Unweighted: 3.5
Weighted: 3.8
I plan to major in Computer Science but I am not proud of my GPA. I’ve been a Varsity swimmer for all four years of high school but I just heard that they don’t pay much attention to ECs. My SAT is above average but nothing special either 
I was wondering, do they pay attention to weighted or unweighted?
Here is a list (ranked from most wanted to least):
Cal Poly SLO (chances are probably super low lol…)
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal State Long Beach
Cal State San Diego
Cal State San Francisco
Any other Cal States you would recommend would be great too, thanks!
Weighted GPA is CSU/UC GPA? What about test scores since CSU’s admit by GPA/test scores and HS rigor.
Cal Poly SLO has about a10% acceptance rate for CS, so that school is a Reach based on GPA.
For the rest of the schools, you need to calculate your Eligibility index.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
(CSU GPA x800) + (SAT Math + CR)
For SDSU, you want an EI if 4100+ for the best chances.
CSULB, an EI of 4000+
For CPP, an EI of 3900+
For SFSU, you should be fine based on GPA alone. I would add CSU Fullerton also to the list and East Bay, UC Riverside and Santa Cruz.
Cal States except CP SLO use a pretty simple formula to rank applicants. CSU GPA *800 + SAT (M&R only). That’s it…you can read more about it here:
http://www.csumentor.edu/planning/high_school/elig_index_calculator.asp
CSU GPA is weighted but capped at 8 AP/honors bonus points and is only from a-g courses taken in 10th and 11th grades.
CP SLO includes your freshman grades and includes a host of other factors. To be a contender, you’d probably need a 4+ GPA and 1300+ SAT. Apply anyhow because, there’s a element of chance to the process.
CS is one of the most competitive majors at most colleges and without your CSU GPA and SAT, I am just guessing but, I think you’ll probably make it into all the other CSUs.
Also Cal states do not consider EC’s but the UC’s will, so something to consider if you plan to add any UC’s to your list.
I’m a little torn now because I’m not sure if I should really go for a CSU or UC for Computer Science. I heard CSU’s are more hands on and that getting a job is somewhat quicker. However from others I hear that employers will choose a person who went to a UC over a person who went to a CSU.
I only have one honorable EC which is being a varsity swimmer in high school for all 4 years. My calculated EI is 4190 but I plan on taking the SAT this October and I am confident it will raise higher.
Apply to both and see where you are accepted and then make the decision. CS is very competitive, so wait and see what choices you have in the Spring.
Employers are more interested in your job skill set than where you went for Undergrad. My younger son is a CS major at SDSU, loves the program and is doing well.
Right - at this stage, apply to a bunch of schools. take some tours, see where you get in and make your decision in April/May. Why not apply to UCR, UCM and UCSC?. Same essays and app …
Cal Poly SLO - Reach
Cal Poly Pomona - High Match
Cal State Long Beach - Match
San Diego State - Match
San Francisco State - Safety
Most of the CSU campuses are impacted, and they will give priority to those in their local area. Because they are impacted, meaning there are more qualified students than space available, you will need a GPA far above the averages they post on their website. Look at Naviance and see what kind of GPA students from your high school have been admitted with.
Places like CSULB calculate GPA differently for STEM majors. They use what is called a STEM GPA: (College Preparatory Grade Point Average* X 600) + SAT Critical Reading + (2 X SAT Math)