🍦Exclusive Interview with UC Berkeley Admissions Director

Happy Thanksgiving Gang! We have a really fun lineup today:

1. Info Zone Refresh: New Yale Virtual Student Forum

2. Scoops Exclusive: Our Conversation with UC Berkeley Assistant Director of Admissions

3. TikTok Thursday: Our favorite #collegeadmissions videos

TRIVIA
Guess the college!

🏈 Between 1905 and 1916, this Ivy League university abolished its intercollegiate football program in protest of the sport’s violence.

Think you know which school we’re talking about? Find out if you’re right at the bottom of today’s newsletter!

INFO ZONE
New information session from Yale!

Here’s some upcoming school virtual information sessions. These are great opportunities to learn more about school’s programs to determine if the school is a right fit for you. It’s also great to learn more about the school’s vibe and possibly what admissions officers are looking for. All the times listed are below are already converted into Pacific.

Penn Admissions Virtual Information Session - Monday, December 2, 2024 at 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM

USC First-Year Admission Information Session - Monday, December 2, 2024 at 3:30 PM until 4:30 PM

Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts Webinar - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

(NEW) Yale Virtual Student Forum - Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM PM

Columbia University Info Session - Friday, December 6, 2024 at 7:00 AM until 8:00 AM

Rice Virtual Admission Information Session - Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM

SCOOPS EXCLUSIVE
Our conversation with UC Berkeley Assistant Director of Admissions

Today kicks off our three-day interview with Mr. Marcus McGhee, UC Berkeley’s Assistant Director of Admissions. Today, we discuss Berkeley’s vibe, what kinds of students admissions readers love, what “holistic review” even means to Berkeley, and how you can tailor your app to Berkeley if it’s your top choice. Enjoy the read and stay tuned over the next two days to get even more exclusive insights!

What would you say defines Berkeley’s student community’s vibe, both academically and socially? How might a student know if they’re the right fit for it?

Academically, students are driven, resourceful, and unafraid to challenge norms. There’s definitely a big presence of advocacy on campus and students often speak out, letting their voices be heard by faculty, administration, and beyond. Socially, Berkeley is lively and energetic, with a “work hard, play hard” atmosphere. From passionate advocacy to spirited sports games and parties, there’s a balance between intellectual rigor and vibrant campus life.

Berkeley also has a huge amount of resources which help further enhance this dynamic. I always say to students, the Berkeley experience goes far beyond just showing up to class. Talk to your professors, have fun with your peers, and challenge yourself not just academically but outside of the classroom too.

Taking that in to account, do you think as admissions officers, you’re looking for students who bring that same vibe?

While Berkeley isn’t necessarily looking for students who will lead movements or replicate the same energy seen on campus, the admissions team seeks individuals who align with Berkeley’s ideals. They value students who strive to foster change, act as peacemakers or change makers, and excel academically. Whether it’s speaking out for what you believe in or contributing meaningfully to your community, demonstrating your ability to reflect these values can make a strong impression in your application and will definitely give you a leg up in admissions.

We know Berkeley uses a holistic review process. People often get confused when they hear ‘holistic.’ Can you tell us, as much as you can, what ‘holistic’ looks like at Berkeley?

Berkeley’s holistic review truly looks at the whole application. We consider your background, challenges you’ve faced, the high school environment you’re from, and the opportunities you’ve had access to. Academic rigor, extracurricular activities, PIQs, and awards are all essential pieces to building up your narrative.

Specifically one thing I’ve seen is that a lot of students hesitate to or overlook showing us unconventional or non-academic extracurriculars. Even untraditional experiences, like babysitting or family responsibilities, can be super important for painting a complete picture of who you are. The goal is to understand your whole story and assess your accomplishments in the context of your circumstances.

Let’s say Berkeley was my top choice out of all the UCs. How would I tailor my PIQs and activities list to Berkeley, and would you even suggest doing that?

Honestly the best way to go about putting together your application is to represent yourself authentically and highlight all of your strongest qualities. While I would definitely recommend against explicitly mentioning Berkeley in your PIQs, aligning with Berkeley’s values, such as innovation, curiosity, and creating change, can be effective. Write PIQs that are clear, concise, and filled with specific details, telling a compelling story about who you are. Use your activities list to provide concrete details and numbers that showcase your accomplishments, and don’t shy away from bragging a little! It’s your opportunity to demonstrate what you’ve done and why it matters.

LINK LOUNGE
ICYMI: Link to the Official UC PIQ guide

(NEW) UC PIQ Guide - the official UC guide to writing strong PIQs

(NEW) Gallery Collection Greeting Card Scholarship - win $10,000 by designing a birthday, holiday, or general purpose greeting card

Burger King Scholarships - win scholarships for academic and community excellence from your favorite fast food restaurant

McDonalds’s AIPA Scholars - up to $20,000 scholarship for exceptional Asian or Pacific Islander students

TIKTOK THURSDAY
Our fav #collegeadmissions videos

TRIVIA ANSWER
Looking for the answer to our fun trivia question up at the top?

The correct school would be Columbia University.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Get cracking on those UCs!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

UC Deadline: December 2
December SAT: December 7

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

IDEAS COME FROM EVERYWHERE
Have an idea for the newsletter?

Is there a question you’ve been dying to have answered related to college admissions? Or, is there something just nagging you about Scholar Scoops that you want to see fixed soon? We want to hear from you. You can submit feedback at https://forms.gle/7Rj2eBCiauEc5oNV8. Thank you so much!