Chance for UCs - Engineering

Chance Me / Match Me
1

Hello all,

I am a rising senior and thinking about going into the field of engineering preferably at UCB as my dream school or UCSD as well as a couple other schools like USC and Cal Poly Slo. I know that EECS at Cal is extremely difficult to get into and was wondering if anyone had some advice for the pros and cons of applying engineering undecided to increase my chances of getting into the school. Otherwise, I intend to apply to EECS and would appreciate any tips anyone has.

Asian male
California, SF Bay Area

SAT: 2340 (Reading: 750, Math: 800, Writing: 790)
SAT II Math: 800 Chem: 770
ACT: n/a
9-11 GPA: 4.42 (W) 4.00 (UW)
Weighted 10-12 GPA: 4.73

Passed all AP Tests: Euro, Stats, Chem, English Lang, USH

Senior classes: AP Gov, AP Econ, AP Bio, AP Calc AB (plan to take BC test), Novel (English), Digital Photo (Art credit)

Other:

Karate: 2004 - Now (plan to write personal statement on the impact of karate on my life)

  • President of Self-Defense Club
  • Organizer of Multi-Cultural Fair Demo
  • Karate Instructor (Kids and Adults): 2010 - Now
  • 2013 USA World Championships: 1st, 3rd, 4th place
  • 2013 EPAC Award Winner
  • 1st place of many local tournaments
  • most grand champions (awards) for all junior students
  • highest ranked junior student
  • 1st degree junior black belt (2009) 2nd degree jbb / 1st degree adult black belt
  • highest ranked junior instructor
  • tournament coach
  • youngest instructor to teach kids and adults
  • black belt training (helped 6 students achieve their black belt)
  • assistant for belt testing board, karate camps
  • head judge and side judge for sparring matches (adults and kids)
  • judge for adv. belts sparring matches (2013)
  • best broadsword set (12,13,14,15)

Team HBV Secretary: 14,15,16

  • Outreach Committee representative: 13- present
  • I Pledge, You Pledge Walkathon (14)
  • San Ramon Art & Wind (14)
  • Financial Team (14)
  • Website Manager (14)
  • Team HBV Gala (15)
  • Team HBV Farmer’s Market (15)
  • Logistics/Finance Team (15)

Tutoring: 13 - present
Math Peer Tutoring: 13-15
After School Peer Tutoring: 14- 15
Peer Mentoring: 14-15

Math Honor Society
Robotics Championships Alpha Team
Coding Club mentor
Designing Games on Scratch
Externship at ET Solar

The Volunteering Clubs - Key, CSF, etc. (not as indepth as the other categories)

Thanks!

2

You have a great chance at all your schools!

3

Thank you!

4

Bump

5

EECS is definitely selective at UCB and UCLA, but a downside of going in undeclared is 1) there is no guarantee that you will be able to go into the major you desire later on 2) when you write your personal statements for your apps, it will be difficult to link your surroundings or personal attributes to the field you want to go into, as it is undecided (in other words, explain to colleges why your upbringing has impacted your future: say, you grew up with a lot of allergies, which led you to want to go into the medical field, etc [bad example, I know]). For such a selective major as EECS at competitive UCs, your letters of rec and essays will have to be very well done, and unique.Your counselor (if you choose to get a letter of rec from them, will fill out a form that will one- assess the difficulty level of your courses relative to your school, as well as be asked questions like “what are the first words that come to mind when you think about this student”, etc… so definitely work on building a strong, if not stronger relation with your counselor senior year. Definitely strengthen relations with your math and science teachers, or with the adviser to your clubs (particularly any ones related to EECS). As far as essays, write as yourself: don’t try and be someone you’re not. Play to your strengths and try to be unique. Start writing drafts NOW, and get them checked ASAP by teachers, and anyone you think could help you. Ask your counselor~ That may be a good way to start a conversation with him/her, and show your determination/drive.
Also, you haven’t taken a Comp Sci AP test or class at your school…is one offered? It may be good to look into that, or get to know the Comp Sci teacher.
I found this discussion interesting (on a side note) as to if going undeclared is advantageous (I’m not sure if the link will work… if not, it’s called “Digging deeper into admissions statistics helpful?”)

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18682068#Comment_18682068

6

Extremely helpful thank you so much!