Chances for UCSC or Cal Poly SLO?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm a California resident and am very interested in doing either Physics (and most likely a doctorates if so) in Physics at UCSC or a CompSci degree at SLO. </p>

<p>My grades aren't stellar, but they're not bad. My school has an API of 861, and I'm not sure if colleges take that into consideration, but it is difficult. Unweighted I have a GPA of ~3.2 and weighted it's ~3.45. I also spend half my school day at a separate campus doing things like web development, graphic design, programming and music development. It's a well known and unique program and I've heard that it can help one stand out in college apps.</p>

<p>Freshman and the first semester of Sophomore year were flukes and are dragging my grades down, so I've been doing my best to fix my wrongs. Classes I'll be taking next year are Physics C AP, Calc AB AP, Civics/Econ, English H, Web and Design. I'm hoping that if I show I'm much more of a serious student now, colleges will worry less about my bad early grades.</p>

<p>Other things I'll include in my college apps are teacher recommendations (a given) from alumni, my being an editor for the yearbook, holding a job for over two years, creating a social network- not like Facebook but a forum- for my school in 8th grade, and other successes I've found.</p>

<p>My SAT score was a 1900. For some reason I haven't been doing well on the math portion- I got a 550. On the Critical Reading I got a 680, and on Writing I got a 670 with an essay subscore of 10.</p>

<p>I feel that I have a pretty good shot at UCSC and that SLO would be a bit of a stretch, but I still have a chance. I'm pretty much set on either Physics or CompSci, and yes, I do know that SLO requires you to declare a major.</p>

<p>Other colleges that I am interested are Rensselaer and Purdue, but those are much more expensive and difficult as I've heard. My dream college would be Cambridge or Oxford but I honestly don't see that happening unless someone sheds some light that would give me the faintest sliver of hope.</p>

<p>What do you guys think? Thank you so much if you throw in your two cents!</p>

2

<p>For UCSC chances, look at [University</a> of California: StatFinder](<a href=“http://statfinder.ucop.edu/statfinder/default.aspx]University”>http://statfinder.ucop.edu/statfinder/default.aspx)</p>

<p>UC and CSU only look at your sophomore and junior year grades in so-called a-g courses, so you will want to recalculate your GPA accordingly. </p>

<p>UC (I don’t know about CSU) does look favorably on a strong upward trend in grades. They do not consider recommendations or the API of your high school. </p>

<p>Make sure you talk with your parents about what they can afford to pay towards you college education, and also make sure (after checking the statsfinder) that you have appropriate safeties and matches on your list. SLO will most likely be a reach, and UCSC will probably not be a safety, so find some good safeties for sure.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the input! What safety schools would you recommend for someone interested in CompSci/Physics/Astronomy? California is obviously preferable but I’m definitely considering going out of state.</p>

<p>I’d still love to hear input from other people on the original question- that’s my main concern.</p>

4

<p>Cal Poly considers freshman year grades (and 8th grade math, if relevant). They also only look at CR and math scores on the SAT. I believe rigor is taken into account. Your senior year schedule looks good but would be stronger if you were taking Calc BC rather than AB. </p>

<p>Teacher recommendations and ECs are not considered for Cal Poly admissions, other than noting how many hours per year were spent on ECs or work.</p>

<p>To be honest, your grades are borderline for Cal Poly. Would you consider taking the ACT? If you can study for that and do well, Cal Poly will use the higher score (SAT vs ACT). Have other students from your alternative school been accepted to Cal Poly? What do the counselors there say as far as advantages of the program?</p>

<p>I think you have a chance at UCSC, which is especially strong in astronomy. Other schools you might consider are Cal Poly Pomona and San Jose State. You should also look into the other CSUs to see how strong their physics and CS programs are. It’s very easy to apply to multiple CSUs. Also look into the Western Interstate Exchange schools here: [Western</a> Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) | Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education](<a href=“http://www.wiche.edu/wue]Western”>Save On College Tuition | Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE))</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the reply. Yes, I did forget to mention but I am taking the ACT this June. In all of my science classes (with the exception of my fluke freshman year when I took chem), I have gotten either high B+'s or A-'s. Knowing that the ACT has science on it I think I’ll do well on it. I’m also taking the SAT II for English, which is also something I should have mentioned in my original post. </p>

<p>There’s nothing I see myself enjoying more than studying black holes, and that’s my real dream. I’ve considered doing Astronomy but I’ve talked with my parents and Physics is much more applicable to other careers in the chance that I decide to not do a physical science based career. I’m mainly looking for a school with a very good research program, and that’s why I’m so interested in UCSC. </p>

<p>I do have a college fund and private schools are a possibility. It wouldn’t pay for an entire 4 years of private school, but it would cover a decent amount of it. What private schools are in my league that have strong physics/astronomy programs?</p>

6

<p>The science section of the ACT seems to be more about math than science knowledge. Take a few practice tests if you have time to get the hang of it.</p>

<p>Other colleges that you might look at for physics (you’d have to check if they’re WUE schools): University of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado State, Colorado School of Mines, Oregon State. </p>

<p>As far as private colleges go, most of the colleges that would be a match for your stats would be liberal arts colleges. You need to decide if you want to study physics at a liberal arts college or a larger university. There are pros and cons. Are you in NorCal or SoCal? There are lots of options, some of which will give you merit aid. In no particular order, you could look at Loyola Marymount, Chapman, University of Redlands, Santa Clara University, University of San Diego, University of the Pacific, Seattle University.</p>

<p>Unless you can get good merit aid, it’s not a good idea to start out at a college that you won’t be able to afford to attend for 4 years. You and your parents need to start looking at your financial situation carefully and only apply to colleges that your family can afford.</p>

7

<p>U of A also has a strong astronomy program. Riverside’s physics program will give you research opportunities.</p>

8

<p>Thanks so much for the replies so far. I’m also wondering, with my stats, what would be some good CompSci colleges that wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to get into?</p>