Hey guys, I have the same problem. When I visit the link posted on the thread, they ask me to add recommendations, however, I did get the mail stating that I am not selected. Does anyone have a answer for this yet?
Update: Do not submit LoRs unless you have been asked to. Check your MAP account, if there is a tab for LoRs only then you should send them.
Just wondering @bolt1234 what is your source for not sending them?
I also got the no LORs email, and I feel I am highly qualified (2330 SAT, 4.0 UW/4.22 W, ranked in top 3%, good ECs, etc. I guess it is random, because people who were equally or less qualified got no request, and people on this thread also seem highly qualified. I guess we should just stop freaking out…
BTW I called the Admissions Office this morning to ask, but they are closed until January something-th.
@YER42U Unfortunately I have no source for this, but it doesnt make sense that every single applicant will be able to send an LoR through that link. If Berkeley really wanted everyone to send one, they wouldnt have sent the mail stating “You have not been selected to submit blah blah”
what are these scores oh my god this is intimidating
Actually they have answered on their Facebook (UC Berkeley Admissions https://www.facebook.com/UCBerkeleyAdmissions/):
OP says:
Hey! I just received an email saying that I wasn’t selected to submit letters of recommendation. But, when I logged in at https://apply.berkeley.edu/account/login I received the following message: After an initial review of your application, we invite you to submit letters of recommendation to add to your admission application. This involves asking one or two people who know you well (including one teacher) to submit a letter or recommendation on your behalf.
I am not sure whether I should ask my teachers to submit an LoR or not. Some clarification would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
Their Answer:
If in the portal you are being requested to submit letters, you are free to do so (not required) by Jan. 15.
OP Asks again (THIS CLEARS UP ALL THE CONFUSION):
UC Berkeley Admissions Hello again! Actually, my MAP page shows no such requirement/request (https://apply.berkeley.edu/apply/status). I can only add recommendations if I login specifically through
https://apply.berkeley.edu/apply/ (i.e I can only add a recommender through the application management page, after selecting my application and then selecting ‘Open Application’.
The request has not appeared in my checklist/is not visible on My Application Portal.
So, should I submit my LoRs?
Thanks for the help.
Their Answer:
Hi there - If you are seeing it in the portal, you are free to submit letters. Thanks!
I guess no matter how you reach the LOR page, if it works for you, you can submit it anyways
I think it is a glitch. I think everyone can submit recommendations this way.
Requested
International student
ACT 33
GPA 4.25
TOEFL 118(out of 120)
Maths II 800, Chem 710, Bio 730
Very strong EC’s
4.6 uc GPA
2130 SAT
33 ACT with 35 math and 34 science
LOR request received
EECS
I submitted mine a day before the application was due, so November 29. I got the email requesting letters of recommendation December 6. I remember reading somewhere on their site that they were going to request all students to send letters of rec this year, but it looks like that isn’t the case…? Weird.
Requested
Out-of-state
Not entirely sure of UC GPA, but unweighted GPA is 3.3, weighted is 3.7
1940 SAT (C.R.=700, W=640, M=600)
APUSH (3), AP Lang (3), AP Lit (?) <-- taking it this year
@lonerism Did you have any extenuating circumstances?
@Kasami I described in the written portion a period of adversity I overcame in my junior year, and how my experience made me a passionate learner/better student, if that counts.
@lonerism I’m assuming it does, especially since you got a request for letters of recc. Good luck!!
@Kasami thanks, I’ll need it!! 
Boy, do I feel like an idiot. facepalms I just assumed everyone who applied got asked.
OOS
Major: Unspecified Letters of Arts and Sciences
ACT: 34
UW GPA: 3.5
W GPA: 4.4
UC GPA: 4.00 (did some online calculator, not sure how accurate it is though)
ECs: Typical ones freshman and sophomore year (Varsity Cheer, Competitive Dance, Student Council, Beta Club, lots of Volunteer hours), then I went through a rough patch. Rigor of course load & ECs went down.
Gap Year: Working as a research assistant at a biotechnology lab.
In my opinion, I think that I was asked for LOR because I am “borderline” case(?). Essay talked about facing extreme adversity in high school and overcoming it. Also, I graduated early for my age. I’m a bit surprised, since I don’t have the stats for OOS. We shall see!
Best of luck to everyone!
**EDIT (What the heck was I writing)… Major: Unspecified College of Letters and Science
Requested
OOS
Major: Nutrition
GPA: 3.95 UW (2 B’s), 104.26 W (idk what that’s equivalent to)
ACT: 34
No AP scores submitted
Lots of EC including Senior Class VP, NHS, DECA (4), HOSA (2), volunteered in a hospital in Taiwan over the summer, piano (14 years), lots of other stuff
Asian Female (Taiwanese)
I think they just picked a 20% sample size that would represent the entire application pool to see if the LoR would effect their decisions so they can decide if they want to continue to request for LoR next year. There are people with high, middle, and low stats that got requests. It was probably just luck of the draw. I know someone else at my school who got the request but he has lower stats than I do. I’m not sure if getting the request for LoR means your will or won’t get in. It’s probably just a test run. What I want to know though is if you originally did not make the cut but then your LoR throws you over the fence, will they decide to accept you or still reject you and vice versa?
Requested
International Student (New Zealand)
Major: Econ
GPA: Doesn’t work like that in NZ but have have had straight As through high school.
SAT: 2080 (2170 superscore)
International Baccalaureate: 45/45 points
GCSE: 10 A*s
EC: Professional Windsurfer- sponsored and multiple podium finishes on the US tour. Designed financial structured products for small fund management company. Captain Rugby at school and play on high school cricket team (national champs). Then other bog standard ECs.