I would say very close to perfect grades, high rigor (ie. AP, DE, IB courses) across all subject matters, and one who demonstrates a significant contribution/impact in their extracurricular activities.
Two applicants can describe the same extracurricular activity and have it come across very differently to a reader. One may tell what they did and when they did it. The other might include why they did it, how it impacted others, what they learned from the experience and how it influenced their plans for the future.
Based on a sample size of one, I would put ECs and PIQs high on the list of what separates some early admits. My daughter was strong by nothing special in terms of academics. I think it was her PIQs - how she described her ECs and interests - that probably caught the AOs’ attention. Her academic transcript was fine - but far from the most impressive out there.
I’ll give you a sample size of 1.5. My child who was accepted early in 2020 is the same as yours, except they also had top grades, rigor and test scores.
There are more than enough students applying with high grades and rigor. I agree that it is what they do outside of the classroom, and how they convey that in their application, that sets them apart.
Historically yes, there should be some Early admits but since HAAS direct admit program is new, only time will tell. Last year there were some rare MET admits posted in February.
Only UC Berkeley has done early which are some of the top applicants, special program applicants such as MET and prospective Regent scholarship invitees in Early February. None of the other UC’s do Early admits normally.
UCI used to admit top students (Campuswide Honors and Regents) in February, but they stopped that a couple of years ago. UCSB used to send out invites to a Chancellor’s reception in February. Those that received the invite were accepted. I believe the last year UCSB did the Chancellor’s reception was 2019 (ie. pre-pandemic).
I will add that UC Santa Cruz has admitted a few applicants at the end of February but the majority of the decisions are posted in March. This is the timeline from last year.
2023 Decisions:
UCB: Early admits on Feb 9, 2023. All other decisions on March 30.
UCLA: Friday March 17, 2023 5 PM PST. Alumni scholarship and Regent notifications March 27/28.
UCSD: Friday March 17, 2023 3:30 PM PST including Regents.
UCSB: March 21, 2023 around 2:15 PM PST Regents notifications on March 27th.
UCI: Friday March 17, 2023 4 PM PST including Regents and CHP.
UCD: Friday March 10, 2023 at 3PM PST Scholarship notifications in portal. Snail mail scholarship letters on March 16-17
UCSC: 1st Wave Monday February 27. Majority of decisions on 2nd Wave March 15, 2023. Scholarship notifications on March 16, 2023
UCR: Admit wave starting March 1, 2023. Waitlist decisions posted March 27. Denials March 28 along with a few admits and waitlists.
UCM: Rolling Waves starting March 1, 2023
Has anyone received Regent invite or early admission notification? I heard from friends that UCB sent out invites last week. Seems earlier than previous years. Thanks.
wow lot earlier than last year, still haven’t seen anything about met decisions releasing yet, I assumed all of that would be released this thursday/friday.
What are typical characteristics of students who get early admission at Berkeley vs regular admission? Is it restricted for hooked applicants/athletes or in-state applicants?
I think its primarily the top x% of admits who were identified as candidates for Regents (or) admits to specific programs like MET or GMP etc. The actual mechanics might vary year over year but I would think >90% of admits will not hear in the early notification period.
