Accept or wait (for Berkeley)

[Soccerjoe]

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I was just looking for any suggestions about a dilemma I may have.

I just submitted by application a week and a half ago (I'm waiting for OPTOMCAS to send it out). I'm applying to 5 schools: SUNY, UHCO, SCCO, PUCO, and Berkeley. I'm pretty sure that I'll get into all of these schools, but Berkeley is by far my top choice. The thing is (as most of you know) that Berkeley does not do rolling admissions, their interviews are in February. I will probably get interviews either the end of October or beginning of November for the other schools. I am kind of using these other schools as back-ups (and I want to see what they can offer) but I don't want to wait more than a month to accept or decline schools' offers. There will be more than a month between my rolling admissions interviews and my Berkeley interview. What should I do? Is there anyone else that has been through or is going through this dilemma?

 

[janedoe88]

I was just looking for any suggestions about a dilemma I may have.

I just submitted by application a week and a half ago (I'm waiting for OPTOMCAS to send it out). I'm applying to 5 schools: SUNY, UHCO, SCCO, PUCO, and Berkeley. I'm pretty sure that I'll get into all of these schools, but Berkeley is by far my top choice. The thing is (as most of you know) that Berkeley does not do rolling admissions, their interviews are in February. I will probably get interviews either the end of October or beginning of November for the other schools. I am kind of using these other schools as back-ups (and I want to see what they can offer) but I don't want to wait more than a month to accept or decline schools' offers. There will be more than a month between my rolling admissions interviews and my Berkeley interview. What should I do? Is there anyone else that has been through or is going through this dilemma?

I would wait for Berkeley. Once you're accepted, it doesn't matter how long you wait to accept/decline. If there really is a deadline, you could always just accept (as a back-up) and risk losing your deposit money if you get accepted to Berk.

 

[319671]

what are your stats that you're so confident you will get into all 5?

 

[nicmc]

I was just looking for any suggestions about a dilemma I may have.

I just submitted by application a week and a half ago (I'm waiting for OPTOMCAS to send it out). I'm applying to 5 schools: SUNY, UHCO, SCCO, PUCO, and Berkeley. I'm pretty sure that I'll get into all of these schools, but Berkeley is by far my top choice. The thing is (as most of you know) that Berkeley does not do rolling admissions, their interviews are in February. I will probably get interviews either the end of October or beginning of November for the other schools. I am kind of using these other schools as back-ups (and I want to see what they can offer) but I don't want to wait more than a month to accept or decline schools' offers. There will be more than a month between my rolling admissions interviews and my Berkeley interview. What should I do? Is there anyone else that has been through or is going through this dilemma?

Go ahead and interview, then see when the schools require a deposit. If you get into multiple, pay the deposit at the school(s) that you would most like to attend in the case of rejection from Berkeley. It sucks, but I am pretty sure that just about everyone who applies to multiple schools and gets in everywhere has to forfeit money they deposited at other schools.

 

[nicmc]

what are your stats that you're so confident you will get into all 5?

I am sure they are pretty solid if he is confident that he will get in. There are plenty of people who get into every school they applied to.

 

[Soccerjoe]

what are your stats that you're so confident you will get into all 5?

I have a 3.84 GPA (I wish they'd put in institutional exams to skip classes) and TS 380, AA 370. I have also shadowed 5 optometrists and 2 ophthalmologists, lots of involvement in the pre-optom club here. Lots of extracurricular and service. Good essay and application. Good interviewing skills.

 

[Roffles]

Actually, Berkeley attracts many bright students with the stat. similar to yours. I would say you need a back up just in case Berkeley does not work out.

I wouldn't worry too much and just wait. Going to the school you actually want to be at will make a huge difference mentally. There shouldn't be a deadline, and if there is, you can just forfeit the deposit (as someone said above).

Your stats are fine for Berkeley, and for applicants in general, so just wait it out.

 

[Mewcakes]

Your stats are obviously fine. If you're worried about waiting, just put down the deposit on the school that you would otherwise go to. You might lose a few hundred bucks if you end up at UCB, but you'll be at your choice school. That's what deposits are for! They save you a seat, but are by no means a binding contract.

 

[vandal]

I'm in the same boat. Debating on the waiting part.

 

[cmec429]

Why do you want to go to Berkely so badly?

 

[Soccerjoe]

Why do you want to go to Berkely so badly?

First of all - I'm from the central valley (in California) and I like the weather there. It would take about an hour and a half to visit my family and my wife's family. Berkeley is a very solid academically and would provide me with somewhat of a challenge. They provide in-state tuition which would make it cheaper than most of the schools that I want to go to. Also, I like being in a "big school."

Are those enough reasons?

 

[319671]

First of all - I'm from the central valley (in California) and I like the weather there. It would take about an hour and a half to visit my family and my wife's family. Berkeley is a very solid academically and would provide me with somewhat of a challenge. They provide in-state tuition which would make it cheaper than most of the schools that I want to go to. Also, I like being in a "big school."

Are those enough reasons?

with that attitude you'll fit in perfectly at berkeley

 

[hoops123]

Seriously guys his question was if he should apply or wait. none of us are in the position to be questioning why he wants to go there or what his intentions are.

so that being said, i think even though you have solid stats everyone else who apply's/gets in to berkeley is just as competitive so i wouldn't risk it.

apply to the other schools and if u get into your second choice then pay the deposit and that way you will be in a much more secure position.

i mean of-course you'll end up losing the money but that's a smarter way to go about it. (again im just stating my opinion).

 

[optsuker]

First of all - I'm from the central valley (in California) and I like the weather there. It would take about an hour and a half to visit my family and my wife's family. Berkeley is a very solid academically and would provide me with somewhat of a challenge. They provide in-state tuition which would make it cheaper than most of the schools that I want to go to. Also, I like being in a "big school."

Are those enough reasons?

Just the fact that you're a CA native, makes this a no-brainer.

If it's going to take longer to get an official acceptance from UCBO, I'd try not to invest any $$'s in your back-ups (if anything, get early acceptance from SCCO and push the rest back until you hear from UCBO).