Waitlisted for Bioengineering
ACT 30( I took it again in Feb and got 33)
4.7 wGPA 4.0 uwGPA
I’m actually very grateful cause UCB is my reach and I found that they accepted over half of the applicants on the waitlist. I got accepted by 4 other UC schools but Berkeley is my top choice.
And does anyone know what we suppose to write for the optional essay?? Is it like a why essay?
You can write whatever you want. I saw a lot of last year’s waitlisted people wrote about their achievement (EC and academic) after they submitted their application, and expressed why they wanted to attend Berkeley. And you can also explain struggles you face after the application.
@astroLyf I agree with @thenewstyped it’s not first comes first because that’ll be unfair you know? Some of us want to put effort.
They sent me an email about the programs, and told me to press this link to think about the programs:
https://apply.berkeley.edu/register/first_year_pathways_2017
@Fo98Rest You can write anything you want. There is no right or wrong answer. I am going to write about: what draws you to want to study at Cal, basically why Berkeley?
@Lifeissohard Yes I checked one of the mails they sent to my mailbox, probably the same as you got, and I found the page that describes the different paths of enrollment. I am writing the optional essay now, and I believe at the end of the essay we’d better make sure to assure that we will definitely enroll to UCB if admitted, right? The problem is that I also have to write one for UCLA, the content won’t change I think, I will use the same essay for both schools, but it feels awkward to make the same assurance at the end…
I was just wondering, are we required to submit our transcripts? Or can we just fill out the boxes that they provided for us?
@websensation only Washginton State in seattle
@astroLyf YA!!! Please, let them know you will ACCEPT their offer! After reading the thread fro last year, there are some people said, “I won’t able go to UCB” like I feel like that’s not fair for other waitlist people like who REALLY wants to go like us you know. You have to let them know you are 100% you will go UCB, and decline the other SIR in order to go UCB. Ohhh, yeah that’s true. Just use the same essay, like there are waves because UCB knows that there are people who are not able to attend for some reason. That’s why we have only a week to submit our SIR if admitted.
@Lifeissohard pl can u tell if berkely waitlist per major or per college or overall. I am undeclared engg applicant waitlisted. Is it wise to change my major now.
@Gupppppss according the waitlist FAQs on the portal:
Q: May I send in 7th semester grades?
A: Sending most recent grades is optional. Students will be able to list courses and grades OR upload an unofficial copy of latest progress report/transcript. There is no need to ask school officials to send this information. All information must be submitted through the online form, and no other types of submission will be accepted.
Basically you can fill in the box or submit the transcript. I’ll fill in the box b/c I have spring break right now and my councilor is not available to provide my transcript
@USUG21 that’s a good question, however, i am not sure. I think it’s overall.
@Lifeissohard i am yet yo see in all the threds if thr is any undeclared engg accepted or waitlisted. I hav no idea if any undeclared engg is accepted yet to berkely engg or not. If u hav any idea pl let me know
guys I’m about to guilt-trip Berkeley so hard with this optional essay
meaning that I’m going to write about how much I want to go and why I deserve to be admitted
Does anyone knows any more waitlist essays examples?
That got accepted to Berkeley??
Do students accepted via waitlist have the same housing priority as normal students? I know housing is still guaranteed, however would we get to submit our preferences on location, size, etc…?
@woakley5 yeah fam, check the FAQs waitlist on your Berkeley portal
Any College of Natural Resources peeps??
@woakley5 Colleges only accept students from the wait-list if the college has under-enrolled which means they will definitely have housing available.
@Lifeissohard I can’t find any more examples either. However, I think that is enough; don’t let other people’s essays shape our ideas I think. That is a decent essay, but I think as long as we show our passion and our ability to the admission committee, they will know we are serious at this, we are not those who just click some buttons and submit a blank form to try luck. I’ve finished my draft and I think the outline will do:
-a brief explanation of the courses of last semester (I stated my problem with courses like psychology, english language and composition, due to the fact that I’m not a native speaker)
-the challenge you’ve met since you finished the application
-the things you’ve done to overcome the challenge
-other updates (1~2) award/recognition/competition/or anything you’ve been doing
-talk about why Berkeley fits you and why you think you are competent enough to thrive at Berkeley
-what else could you bring to Berkeley should admitted
-assurance your acceptance to their offer should admitted
I think this is a way to approach the essay? If you guys have better ideas, could you please share with us?