UCSC Chances?

Major: Comp Sci
GPA: 4.15
SAT; 1250

Breakdown of your SAT scores? Although your SAT is within range, it is below the averages.

CS related EC’s?

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.80-4.19 (capped weighted) and not major specific so expect CS to require higher overall Stats and a lower admit rate: UCSC: 75.7%

2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages and again not major specific- UCSC: 3.96

2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:

UCSC: 1210-1450

Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Freshmen who are interested in a BSOE program should be sure to indicate a BSOE proposed major. Students who do not indicate a BSOE program or who apply as undeclared might not be able to pursue a BSOE program. 
The Computer Science major is highly selective.

@Gumbymom 630-math and 620 i shadowed engineers and english is my second langauge(will this help) . Over 200 hours of volunteer/community service. Organized a Charity and created a gaming website.

  • repaired computers and iphone screens in my neighboorhood
    -tutored at the library on how to use technology

The 25th percentile for SAT Math at UCSC is 620, so you are on the lower end which is not where you want to be when applying for the most selective major there. You want to be at or above the average of 680 or higher. Your GPA is solid which helps since UC’s tend to be more GPA focused, but with the popularity and competitiveness of CS at all the UC’s you would want a higher Math score.

Are you OOS or International? If so, that you help you also along with your EC’s but the most emphasis will be placed on GPA/Test scores and your personal insight essays. For CS, I think the decision will be 50/50.

Best of luck.

@Gumbymom do they admit first then by major? What happens if I get in but not for computer science?

Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Freshmen who are interested in a BSOE program should be sure to indicate a BSOE proposed major. Students who do not indicate a BSOE program or who apply as undeclared might not be able to pursue a BSOE program.
The Computer Science major is highly selective.

Make sure you select an alternate major non-engineering just in case.

Select a non-engineering alternate? What if I select one that’s less competitive if the technology and information major is less competitive. Taking the sat again Friday praying I do good.

Remember that when applying to UCSC, you are applying to a “proposed major” and you still have to declare you major after you meet the course and GPA requirements to declare. If you select another BSOE major, there is a chance you will not get into UCSC

@Gumbymom do you know what other UC accept first then major? thanks for your help

UCI and UCSD accept into the University first and then into the major. Both schools recommend if applying for a selective/capped major, you select a non-selective/non-capped major as an alternate.

Do you think if I chose Technology and Information management as my first choice (I’m assuming it’s not as competitive) it would be easier to transer to comp sci because it’s in the engineering college?

@Gumbymom

NVM it says u must be accepted to UCSC as a proposed Comp Sci Major.

From UCSC website:

Declaration of the Computer Science Majors

Students interested in pursuing computer science must indicate computer science as a proposed major on their application for admission to UCSC. Students admitted to UCSC in Fall 2018-2019 will be able to declare a computer science major only if they have been admitted to UCSC as proposed computer science majors.

@Gumbymom This kind of sucks is computer engineering less competitive or the same?

@Gumbymom or applying to Technology and Information management and transferring to comp engineering

I believe all the Engineering majors are competitive. You have to decide what is more important, getting into UCSC or into your choice major.

My younger son wanted to pursue CS only, so he applied to a variety of schools so he would have a good chance of being accepted as s direct admit into CS. You do not need to attend a UC to do well post graduation as a CS major. School name is not as important as your job skill set for most employers.

@Gumbymom thanks for your help