Hi Everyone,
I thought I could do this on my own, but I could really use your help.
My son is a senior and interested in computer science. What recommendations do you have for UCs and CSUs given his stats?
His csu gpa is 4.00 and his EI is 1070.
ACT scores are :
8/12 writing
27 science
25 reading
34 math
28 composite
I found EI info for SJSU and he qualifies there, but does anyone know about other schools?
Thanks for your help!
I think he should maybe bump up his Reading ACT just a little bit. Apart from that, he seems like a pretty good match for the UCs.
Sadly, he’s not willing to take it again. Is ucsd viable? What about Irvine or Davis? Cal Poly SLO?
He is a good candidate for UCR/UCSC/UCI/SDSU/CSULB/CPP and CSUF. UCD and UCSB could be possible if he bumped up his ACT into the 30+ range.
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My son is a senior and interested in computer science. What recommendations do you have for UCs and CSUs given his stats?
His csu gpa is 4.00 and his EI is 1070.
ACT scores are :
8/12 writing
27 science
25 reading
34 math
28 composite
I found EI info for SJSU and he qualifies there, but does anyone know about other schools?
Thanks for your help!
<<<<
Altho the Calif schools weight GPA highly (is that his UC GPA?), majors like CS often have their own qualifying process.
I doubt he’d get into UCSD with an ACT 28 in CS.
If he WANTS to go to UCSD, then it’s his choice to retake the ACT. If he says, “no,” then he’s accepting the fact that his chances of getting into that school will be less. If that’s fine with him, then so be it.
CSULB, CSUFullerton, and San Jose are great for CS. So are the Cal Polys. Is he going to apply to both CPP and SLO?
He should also apply to all the lower tier UCs and UCI, which is also great for CS. But, his chances at UCI and UCD are modest with a 28. My Godson will be starting UCI this fall in CS with an ACT 33. He didnt’ get into UCLA, which surprised us, but UCLA, Cal, and UCSD admissions are getting to be total crapshoots.
Agree with crapshoot of UCs. Apply to a lot of the CSUs and UCs. Relative with 34 ACT/4.6 w GPA (4.32 or 4.23 UC gpa - max’d out though, can’t remember exactly) got into CP Slo in CS, denied at UCLA, into UCD in CSE, UCSC with honors in CS games, into UCSD but not into CS program, brought in undecided, so would have to apply later on and it is very competitive. Letter actually said “if getting into major is more important than just going to UCSD, they should look at other schools.” Not sure who wants to go to UCSD so bad (or many schools for that matter) that they would forgo their major to do so. Also be aware changing a major at these schools can be costly in terms of time = money. UCSC may be good one to apply to, though it has gotten more competitive in last couple years. UCI, UCD, UCLA, UCB out with that ACT. Is he taking AP Calc BC (or AB) and taking math 2 subject test? Some want to see this in CS engineering programs/applications.
Friend has junior at SJSU that didn’t get admitted to his CS major at SJSU and went in undecided. He got his one try at changing from undecided into CS and was denied with his 3.8 SJSU gpa, so is scrambling to figure out another major to pick. Ouch. Go where he gets into his intended major, or prepare to be flexible.
Post edit - he really should take the ACT again, he could up that science score with some practice. But some kids are just done when they are done, I get that.
Thank you all so much!
The list of target schools is helpful. I know CP SLO is at the top of the heap (would you even put this above UCD and UCI?), but what is an approximate ranking of the others? I know it’s a little subjective, so I welcome everyone’s opinion. (If you have data to back it up, that’s even better. 
)
His UC GPA is also 4.0. 3.76 without honors.
@mom2collegekids That’s a great suggestion–THANKS! (“If he WANTS to go to UCSD, then it’s his choice to retake the ACT. If he says, “no,” then he’s accepting the fact that his chances of getting into that school will be less. If that’s fine with him, then so be it.”)
Yes, he will be applying to both CPP and SLO. He’s going on a college trip, so I’ll try to include CSU LB and Fullterton.
@blueskies2day Thanks for your relative’s data point. That’s enlightening that they weren’t admitted to UCSD in CS, and an interesting letter.
He will be taking Calc BC next year. He’s not keen on taking more tests and hasn’t taken any other than the ACT. How will the subject tests help him?
He could be forced to take the ACT again, but probably wouldn’t study for it. He self-studied for the first test.
What’s his list now?
have you run the NPCs to make sure everything is affordable?
You should really push him to retake ACT. I pretty much forced my daughter to retake a 33 (shooting for merit aid). She didn’t do any additional study whatsoever. The night before the exam, I almost told her not to bother going. She ended up with a 35. I think just the additional time in school coupled with brain development made the difference.
Cal Poly SLO is a high reach for a 28 ACT applying for computer science.
Does your school have Naviance? If so, I’d compare his stats there b/c it is also relevant where he goes to school. Our HS is very competitive, and sends a lot of kids to the top state schools and it is much harder than average to get into those schools from our school versus others in neighboring towns. For example, the average GPA/SAT for UCSD from our school is about a 4.45/1460
@mom2collegekids We are visiting colleges this weekend and I’ll post the updated list once we get some feedback on which ones he likes.
We have enough saved to cover the cost of any CA public school.
@acemom That’s an encouraging tale. I’ll see if he falls in love with any of the colleges this weekend and maybe he’ll come to that conclusion on his own. If not, I’ll consider playing the parent card.
@prospect1 Thanks for putting that in perspective.
@Cameron121 I’ll ask if our school has Naviance.
Do the CSUs factor in subject tests? Do UCs require them, or just recommend them? He hasn’t taken any subject tests yet, so if he wants to apply to some UCs, does he have to take 2 of them by December? He won’t be done with CalcBC though.
Does your school district have any kind of agreements with the local CSUs. Ours does with CSULB which makes it a guarantee for admission. I know some CSUs will give priority to students in the local areas. It would be good to check that out.
Different UCs have different requirements for subject tests. Here is a list http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/examination-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/
I do not believe the CSUs look at them.
For the SAT 2 math your S will not need to be done with Calc BC. My son took the SAT math 2 after Pre Calc and scored 800. You should have him do a few practice tests. He can take up to 3 at a time i none testing session.
Absolutely true what @lKnomad said - Calc BC just shows rigor, but not mandatory and not needed at all for math 2 subject tests. Frankly kids that far ahead in math have to go back to review concepts from a couple years before to prepare for math 2.
But you can see from the list above that many of the UCs do want a math 2 and some also a science test. They will say science test close to their major, but there really isn’t one in CS (cause AP CS is pretty limited offering still), so the science student is best at is the one to take whether physics, chem, or bio.
I will add to what @prospect1 said, but say that a 28 ACT is a no go at CP SLO for CS. No way. I had 2 accepted there in the last 3 years both in CS (neither went) but I have followed and tracked that school for years so have a pretty good understanding of what it takes to get in there. If one thing is off just a little bit, there is someone else that has it. And because it is all computer done (no one sees your application there), there isn’t any wiggle room for a lower anything, particularly an ACT. So if he loves CP SLO (and many students do) it may motivate him to take it again. Good luck!
@LKnomad Yes, it’s not a guarantee, but they accept more from our local area. Thanks for the subject test link. Now that you mention it, I recall hearing that Math 2 only covers through Geometry (or something like that). Good to know that he can take it now.
@blueskies2day Hmm, it looks like there are 2 subject tests in his future, unless he just wants to attend Davis, Merced or Santa Cruz. I’m surprised it doesn’t help with admission to Davis.
@CADREAMIN Thank you SO much for your straight shootin’. I really needed to hear that and appreciate you speaking out and grounding me. We’ll still have him apply to SLO, but it’s good to have some idea just how far of a reach it is.
If your son is in CPSLO’s service area, then he may have a decent chance at admission (you may have to call and ask a college admissions officer whether or not he is). A number of kids with high GPA’s and moderate SAT and ACT scores have made it in because they were within SLO’s service area. Check out posts from eyemgh on this site for info on the algorithm SLO uses for admission
I agree with what everyone else is saying about his chances at the UCs. The top half-dozen UCs have become VERY competitive lately for all STEM subjects, and applying undecided or in a social sciences or humanities major and then trying to transfer in is not a good idea.
About retaking the ACT, I’m pretty sure that the UCs do NOT “superscore” the SAT or ACT, so if he takes it more than once, it will be the highest single-sitting score that will count.
SJSU grads do pretty well in tech jobs in Silicon Valley. There’s a big advantage to being local.
@mom2collegekids and others: This is his list so far: Irvine, San Diego, Davis, Berkeley, Merced, Riverside, SLO, Pomona, SDSU.
Would anyone like to take a stab at which are reach/match/safety?
@Zekesima He would love to attend CalPoly SLO but we’re out of their service area. I read what eyemgh wrote. Thanks for the pointer to his posts.
@dustypig He’s pretty sure he wants CS so he might apply to a related engineering field, but nothing too far afield.