I graduated high school in 2009 and have been working since. I have just recently decided to go back to school and would like to get straight into a 4 year state school (computer science). I just picked up my HS transcripts and my grades weren’t as good as i remembered them being. My grades fell from 3.2 to a 2.7 from freshman to senior year due to extenuating circumstances. Anyways, i ended up with a couple D’s senior year and my CSU unweighted GPA is 2.6 (not good i know). I’m certain i still meet a-g requirements. Im retaking my SAT three times by the end of 2015 to try and score as high as possible to raise my eligibility index for admission to Fall 2016 as a freshman. I am applying to CSUF and a few other state schools (reccomendations welcomed). Im mainly applying to CSUF because (aside from taking a liking to the school after visiting the campus and speaking to a few professors) i am in their local area (Corona Norco unified school district). I am hoping that being in the local admissions area combined with, what will be an above average SAT score (Im going to study my ass off for it) will help me to be admitted. Sorry for the rant lol. But any insight is greatly appreciated.
The CSU’s use the eligiblity index to rank applicants and they start accepting the highest EI for each major down until all the spots are filled. Your CSU GPA is very low for CSUF with their average unweighted at 3.48. Regardless of being local, it will still be a Reach. You want your EI of around 3800+ for a good chance at an acceptance. There is no reason not to apply and getting your SAT scores will definitely help, but just have a good backup schools on your list such as non-impacted campusues like Monterey Bay, Stanislaus, San Marcos, Channel Islands, Humboldt.
I wish you good luck and get those scores up especially if you plan to major in CS. You might also want to consider attending a CC for 2 years, use the articulation agreements available and transfer especially if you have been out of school for several years. A better transition back into the school mode.
Thank you for taking the time to share some insight with me @Gumbymom. I plan to apply to San Marcos as well. I was actually accepted there upon HS Graduation. I see that their CS is not actually impacted which is news to me. I was told different from a counselor there and she seemed to put more weight on being in their local area. I will also check into the other schools you mentioned. Even with perfect SAT my EI would only be around 3600. I was given an EI from a Fullerton Counselor of 3450 which was used as their 2015 freshman admittance. But i know even reaching that would be just a little out of reach realistically. Thank you again.
Many schools (Fullerton included) have gotten more selective in the last 5 years. it is quite possible that someone admitted 5-6 years ago would be rejected today.
If you are local, you will be held to a lower standard than applicants 3450 sounds about right (for locals). Looks like that would take a heck of an SAT (1450/1600) for you to get there. Apply and see what happens.
No reason not to apply to a few of the less selective CSUs in the same cycle, to keep your options open.
At the same time, take a look at CCs, you’ll save lots of $ while you churn through your GE and get back into the school groove.
You’ve take the first step on a long path. Expect a few set backs on the way.
Good luck
@NCalRent I’m very aware of the schools becoming more selective in the last 5 years. I was actually accepted to 3 out of 4 CSU’S that i applied to senior year. Provisional acceptances to CSUF/CSUM/CSUSB and a denial to SDSU. And when trying to get back in to CSUF and CSUSM my stats as they are now aren’t even close lol. And yes a 1450 would be tough as i stated earlier, but is a goal that i can strive for and definitely not impossible. And with a little luck you never know!
I actually accepted the provisional offer to CSUSM, signed an 11 month lease in San Marcos, moved in and got a job down there. Only to get an email of a rescinded offer because my transcripts never made it to the school. This happened to my girlfriend (at the time) and I. Talk about a tough lesson learned haha.
Anyways here I am. Ive accepted the fact that i may be at a CC next year, but wanted to give it my best shot at a 4 year before doing so. But thank you for the good luck and the reply, hopefully the hard work I put in from now until acceptance letter time will not be wasted. Otherwise i would just start at my local CC this fall.
According to the CSU Impacted program matrix for 2014-2015, CS is impacted at CSUF.
https://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/impactedprogramsmatrix.pdf
I was saying that the fact that its not at CSUSM is news to me @Gumbymom
What do you think my chances of getting into CSUSM are?
Everything’s impacted at CSUF lol @Gumbymom
Sorry, misread the post. You would have a much higher chance at an acceptance at CSUSM vs. CSUF since it not impacted along with the other non-impacted Cal States if you still want to enter a 4 year university vs. transferring from a CC. If you cannot get into a 4 year program, you always have the CC route as your backup.
No worries @Gumbymom and thank you