I am currently a high school junior, white male, and from the south. My high school is public and ranked as one of the best in the state, graduating something like 20 valedictorians every year (all of whom will have had straight As and at least 10 APs). I am heavily humanities inclined, and expect to do very well in terms of essays. I don’t know if intended major factors into acceptance, but I would likely apply for philosophy, sociology, or political science. I have never taken a non-honors or standard class while in high school. Weighted GPA is 4.2 as of sophomore year, that will likely go up barring total implosion this year.
AP Classes:
Sophomore year:
AP stat (3)
AP World (5)
Junior year:
AP Art History: (likely 4)
AP Human Geography: (likely 4 or 5)
AP Government: (likely 5)
AP US History: (almost certainly 5)
AP English Language: (likely 4 or 5)
AP European History: (almost certainly 5)
(taking all APs this year and will have straight As for 1st semester)
ACT: 33
Extra Curriculars:
History bowl and Quiz Bowl president, (state champs in history bowl, top in nation for quizbowl)
Short stories in school literary magazine
Won a competition with a short play, currently being put on at a festival
European Economic Challenge Team
Internship with state democratic party doing data management
Internship at state house
Model UN member
Varsity and club soccer
Plan to join NHS/ do some more volunteering
All UC’s including UCB calculate their UC GPA based on the a-g course requirements taken in 10-11th grades. For OOS applicants, the UC’s will only weight AP/IB or DE courses. They will look at your capped weighted UC GPA (8 semesters of these courses) and the fully weighted UC GPA (unlimited courses taken 10-11th grades). Senior grades are not used in their admission decisions and Freshman grades are checked to make sure you meet the a-g course requirements.
At the end of Junior year, calculate your UC GPA: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
If your ACT score is actually a 33, instead of a predicted score, then you well within UCB’s range.
Here is the Freshman profile 2017:
GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students
High School GPA UC capped weighted: 4.15 - 4.30
ACT Composite Score: 30 - 34
ACT English Language Arts : 28 - 32
SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing: 640 - 730
SAT Mathematics: 640 - 760
SAT Essay: 16 - 20
Here is how UCB reviews applicants:
- Berkeley
*
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Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
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Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience
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Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency
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Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
- LOR’s by invitation only as of 2017
If your stats are within range, you continue with your EC’s and write some outstanding essays, I would say you can be a competitive applicant. My only other comment is that as an OOS applicant, be aware that UCB gives little to no financial aid so you should expect to pay close to $60K/year to attend.
I suggest you talk with your parents about your college budget and run the Net price calculator before getting set on UCB.
Best of luck.