UC Berkeley Admissions??
Asked by confan415What are my son's chances? What should be covered in personal statement? Help, please! SAT I = 1940 (retake Oct-07) SAT II = 710 Math II, 780 French GPA = 3.8, grades improving, 1st time honor roll junior yr-2nd sem School = SF full IB diploma program; taking HL Math, Chem, Physics, French Athletics = lettered in soccer + coach’s award; track (most improved); cross-country Community Service = three years of one week/summer to build homes in Tijuana with no power tools; six weeks tutoring at UC Berkeley Pre-Engineering Partnership at the Center for Underrepresented Engineering Students Misc = months spent in France (educational and personal trips) and recent school trip to India; certified scuba diver, national karate champion (4 gold and 2 bronze AAU medals at 9 yrs old); 2nd place Adult Intermediate Bay Area Dictée Competition; College Major = possibly math, chemistry, physics (but probably not engineering). Maybe Air Force ROTC with goal of becoming a pilot.
Favorite Answer
Answered by churrosavenger
I'm a Berkeley freshman now and I went through this whole process last year too. When it comes to academics and activities, he seems well-off. For my application, the personal statement was broken into three parts: what you'll bring to Cal, your motivation, and a free response. Find out which of his activities he's most interested in and have him write about it. If he decides to write about building homes, he can talk about everything he's learned both socially and personally. Another idea is to write about an event that changed his perception or brought about an understanding he didn't previously have. He has plenty to write about. I think it's advisable for him to really show that he is truly interested in what he does. Showing growth and the ability to accept and change has much more weight than having a skill he never plans on using again. (another point, his skills and what he plans on doing with them) I wish your son the best of luck!
I'm a Berkeley freshman now and I went through this whole process last year too. When it comes to academics and activities, he seems well-off. For my application, the personal statement was broken into three parts: what you'll bring to Cal, your motivation, and a free response. Find out which of his activities he's most interested in and have him write about it. If he decides to write about building homes, he can talk about everything he's learned both socially and personally. Another idea is to write about an event that changed his perception or brought about an understanding he didn't previously have. He has plenty to write about. I think it's advisable for him to really show that he is truly interested in what he does. Showing growth and the ability to accept and change has much more weight than having a skill he never plans on using again. (another point, his skills and what he plans on doing with them) I wish your son the best of luck!
