What kind of students does UC Berkeley look for?

UC Berkeley is my dream school, and I've heard they have a lot of students from certain high schools. I don't attend one of those high profile schools, but I still want to apply. Are there anything specific traits Berkeley looks for in students?

UC Berkeley is indeed a highly selective school, but please remember that it doesn't solely select students from 'high profile' schools. There are a variety of factors the admissions office considers when evaluating applicants.

First, strong academic achievement is crucial. Berkeley typically admits students with strong GPAs and who have taken a rigorous course load. As a UC school, Berkeley has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for out-of-state applicants but admitted students typically have GPAs well above these thresholds. Please note, however, that due to the test-blind policy in effect at all UCs, Berkeley will not consider SAT and ACT scores at all.

Second, Berkeley is particularly interested in students who are intellectually curious and have shown dedication to their interests and passions. If you can provide examples of deep involvement, leadership, and significant achievement in extracurricular activities, that could be beneficial. For instance, if you've held a leadership position in a club or won an award in a competition related to your intended major, these would be great to highlight.

Finally, your personal insight questions should reflect your character, values, resilience, challenges overcome, and your understanding of the world around you. The goal is to create a holistic picture of who you are as an individual, beyond your statistics and achievements.

Remember, every application is reviewed in the context of the opportunities and resources available to the student. So even if you don't attend a 'high-profile' school, your accomplishments within your environment can still stand out. These traits can be demonstrated through your course selection, extracurricular activities, and personal insight question responses. You should not be disheartened if you do not come from a prestigious high school. Admissions officers at UC Berkeley judge applicants based on what they have made out of their circumstances and opportunities, not their school's prestige.