GUEST STUDENT OF THE WEEK: Rohan is a freshman at Dartmouth (and loves it) having gotten in ED for the Class of 2023. He's here to debunk myths regarding admissions and student life at his school. ASK HIM ANYTHING!
Make sure to check out our May Checklists for HS Juniors and HS Seniors. Consult these quick resources to get you started on the process this month.
As we work to adjust to the current reality, make sure to check out these dedicated COVID-19 resources: our directory of virtual campus tours, our directory of extended deadlines, as well as the list of schools going test optional this fall.
****UCB Freshman Class of 2024 Discussion****
Gumbymom
Forum Champion UC 30292 replies385 threads Forum Champion
Please feel free to post any questions regarding the admission process and while you wait for your decisions.
Best of luck to everyone.
726 repliesBest of luck to everyone.
Post edited by CCEdit_Suraj on
Tagged:
Replies to: ****UCB Freshman Class of 2024 Discussion****
LMAO exactly me when I opened the email
1. Evidence of focus on an area of special talent which may have limited a student’s time to participate in a broader range of activities.
2. Evidence of character traits that imply a strong likelihood of making a significant contribution to campus life.
3. Evidence of significant academic achievement or the potential for academic achievement at the University in spite of extraordinary or compound disadvantage or learning difference, or physical disability or other unusual circumstances.
4. Evidence of significant improvement in the academic record accompanied by one or both of the following: (1) reasons for the initial poor performance; and (2) sustained and in-depth participation in educational outreach programs, which demonstrate the applicant’s commitment to succeed academically within a challenging environment.
5. Evidence of relative lack of access to, counseling about, or support to take college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes or required college entrance examinations.
I got the "Update on Application Portal" email, too.
But what does that email mean? I don't get it.?? Someone help explain
Check out # 5 of the 14 areas of UC application review criteria:
1) Academic grade point average in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.
2)Scores on the following tests: ACT with Writing or the SAT with Essay.
3) Number of, content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum A-G requirements.
4) Number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level and transferable college courses.
***5) Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC).
6) Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.
7) Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school.
8) Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas.
9) Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.
10) Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.
11) Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.
12) Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.
13) Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.
14) Location of your secondary school and residence.
What I have going for me is a sharp jump in GPA from sophomore year to junior year.
Maybe that helps?
and I also heard that UCs don't really look at ECs. Is that true? I feel like ECs can really help boost an applicant's profile
In addition to grades and test scores, this is what is listed on their website
With my kid, he didn't have a particularly great GPA (weighted capped of 4.05) but was good everywhere else, including leadership and volunteering. He didn't get into UCLA (or Stanford or Vanderbilt or Northwestern or USC), and got waitlisted to UCI and UCSD, but got into Berkeley. As such, I do feel Berkeley is a bit more holistic than a lot of the other schools, based on experience with my kid.
Berkeley doesn't allow for any additions to your applications after its submission. You may mention this if you are waitlisted or if you want to appeal if you get rejected.
Note that this "top 9% in your high school" (Eligibility in Local Context) is based on your UC-recalculated GPA meeting a threshold UC-recalculated GPA from a recent past class at your high school, not your rank calculated by your high school.
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/freshman/california-residents/local-path.html
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/q-and-a/local/
There is also a "top 9% statewide" that is approximated by a formula described here:
https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman-requirements/california-residents/statewide-guarantee/
Note that having either "top 9%" does not guarantee you admission to any specific UC campus. It means that if you are shut out if UCs that you apply to, you will be offered admission to another UC if there is space available. In the recent past, the UC with space available has been Merced.