Okay since my college counsellors are somewhat not very helpful I’ll just post it here. Due to family pressure I didn’t apply for CalPoly and other state universities. It’s probably the biggest mistake I’ve ever made. Now that I’m so beaten up by the UCs’ rejections (except for the one that I tagged) I’m wondering if it’s possible for me to apply for spring transfer (since fall 2016 is closed). I looked it up on the website but didn’t find anything about spring transfer. Anything would be helpful, thank you!
No, Cal Poly SLO only accepts Fall transfers.
@Gumbymom
can I take a gap year and then apply? or I must transfer right out of CC? thanks
You can take a Gap year and then apply, but you need to do something significant during the Gap year since SLO will want to know how you spent your time. They are also very particular with the pre-req’s so make sure you meet all the requirements for your major.
@Gumbymom
is enlisting something significant? and is there a typical GPA requirement? I think I will be apply for computer science
I would not take a gap year and then only apply to Cal Poly for CS. If you were rejected by the top UCs, there’s a good chance you won’t get into CS at Cal Poly. I don’t know that for sure. I don’t even know your stats well enough to know if you’d be competitive. What I do know is that CS accepts about 10% of it’s applicants. IN 2015 the average GPA for the whole college of engineering was 4.13 and the SAT average (CR+M) was 1420. Know two things. Poly GPA averages are based on a lower scale than all other CSUs and UCs because they count freshman grades in the GPA diluting the weighting impact of honors and AP courses. And, there are several non-competitive majors in the CENG and they draw the average down. CS, ME and Aero will all be above those averages.
You need multiple options you’d be happy with. I’d apply to CPP and SJSU also if you want CS.
I agree with @eyemgh that you cannot limit your options if reapplying after a Gap year and especially if you are trying to transfer into a competitive major since there are no guarantees. It would be better to strengthen your application by having some related work experience/ research or retaking courses to bump up your GPA.
@eyemgh @Gumbymom
thank you for the information!
So I will need SAT scores for transfer too?
I think after this semester my GPA is probably gonna be 3.8-ish.
I don’t have honors and AP’s
I will apply to several colleges for sure but Cal Poly will be my top choice so I’m just wondering.
May I know what’s the average or competitive GPA for computer science? thank you!
I haven’t enlisted yet and I’m not sure if I can pass the exams and trainings but if I do my plan is join the army and do couple of things related to my major. I don’t know what kind of EC is strong but I generally do stuff I’m interested in.
For UC application I think the most remarkable experience is being involved in city planning when I was in high school. So my city was building a subway and I was in the group of structuring the maps and doing everything code-related (like when the train stops and closes the doors, etc…) I didn’t get paid but got an award as a recognition of my performance. It’s a fun experience and I thought it was kinda cool but now I guess not really…
in CC I was an officer of math club and computer science club and actually got invited by the professor to be the president of computer science club but I turned down the offer…I was so dumb.
anyway, I’m trying to move on so any information is highly appreciated!
It sounds like you are motivated and your GPA is fairly high—The problem is your choice of major. You may have gotten into several UC’s and Cal Poly, but not for a very competitive major like CS (Cal Poly anticipated receiving 4,057 applications for 141 CS spots this yr (I assume many UC’s have similar stats). Sadly, there are not enough spots in California for all of the kids wanting to do popular stem majors (and companies complain there are a shortage of graduates??). If your heart is set on CS, I suggest not taking a year off, but proving yourself either at the school you got into or at a CC and then trying to transfer.
@1andonly
Yes I think I’ll be taking classes to boost up my GPA too…but I guess even a 4.0 is low for CS:( the highest I can possibly get will probably be no more than 3.9 since my college doesn’t have A+. should I go to another CC so that I can get some A+ and get my GPA closer to 4.0? I don’t have straight A’s but if I do in the following semesters will the colleges see into the progress?
I also need to mention that I’ve been to CC for two years and I’m worried that colleges will not accept applicants who spend more than two years in CC.
Thank you!
Sorry, I did not notice when I read your post that you are already a transfer student…So, with a high 3. GPA you are not getting into competitive UC’s–For reference, Cal Poly anticipated receiving 554 transfer apps for 15 CS spots. Maybe, you should consider the UC you got into (and, yes you should have applied to a lot of Cal States). Maybe, you can still look into some easier admit schools?
@1andonly
yeah…my counselor and professor suggest me changing my major to applied math or some less competitive majors since I can still take CS classes even if I’m a different major… now is probably too late but I’m still looking for possibilities
If you are a CC transfer, then SAT scores are not considered. HS classes are not considered unless you plan to use AP course credit for some of your transfer requirements. Your CC GPA is what will count. 2016 transfer stats are not posted yet for SLO, but here is 2015’s Freshman and transfer profile for each college.
@Gumbymom
thank you! Looks like the average GPA will be raising but I’ll try to get as high as I can