I know of someone who got in with very surprising stats. She has straight A’s, but has only taken honors and AP French in terms of advanced classes, with a 19 ACT score. One thing that makes her somewhat different is that she is in the school’s dance team, but isn’t quite the best in the team. She’s not involved in the school, and no stellar extracurriculars. She is Latina, but there are many in my school that didn’t get in, such as our valedictorian. Yet, here she is, one of the very few that got in at my school. Compred to the rest of the school, she’s a reach student. It definitely isn’t due to her applying to a major such as dance, because she’s going in for pre-med. The entire school is racking their brains for how she got in. Does anyone else have similar stories?
^^Latina, possibly first gen, possibly low income, possibly overcame challenges. This looks like Berkeley wanted to give their opportunity to her instead of the valedictorian. This is a common story.
She’s not first gen, like some other students in the school. Low income, but not low enough to not send her to a private school and pay thousands for the dance team.
^^Unless you read her app, you don’t know what she wrote about. I do know some students who have “gamed” the process. I don’t think its the dancing part. But I could be wrong…been wrong before.
This girl has drive despite her tests and background.
Berkeley does commit to “holistic” admissions and this shows it.
@dogsonly, why does her life (coursework, grades, income) impact you so much??
19 ACT… okay
I’ve never taken a fine or performing arts class in my life, so I don’t even meet the requirements.
Also, I was extremely tired the day I did the application and only put in 1 ec before I said duck it and submitted it.