Hi,
Considering the location and quality of the academics on both schools which one would you argue its better? I want to focus on the biotech side of Chem E and pharma. I would really appreciate the input, thank you!
It’s hard to say. They’re both going to be very good. Do you know if you’ll get into both? Have you visited both?
CPP is in southern Cal. San Jose State gets a lot of attention from Silicon Valley, but that may not be an interest for you.
I would say, CPP.
@mom2collegekids I think I am also leaning a little bit more toward CPP but my main concern is that on the website they said that the minimum requirement to be considered was a 550 on the SAT and I scored a 540. I am not bad at math, otherwise I wouldn’t consider engineering but I only took the SAT twice and I did poorly. I don’t know if I stand a chance in that case, I am currently taking AP Calc AB and throughout my HS career I’ve never had less than an A in math, I also excel on my science classes. My second choice major is physics. I think I have a shot at the schools, my CSU GPA is 4.05 and SAT 1150. I’ve also heard that both are great for placing engineering grads but I’ve never read about Chem E grads.
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CPP but my main concern is that on the website they said that the minimum requirement to be considered was a 550 on the SAT and I scored a 540. I am not bad at math, otherwise I wouldn’t consider engineering b
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Is a 550 the minimum for engineering at CPP?
Did you only apply to SJSU and CPP? Or where else?
Why do you think your Math SAT score is so modest? Your score seems unusual for someone who’s always gotten A’s and is in AP Calc (and I’m guessing you’re doing well in that class, too.). Are you not finishing sections on the SAT?
Did you take the ACT? Some say that the math on the SAT is trickier than on the ACT.
CPP ChemE
Freshmen Requirement
Minimum scores to be considered:
SAT Math 550 or ACT Math 23
Official SAT or ACT scores received by the University no later than January 31.
It appears that ChemE is an impacted major at CPP, and therefore these minimums are enforced. Doesn’t seem like there is any wiggle room. 
Ok…looks like CPP is out for ChemE.
As for physics being your second choice…that’s up to you. Are you just choosing that as a second choice to get in? Or do you truly love physics? If you don’t love it, don’t major in it.
What other CSUs did you apply to? Did you apply to any UCs? With your GPA, I would guess that UCR and UCM would accept you, but I don’t know if they have ChemE.
@ucbalumnus Can you advise here?
Only 3 CSUs have chemical engineering: CPP, CSULB, SJSU.
More UCs have chemical engineering: UCB, UCD, UCI, UCLA, UCR, UCSB, UCSD. (Not UCM or UCSC.)
However, application deadlines have passed. There is an SAT test date on 1/21, but the College Board does not assure that scores will be available until 2/22 or so (after the 1/31 deadline).
For SJSU, http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html indicates that last year’s admission threshold for chemical engineering was 3700 (may change this year, of course). OP’s CSU eligibility index is 4.05 * 800 + 1150 = 4390, so SJSU looks likely.
@mom2collegekids I get nervous while taking those tests because I tend to overthink how heavily it impacts my future (in college admissions), and then I get desperate because I don’t believe it reflects my capabilities. I am the first person in my family applying to college here in the US and I had no idea how important SAT’s were until my senior year, and it was already too late. I do love physics, but I got the opportunity to do an internship in the area of Chem E that I’m interested in and I’d rather do that.
The other CSU’s that I applied are CSULB and SDSU ( I was forced to apply, and it was for Mechanical E).
For UC’s it was UCI, UCR, UCSC (biomolecular eng) , UCSD, UCD, and of course the extra reaches Berkeley and UCLA. But I don’t believe my academic credentials are good enough, although my EC’s and essays are great.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1903428-faq-uc-historical-frosh-admit-rates-by-hs-gpa.html can give you an idea of how you stand with respect to UCs.
@ucbalumnus yes I did apply to those, but I am not so hopeful with my SAT scores. However I’d be happy at SJSU. If I do get accepted to physics at CPP would it be hard to transfer to the college of engineering?
Of course, may change in the future.
@ucbalumnus so it would be just completing those requirements or doing a whole application again?
Those are listings of requirements for enrolled students at CPP wanting to change majors. So, if the requirements for chemical engineering stay the same in the future (not guaranteed), then you would need at least a 3.0 college GPA overall and in major prerequisites in order to apply to change into the chemical engineering major. However, since it says to refer to the footnote, you will see that chemical engineering is an impacted major where admission is subject to available space, so they may be selective within the pool of qualified applicants if the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available space.
@ucbalumnus well I guess then I’ll weigh my options on march, thank you!