 07-17-2008, 08:10 PM

lol, not really

but what are your extracurriculars? be more specific.

WishWash · 07-17-2008, 08:34 PM

Ok. I'll be more specific with the ECs.

Varsity Cross Country (6 years)
- Captain
- Hosted several team events

Varsity Track ( 4 years)
- Captain 2 years

Intro. Med. Residential Program @ U-Wisconsin this summer... in August.
- This was competetive to get into.

Environmental Club (2 years so far)
- minor volunteering
- possible president next year?

School Band (5 years)
- Pep Band
- Section leader
- Orchestra Ensemble
- Jazz Ensemble- 2 years

Piano (13 years)
-Participated in various recitals/ competitions.. no awards.

Guitar ( 3 years)
- Been teaching myself

MSWE Leadership Team (Model Students With Enthuisiasm)
-Red Ribbon Week President (Organized an anti-drug and alcohol themed week of activities for the school.)
- Active in community volunteering through this program.
- Elected on to the Executive Board

WEB (Where Everybody Belongs)
- Group Leader.. volunteered to assist underclassmen with adapting to a new school
- Did twice as much volunteering than anyone else

Junior Leadership Team Advisory (meets daily as an advisory)

Senior Leadership Team Advisory (sequls JLT)

Peer Tutors (Roughly 3-4 hours weekly)

Student Senate (Elected for Junior Year)
- Hoping to work up to President or Vice by senior Year

Fall Musical (will be 3 years)
- Medium sized roles, likely a lead role junior or senior year

Winter One-Act Play Competition (2 years)
- Small roles. This just gives me something to do in the winter.

Student Ambassadors (Freshman Year)

I write novels in my spare time. My longest was 210 pages. I want to get something published soon.

I am a dedicated rower.. I row 4-6 times a week in the summer, and 3-4 times in the school year.

.....I Think that's it. Does that help me at all?

Viromonkey · 07-17-2008, 08:39 PM

I am not sure, but dont they only want EC's, on your application, that took place during your high school years (9-12).

WishWash · 07-17-2008, 08:52 PM

Yeah. That was all high school.

Cross Country overlapped into Junior High, because I was on the high school team as a junior high student.

The music stuff isn't as involved in school. It's just something educational that I do.

Other than that, it's all high school.

And for me, 9th grade was still "junior high." So I don't know if that's considered high school? I assume it is.

rofflez · 07-17-2008, 09:31 PM

how good are you at sports? if you're good enough to get recruited, then that would obviously help tremendously.

work on your GPA... UC's care about that a LOT. however, I wouldn't rule you out completely (although I don't know too much about OOS admissions) because you seem to have solid leadership/volunteering activities, which IMO UC's do especially like.

also, your EC list is very long, but it seems like a lot of them lack depth... you probably won't be mentioning them on your application. (or if you did, it would be clear that they're fillers)

celsius_233 · 07-18-2008, 01:56 AM

i got a 4.2 weighted gpa, 3.3 uw gpa, and 3.7/3.8 UC GPA

i got a 2200 and 800/740 on math/physics

i got into berkeley

however, my EC's were very focused on what i wanted to do. i did a lot of EC, but they all worked towards one subject. i believe most colleges like well-lopsided students over well-rounded students, but i dont know for sure

i live in california.

celsius_233 · 07-18-2008, 01:58 AM

one thing im wondering is if you had so much time to get involved, why werent you in ASB? or why werent you trying to get a higher GPA?

whosthat1234 · 07-18-2008, 02:02 AM

But really, if you want to get into Berk, you need to get straight A's this year. They really do put quite an emphasis on GPA. I'm in-state, but all the kids from my school who got in had at least a 4.2 weighted GPA. Some with 4.4 GPAs (and even good ECs & test scores) only got in for spring. You haven't screwed yourself over it, and if you work hard junior year you will have a decent chance of getting in.