The Official Chances Thread!

lazygarfield · September 11, 2011, 3:01pm

Hi,

I’m an Indian male student who already graduated from high school in May 2011. I’m in a gap year right now, which I’m spending by doing an internship with AOL India, community service and learning to live independently (I now live in a different city, alone).

I’m looking to apply to the UCB from the Fall 2012 session. I want to major in English and plan to do an emphasis/a concentration/a minor in something like Creative Writing, Film Studies or Communications.

By the way, I have appeared for my tests/exams and these are the scores:

SAT Reasoning Test - 2280/2400 (CR: 770, M: 780, W: 730)

SAT II - English Lit: 760, Math Level 2: 790

TOEFL iBT - 120/120

Sophomore Year - 95.4% (English: 91, overall school topper)
Junior Year - 78.4% (Rigor of course increased DRASTICALLY. A dip in the scores in this year is par for the course in Indian education systems)
Senior Year - 87.4% (Topped the high school in English: 95)

I also ranked 4th worldwide in an International Olympiad of the English Language (run by a private organization). I also have a total of 4 1st prizes in debate/extempore/speech events in high school.

By the by, they aren’t need-blind to International students, are they? How much will my chances reduce if I say I want financial aid?

sdsportsfan · September 30, 2011, 2:12am

UC GPA: 4.19
Weighted GPA: 4.25
Unweighted: 3.89

California Resident: @ highest scoring school in san diego

SAT: 2080, math: 700 reading: 680 writing: 700
ACT: 31 ___ super-scored is a 33, but I don’t think Berkeley super-scores

SAT II: Math: 770 Physics: 680

10 AP’s

5 Calc BC
5 Calc AB
4 English lang
4 Physics B

EC’s:
300+ hours volunteering at boys and girls club
Editor and Chief of school yearbook: 2000 kid school
300+ hours of work as a referee
member of various other clubs
JV Baseball 2 years: 250+ hours

Planning on Business, so probably Letters and Science to start

sdsportsfan · October 2, 2011, 7:30pm

uc gpa is actually 4.25
weighted around 4.3

collegeseeker919 · October 4, 2011, 12:56am

Indian Male; High-Income Household;Competitive Oregon Public School

Stats:

UW: 3.8 W: 4.2/4.3 UC GPA: 4.1-4.2
Rank: 10/450
SAT: 2100+ (projected, took in October)
SAT II: 700 (math); 800 (bio); 800 (US History)
APs: 5,5,5,5,4,3,3,3
Classes: AP (Calc AB/BC; Enviro; Bio; Lang; Lit; U.S. history; Chem; Stats; physics) IB (History SL ;Anthropology SL) Six classes at a local community college (all As)
Extra Circs:
Speech and Debate
4 Years. Captain two years, treasurer one. Qualified for NFL nationals, went to state twice.
Placed at State four times, including 2nd, quarter finals, finals, and super congress. Over 40 other speech awards.

DECA
Four Years. Nationals and three state state awards. Honorary member and current secretary.

Science Fair
Honorable Mention; Military Award

World Quest Trivia
Co-Captain Three years; placed top 11; top 6

Science Bowl
Co-Captain three years

Model United Nations
Three years. Ambassador last year.

Other:
Library Board; City board (200 plus volunteering hours)
National Honor Society Board Member

biofuel · October 4, 2011, 4:52am

Yes, it true. I can’t use my hands (I have CP) but I have a 4.23 GPA. and five awards for top grades in my class. I only got a 28 on the ACT because I had to dictate
my math problems to an English teacher and tell her the buttons to press on
my calculator. Then, I had to dictate the essay and read her handwriting so
I could edit it. If that wasn’t weird enough, they enlarged my test booklet and
threw the science diagrams pages away from the questions requiring me to ask
the administrator to flip back and forth which confused us both and got me a 27.
I had tested at 31 before for science. I got a 35 on the straightforward reading
part which did not require me to rely on someone else and whether they
would understand my affected speech. I don’t feel it is worth going through that again.
The school didn’t even remember to order my PSAT exam and my sister was a
National Merit Scholar so I think I would have done well if I had the opportunity to take it.
I have summer courses at Duke, Columbia and University of Texas. I have
been a teacher assistant at a school for disabled children, elected an officer in
student council, gone to state conventions and am a member of NHS. I started the finance club at school which is a forum to discuss global markets and investments.
This year I am taking AP Bio, Calculus, Government,
Spanish 2, Philosophy, economics etc. I have only made 2 Bs ever. My courses were mostly honors freshman year but after that, I realized I needed to slow down to make it through in four years and still keep a good GPA.
Even though I am a wheelchair user, I do adaptive snowboarding, sailing and cycling.
I do my own research and rehabilitation.
I would like to do more but my body requires me to hit the sack at 9:00. I am not
able to study through the night like many students. I have done this
four years in the same time as everyone else without modification. All my life I have
worked for this opportunity to go to a great college. Berkeley has the program I need.
I want to go into the residential program for disabled students and have the chance to
make it. My interest is in business and alternative fuels. I am looking for a liberal attitude about disabilities and a community of disabled students. I am interested in hearing from anyone about the opportunities for me and whether, as an out of state student who can pay my own way, if I have a chance. How much should I discuss about
my disability in the application? Should I explain about my subscores on the ACT and
give the details or do they even care about that?

<hr>

paxerenhund · October 4, 2011, 3:46pm

UC GPA - 3.7 - 3.8 ish.

out of state - permanent resident / immigrant.
(COMMUNITY COLLEGE in Illinois.)

SAT Reasoning Scores (by section) or ACT scores
act score - 31

Letters of science (international developmental studies . minor econ. )

ECS:
-Summer before cc went lived in Africa (Namibia) for 3 months with program called world teach (through harvard) taught ict and english courses. alone. (as an 18 year old.)
-have started own fund raising program to the school i worked at in africa
-Private music school student
-Volunteer at Hospice weekly (for music therapy program)
-member of International Partners at cc.
-will be counselor/staff at concordia language villages over summer, for danish.
-Work 20 hours a week as a waitress at Outback Steakhouse.

other stuff, (essay.)

Moved to america on 9/11 from denmark. lived in fairfax - virginia for a year. major culture shock. father is from iran, and i have been to iran 4 times in my life. while mother is 100% danish. both born and raised in those countries. in 2002 -moved to chicago area. dealt with depression all through highschool. was involved in austrian exchange program. leave the country twice a year.

classes

<ul>
<li>arabic 1
-arabic 2
-german 3</li>
<li>german 4
-international affairs
-micro
-macro
-world religion
-history of asia
-sociology
-statistics</li>
<li>biology</li>
<li>geology
-american gov.</li>
</ul>

(two ap scores in english in highschool , 4- junior lit 4 - senior lit)

GoldenBoyCXVII · October 5, 2011, 8:31pm

UC GPA: 4.33
Unweighted GPA: 4.00
Weighted GPA: 4.37

California Resident

SAT Reasoning Scores: 760 CR, 790 M, 760 W
SAT II Scores: 730 Physics, 790 U.S. History, 800 Math 2, 800 Chem

College of Chemistry!!! :D

Most important ECs:
-Play guitar, drums and various percussion, and electric bass.
-co-founder of a science club at my school which is oriented toward chemistry and physics
-had an internship teaching guitar to beginning guitarists for about 5 weeks, 2 days a week 2 summers ago
-member of Robotics Club at my school
-sole founder and President of the “Unpopular” Music Club at my school (yes, I was trying to be facetious with the name)
-Secretary of Philosophy Club at my school

No awards except for those based on standardized tests:
AP Scholar with Distinction
National Merit Semi-Finalist (still in running for Finalist and Scholar awards)

Leadership other than roles teaching music and club positions mentioned above include being a founding member and essentially leader of a blues/funk band and very occasional experience as an unpaid tutor at my school (of course, I am “that student” in several classes who regularly explains things to fellow students when the teacher doesn’t do a very sufficient job)

AP scores:
Chemistry - 5
U.S. History - 5
World History - 5
Physics B - 5
English Language - 4
plan to take in May 2012: Calc BC, Environmental Science, U.S. Gov, Macroeconomics, English Lit, French, Biology

Idk if this helps much, but my English teacher had the class write the Personal Statement as a graded assignment. I got a B- on #1 and a B/B- on #2. Obviously, I plan to revise them, but this is just to give an idea of about the worst quality my Personal Statement could conceivably be at the time I submit my application.

minhnguyen4 · October 7, 2011, 1:24am

I’m currently in my senior year so this refers to 10-11 only.
UC GPA: 4.09
Unweighted GPA: 3.73
Weghted GPA: 4.36

California Resident
Vietnamese
SAT Scores
1st time: (790 Math, 730 CR, 630 Writing) 2150
2nd time: (720 Math, 770 CR, 680 Writing) 2170
3rd time: (Haven’t recieved a score yet but I’m confident I hit around 2250)

SAT II
Math (690) (I’m retaking this one, will recieve a score in late November)
Chemistry (680)
U.S. History (760)

AP’s
Grade 9: Biology (3)
Grade 10: European History (5) Computer Science (5)
Grade 11: Chemistry (4) French Language (4) U.S. History (5)
Undecided Major

EC’s
This is by far my weakest point. I have almost no community service hours. I’ve been on Cross Country/Track or 4 years but I’m not very good at it (though I’m committed).
No clubs at my school.
I’ve been playing the piano for over 10 years, I’d like to think I’m pretty good, but I have no idea how to prove it.

I have no awards except for A.P. Scholar with distinction and whatever national merit you get from a 209 PSAT.

I’d also like to mention my school is a highly rated one with an API of around 870 or so for what it’s worth.

bomajed · October 8, 2011, 1:28pm

Hi,
Having a recommendation from a berkeley graduate would help?

Benito69 · October 9, 2011, 12:57am

When calculating our weighted and unweighted GPA’s do we take freshman year into account? I’ve been told by several people and counselors that UC’s don’t take freshman year into consideration.

loldanielol · October 9, 2011, 9:10pm

^They only look at sophomore and junior grades, so use those to calculate unweighted and UC weighted GPAs.

Benito69 · October 10, 2011, 1:37am

UC GPA: 4.29
Unweighted GPA: 3.96
Weighted GPA: 4.54
Top 5% of class

California resident

SAT: 2320
800 Writing
760 Math
760 CR

Subject Tests:
770 Math 2
770 US History
Waiting on biology E but pretty sure it’ll be in the 700’s

Applying for Electrical Engineering.

EC’s:
Football all 4 years of high school (took up insane amounts of time)
Peer tutoring.
A season of wrestling
Academic league senior year
Vice president of the Science Club
NHS for 3 years
Guitar playing

No significant awards or anything besides AP Scholar with Honor. Got a few for being a a football player with a high GPA. I’m from a relatively small rural town (~25,000 people) and there aren’t many opportunities.

Anyways, chance me!

ConfuciusSaySAT · October 14, 2011, 3:24am

@bomajed No it won’t. The UCs don’t look at recommendations. It will be shredded without being looked at.

briceies · October 14, 2011, 10:47pm

UC GPA: 3.8

California Resident (California community college student)

Applying to L&S (Philosophy)

ECs: Technical Writer (promoted from Intern position) at a college consulting firm; 100+ hours local non-profit; scattered hours with other local and nationwide groups (e.g., AYSO).

No significant accomplishments, but I’ve published a few stories in my school’s creative arts journal, and’ve gotten a few articles I wrote for work published by different college magazines (@ USC, Cornell, etc.).

majin101 · October 14, 2011, 11:52pm

UW GPA: 3.98
W GPA: 4.45
SAT I: M 800 W 800 R 760 (2360) (superscored, took it twice)
SAT II: Chemistry (780), Math II (800), Korean (800), Biology (800), Physics (800), USH (800), English Lit (770)
AP: Music, Bio, USH, Chem, Physics, Macro Econ, Micro Econ, Latin Vergil, Stats, Calc BC, Comp Sci, English Lit, World History (5’s on all except 4’s on Latin, English)
Awards: AMC 10, AIME, USAJMO Qualifier, AMC 12, USAMO Qualifier, National AP Scholar, State AP Scholar, NMF
Rank: Probably 5-7/640 (Extremely Competitive School)

Extracurriculars:
Multiple Regional Awards: Academic Decathalon, Science Olympiad, Quiz Team
State Awards: Academic Decathalon, Science Olympiad
Other: Politics Club, Music Club
Music: (Cello) All State Orchestra, All Nation Orchestra (will see, practicing hard to get in), VOCE State Winner, Certificate of Merit Advanced, Panel Finalist Award, Youth Orchestra that toured in Europe and played for US Ambassador and King (recorded in documentary by PBS), Southern Music Competition 1st, Piano Trio State Winner
(Piano) Chopin Competition 1st, Certificate of Merit Advanced, Southern Music Competition 3rd and 4th

Community Service: Hospital Volunteer, Teach as Cello Instructor for local church orchestras, Eagle Scout with OA Designation.
Summer: Tour in Europe, National Jamboree, Research in Mathematics, Development of Music Software, College Classes at local University.
Jobs: Research (Work on Hodge’s Conjecture), Helping at dad’s office, Stage Performances

Applying: UC Berkely, UCLA, CalTech, Cornell, HYSP, Oberlin Conservatory (Music), Julliard. Chance and I’ll chance back? :)

AnotherDreamer · October 18, 2011, 11:33pm

Stats:
SAT: 2220 (710R, 760M, 750W) — taking again, I’ll do somewhere between 30-100 better.
SAT IIs: 730 Chem — taking more & again
GPA: 95.63 (Soph & Junior) , F - 94, S - 94, J 97 (Freshman year at dif. school) (^ trend)
AP’s: BC Calc (Senior) - only one AP offered

ECs:
Mock Trial (Lawyer) (2 years);
Model UN (Co-President, Head Chairperson) (3 years)
SADD (2 years);
HOSA (2 years;
School Improvement Committee (2 years);
Spanish Honor Society (Senior Year);
NHS (Senior Year);

Volunteer Work:
<150 hours at local hospital;
40 hours Vacation Bible School;
Big Brothers Big Sisters

Other:
Taken: Public Speaking
Cultural Anthropology
Intro to Philosophy
Business Law I (courses at local college)
Over 2 years, 4.0 GPA, 12 credits.

Awards (Nothing Major):
Winner of a school wide talent competition - (Guitar and Singing Hobby);
Honor Cadet ROTC (Highest GPA in grade involved in unit);
National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar;
Outstanding Delegate (Model UN);

Hook (if any): URM
State or Country:NJ
School Type: Selective Public, Ranked within top 100 according U.S. News
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Male
Recs: I’m confident with them
Major: Philosophy, Economics
Interest: Law / Politics

Schools:
UVA, UC Berkeley, Amherst, UMich, Stanford

jnmohsenin · October 19, 2011, 5:33pm

International/in state - from American international school in Barcelona, Spain but born in California and attended freshmen year in California high school.

Family owns property in CA, pays taxes, etc.

UC GPA: 4.3
Unweighted: 3.8
Weighted: 3.95ish

ACT: 31/31/29/34/30 (Composite/English/Math/Reading/Science)
Taking it again this Saturday, probably 32/33/31/32/31

3 AP’s: Euro History, Comp Gov, English Lang (4/4/4)

In 5 AP classes senior year

EC’s: paid internship at a Bay Area startup (2 summers), internship at NGO, started my own business at school, Habitat for Hmanity, NHS, school newspaper

Essay: Pretty good

Applying to L&S

How am I looking? also applying to UCSD, Cal Poly SLO.

ben267 · October 22, 2011, 11:22am

SAT I (breakdown): 2240 (760 R, 790 M, 690 W)
SAT II: Math 2 (780) Chem : 800 Phy : 800
A Levels (place score in parenthesis): A B B / B

Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Track and Field 7th to 12th grade( sec 1 to JC 1) Placed 2nd and 3rd for a national event. Won several relays in several competitions. Vice captain of team in 9th and 10th grade.
President of environmental club, hosted several projects and did some community service here and there.
Served the army after junior college ( part of national service). Was an officer cadet and now a commissioned officer serving in a unit. ( don’t know if that’s applicable in a college application).
A lot of other random cca’s but didnt bother to put them down yet. yup

And i dont need financial aid. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

And i’m a student from Singapore. so that makes me asian and international!

musicislyfe · October 22, 2011, 1:35pm

how about me? =]
UC GPA: 4.33
UW: 3.97
W GPA: 4.55

California Resident

Took 1 Ap class soph year and 1 honor, took 4 AP junior year and 1 honor, I am currently taking 6 AP’s as a senior

SAT’s (prolly the worst thing on my app)

SAT 1- 2170 (770 writing; 750 math; 650 reading (-__-)

SAT II’s: chem 750 math 2 c: 740 US History: 730 Biology 700 Korean 720

I got the highest SAT score at my school…(fail…i know)

EC’s

Varsity Tennis ( Captain Since Soph year)
CSF president (since soph year)
JSA (Junior State of America) Founder and President
PAW (Philanthrophy Around the World) vice president and founding member
Tutored Autistic Children in various places
Took a class at UC Berkeley and got an A ( it was a science course)
Decision Medicine ( I got into a very selective medicine program. Only 24 students were accepted out of 300 applicants)
Youth Ministry Leadership Team ( I am in the leadership team for my youth ministry)
I helped coach tennis during the summer (for the girls tennis team wink wink)
-wrote my own poems and performed my raps in various places
Piano for 6 years
-I am also taking a very unique approach on my essays
i have about 270 community service hours

I have some more…but too lazy to write them down. ahahha

Awards

Math Award (at the regional level) for an international math contest
Leadership Award from the State ( Only one student is chosen for this award)
AP Scholar With Distinction
Awards from the Medical Society for completing Decision Medicine ( 1 from congress, 2 from the California State Legislature)
Semifinalist at a USTA tennis tourney

firstpackage · October 27, 2011, 5:40pm

chance me before i die of stress :(

APPLYING FOR UC BERKELEY’S COLLEGE OF NATURAL RESOURCES: FORESTRY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

UC GPA: 4.41
Unweighted GPA: 3.81
ACT with writing: 31,32
SAT II Bio: 740
SAT II Math C: 730

took 12 AP courses and 4 honors courses and 2 community college courses
in community college i took OCEANOGRAPHY 83 and GEOLOGY 34

ECs
-volunteer supervisor for Tree People - restoring the Santa Monica Mountains
-volunteer supervisor and staff for Madrona Marsh Wetlands restoration
-supervisor for the south bay entomological (bugs and insects) census
-intern for Green Lifestyle Films - a small independent film company promoting a greener and more eco friendly lifestyle
-intern at a local herb and acupuncture clinic
-president of ECO leo’s club
-petroleum and amber refinery researcher at madrona research center
-captain of my tae kwon do demonstration team
-400 community service hours dedicated to restoring soil in several county and state parks
-president of World Soil club
-editor for school newspaper
-environmental columnist for school newspaper

awards:
(not much)
audobon yes! restoration award
taekwondo silver medal- 2nd in county

CALIFORNIA RESIDENT

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