Hey everyone,
I’m an international student applying for cal poly slo, cal state LA, and san diego
If anyone could tell me my chances, that’d be great, I got 3.83 GPA weighted, 3.72 unweighted, our AP classes are worth 4.5 only, and I got 1340 on the SAT, and im applying for bio engineering for cal poly slo
Also, could I submit my SAT score first, then send another one after i submitted my application? Because my counselor tells us that CSUs tend to fill up fast or something, and that we should submit really fast
Thanks in advance for any replies
with a sub 4 GPA you will find CPSLO a tough admit. SDSU and the rest of the CSUs will probably take you but you need to make sure you have completed ALL of the A-G courses. CSULB may be a better choice than LA.
SAT offers an option for sending the score to all the CSUs at once.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no advantage to applying to any of the CSUs early.
good luck.
CSU’s calculate their own Capped weighted GPA based on their system so here is the Calculator. As an International applicant, only AP/IB courses count for the extra honors points in the calculation and it is capped at 8 semesters for courses taken 10-11th grades.
All the CSU’s use 10-11th grades in their GPA calculation except for Cal Poly SLO which uses 9-11th grades with the 8 semester cap on honors for 10-11th grade courses.
https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index
All the CSU’s except SLO admit by Eligibility index and major. After you calculate your CSU capped weighted GPA then plug your test scores and CSU GPA into the EI calculator also found on the link.
CSULA looks like a Solid Match/Safety
For SDSU, you want an EI of around 4200+ to be competitive
SLO uses MCA points and if you PM me I send you the calculation but based on your posted states and the low acceptance rate for Engineering, SLO will be a Reach school.
I would add Cal Poly Pomona for a good Match school and they have an excellent Engineering program. There is no advantage applying early since they do not Early Decision or Early Action. Some CSU’s will accept High Stat applicants early and invite them to apply to their Honors college but as long as you submit your application by the November 30th deadline, you should be fine.
SDSU and SLO will only accept to the November SAT sitting so make sure you have all your testing completed.
Best of luck.
International students you should also try to apply for the more competitive UC campuses. They are better for international students than a CSU, which is geared towards in-state students. However, I encourage you to apply for both and see where you can get into. Your stats look great for UCR. As long as you can write good question personal insight, you would be good.
As an International applicant, you will be full pay at both the Cal States and UC’s, so make sure you can afford $40K/year to attend a CSU and $65K/year to attend a UC. You will get a great education at both CSU’s and UC’s. CSU’s do give preference to local applicants and UC’s do give preference to in-state applicants but that should not be a disadvantage if you are a competitive applicant.
UC Merced, UC Riverside and UC Santa Cruz would make good target schools based on your GPA and test scores.
Best of luck.
hey, thanks for the answer! And i’m just curious about how much SAT matters for the schools, cuz i just took the SAT again, and I’m expecting to get around 1450-1500, would that improve my chances for CSUs and UCs?
CSU’s admit based on your CSU/UC capped weighted GPA and test scores, so a high SAT score can make up for a lower than average GPA, so yes having a higher SAT can help your chances. SLO is the exception since their Engineering majors are highly competitive (on level with many of the UC’s) and last year they turned away 10,000 applicants with 4.0 GPA’s so you really need both a High GPA at least 4.0+ and High test scores.
With the UC’s, they tend to be more GPA focused so your overall academic record (grades) will have a greater impact on your chances than test scores. Unless you have extenuating circumstances ie. Family issues etc… that can be addressed in your personal insight essays, a higher SAT can help but usually does not overcome lower grades.
UC’s consider UC GPA, test scores, HS course rigor and personal insight essays Very Important. Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work and Work experience important.
They consider do Character/personal qualities, First generation college student and State residency.
Definitely apply widely and make sure you have a couple of solid safety schools on your list.