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hi, i'm not a california resident, so i'm worried about my chances of getting in ucb. is it true that they favor cal people, and minorities? i'm from illinois, and japanese ... also, i heard about their rejection of thousands of people w/ good grades and test scores last year ...

stats
GPA: 4.0 (i'm not sure what that translates to in california, since they apparently go on some different scale)

class rank: 1/760

ap stuff: ap chem, physics b, euro, calc ab-bc,:5
ap scholar with honor

tests: sat-1590
sat ii physics-800
sat ii writing-790
saat ii math 2-800
psat-235, national merit semifinalist

activities: varsity math league, creative writing team captain, jv tennis, sadd secretary, japanese club, volunteer tutoring

others: taking courses at u of illinois this year, worked at engineering firm as lab assistant, working as teaching assistant at u of illinois, just received a presidential scholar candidate letter

what do you think? thanks!

By Mushroom (Mushroom) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 04:10 pm: Edit

oh yeah, i applied for their engineering school

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 04:12 pm: Edit

Yes, they strongly favor in-state applicants. Admissions standards and requirements are much tougher for out of state residents. The UC's are barred by law from considering race in the admissions process.

For out of state residents, they accept about 15% of applicants most years. In other words, it's almost as tough for an out-of-state student to get into UCB as it is into Harvard, Yale or Princeton. A recently released UC report shows that in 2001 UCB had 6039 applicants from out of state (not including internationals) and accepted 897. This year, however, there will be a cap on increasing enrollments so it may be even tougher.

You may be one of the lucky ones - but make sure you have a back up plan.

By Becks777 (Becks777) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 04:26 pm: Edit

Man!- you r not fit to be rejected by any college in the United States

"You may be one of the lucky ones - but make sure you have a back up plan.""- are u kiddin me?. Berkeley is lucky that soemone like him wants to attend CAl. Infact you should settle for nothing but full tuition

By Mushroom (Mushroom) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 04:47 pm: Edit

thanks becks, but i think that carolyn is right. i have two friends who applied last year (they were extrememly impressive people) and got rejected. oh well.

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 06:32 pm: Edit

Becks - Yes, Mushroom has wonderful qualifications. But, UCB is a lottery for out of state students and those qualifications only buy him a ticket. He has a shot but he has just a good a shot - perhaps better - at Harvard, MIT, Yale, etc. in my opinion. I think he should apply to UCB but he shouldn't get his heart set on it. Mushroom - I hope you understood what I was saying. Best of luck!!!

By Becks777 (Becks777) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 07:11 pm: Edit

Where do u live in illinois?

By Mushroom (Mushroom) on Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 07:40 pm: Edit

about 30 min south of chicago. why does everyone think i'm a guy?

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 01:20 pm: Edit

Sorry Mushroom - I guess I stereotyped you based on your SAT scores in math. What other schools are you applying to? If you're female and interested in engineering, I have one word for you: Cal Tech. No, add three words: Harvey Mudd, MIT.

By Mushroom (Mushroom) on Monday, January 19, 2004 - 01:50 pm: Edit

caltech? maybe if my dog starts to fly ... thanks though

By Carolyn (Carolyn) on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 11:40 am: Edit

Mushroom - I don't know. They don't get many female engineering applicants with your stats. Might be worth a shot.

By Stanfordrulez (Stanfordrulez) on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 - 11:56 am: Edit

Why NOT Stanford?!

By Shahab (Shahab) on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 03:36 pm: Edit

yo mushroom you ever heard of Skokie Illinois? I used to live there haha Keeler and Enfield...waaaay back in the day.

By Mushroom (Mushroom) on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 04:55 pm: Edit

yeah, it's that northern town next to evanston, isn't it? with that cool theatre by the doubletree? i've been there a few times.

By Kyle (Kyle) on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 06:31 pm: Edit

I definitely think that you have an excellent chance at UC Berkeley, Stanford, and Caltech. All three schools have top-notch engineering programs. First off, with your stats and the fact that you're female, I would be really surprised if you were rejected to Caltech. Next, its worth noting that Stanford and Berkeley's engineering schools are about 20-30% female, meaning that they're always looking for qualified female engineers. Did you apply to all 3 schools? And if you're accepted to all three, which would be your top choice?

By Mushroom (Mushroom) on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 07:46 pm: Edit

no, i didn't apply to caltech, i thought it was way too selective for me (i know, i know, nothing ventured nothing gained, but i'm so lazy). if i got accepted to all three? i'd be so happy i'd probably go crazy and end up in some mental facility ... actually, i'd go to berkeley, i love the campus, i like their chemE program (my planned major), and overall it seems like a very fun place to be.

By Becks777 (Becks777) on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 09:22 pm: Edit

I m pretty sure u would get a full scholarship from UIUC if u apply there

By Gameguy56 (Gameguy56) on Friday, January 23, 2004 - 11:53 pm: Edit

"rank 1/760"
***Mouth Drops*****

You'd surely get a full scholarship at UIUC. You would have been in at caltech easy--they'd die for women with your stats. And even though Stanford and Berkely are really hard to get into, with you're stats you're in, especially as a woman.

By Psychokitty627 (Psychokitty627) on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 12:34 am: Edit

Yeah I bet you could have gotten in to caltech.. they take 1/4 of their US applicants (1/40 internationall *sob*) and I'm sure you could have gotten in. Harvey Mudd would have loved you as well, I'm sure.

As for UCB.. I've known out of state people who got in with less...

That said, if you don't get in, neither will I, so good luck to you!
*Glad I'm international and in a different pile for once*