UC Berkeley Regents & Chancellor's Interview

Colleges & Universities University of California - Berkeley
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Hi,

I got into Cal (Mathematics Major, L&S) during the early admission period, and I have my interview next week. From the very limited number of scholars I have spoken to, they all say that the interview is nothing like others, and is considerably longer. I’ve gathered that I should reread my application and have my story match up perfectly with what I walk about, and to build on my application like extending a piece of artwork. I did not get a spot in ROHP until March 15-16, so that won’t be any help. There is basically no information online about the interview and so few scholars that it’s basically impossible to prepare :sob:.

The biggest caveat is that I have no clue how I got accepted. On top of perfect GPAs, most people who got in were international competition winners, startup owners, or were working on the cure to cancer (2 kids I talked to, actually). On the other hand, I had a 4.04 UC GPA (1-2 Bs each semester), could not report my 36 ACT, and my main activities were volunteering, scouts, volunteering, 2 varsity sports (top placements at league level for 1 but nothing star-worthy), and some volunteering/leadership in volunteering awards.

I have done a few practice interviews with my teachers who don’t know me as well, which they said went very well. I can PM more details on my application if anyone would be able to give me more in-depth advice. All in all, because of my relatively weak profile I need to crush my interview to get Regents, and I am really hoping that I can get a better understanding of what I need to to do prepare, apart from “have questions,” “treat it like a conversation,” “reread your application,” and “think before you speak.”

Does anyone have any tips, anything at all, for me before my interview? anything and everything helps, thank you so much in advance!

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Check the main UC Berkeley thread - there are some Regents tips there.

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Posts 79 and 80 talk a bit about the interview process.

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Oh wait, those responses were in response to you basically asking the same question. I guess you have seen them there, then.

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As unremarkable as you might feel, there was a reason you were selected, so don’t undervalue your own accomplishments.

As suggested, I’d go back to your PIQ’s and re-read them to understand what the throughline may have been that sparked their interest in you. Just as Cal values leadership and diversity, you may want to consider how you’ve demonstrated those values.

I assume you’ve checked on Reddit for more advice - hopefully you’ll be able to learn enough to make you more comfortable.

Congratulations! It’s a great accomplishment just to be selected, have confidence in yourself!

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