<p>The essays matter a LOT. I know a friend who applied to EECS last year with a 4.6 GPA and 2350 SAT score and was outright rejected (his appeal was also rejected). </p>
<p>If you are set on applying to EECS, I highly, highly recommend you to make sure your essays clearly show three important things; why you are interested in this major (backed up with engineering awards/other examples of interest in the field), how you’d be a vital part of Berkeley’s student body, and how the two would help advance your future goals and aspirations in the subject. </p>
<p>The Engineering department has made it very clear that they want to see demonstrated interest in the field from their applicants.</p>