Hi all! I am a student from Chicago, Illinois. I am extremely interested in UC Santa Barbara due to their spectacular location and good Computer Science program. However, UCSB is extremely far from Chicago (6 hour flight). If I pushed it hard enough, there is a chance I would be able to get out there to visit before I apply. However, I don’t want to do that unless it is absolutely necessary. Would visiting the campus give me an advantage over other applicants who don’t? Any help with this would be appreciated.
First of all, you have posted in the UC San Diego thread not Santa Barbara. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-california-santa-barbara/
UCSB does consider an applicants level of interest based on their Common dataset information, but there are other ways of showing interest besides visiting. If you are interested, you might want to email the Engineering/CS department and ask about their program.
If you are able to visit before applications are due then great, but if you cannot, it should not adversely affect your chances. Make sure you meet all the UC a-g course requirements since you are an OOS applicant.
http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/
UCSB like all the UC’s have their own UC GPA calculation: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
OOS applicants only get extra honors points for AP/IB or DE courses taken in 10-11th grade. HS designated Honors courses are not given those extra points.
Also be aware that UCSB does not offer financial aid to OOS students, so expect to pay full fees at $60K/year.
Apply if you are interested and if accepted then come for a visit on their open house.
GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students for 2016: For CS you want to above the 50th percentile for the best chances.
High School UC GPA: 3.92 - 4.23
ACT Composite Score: 27 - 33
Old SAT Critical Reading: 570 - 700
Old SAT Mathematics: 600 - 760
Sorry about posting on the wrong thread…that’s my mistake.
Thank you for your insight! Would you be able to chance me at UCSB?
UC Weighted GPA: 3.78
UC Unweighted GPA: 3.7
ACT: 32 (English 35, Math 30, Reading 31, Science 30) – I am taking it again to try to get it up to a 33
SAT: 1460
For extra curriculars I have an officer position at my schools robotics club, played soccer and lacrosse, and have an app on the ios App Store.
I know my UC GPA is low, and that is due to my sophomore year. I have straight As junior year. Thanks!
Also, I go to a very competitive private school
@hawkfank2 1)your scores and GPA are a little low to be extremely competitive at UCSB since UCS look at GPA and scores first, still competitive though
2) dont be deluded by your high school’s competitiveness. That actually little to do with admission and most times detract from your possibility of acceptance because higher level schools admit you on large part by ranking in your school. Even if your school’s average rating is 20 times better than a random public school, the really good schools still only accept only a few students at most from each school
@hawkfank2 I received an invitation to their Chancellor’s reception telling me I am one of the top applicants. I got a 30 on the ACT a 1370 on the new SAT and had a weighted GPA of 4.3. I wrote strong insight questions, so that could be the difference along with being in-state. Don’t give up hope, if it’s something you really want to strive for I say go for It. Visiting the campus does not give you any boost in your application, but it is DEFINITELY worth your time if you are serious about getting in. I visited today and it made all the difference. I applied to UCSB in the beginning just to add it onto my list, but after visiting today it has skyrocketed to the very top of my list. You have to see the campus for yourself to really get the feel for the true beauty and feel of if. I am so glad I toured.
UCSB does state that for their application review they consider 50% academics and 50% Essays and EC’s.
Based on GPA alone it is a Reach especially for CS but there is always a chance and you will never know unless you apply.
Freshman admits for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79:
UCSB: 13%