So I was admitted to the number two engineering program in the country at berkeley, but today apparently because I slacked as a second semester senior they took it all away regardless of my 2200 SAT, 400 plus volunteer hours, 2nd degree black belt, 13 AP classes and many 5’s blah blah blah etc etc. So what I’ve learned is that college admissions committees are heartless-they’ll take a top student from a highly competitive school and throw him out after he’sd payed his deposit for the school and housing. They won’t even consider probation and will promptly apologize for his loss and hangup when called, not even taking into consideration medical conditions or anything. So he’ll be without a college in minutes, his life ruined. So be wary kids keep up your grades senior year.
Shouldn’t have slacked. You went through 7 semesters of high school doing just fine from what it seems like in your post. You could have done one more.
This scenario is not uncommon.
Your grades still matter after you’ve been accepted. I’m shocked you didn’t know this, but I’m sorry you had to learn the hard way.
How much did your grades drop??
I hope everything works out for you eventually. Thats messed up. Not to judge or anything, but didnt you know some colleges want midyear grades?
“life ruined”
Your life is not ruined. You have many more options. It is time for you to look at them and choose the one that seems to be the best for you right now.
yeah, this is what happens when people take 2nd semester of senior year too easily.
Unfortunately, you chose not to read your application agreement. You chose to slack, you are now paying the piper. There are many other accepted applicants who played by the rules, knowing that they were not ‘home free’ until that final transcript was sent. Welcome to the grown up world…you don’t get trophies for participation here.
No offense, but it’s your fault - I agree with OaksMom. You had a choice, and you chose to slack off. It would be different if you had special circumstances, but you didn’t. Second semester still matters. You are not off the hook of your responsibilities to maintain your grades the way Berkeley asked you to until you graduate. You kept your grades high every year before then, why would senior year be any different?
that really sucks man but keep your head up.
I have to disagree with most of these replies. People screw up. Humans have flaws. We all do. If you haven’t screwed up yet in life, trust me, you will. It’s coming. Sometimes other factors and unfortunate circumstances are to blame. And sometimes it’s your fault. Either way, it WILL happen.
So I would be very careful about judging someone. At least this person is honest and admits slacking. Some people would try to come up with an excuse.
And it’s not unreasonable to automatically assume that once you are accepted, you’re in. I would say an awful lot of people aren’t aware schools can reject you for all sorts of stupid reasons even after they welcome you in.
Anyway, I hope you don’t give up, Salamisalem. Go elsewhere, or just get your grades up at a community college if you like. You will get there.
Look at me: I got accepted to a good school for the fall. When they look at my transcripts and see how bad it is…they will reject me. I’m afraid it’s coming. 
So I am possibly in a MUCH worse situation than you and it has taken me forever to get a degree and I am STILL trying. I feel like quitting too, but that would make my enemies too happy. Seriously, it would.
I don’t know how I will handle it if/when they kick me out. Hopefully something good will happen and I’ll find another way.
I actually had no idea that this was commonplace; I thought colleges only revoked the acceptance in extreme cases, such as when a student failed to graduate or complete required course-work, or got into legal trouble.
Same here, stagemum. Kinda makes me scared (since I’m a rising high school senior)… at least I’ve been warned.
You got into Berkeley engineering!? Impressive indeed, but lesson learned. I’ll be in school until graduation.
I think a lot of you guys are missing the point. Obviously, the OP made a great mistake, and I’m sure he’s well aware. The matter at hand here is that he’s accepted that he’d gone wrong, and now he needs to get his life back on track. All he needs is support, encouragement, and helpful tips from mature individuals. There’s really no need to rub salt.
I wish the OP the best of luck!
There’s nothing wrong with going to a JC and coming in as a junior transfer student. Not only do you save a ton of money, but general ed classes are pretty similar regardless of the college at which you take them. I personally didn’t do so hot in highschool, so I attended a JC, got my grades up and am currently transferring to Berkeley as a phil. major this fall. You’d be surprised at how many decent teachers there are at the JC level who aren’t wrapped up in research but, on the contrary, are entirely committed to teaching. It’s also quite a bit easier than high school AP/honors classes so take a couple extra years to mature, get a job and transfer from a community college. Good luck!
YES HE MADE A MISTAKE. Thank you for pointing out the elephant in the room… Let’s move on to advice now. <3
Honestly, I’d pass on to you some advice but n3wbm4n is right on the money.
I took JC classes during my senior year. I had one terrible teacher, but the rest were extremely helpful and wanted me to succeed. Use ratemyprofessor.com and make sure you get good classes and good teachers. They’re not that bad; just keep your nose the grindstone and show Berkeley that you’re a boss. If you can make Engineering, you can whip JC easily AND SAVE A TON OF CASH.
By the way, did I say you CAN SAVE A TON OF CASH?
I hope to see you at Berkeley. <3