Berkeley - Softs? Accurate Admission Prediction? Forum

[calilaw]

I'm looking at Berkeley. My numbers are 170 and 4.0, at or above their 75%. But I've also heard Berkeley puts a huge emphasis on experience, diversity, etc. Does that mean that my LSAT and GPA aren't good predictors of whether I'll get in?

In terms of experience, I've been president of a school organization, completed a couple of internships, had a couple jobs, volunteered for a political campaign. I honestly don't know if that's "average", "pretty good", or what, compared to other Berkeley applicants.

So, first, how does my experience sound to you? Also, beyond the fact that I have a chance of getting in, with how much confidence can I expect to get in? Is it like a 50/50 chance? 60/40? Better than that?

non-URM. 2 strong LORs. PS in progress. (I might be interested in swapping with someone over the next week as I finish it)

[whymeohgodno]

You're numbers put you right there as a very strong applicant. It just sucks that Berkeley is into the holistic approach which makes even very strong apps a toss up depending on softs.

[2014]

Admission is yours to lose basically. If you write a compelling essay and have a decent resume and non-negative LORs, you are probably fine.

[El_Gallo]

I agree with 2014, as long as you don't screw anything up you should be fine. Out of curiosity are you applying to Stanford as well?

[fugitivejammer]

i'd say u have a decent shot, but ur softs r average. i'd almost go ahead and say 60/40 in? lol damn berkeley....kick that essay's butt and good luck!

http://berkeley.lawschoolnumbers.com/stats/0910/

[calilaw]

I agree with 2014, as long as you don't screw anything up you should be fine. Out of curiosity are you applying to Stanford as well?

I might apply there - but I don't have any targeted LORs because I hadn't planned on having numbers that would place me in Stanford's range. So my expectations aren't too great.

What about UCLA? Are my chances of admission there significantly better than Berkeley (without ED)? Or similar?

[whymeohgodno]

I agree with 2014, as long as you don't screw anything up you should be fine. Out of curiosity are you applying to Stanford as well?

I might apply there - but I don't have any targeted LORs because I hadn't planned on having numbers that would place me in Stanford's range. So my expectations aren't too great.

What about UCLA? Are my chances of admission there significantly better than Berkeley (without ED)? Or similar?

You don't have to worry about UCLA. In with money unless you get YPed.

[Hattori Hanzo]

I got in last cycle with virtually non-existent softs. I think their holistic approach is a myth.

[whymeohgodno]

I got in last cycle with virtually non-existent softs. I think their holistic approach is a myth.

Numbers? URM?

[im_blue]

3.9+/170 is about 50% at Berkeley

http://berkeley.lawschoolnumbers.com/ap ... ,8&type=jd

[Hattori Hanzo]

I got in last cycle with virtually non-existent softs. I think their holistic approach is a myth.

Numbers? URM?

PM'd you.

To clarify (my first post sounded a little douche-y) I had strong numbers for both Cal and SLS but no softs. Got in @ Cal but dinged at SLS. The fact that SLS did not even offer me WL IMO shows how much more they care about softs.