Ive always wanted to go to San Diego State University, but I’m worried my GPA isn’t good enough alone. My current GPA as a junior is a 3.38, I have taken a total of 2 honors classes(received Bs)(soph year) and 2 AP classes(received B’s)(junior year). My average grades are usually 2 A’s and 4 B’s, but last semester I underwent extensive surgery to get cochleae implants for my hearing loss, which caused my grades to drop for that semester. I ended up with 3 Cs and 3 B’s. I am asian American,and have severe hearing loss. I am co-presidnet of a club that is unique in the trivia-state, participate in 3 other clubs, started a chapter of a national organization in my school district and current co president of it, and was part of track for two years, but ill be joining next year. As for volunteering/extra curricular stuff, I’ve been part of a crisis call center for COVID-19, was about to volunteer at a hospital before the pandemic, but will do so when everything reopens, had my art published in a book, have a job, and accepted into the academy of arts pre college. For SATs, because of the virus, I havent taken it, but if I get the chance to, I will. My average SAT score is a 1400. My for college Essay I am planning to write about the struggles and challenges of my hearing loss that I overcame. But overall, these are some of the specifics I plan to include on my application and I just wanted to see if with these stats and accomplishments and Extracurriculars, I would have a good chance of getting accepted into SDSU.
also, I forgot to include that I have an UW GPA of 3.1 and a weighted of 3.38, but I read somewhere that California state colleges focus more on the weighted? And for my grades this semester, it looks like ill have all B’s, maybe one C, but im not sure yet
Cal states like SDSU use only 10-11th grades in their GPA calculation and they cap their weighted GPA at 8 semesters of UC approved Honors, AP, IB or DE courses taken 10-11th grades only.
The UC GPA calculator link will also calculate your CSU capped weighted GPA which is equal to the UC capped weighted GPA.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
The issue with the Cal states is that up until Covid-19, they based their admission on Capped weighted GPA, test scores (which are now suspended), HS course rigor, local in-service area applicant (get priority) vs. out of area applicant and intended major.
No essays or EC’s are considered. Applicants were ranked based on major and eligibility index (CSU GPA calculation plus test scores).
However, since they have suspended test score submission, then GPA will probably be the largest factor in their admission review. Average Capped weighted CSU GPA for SDSU 2019 was 3.97.
Calculate out your CSU/UC capped weighted GPA and see where you stand.
Unfortunately your disability and EC’s cannot be addressed on the CSU application unless they make changes to include extentuating cirumstances and EC’s on the Fall 2021 application.
Here is the Covid-19 information:
** Under the new guidelines, first-time freshmen seeking admission for the terms of fall 2021, winter 2022 or spring 2022 must have earned a high school diploma or equivalent, completed the 15-course college preparatory sequence known as the “A-G” requirements and earned a GPA of 2.5 or better.
Any student with a GPA of 2.0 to 2.49 may be evaluated, based on supplemental factors such as additional coursework beyond the A-G requirements, extracurricular activities and household income. It will be up to each campus to determine those additional criteria and to communicate them to prospective students.
The standards laid out Friday would apply only to California residents and graduates of California high schools. Non-California residents may be eligible for admission if they earn a GPA of 3.0 or better and meet the additional criteria.
Cal State previously said it would accept marks of “pass” or “credit” instead of letter grades for classes taken in the winter, spring or summer of 2020. These would not be included in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
The change in admission requirements will affect all campuses and programs in the CSU system, including those that have been deemed “impacted” — meaning unable to enroll everyone who is eligible. Those campuses and programs may require higher GPA thresholds and identify their own supplemental criteria and their relative weight.**
SDSU will be a Reach school but worth an application especially if you are able to explain your grade drop and include your EC’s. You will need to apply widely to the CSU’s and look at some private schools where an essay explaining your surgery and where you can highlight your EC’s would help your chances.
Best of luck.
thanks! and what about for USD , Pepperdine, Occidental? I know those are pretty hard, but because there universities and not CSU’s would they consider more than the GPA?
USD, Occidental and Pepperdine are private universities so GPA is only one consideration. Test scores, HS course rigor, essays, EC’s and Letters of Recommendation would also be considered. You can look up their admission requirements on each school’s website. They will look at your unweighted GPA for 9-11th grades and each will determine your weighted GPA.
For Occidental Freshman profile:
3.69 unweighted GPA
690 median EBRW SAT score
690 median Math SAT score
30 median ACT score
For USD:
First-Year Student Academic Background
Average college prep GPA (weighted): 3.93
- 25th and 75th percentile GPA: 3.71-4.18
Average SAT I score: 1274 - 25th and 75th percentile SAT I scores: 1200-1350
Average ACT composite score: 28.1 - 25th and 75th percentile ACT scores: 26-31
For Pepperdine:
Admitted Student Averages (Mid-50%)
First-Year Student GPA (unweighted): 3.64-3.97
SAT Total: 1300-1450
ACT Composite: 28-32
You would be able to explain your surgery and how it impacted your grades, highlight your EC’s and submit LOR’s about your work ethic so they could be better options.
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