Get into UCSC and transfer to Berkeley?

NoMoSacto
Mon, 09 Jun 2008 22:59:49 +0000

I think you have what it takes to get into UCSC. It is one of the “easier” UC’s to get into while still being ranked in the top 100 in the nation. Obviously you want to keep your GPA and SAT as high as possible, and EC’s are huge especially applying to a top university like Berkeley. The applicant pool is SO HUGE that good grades and good SAT’s are a dime a dozen. Engage yourself in extra curriculars as much as possible without getting the the point where it is compromising your academics.

But keep in a mind…a big mistake that a lot of kids make is that they candy coat their application with as many extra curricular activities as possible. Nobody cares if you’ve volunteered at 5 different food shelters and 3 different hospitals, because for the most part they are all the same. Anybody can sign up and show up for the minimum amount of weeks to put it on their resume/application. If you are currently engaged in 2-3 extra curriculars, focus on those instead of taking on more. This is especially important if the EC is based on community involvement rather than school sponsored clubs or athletics. It is MUCH more valuable to say that you organized and ran a local AIDS walk, or held a fundraiser for your local food shelter, than to aimlessly list a bunch of other EC’s where you didn’t really lay an impact. Admissions committees see candy coated applications just as often as they see high GPA’s. Set yourself away from the crowd.

Also, think about community colleges. I know it will be hard going to a CC straight from high school, but I did it and I know a lot of other people who did as well. Its cost effective, but more importantly, it will be easier on your Berkeley admission. Keep in mind, admission committees prioritize the spots as follows: high school graduates, cc transfers, 4 year transfers. CC transfers get a higher priority because, among other things, it allows students who were financially hindered by the cost of a full 4 years of college to attend a good university. Transferring from a 4 year to another 4 year will just make the admissions committee wonder…why didn’t they come straight here? Remember… going to UCSC for a year just to transfer will not increase your likelihood of acceptance to Cal, just because it is a “better school” than a CC. Unless you are comparing CSU Bakersfield and Princeton University, a 4.0 is a 4.0 anywhere, a 3.5 is a 3.5 anywhere, and a 1.8 is a 1.8 anywhere. Ace your community college classes after high school and you’ll get into Cal and save yourself a load of money.

Ok I’m done rambling. Hope I helped. Good luck