<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I applied to Computer Science at Purdue and got in. However, I have been rejected to UC Davis and waitlisted at UC Santa Cruz for computer science. At Purdue, I was told that I can transfer to computer engineering, no problem. I am from California. How can this be? Purdue is much higher ranked (#8 for computer engineering and #20 for computer science) and I got in there, but can't get into UC Santa Cruz?</p>
<p>If you are a California resident, it may be as simple for you (and many others, I suspect) that the UC and CSU public college systems in California are overwhelmed with applicants, have decreasing budgets, and, importantly, the last few years for sure, are increasingly dramatically the number of out-of-state and out-of-country students because they pay substantially higher tuition…</p>
<p>Is Purdue a public university? Maybe Purdue wants your OOS money just like California wants others OOS money. Good luck where ever you land. Did you apply at any private schools or other CA public universities?</p>
<p>Yea, Purdue is public. But, aren’t they supposed to admit based on stats? Thats how they get ranked right? And yea, I applied other UC’s, but they aren’t out yet. </p>
<p>Davis and Santa Cruz accept a lower % students than Purdue, and Davis at least shows higher incoming student stats. The UCs take other things into account not just GPA and test scores (I do not know about Purdue).
Things besides stats of incoming students go into those rankings anyway.</p>
<p>Purdue probably accepted for the OOS tuition. It won’t be wise to pay full price for Purdue.</p>
<p>Major-specific rankings and reputations do not necessarily track undergraduate admissions selectivity (and most major-specific rankings are based on PhD programs).</p>
<p>Also, at most public universities, admission selectivity can vary based on major or division, based on the popularity of each major relative to its capacity. Note that this does not necessarily track major-specific rankings and reputations.</p>
<p>Changing from non-engineering into engineering at Purdue is described here: <a href=“School of Engineering Education - Purdue University”>School of Engineering Education - Purdue University;
<p>UC admissions are holistic–not completely numbers driven although gpa is likely one of the more important criteria.
. They area also reading your essays, etc.</p>
<p>Also, you seem to be quoting US News grad school rankings which is really not the same as undergrad department rankings or undergrad college rankings,</p>
<p>Hmm, maybe your essays did not reflect the type of student they were looking for. I got accepted into UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz yesterday but I’m not attending. If I could, I would really give you my offer lol But don’t sweat, Purdue is awesome! 
Good luck with everything dude</p>
<p>My essays were about me playing sports since 5 and how I have made an iPhone App that has sold over $10,000 worth of copies. I think thats pretty good. </p>
<p>Purdue has a relatively high admission rate, however, a very high drop out rate too. It admits students even if they are a bit weak in GPA and scores. Many freshmen cannot survive the first year (particularly in engineering) and transfer to a community college or other schools afterward. So it is not difficult to get in, but you may need to work very hard to stay in.</p>
<p>I call that LUCK!
Congrats</p>
<p>Also, Purdue doesn’t get too many applications from California residents, so you provided some nice geographic diversity. </p>
<p>As far as "rankings’ remember that selectivity is only one facet–for fields like engineering, what is important is the end product of the education–and graduates of Purdue engineering are extremely well respected.</p>
<p>Money, that is why. CA schools accepted a LOT of OOS students now a days for their money. Purdue, otoh, wants OOS students as well, for their OOS money.</p>
<p>Basically that is why.</p>
<p>Congrats for getting in at Purdue. I would take it an run. I applied for CS every where. Rejected at UCD, UCSB, UCSD,. Accepted at UCSC and UCR two universities I am not keen on! But yes,yet thankful that I can at least go to a UC even if low tier.Who knows may be these Universities will grow on me…</p>
<p>My UC GPA is 3.4 and ACT 35, SAT 2 - 800’s , 7 AP’s with 5, good EC’s connected to my major. </p>
<p>I had a bad junior year and I was never a high GPA student, turn out most colleges are most interested in your GPA. Its a great deal of luck too. </p>
<p>Purdue is probably looking for some OOS students who are higher tuition. Congratulations, it is a great school.</p>