Chance someone reapplying after getting rejected this year?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>Due to anxiety, I do not feel ready for college yet. I was accepted to UCSD for engineering, but I want to study nuclear engineering, which Berkeley has, so I want to give Berkeley another shot. </p>

<p>I need to know what might I need to improve to have a chance at getting into Berkeley for nuclear engineering. My hooks are that I was born with ADHD, OCD, and have overcome many obstacles within that realm. I became proficient in Japanese and Latin. I received an augmented review, but I don’t think I wrote it in the right standards. I have become a stronger applicant after being rejected. I am still eligible for freshman admission, so I want to try to get a start on making the right impression. I am taking a gap year that I need to plan and I would love suggestions for the gap year. I was thinking about doing a journalism writing contest, doing some work for helping Japanese victims, and playing in an adult basketball league. Please feel free to look at my grades and test scores to see if I should up my SATs. </p>

<p>Grades:
9th grade (2007-2008)
Course
Creative Writing B A
English 1 B B
World Civ 1 C B
Algebra 1 A A
Biology-Ecology C B
Japanese 1 B A
Film 1 : Theory A A</p>

<p>EC: Traveled to Japan and went to school for a month. Tutored Japanese students all summer. </p>

<p>10th Grade (2008-2009)<br>
Course Fall Spring Summer
English 2 A A
World Civ 2 A A
Geometry A B
Molecular- bio B A
Japanese 2 A A
Film 1: Intro A A
Journalism A A
Algebra 2 - Trigonometry: B, C</p>

<p>EC:
Boys JV Basketball
PE
Tutored Japanese and Korean students at UCLA
Went to Japan again and spent time in Hiroshima and in Yamagata </p>

<p>11th Grade (2009-2010)
Course Fall Spring Summer
Honors English 3 B B
Honors US History A A
Pre-Calculus B A
Physics A A
Japanese 3 A A
Journalism A A
Radio Journalism A A
AP Calculus (AB) B</p>

<p>EC:
Boys JV Basketball<br>
Varsity Cross Country
Senior editor of school newspaper </p>

<p>12th Grade (2010-2011)
Course Fall Spring
Honors English 4 A A
Philosophy A B
Honors Calculus B A A
Honors Advanced Chemistry B B
Honors Advanced Physics B A
Japanese 4 A A
Journalism A A</p>

<p>EC: Editor in Chief of School Newspaper
Math League competitor </p>

<p>Tests:
SAT Reasoning Test (12/01/2010)
Critical Reading: 640
Mathematics: 710
Writing: 750
Essay Subscore: 09
Multiple Choice Subscore: 76
Total: 2100</p>

<p>SAT Subject Test-Math Level 2 (01/01/2011)
Score: 740</p>

<p>SAT Subject Test-Physics (01/01/2011)
Score: 640</p>

<p>ACT (12/01/2010)
English: 31
Math: 31
Reading: 30
Science: 26
Composite: 30
Combined English /Writing: 30
Writing: 10</p>

<p>College classes (Did not include in UC APP):
06/2010: Intro to General Chem(I was cocky and inattentive): C :frowning:
01/2011: General Chemistry 1 (I didnt goof off and showed excellence): A :)</p>

<p>Things to improve?
Retake SAT?
Take SAT II Chem? Took barron’s practice test and got a 790
Write more mature personal statements and include what I have had to over come: ADHD, OCD, Anxiety attacks. Show stronger science and math background. Write about why I want to major in nuclear engineering and how it has affected my life and my inspiration from the Japanese crisis. </p>

<p>Please let me know where I stand and what I can do.</p>

2

<p>I think you should do everything you listed. With so much time on your hands, what on your list can’t you accomplish? Especially with things like test scores…if you didn’t study before, now you can. This would show that you have control over your ADHD and be more impressive than usual.</p>

3

<p>Would you consider attending UCSD for two years then transferring to Berkeley? That may be possible. You might want to talk to someone from Cal’s nuclear engineering department for transfer details. I personally know two people who had the option of transferring from UCSD; one did (mechE), one decided to stay in SD (poli sci/pre-law).
Alternatively, do community college for two years then go into Berkeley nuclear engineering. </p>

<p>Otherwise, I think you have a good shot at gaining admission next year. Your current stats aren’t too bad as is.</p>

4

<p>Thank you. Yeah I feel like the higher SAT 2s and well composed essays given my situation are just icing on the cake. I am pretty sure I am reapplying. I will also try to talk to the nuclear engineering department to see what they think.</p>

5

<p>You can always try to transfer from a CCC. In my opinion, that’s the “easiest” route to Berkeley. I didn’t get admitted as a freshman, then applied again as a transfer and got in.</p>