Getting into UC Berkeley and other UC?

Question

I'm really clueless about what UC's require, but I still really want to get into one.

Um...so I'm really in a slump about my grades and I don't have all A's this year as a sophomore (A-, B-, B-, B+, A, A) which disappoints me. The B's that I do have though are in AP classes (AP world history, AP biology) and I hear that in UC they add extra points for AP. I'm also not doing any extra stuff right now like clubs, sports, community service.

I hear its tough to get in...So can I still get in? Do I have a chance? Any recommendations, advice? I plan to join some community service clubs during my junior year...

Answer 1

Work hard to bring up your grades; an improving grade trend is taken into consideration by the UCs when your application is evaluated. In general, keep excellent grades and commit to 2-3 extracurriculars in which you take on leadership roles. Take community college courses in the summer to help boost your GPA (courses in the a-g subject areas that are UC-transferable are weighted). Study and take the SAT Reasoning and ACT plus Writing Assessment to optimize your chances (students tend to do well in one or the other). Hang in there, you'll be fine.

Answer 2

Fall 2006 Freshman Profile* Average SAT I scores (middle 50%) Reading: 580-710 Math: 620-740 Writing: 590-710 Average unweighted GPA 3.83 Average weighted GPA 4.26 Looks possible, other stats on the page list that about 25% of people who apply are accepted. Regardless, if you're this close and don't make the cut, you can enroll in one or two classes and then apply for a program. I wish someone had told me that when I didn't get into my school of choice. Added bonus, you'd be closer to resident tuition...Local and national scholarships don't hurt either...

Answer 3

These other people who have responded clearly have no clue about the standards at UC schools. You might like their answers better -- but here is the truth:

To get into Berkeley you will have to do a lot better than you are doing now & will need high SAT scores. The same is true for the better UC schools (UCLA, UCSD, UC-Davis)

You will still have a shot at the lower ranked UC schools -- but may not get in there unless there is some improvement in your grades.

Answer 4

You do get an extra point for AP or honors classes so that will help. Your grades look fine as long as those B's are in honors and AP classes, but you really need other things like sports or clubs or a job or anything else that shows you're an active person besides school if you seriously want to be considered. You don't have to go overboard but a couple things will really help.

Answer 5

Ranto, as usual, is right. For every UC school, 94% or better of incoming students graduated top 10% of their class according to the latest USNWR. Competition to get in is absurdly tough, even for in staters, and if you're out of state, you basically need perfect grades and lots more that makes your app stand out to have any chance.

The fact you can't pull top grades without any additional activities on your workload does not bode well for your chances to crack the UCs.

I wish you luck, and I strongly encourage you to look at backup options.

Answer 6

Seems like you stand a chance. Remember undergraduate admissions is like 200-500 students at the UC system. It's not like the Ivy's who limite incoming to maybe 100 or 150

Answer 7

You have a damn good chance if that is the way ur grades are all the time. Don't worry, apply. If you don't get in, they don't deserve you because you sound like ur a good student. Remember, there are other fish in the sea (fish=school.) =)