<p>Hello, so I went to Texas A&M in 2005 and received a
1st Semester (C, D, D,W)
2nd Semester ( F,F,W,F,F)</p>
<p>I pretty much gave up on college and went ahead and joined the Marines.
After 4 years in the corps I started going to Cypress College.
1st Semester(A,A,A,A)
2nd Semester(A,A,A,A,A)</p>
<p>I will be taking summer school and after my fall semester of 2011, if I continue getting straight As I should have a 3.4 GPA</p>
<p>I was wondering with a low GPA like a 3.4 would it be possible for me to get into Berkeley? I was wondering if they would consider that those grades I received in Texas were 6 years ago, and I have become a different person through the Marines.</p>
<p>Yes, they will certainly consider you. I had an F, 2 Bs, some No Credits, and a bunch of W’s in 2004/2005, then 4 years of nothing, then AAAB, A, AAAB, A, AAAA, (plus whatever I get this semester, probably AAAB) in the last 2 years, including summer/ winter classes. See if you can retake the classes you failed for academic renewal (maybe you can take the equivelent course at your CC? Not sure if it works like that).</p>
<p>Make sure you write about what was going on at that time in your life in 2005, but no lame excuses. For me, I was a drug addict, and I eventually lived on the street, only to have a spiritual experience a few years ago that led to me getting sober. Your time in the Corps will appeal to them; they love veterans, from what I understand. Write about how that experience shaped you positively. Keep your grades up, and you’ll be good. Also, make sure you get all requirements/ IGETC completed. I was accepted with a 3.5, and others have been admitted with less, so you can be, too.</p>
<p>Thank you santacruzstefan and congrats on getting in!!!</p>
<p>OP, I also had similar stats with a 2.0 GPA then I went on to maintain about a 3.8x for the past three years (+100 additional credits). I’m not too sure what my GPA is now but your personal statement is key. You can especially explain how the marines has shaped you but it’s definitely something they’ve taken into consideration with applications. I’m pretty sure that such a drastic improvement after a serious turning point in your life would be influential in the admissions process. But make sure you’re also competitive for your particular major (ie. completing ALL pre-reqs and recommended classes, IGETC, etc) and definitely retake the classes you failed even if you don’t need them! You can usually line out your grades and it will improve your GPA drastically.</p>
<p>Thanks Killmyentourage,
I looked up on assist.org and couldn’t find any classes that meet the prerequisites for a philosophy major in my college. would it basically be the same thing as the ucla prerequisites? or are they completely different?</p>
<p>They’re probably different. It doesn’t seem like many schools offer those particular pre-reqs but they’re probably available somewhere. You might have to check around extensively to see if they’re offered anywhere but Cal admits people into a College, not a major. Since philosophy is in L&S, you could technically apply to whichever major in L&S that you’ve completed the pre-reqs for and then I <em>think</em> you claim your major after your first fall semester there? Or something? I have no idea how it works exactly :/</p>
<p>I got in with a 3.34 gpa as a Rhetoric major. If you write your personal statements in a way that demonstrates your passion to become a CAL student, you’ll get in.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, i feel like i have hope now lol</p>
<p>Yeah, I was admitted to Berkeley with a 3.35 or 3.4 (depending on how + and - grades were calculated), but the most recent 51 units were a 4.0. It’s definitely possible, just be sure to write a killer personal statement (I’d recommend discussing your A&M grades in the additional comments section). </p>
<p>I’m sure you’ve had some valuable experiences as a Marine–draw on those to show Cal what you’d bring to the school.</p>