Can you plz help me! any life savers here?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Hello, </p>

<p>My name is Abraham and I am a junior in a private, Jewish high school in L.A. I am very interested in the programs, diversity, and beautiful campus UCLA/ Berkley has to offer. I am a 1st generation American/ Persian, so my English is not that great but I am getting better quite rapidly. But, I have recently been stressing over the fact of applying to UCLA /berkley or not (For Fall of 2013). The reason for that is because my high school does not emphasize on the strength of their academics and clubs etc. I have been in the highest level classes we can be in since the 10th grade.[Our school actually has the UC school requirements, but we have to go to school during the summer too, if we want to get the a-g courses.] In fact, I am taking calculus right now. But, the problem is that our school does not offer any AP classes. And since we start school at 7:30 AM and end on average at 9:30 PM, 6 days a week (excluding Friday’s due to religious observance) it is very hard for me to reach higher levels of secular studies. I am currently self-studying for the AP English Language and psychology exam. And I know I will do well because when I have a goal, I achieve it. But what worries me is: I don’t know if I am heading on the right track. We have no school counselor to help for this stuff! Also, my parents are very busy since we have a family of 8, so they do not really have time for this, so I have to take care of myself and my 4 younger siblings. I have also tried to make school clubs/groups; however, my school does not allow it. I even got a petition from many kids in my school that they wanted one of these groups, but no matter how many times i tried my school turned me down. Still, I have gone out of way to help my community and temple (volunteering), fundraising, setting up, tutoring, recycling, etc. Also, I took a practice ACT test and got something like a 28-29, but I am sure I can bump it up to over 30. Also, I forgot to mention I am planning on also self-studying AP Biology, Chemistry, and probably Calculus in my senior year (We are going to end at average 10:15 a night, so it will be pretty hard, but manageable). And if it helps I understand 3 languages, almost 4.</p>

<p>So I was wondering can you please help me. </p>

<pre><code> What can I do to improve my application?

   What should I be doing in my summer/ free time etc. (I mean, when I am not in summer school or studying)?

    What should I do about the Clubs, and AP's?

</code></pre>

<p>Please tell me of anything you think that can help me; I am forever grateful!</p>

<p>Thanks, Abraham.</p>

2

<p>Given the unique circumstances about your school, it seems like you’re already on the right track to doing your best with the resources that you have. I think the petition also shows leadership in trying to establish some sort of extracurriculars going on at your school, even though the administration didn’t approve of it. The self-studying for AP tests and summer school also show commitment! It might be good to tell the UCs about this situation regarding lack of school ECs and APs, I’m sure they’ll look at this specific case. Did you say you were already volunteering for your community? That sounds good. I’d say, keep volunteering with your community and try to get some solid leadership roles through that. Also, continue those self-study APs and also continue to take the most rigorous classes you can, under your current school course system. It already seems like you’re on the right track, just keep doing what you’re doing and good luck :)</p>

3

<p>THANKS ALOT GIRL IN BERKLEY, LOL! How’s Berkley treating you by the way?! :)</p>

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<p>Yup, no problem! Feel free to private message me or whatever if you need to know any other stuff. And yeah, this is my 2nd semester at Berkeley (first year), and it’s been awesome so far! :smiley: There’s always a lottt of stuff to get involved in, as well as a lot of cool classes to take (and study hard for 'em!)</p>

5

<p>good luck to you…and THANKS a billion!</p>