OOS, should I even apply to Berkeley?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
1

<p>I live in NJ, so I don’t know if I should apply to Berkeley with devastatingly low chances.
Would you give me advices?</p>

<p>Freshman (3.8) -
Concert Choir A-
ESL A-
ESL US history 2 A
Essential biology A-
Gym A
Plane geometry A
Spanish 1 A-</p>

<p>Sophomore (4.1)
Algebra 2 H A
Chemistry A
Gym A
Choir A-
English1 A-
Spanish 2 A
US history A</p>

<p>Junior (4.73)
AP Stats A
EMA honors A
English 2 A
Gym A
Spanish 3 H A-
World Civ H A
Physics H A</p>

<p>Senior
AP World
AP Lang & Comp
AP Calc BC
AP Physics
Spanish 4 H
English 3 H</p>

<p>Came to the U.S. in freshman year, but I’m a permanent resident.</p>

<p>Class rank (40/303)
even though I never got below an A-, my class rank is very low because I was limited to take ESL classes in my freshman year and regular classes in sophomore year. However, I see this could be a hook because my guidance counselor told me no one in the schools has had any improvement like this in ten years (ESL -> APs)
so basically I took ESL -> regular -> honors -> APs</p>

<p>SAT1 M800 R680 W690(E10)
SAT2 Math 2c 790 1c 770 chemistry 780 Physics 680
retaking SAT1 in OCT, physics in NOV</p>

<p>Stockmarket Club - Vice president
Future Business Leaders Club - Vice president
Multicultural Club - Vice president
AMC ten and twelve - AIME qualifier
Auditioned choir (men); Auditioned choir 2 (women) -> this is my theme of college essay
Debate club -> short essay theme
Internship at an Engineering company
Volunteer 200 hours from sophomore year
Winter track in freshman and sophomore year</p>

<p>One set back is I only could start the clubs in my sophomore year because of my inferior English. I could barely talk in the beginning of my freshman year… haha
but I enjoyed singing, which doesn’t require a good English ability, so I could audition and perform as a soloist in a few concerts.</p>

<p>Should I even apply to Berkeley?
It is a great school with wonderful students and classes, but don’t I have too less chances than any other applicant?
I’m applying Early decision to Cornell University for engineering, just letting you know…</p>

2

<p>Will you be applying for engineering? This makes quite a difference.</p>

3

<p>Yes, engineering</p>

4

<p>Apply. Write some epic personal statements and your chances of admission will be up there.</p>

5

<p>um… yes…</p>

<p>my stat:
SAT 2120</p>

<p>gpa grade 9: 3.56
gpa grade 10: 3.55
gpa grade 11: 3.6
gpa grade 12: 3.2</p>

<p>my personal essay was about how I felt jealousy about my sister (who also goes to Berkeley) … and I got in…</p>

6

<p>and I’m an international btw ^^ even lower chances</p>

7

<p>I appreciate the encouragements!
I really would want to get in… :p</p>

8

<p>yes, you should -even- apply to berkeley</p>

9

<p>I’m not gonna say you have a good chance or anything because OOS admission is difficult, but with your stats I don’t see why you wouldn’t have a chance at getting in. Just make sure to write a good essay.</p>

<p>I mean you have a 2170 SAT, 800 and 780 SAT II’s, good GPA, good extracurriculars and leadership positions. If you were in-state, I’d say you have a good chance, but I don’t have experience with OOS acceptances, so I don’t know.</p>

<p>Maybe improve the SAT, as well.</p>

<p>And it might be better to also provide the UC GPA and Unweighted GPA because these are things that Berkeley will look at</p>

10

<p>Yes you should.</p>

<p>And considering UCs are due earlier than other colleges, it won’t affect other applications that much. [and your stats isn’t any worse than mine, best of luck！]</p>

11

<p>Definitely.
you won’t lose anything by trying.</p>

12

<p>^ except for $60</p>

13

<p>I appreciate your comments guys</p>