In the fall of 2018, I would like to attend SDSU (San Diego state university) I would be a transfer from another school (community) out of state (PA). My major would be Computer science or Information Technology. I am not sure at the moment of my G.P.A. Can someone give me an idea what of what I should look for? What I can do to boost my chances?
Also I am very stressed about affording the school, are they generous with aid and scholarships for out of state transfers? I know they only cater to the instate/ surrounding areas. If feasible, what other schools should I look at?
SDSU is highly competitive and favors local applicants (from local SD community colleges) so being OOS will be a difficult obstacle to overcome. It is also very important to complete as many of the pre-req and major required courses needed for transfer along with having a high GPA. You are at a disadvantage since OOS courses will be difficult to articulate to the SDSU course requirements. I suggest you contact admissions and ask them for a possible transcript evaluation so you can check if you are on track and that your courses are transferable.
SDSU is a California State University and does not give financial aid and very few scholarships to OOS applicants. Most California students that are eligible for aid get it from the Cal Grants that are only offered for in-state residents.
I suggest you research more about SDSU since it will most likely cost you around $40K/year to attend and San Diego is an expensive city in which to live. Transfers in general get very little aid.
https://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/costs.html
Why California or San Diego in particular? How much can you pay/year for college as a Transfer?
httphttp://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/transfers/://arweb.sdsu.edu/es/admissions/transfers/
This school has everything my current school lacks and another plus was the nice weather. And the fact it’s relatively cheaper than my current school. (45,000 yr in state.) Do you have any recommendations? Thanks in advance.
For California schools? West Coast? San Diego only or are you willing to go to Northern California (Bay Area? ) So $40K/year is within budget for you without financial aid? You might want to target Private schools where merit aid along with need based aid might be possible (if you qualify). What is your current GPA?
Yea I’d be willing to go north. I looked up all the CSU’s are commuters so they are off the top of my list. No, with scholarships and financial aid its around 10k for a semester. My G.P.S is a 3.0 but my schools grading system, i believe would effect it.
As an OOS transfer, you are not going to find any California Public Universities that would be within your budget and even private schools will be tough. Your GPA is on the low side for competitive privates such as USC/CalTech/Claremont Colleges. You might want to look at Santa Clara University, University of San Francisco and University of San Diego. Not sure how much FA they give to transfer students.
I am planning on attending Community College after this year to fix my G.P.A.
You will attend CCin PA or California? You would be in better position (if affordable) to attend a California CC and then transfer.
Can I privately message you?
I am attending cc in state.
Yes
it is an absurdly expensive proposition but, your best shot is to move to San Diego and attend a CC that is designated as ‘local’ to SDSU. Understand that those are very competitive majors so, even being local, you’ll need very solid grades to be admitted - perhaps a 3.3-3.5 - of course, with that GPA several UCs become available too.
Sonoma and Chico are both residential schools with credible programs and are much more accessible (from a GPA standpoint) than SDSU.
You would be saddled with OOS tuition the whole time, which is a tough pill to swallow.
Of course, there are private schools like USD and LMU you may qualify for - i think $45k is a fair tuition estimate for both.
You are probably best served by staying put and moving to CA after you graduate.
@NCalRent, I gave OP the same advice to stay put, finish their degree and then come to San Diego for work or grad school. Another college student dreaming of the California lifestyle and not realizing how expensive it is for an OOS student.