Got rejected from UCSB with 3.85 GPA as a computer science major

Hi guys,
I am a computer science major student with 3.85 GPA and i am applying to all the UCs (except Santa Cruz) and USC. I always take 15 to 18 units every semester. I have been very active in school with lots of activities (volunteering, working as a college assistant in library, tutoring). Unfortunately.I just found out that i got rejected from UCSB (they have a very early decision). Even though UCSB is just my backup school and i dont want to go there but I still got very upset about my first decision. It sounds terrible because right now I am still waiting for other UC schools (USC and UCLA are my first choice).
Have any of you guys ever been in my situation from last year? Please let me know what was the results from you guys from 2017. Thanks so much

(Nevermind - I missed that you were a transfer)

In 2016, my son was waitlisted at UCSD with a 3.88 uw, and first place in national CS competitions, good placement in some Bay Area math contests, 2 summers of software engineering work in Silicon Valley, etc. The only UC he got into in CS was UCSC. He was accepted at every private school he applied to except MIT (also waitlist). CA is brutal. He is very happy in the NE.

CS is a very competitive major. There are so many others with the same GPA. Did you fulfill all req? Did you take any of the strongly recommended courses? You might want to call them and ask why. They very often will tell you.

I took all the reqs and finished them even before this spring. I am still very upset that I got rejected from ucsb. Worst things will come from all the other UC according to UCSB

Did you get into UCR? For computer science, UCR will be your “safety” choice. I even got admitted to UCR without finish all major preq with 3.73 so.

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major says that, for 2018, the admit 25th-75th percentile GPA range for CS at UCSB was 3.71-3.94, but the admit rate was only 12%.

I didn’t apply to UCR or UCSC though. That’s the bad thing about it

Ahh… Well. thats sad. Well Since you cannot TAG UCSB CS major, did you tag UCI or UCD? This could help you to set up “safety” school. If you did all TAG requirements, Tag could help you to set up your safety school

That’s rough but it happens I guess. Best thing would be to have tagged somewhere like HelloUC2 said.

I didn’t do tag in any school unfortunately because my first choice is USC.

It is really tough. Hopefully It turns out to be better in the next few weeks

You can still TAG even if first choice is USC. You’re not required to attend the TAG campus.

I got UCSB waitlisted, CS major with 3.91 and all prereq fulfilled. My friend was accepted with 4.0

My friend got accepted with the exact GPA 3.85. Damn.

Damn I wish I knew this. My counselor told me that I have to go to the school that I TAG.

I hope you got into USC. Should not have banked on USC with an acceptance of 11%

I applied as CS with a 4.0 with all the requirements done, and I got rejected also lmao. However, I was accepted into my second major. Last year, SB had a 12% acceptance rate for CS transfers. Its a really competitive program.

Is it low or too high? 11% seems so hard. I asked the ucsb admission and they said they cant give me the answer why I got rejected.

Welp. That is so sad. I am so sorry to hear that. However my friend got into ucsb with 3.85 GPA. If ucsb rejected me idk what would happen to my ucsd tho ( my second Choice )

@RyanLam How would you rate your essays? I met someone who was a part of the admissions process at UCSB and from what I got from that conversation, UCSB really emphasizes essays. They have people dedicated to reading and voting on essays before it even gets to the next stage of the admissions process. If you don’t pass the essay stage, the rest of your application will not be considered. Don’t take my word on it though, I can neither confirm nor deny my statements.