Just got my Berkeley packet. Cheesy (you’ll know why I think so when you see the star) but pretty cool, with a neat fold out design.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I think next year @universalsnip, when you open it, it should be a giant image of a parking space with the words, “Space Reserved for Nobel Laureates.”
@UniversalSnip I got the little “depressing” Transfer Edge letter today. Looking forward to seeing Berkeley’s official packet! :-bd
@bmirza991 got my official packet today, it’s really nice.
Ugh didn’t get accept to go in a free trip to UCB. I don’t you if I’ll get a chance to see Berkeley
For any Comparative Lit/Foreign Lang. majors (or anyone just looking to take a foreign language at Cal), does you know when we have to take the proficiency tests for our foreign languages? I’m assuming we should know our proficiency level by the time we go to CalSO so we can register for the appropriate classes, which means the appointment should probably be set up before the end of this semester. But I live in L.A. and I don’t know if I can afford to make another trip up to Cal before the orientation. Any advice?
OK, my daughter got the packet. The STAR! :)) :)) We looked at last years, which had a golden-hued Sather Gate that opened (not people) - but it had the star, too, we just never noticed. I liked the line: “Save the star and attach it to your cap when you graduate.”
It’s still nice, though.
@lindyk8 Im jealous! Anyone from Los Angeles get the packet?
Yeah the packet is pretty sweet. I don’t think you guys will be disappointed. I hope somebody out there actually tries the star + mirror thing, it’s almost too cute to imagine.
I am missing a social science class from my igetc. I realized this quite recently. Didn’t bother to check the berkeley contract because UCLA didn’t care, but actually the UCB one states quite explicitly that it is a problem. We’ll see what the admissions officer has to say.
Also, does anyone have a sense of what the difference between the chancellor’s reception and the vice chancellor’s reception is? is it worth attending both?
Just got my Berkeley packet too…not as thick as the UCLA one! It’s kind of a mix between UCLA’s and UCSD’s with the pages that fold out. UCLA’s is definitely still my favorite. 
Hello guys, since CAL is my dream school and I’m going to transfer next year, I’ve been have several questions all the time.
I took HIST during this semester, but didn’t come to class after midterm because I decided to retake it, now I’m worried that if I get a F is that going to affect the transfer? My major is Math.
Also, I actually want to transfer as a major of STATS or ECON, are both of these impacted major? I’m kind of scared whether most people who successfully transfer with the major ECON/STATS get 4.0. My GPA so far is 3.875.
Last question, I’m taking classes in Palomar college now, would it be safer if I transfer to other colleges around Berkeley?
This is late but…
ACCEPTED
Major: Economics
GPA: 3.65
School: 1 year at a UC, 2 years at a CCC
Major GPA: 3.8
Pre-reqs: done
IGETC: done
EC:
-Internship
-Random clubs
Accepted: UCB, UCD, UCSB
Rejected: none
TAP: No
Essays: 9.5/10. Talked about a physical disability.
@vertaxxc If you retake it, your original grade will be replaced. However, I recommend dropping the class if possible and getting a W. If that’s not possible, then yes, you can retake it. Make sure you do well the second time around.
Those majors are impacted, but a 3.875 is very competitive. Just try to keep it up, and make sure your personal statement essays are compelling.
Coming from someone who goes to Berkeley City College, it won’t really help you at all if you go to a different CC in the area. If you can take all of the classes you need and are comfortable at your college, then that’s fine.
@goldencub Thanks a lot, that is very clear!
I don’t think I’m going to have a chance to get a W since basically I quit the class after the first test. Furthermore, I thought the professor would just follow the rule that if students don’t show up they would get dropped. Well it seemed that he just forgot about it. Anyway I’m going to meet and ask him what grade he’ll give me:(
Always get a hard time on ENG especially essays, less than half a year to solve this problem<3
@vertaxxc If you didn’t get a W (talk to your professor), you can take a course over the summer. That would put you in proper standing for applying in the Fall.
To help those out who are RE-ENTRY AND ADULT STUDENTS and wish to attend UC Berkeley; first of all it is possible! I am proof. Recently admitted at the not so tender age of 36.
Here are my “stats” but in reality, it is your personal statement and what you have done in your life in light of your experiences that gets you “through the door” in my opinion:
G.PA.: 3.93
Total Units Completed: 112 (all “A’s” and one “B” in a foreign language course)
Average Unit Load: minimum of 15 and a maximum of 21 units (taken this spring semester 2015)
IGETC: completed (by the way transfers, UC Berkeley requires that you have FULL IGETC certification by the time you are admitted… NO partials accepted; plan accordingly)
School attended prior to UC Berkeley: Diablo Valley College (before that Sierra College in Nevada County California)
Major applied for: Legal Studies
Pre-requisites for my major: beyond completed; I took all the “minimum” required class and several more within the list of assist.org courses for my major. Highly recommend doing so…
Academic accolades:
- A.S. in Social and Behavioral Sciences with Honors (5/2014);
- A.A. in Political Science with Honors (8/2014);
- A.A. for transfer in Political Science with Honors (12/2014);
- A.S. in Administration of Justice with Honors (5/2015)
- “Criminal Law Specialist” certificate
- Graduated the Sierra College Academic Honors Program (5/2014)
Extras/volunteering/community service/campus groups:
- Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors Society- Diablo Valley College
- Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society - Sierra College
- Volunteered 120 hours as a note-taker for disabled student at Diablo Valley College
- Volunteered through Alpha Gamma Sigma Honors society - Diablo Valley College
- Volunteered for Lawyers Referral Service for a semester - Sierra College
- Campus club member - E.C.O.S. - “Environmentally Conscious Organizations of Students” - Sierra College
Personal Statement focused on my overcoming of hardship; learning and growing from those experiences; how I love advocacy; how those “hardship” experiences POSITIVELY benefited me and helped shape who I am today; how I am able to overcome challenges and welcome adversity for it makes me stronger; how my experiences shaped my vision for my academic pursuits and how my major at Berkeley is going to provide as the vehicle to traverse the bridge between my desire and present ability to obtain my goals. Lastly, how I am NOT a victim of hardship but a beneficiary because of those experiences.
“Sob” stories are a “dime a dozen”; everyone can conjure one of those up… life is tough for nearly all - avoid that approach like the plague. Illustrate your growth, your learning, your fortitude to over come challenges/hardship, how hardships (if you even discuss that topic) have contributed to your life in a positive way. And MOST IMPORTANTLY, your personal voice, passion and character of who you are should shine through to the reader… get personal, get to the root of who you are and communicate that to your reader (who by the way is a person, just like you).
Hope this helps those who, like myself, felt a little overwhelmed at trying to figure out the “magic” combination for admissions for UC Berkeley… there isn’t one, you are the magic. The “combination” is your ability to express that you know that fact.
Much love for my fellow transfers!
@UniversalSnip you might want to check on assist.org regarding your quandary; I have seen in the information at the top of your major requirements, that sometimes you can still take courses through summer to meet your major requirements. Some majors you have to finish requirements by the conclusion of spring semester, but others I believe you can take summer school prior to fall semester and still be O.K. Perhaps you’ll find an answer or a source of stress reliever there??
@goldencub Oh I get it, thank you!!
:(( just got my acceptance package today… I was expecting something more than that 
But for sure they find a way to save the budget and be cool (the star) at the same time…Just not as pretty as UCLA :((