hello everyone. i really really need your input on this because i have never done something like this before. Here, i am writing to the Chancellor of UC Berkeley. i would be grateful to hear the advice/opinions/concerns/corrections that the poeple whos opinion i hold so dear, oh ILP members. so, here it goes:
[i]MY NAME
MY STREET
CITY, STATE ZIP
[size=150]removed for privacy issues due to conspiring bitches…sorry guys[/size]
(items in red excluded for privacy)
so…what do you think?
word spelling/grammar check says that it should be “somebody like me”. is that correct or does “like myself” sound more professional?
I think you shouldn’t care about some strange computer programme that is called word/spelling checker… nobody knows your language as good as you… don’t let this weird computer decide how to talk 
I think your way of expressing was alright, embracetrees
oh (damn i keep forgetting things…probably because of the adrenaline rush)…also:
i typed it in COURIER NEW font, is that okay as oppised to TIMES NEW ROMAN?
and i have yellow enelopes that are about the size of a half-sheet standard paper…are those better than either paper-sized envelopes, or standard buisness mail envelopes?
and i have return adress labels, but they have the “ASPCA” (american society for the prevention of cruelty to animals) on it, and hes into science, would that be a turn-off?
and…
should i hand write the adresses instead or perhaps print out labels with typed adresses?
thanks again you guys…
thank you wandertaube 
Embracetrees:
To be honest, I wouldn’t send that letter. It shows that you have a shadow of a doubt (and you as much say so) and it isn’t something you want an admissions board to see. Put your application in, make it strong. Don’t worry about weaknesses. Show your strengths. And it sounds like you’ve got some good ones.
If you are looking for ways to make your application look good, the first person I would speak with is your School’s College Counselor (Guidance Counselor…whatever they call them these days). They can be a great help.
Barring that, if you want to write them a letter, write one specifically looking for application guidelines and key things they look for. Something along the lines of
"To whom it may concern:
I am strongly considering applying to UC Berkeley. I would appreciate it if you you could provide me with guidelines and recommendations on what to include with my admissions application."
And send it to the admissions office, not to the Chancellor.
Just my two cents.
~LDG
thanks, i know what you mean. but i am not applying this year. it isnt my application letter, in fact- id be surprised if it even gets opened.
im not kissing up–i genuinely want his suggestion. like were speaking one-on-one. and “to whom it may concern” is a weak greeting as it shows lack of research on to whom you are sending the letter.
(like my usage of “whom”, tab?)
Hey embrace,
There is nothing wrong with the letter per se, but I would advise you not to send it. What would be the purpose? At best, you will get a reply saying “Thanks for your letter, I recommend you put yourself forward for the application process.” The Chancellor cannot guarantee places and he can’t even give you a sly nod to suggest whether you’ll get in or not. He’ll just say, apply like everyone else. At worst it’ll put you on the ‘blacklist’ because as has been said, you have listed your weaknesses.
The letter reads a little bit like a sob story and I’m pretty sure that academia has not time for that sort of thing because there are a lot of people in your position who have had a rough time and ‘absolutely love’ UC Berkely.
My point is this, are you really going to gain anything from this letter? My guess is, you won’t because they really can’t say either way until you actually send in your application. If you’re still thinking of sending it, I would not address it to the Chancellor. It’s probably not in his job description.
Good luck with it,
Ben
I agree with Ben. It’s a bad idea.
James
i know, i know…thats what i was thinking as i was writing it “i hope its not too much of a sob story…” but IM FREAKING OUT!!! im such a loser, i dedicated myself to everything EXCEPT academics. i just need to KNOW! i have been shaking from nerves all this year and i have to hide my under-eye circles with concealer…its all i think about. i think id even be happy with a “youre never going to get in” type of thing…i might be being a bit irrational right now…but i dont know what to do…
Hmm what about one of the other UC campuses?
DO YOU KNOW WHAT MY GPA IS!!!
btw: where did you end up going?
oh, and im not staying in southern cali no mwttwer what…its either berkley, san francisco, or EAST COAST…
i just feel im so much better than community colleges…and cal states…and i hate the OC…i need out!
embracetrees
Hmm… is this for me?.. Remember;
Though coincidentally enough I will be in Southern Cali on exchange starting in January.
Regards,
James
oh…okay…well, did you go to a “prestigious” school?
(im so careless…)
Not really, but my ‘grade average’ was equivalent to at least a ‘3.9’ (maybe a 4.0), so it was pretty much up to me what university I wanted to attend (in Australia, that is).
If you wanted to study, say, philosophy, at the best uni’s over here, you would need a grade average of equivalent to about 3.4, I think. (That is, about 85%) However there are uni’s where you can get in with like a 2.7 (approx) average.
If you wanted to study medicine or law, the average would be much higher, say 3.8 at least.
If you perform really well at university level, you can always transfer to a more ‘prestigious’ campus at a later date, or else in time for honours or Phd.
What do you want to study?
Regards,
James
well, i am not looking for a prestigious school. i want to go to a good school that suits me. Over here it is almost impossible to go to a UC with a grade average anywhere below 3.4 (not officially, but that means that they wont even look at you if you dont have a 3.3, but the competition is feirce…so its definately higher…)
i dont know what to study. i dont do math. i wanted to go into design in advertising or buisness management, or social science…and i know that those are pretty far apart in the spectrum of majors, but i rally just dont know. i want to do what i love, but i want to help save people and animals and morals…and politics! i just want to do omething IMPORTANT, not design vodka advertisements… i was jus thinking that if i get really well-known or good at what i do, i can always do things for reform/charity…like a (hobby?)…
oh, also…everyone here has a good gpa, so now they look at SAT scores and other acheivments/leadership positions/ something that sets you apart. you cannot be mediocre to go to college anymore…sigh
i just dont even know anymore…but yeah, i reread the letter and youre right…i come of as an idiot…so much for wasting ink.
the thing is, i might be considered a minority due to my old medical records…so that can be an advantage due to their new policies…anyone know about that?
Hi embrace,
You are not an idiot. Everyone here has gone (or will go) through this process of not knowing exactly how to go about showing their sincere interest in a college or a job. I agree not to list (or tell for that matter) weaknesses in an application or an interview however tempting it may be. Many smaller schools are still interested in you and not your stats - not that big universities aren’t but they simply do not have the time to give the individual attention to you.
Consider a small college. If you have a challenging GPA but strong interests you are an engaging and bright girl and will have no problems being accepted with open arms. Everything will work out for you - I am sure of it.
Love,
Bessy
thanks mommy,
but i DONT WANT to be average, i am freaking awesome, i just dont know how to express it without my gpa! i want to go to a good school, to match my awesomeness, and for all of my high school “career” my plan (and what i worked my butt off for) was to get the hell away form orange suburbia! im STIFLED!!
i want to go to NYU or Boston university…i want OPTIONS…and i dont want to show off my college, thats not why i want it, i just want a GOOD SCHOOL that i LOVE!!
&^%)&*^( i am so stressed that i will die…ive been developing nervous ticks…it is Junior year and im failing my academic classes.
but i am accomplishing so much extracirricular things! you have no idea, im the most fabulous thing since sliced bread when it comes to buisness relations and being in charge…im taking the SAT (which im not ready for) next Saturday…wish me luck.
damn it what am i going to do>? im too poor to afford a bribe… my whole life ive been “talking” my grades up and copying papers…and its worked wonders…but once i start learning because i really want to, it all goes downhill.
i mean, i got into THE MOST advanced classes this year, ones where people die. i went to an uber-pro math class for my level…for art, you must do a painting or drawing class and both of the advanced levels, i skipped all of that after regular drawing and got into AP STUDIO…i mean, that is the freaking most professional highest-level art class ever…and im in it as a junior. HOW COME THE KID WHO STAYS AT HOME EACH DAY DOING HOMEWROK GETS IN AND I, WHO HAVE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH AT A YOUNG AGE MUST SUFFER IN A COMMUNITY COLLEGE!!
oh shit…i said the “c” word…comm…commun…community college! AAAH! screams and runs out of room