<p>hey- yeah, for the apps, definately, don’t go into number-listing for your essay. even as a non-admissions person, that kind of stuff just makes me blanch. write something witty and wonderful. don’t be afraid to explore the unknown. boom!</p>
<p>agreed. maybe i could impart to them some interesting things about my wildlife enthusiasm and “steve irwin”-esque reptile catching hobbies? lol</p>
<p>haha your old SAT is exactly my score too: 780M, 690V.
and biomaster sn seriously fits you… you are very crazy and make me feel inferior. varsity soccer + crazy academics… if those schools dont accept you, i would be pretty surprised. specially ucb</p>
<p>you def can make berkely.</p>
<p>asfsamurai- thanks man lol, dont you ever get that weird feeling that goes something like this: “if i had just answered that one damn problem right id have the 800 math”? man that always gets me…lol, well id say we are both in a good boat as bar as scores go. its not in the 1500’s but if we write good essays and turn in good apps overall, i dont see why a 1470 cant compete.</p>
<p>hey man, biology olympiad results came back today. I didnt make finalist, but i’m fine with that. how did you do?</p>
<p>and, well, 1470 is fine. once you get past the competency point, it doesnt even matter what your score is.</p>
<p>The “subjectives” will have a lot of bearing on your prospects. The other posters are right on when they tell you to express who YOU are and not what the Techs “want you to be.” Even if you make yourself sound like Mother Theresa on your apps, the letters of rec. and interview might force the adcom to put you in the “reject” file. I was waitlisted MIT/Tech with higher stats than yours, and am actually headed for UCB next year. I think my rec writers royally screwed me over. When the letters are confidential, start worrying, my friend. Your letters of rec., essay, and interview will probably decide whether you get in or not. Also remember this: Berkeley isn’t a safety, even for Cali whiz kids. Put effort into that app., if MIT/Caltech(crapshoot, anyone?) fall through.</p>
<p>Anyways, I will never speak to my AP Physics teacher ever again.</p>
<p>What did your physics teacher say? I think I share the same problem. My math teacher’s rec is basically gonna state … is a straight A student and participates in class. The end. I have over 100% in his precalc class while others have Cs, and am very attentive and bright in class, solving the occasional puzzle/Extra Credit that he throws at our class. </p>
<p>Any way to prevent a bland recommendation? I would not be able to see the rec., or he would at least tell me not to look at it, and I don’t want to offend him.
Is a rec by an english teacher, in addition to a rec by a math and/or science teacher viewed favorably? I can see the english teacher adding another dimension to the picture painted by your app.</p>
<p>My rec. wasn’t really, er, bland. It wasn’t boring at all. The ******* gave it to me after college apps for scholarships… It was along the lines of: “Stanley is gifted and competetive, but he doesn’t realize the importance of collaboration.” There was more. That’s the thesis statement, if you will. I can’t give you very good advice. Remember, I’m not going to MIT next fall.</p>