For Cal Poly Pomona, you can calculate his CPP index and look at the minimum threshold for admission for Computer Science* which was 4672.
Your Cal Poly Pomona Index is calculated by: (A-G GPA x 1000) + 450 + values earned from the campus admission categories in “MFA Model”
https://www.cpp.edu/admissions/freshmen/freshman-student-profile.shtml
The unknown are the points for the rest of the MFA criteria but if the GPA calculation alone meets the threshold, then it is a possibility.
Another thing I recommend you do is to apply to ASU very early - like early Aug/Sep when their portal opens. They will give you a decision pretty quick. And if that happens to be a Yes, then you can be aggressive with your other apps.
He took 15 courses in two years? That seems like a pretty high workload. You might want to check that.
I assumed he is on a trimeseter system.
I could be wrong but I don’t think so. Perhaps someone can check me.
They use unweighted GPA and there’s no rounding. If he has a 3.5, he gets $12,500 off of $39,600. I think NMSF gets you another $1500.
So that leaves you about $26K + living.
Again, Tulsa - it’s fully covered - and Alabama would be under $20K all in.
So you have options depending on what you want to spend - but you don’t have to strain yourself if you don’t want to.
And of course your in state options but because the schools are test blind, the 1550 isn’t helping any.
Good luck.
His school uses a 4x4 system. The student can take 4 courses (2 grade each) in fall and another 4 in spring.
Many high schools seem to have a schedule that allows 7-8 classes. My kid’s high school has 6 regular periods, plus zero and 7th period which are optional. However, I have seen block schedule plans for some high schools with 7 or 8 regular class periods.
Let me ask you this as you’d know given your job - will the Cs in both Calc AB and BC perhaps foreshadow difficulty completing the major?
This is a legitimate question that OP needs to grapple with. CS anywhere will be a difficult program, and regardless of the program recruiting will require a ton of hard problem solving prep and grinding tough interview questions. Is that a feasible path for someone having difficulty in Calculus courses. The SAT score is impressive tbh but SAT math doesn’t involve any calculus and is therefore not a great indicator.
Thanks for the MFA calculation. Looks like his CPP is too low for both Comp Sci and Comp Eng.
Unfortunately, yes. Most CS programs have a large theoretical component which includes a lot of math. Multivariable calculus, linear algebra, combinatorics, logic, etc. are common requirements and/or pre-reqs for advanced classes.
It’s possible OP’s son might find CS programs at some schools (not the well known CS schools though) that could be more vocational and less math heavy. OP needs to research.
Thanks for the tip. I thought about waiting for his NMSF to be official before applying. Is it worthwhile to wait?
Sorry to hear about CPP. CS is a very marketable degree so any solid CS program will serve him well.
If he is interested in Computer Engineering then check the Modified Impaction Index for SJSU since Engineering considers the Math GPA on top of the regular index which CS does not. The threshold was 4680 for 2023.
Not sure about NMF but Arizona gives regular merit based on UW GPA not counting SAT. ASU gives merit for SAT scores so may actually be cheaper. Utah considers SAT but the 9-11 GPA may need to be closer to 3.7UW for WUE (S23 got it with 3.7UW/3.9W/1530 SAT/5 APs but only Calc AB/BC before senior year).
I think most UCs will be difficult for CS, particularly UCSC, my S23 was waitlisted (and ultimately admitted) for Astrophysics, none of his friends with slightly better stats got in for CS or Eng.
In light of you self identifying in the thread title as Asian (so I assume it has significance to you) and both Tulsa and Alabama being mentioned multiple times I wanted to highlight the following…
5.4% of Tulsa students identify as Asian and only 1.5% of Alabama students identify as Asian.
By comparison UC Santa Cruz’s Asian population is approximately 30% in case this matters to your student. For most fit and finance matter and both can be found.
CPP CS would be a reach, since it most recent admission threshold was 4672, calculated by weighted capped GPA * 1000 + 450 + unspecified points for local area, etc. This means that an applicant for this fall without any bonus points needed a 4.222 weighted capped GPA for CS admission to CPP.
https://www.cpp.edu/admissions/freshmen/freshman-student-profile.shtml
CS majors typically require calculus, linear algebra, discrete math (including combinatorics), and math like upper division CS theory courses. Engineering based CS majors also tend to require multivariable calculus and physics.
It is possible that some students who do not do well in “continuous” math like calculus do better at the other types of math. But that is not assured. Perhaps another question is, did geometry include a lot of logic and proofs? Did the student like and do well with logic and proofs? Discrete math and upper division CS theory will do proofs at a more advanced level than high school geometry.
ASU should be a safety, based on stated 3.0 GPA threshold for admission to the campus and CS major.
https://degrees.apps.asu.edu/bachelors/major/ASU00/ESCSEBS/computer-science
Thanks for the info on ASU admission requirements. It is nice to have at least one good option for him. I will ask him to apply early as suggested by ucscuuw.
I agree that he will need to do better in math. Can he take Calculus again in college?
Yes he can
Both U of A and ASU are fine schools but easy admits.
You can also look at Utah, Nevada Reno and Oregon State via WUE.