WishWash

Or shall I say "CAN I still 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.
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 Extra Curriculars are REALLY good. I'm really diversely involved, and take leadership positions in the arts, academics, and athletics.

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?

Thanks lots.

PS: If No, Would any UC's take me?

WishWash

bumpity bump

hawkphoenix

Unfortunately, UCB is extremely selective for out of staters. You're going to need much higher test scores than what you indicated to have a good shot(around 2200 on SAT/33 on ACT). I think you also need 2 SAT II scores, but I'm not sure. I think you have a shot at UC-Irvine and UC-San Diego. But test scores are really important for out of staters at the UCs. For a real-life example, my friend from NJ with a 2310, 700+ on SAT IIs, valedictorian didn't get in.

WishWash

No kidding? That's insane! Is it really that intense?

UC-Berkeley just went off my list of schools to apply to.

That's a bummer.


I kind of like the UC's because they don't look at 9th grade.. which is screwing me over with all the other schools...

Oprah!

yea UC Berkeley is extremely selective
according to US News, it's even above NYU, Tufts, and Brandeis, which as you probs know are very, very good schools
for you, I would think of UC San Diego or UC Santa Barbara.

UCLA really MIGHT be a thought for you, but only if you get those test scores up, honey.
and furthermore, you have to consider that you're out of state. The UCs give a really big advantage to Californians, so you're kind of at a disadvantage there.

if I were you, I would not limit myself to only UCs. There are a lot of really good colleges out there that would accept you
love yaaaa

WishWash

You really think I MIGHT have a shot at UCLA? I though that was harder than Berkeley.

And UCSB? I think that place is awesome.. but I thought is was out of range as well.

hawkphoenix

UCB is the hardest UC to get into. Then probably UCLA and UC Davis.

Oprah!

no Berks is the best, by far
UCLA is just the best known.

JexteLox

friend of mines got in with Unweighted 3.71 GPA/ 4.0 ; 1820 SAT score (SAT 1) and editor in chief of the yearbook, along with very minor leadership positions, got into Berkeley.

Wigwam

^She got admitted from outside of California?

JexteLox

not "she"..."he"..inside California

WishWash

Assuming I get that 4.0 junior year and a 30+ on the ACT.. Should I bother applying, or is it out of reach?

lewisandclark

can't hurt to try, especially if you get SAT up and do well on essays. Shouldn't allow yourself to get disapointed too much if you don't get in though. Just prepare yourself, and apply to other schools too.

WishWash

Ahgh ok. Thanks Everyone.

I'll apply.