I applied for computer science major.
I have 3.9 unweighted GPA and 4.1 weighted UC GPA
My best SAT is 1320
APs: 4 comp sci, 3 world history, and planning on taking physics 1, calc AB, gov
For extra curricular I am in a few clubs, in JROTC program, and was president for some of those activities.
I got weightlisted recently for UCDavis, so I don’t feel secure about UCI.
Average UC GPA for CS 2018 admits: 4.12.
Average SAT for CS 2018: 1443.
Your GPA is on target but your SAT is below the average. I would say 50/50 chance at UCI. CS just happens to be one of the most competitive majors at all the UC’s. Do you have any backup schools?
My backup schools are Santa Cruz, Riverside and SLO. I got in both UC but still waiting on SLO. Also, is Irvine admission for CS harder than Davis?
@pleaseaccept123: UC Davis does not list their average UC GPA or SAT scores for admitted CS majors. Also CS at UCD is found in the College of Letters and Sciences and along with the College of Engineering so it can depend upon which CS major you applied at UCD. UCD’s overall acceptance is slightly higher than UCI’s but it really depends upon what each school is looking for in an applicants besides GPA and test scores. CS in general is not an easy admit. I believe you will get accepted into UCI but not into the CS major. Did you list an alternate major?
I’m not sure if there’s a difference but I put computer game science.
Computer game science admitted students had an average UC GPA of 4.11 and SAT of 1457, so it probably does not make a difference.
@Gumbymom I have a quick question. I applied for all the waitlist for Irvine, Davis, and San Diego, but now I have to admit one of the colleges I was accepted into. I have the choice between UC Santa Cruz and UC Riverside. Do you have any thoughts on which school and environment is best for pursuing computer science?
@pleaseaccept123: Have you visited UCR and UCSC? Completely different environments and vibe along with opposite locations but academics are good at both schools.
UCR is inland so it can get hot and a smaller UC campus.
Advantage if you got a direct admit into CS.
Closer to cities where internships will be available.
ABET accreditation although not as important for CS vs. engineering
Housing probably cheaper.
Academics, see link below for comparison.
https://student.engr.ucr.edu/majors/2018%20ENCS%202.pdf
UCSC is near the coast, absolutely beautiful campus but slightly isolated.
You still have to declare the CS major after taking foundation classes.
San Jose and Silicon Valley nearby for internships.
Not ABET accredited
Housing issues and can be expensive.
Edited: Posted wrong link. https://registrar.ucsc.edu/catalog/archive/16-17/programs-courses/program-statements/cmps.html
Ultimately it is up to you where you would like to spend the next 4 years. Neither is a bad choice.
What do you mean when you said “You still have to declare the CS major after taking foundation classes”
For UCSC, you are accepted into the “proposed major”. You need to take the following classes and with a specific GPA to declare the major.
Admission to the computer science majors is selective. Admission to the major is based on the grades received in all foundation courses (see below) attempted at UCSC and will be considered no sooner than the student’s second quarter. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.80 in these courses is required for declaration of computer science majors (Computer Science B.S. and Computer Science B.A.). At most one unsuccessful attempt (grade C-, D+, D, D-, F, or NP) for a foundation course is permitted. In addition to this GPA requirement, after the first three quarters, students must have completed all of the foundation courses (listed below) in order to be eligible to declare a computer science major. Denials of admission to the major may be appealed by submitting a letter to the School of Engineering Undergraduate Office, addressed to the Computer Science Undergraduate Director, describing why the prior performance is not an accurate reflection of the student’s potential. Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the student, college, and Office of the Registrar of the decision.
Foundation Courses
The foundation courses for all computer science majors are as follows:
CMPS 12A/L (or Computer Engineering 13, or both CMPS 5J and CMPS 11) and 12B/M; Computer Engineering 16; and Mathematics 19A and 19B, or 20A and 20B, or 11A and 11B. CMPS 13H/L may be used instead of both CMPS 12A/L and 12B/M.
UCSC students that have completed three or more quarters at UCSC must complete the foundation courses before they can declare a computer science major.