I am a senior at HTHCV and I am interested in becoming nurse, but I don´t think I am a very strong candidate for nursing programs in California. I have a 4.37 GPA and a 1100 on the SAT, will I get into CSULB, CSUF, SDSU, UCI, CSUSM, for nursing? I have a ton of extracurriculars, but they only matter for UCI.
- Is your 4.37 GPA your CSU/UC capped weighted GPA? If not, please calculate using this link:
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
- SDSU and CSU Fullerton admit by Eligibility index, so if your CSU/UC GPA is 4.37, your EI is 4596 which meets the minimum EI for both direct admit programs. Your SAT however is on the low side which lowers your chances even though your the 4.37 GPA is good. I suggest you retake your SAT and aim for a 1300+ for the best chances.
Below is the 2017 SDSU Nursing profile. 2018 data not available yet.
Average CSU GPA= 4.04
Average SAT= 1345
Average SAT Math= 676
Average SAT EBRW= 657
Average ACT= 29
UCI’s 2018 Nursing Stats:
Fall 2018 freshman applicants: 2,887
Fall 2018 freshman admissions: 72 (2.5% admitted)
Average UC GPA: 4.24 GPA
Average total SAT score (new version): 1332
I think your best chance is at CSU San Marcos which is a 2+2 program similar to CSULB. If you are able to increase your SAT scores, then you definitely have a better chance at getting into the other schools on your list. I would apply to as many Nursing programs that are affordable to increase your chances since all CSU and UC programs are impacted.
I would add a few from the following to your list: San Bernardino, Channel Islands, Chico, East Bay, Sacramento, Bakersfield and San Jose. All these are Pre-Nursing programs.
For Direct admit, look at Dominican University and Azusa Pacific University.
Best of luck, apply widely and remember there are different paths to get your goal. CC transfer to BSN program and a Post Bacc BSN program are others.
Thanks for replying! Yes my 4.37 is my UC/CSU gpa. Sucks to hear that my chances for sdsu and uci aren’t looking good, but I will definitely try to get my best score for the October 6th SAT. Since nursing is looking like I am going to struggle getting accepted to places, what about majoring in biology? Biology is my backup major, do you think I will get accepted to any of these schools if I declare it as my major?
Also I am interested in physiology. I know a lot of UC schools are good for physiology, does anyone have input on my chances of getting accepted to any UC for physiology?
For SDSU, you could get an acceptance for Biology but since Biology is the most applied major, it is not a guarantee. You however cannot do an internal transfer to their Nursing school so you would have to complete your degree and do a Post-Bacc Nursing program if that is your goal.
CSU Fullerton allows an internal transfer for Nursing, if you do not get accepted as a direct admit, so that might be an option.
I think for UCI, your SAT will still be an issue so definitely bumping your score will help.
UCI’s 25th-75th percentile for SAT scores last year was 1230-1490. Aim for at least 1300+.
Do you think I have a really good shot at getting accepted as a biology major at SDSU? Thanks for letting me know about fullerton’s internal transfer option. Also can you give me some insight on what I asked about physiology?
Your Eligibility index is 4596 so competitive for SDSU. There is no way to guarantee your admission since will you be ranked based on your EI and Biology major. They will accept from top EI down until all spots are filled. Much will depend upon how you compare to the other Biology applicants but I would say you have a very good chance.
Physiology is not a major at SDSU.
For the UC’s, it depends upon how the UC’s admit when it comes to Physiology. For UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, Neuroscience/Physiology etc… can be very competitive.
You are in good shape with your UC GPA, again it is your test scores that will be an issue since all the UC’s consider GPA, Test scores, HS course rigor and essays Very Important in their selection process.
Your SAT scores are below the 25th percentile for all the UC’s except UC Merced.
2018 UC capped weighted GPA averages:
UCB: 4.23
UCLA: 4.23
UCSD: 4.16
UCSB: 4.13
UCI: 4.13
UCD: 4.11
UCSC: 3.96
UCR: 3.81
UCM: 3.71
2018 Data:
25th - 75th percentiles for SAT:
UCB: 1360-1540
UCLA: 1340-1540
UCSD: 1300-1520
UCSB: 1270-1500
UCD: 1220-1480
UCI: 1230-1490
UCSC: 1210-1450
UCR: 1130-1380
UCM: 1020-1280
Below is how the UC’s admit Freshman:
UC admission by major:
UCB:
Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity.
Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared.
Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice, and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters.
The business major is in a separate division and admits students in a competitive holistic process. Frosh intending business majors begin in another division (usually L&S), take the business major prerequisites, and apply (usually in their second years). They also need to take prerequisites for a backup major in case they are not admitted to the business major.
All students who apply to UC Berkeley and select a major within the College of Natural Resources are evaluated based on their application, not on the particular major they select.
UCD:
Admission decisions are made based upon the qualifications of the applicant pool and the number of available spaces within each academic area:
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college
• College of Biological Sciences admits by college
• College of Letters and Science admits by division within the college
• (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
• College of Engineering admits by academic department
Students applying as “undeclared” or “undeclared/exploratory” are considered within the college/division to which they applied.
UCI:
- Freshman Selection:
UCI admits into the University first and then into the major. In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major or Undeclared.
UCLA:
For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant’s major is not considered during the review process. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs. The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application. The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.
UCSD:
The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. Alternate majors are considered and capped majors are highly competitive. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req courses and specific GPA to be able to qualify if changing majors.
UCSB:
College of Letters and Sciences: Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. The exceptions to this rule are dance and music performance majors. Both majors require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.
College of Engineering: Students are selected by major for all engineering and computer science majors. Only applicants with a solid background in advanced high school mathematics will be considered for admission to engineering. This includes high grades in all math courses through grade 11 and enrollment in pre-calculus or higher in grade 12. A student not selected for their first choice major will be reviewed for admission to an alternate major outside of the College of Engineering if one was selected.
College of Creative Studies:
Applicants to the College of Creative Studies submit a supplementary application in addition to the general UC Application, which is reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Students are selected within Creative Studies majors only. Applicants not selected for Creative Studies will automatically be considered for admission to the College of Letters and Science.
UCSC:
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.
UCR:
Admission by major but alternate/2nd choice major will be considered if applicant does not need their first choice admission standards.
For Business: Freshmen students must apply to Pre-Business under the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHASS). The College breadth requirements and the prerequisites for a Business major are completed during the freshman and sophomore years. An application is submitted at the end of the sophomore year. Upon acceptance, students become Business majors and are then advised in the Business Department. Students from any academic major may also complete a Business minor.
Thanks for the great advice! I’m sorry to bother you for another question, but do you have any advice on what to major in and where to attend if I want to become a physicians assistant?
You can apply to PA school with any major as long as you take the required pre-req courses. That said a STEM major will cover your pre-req’s but some like Biology do not make a good backup plan in case PA school is not possible. Also you need like 2000 hrs of on-hands direct patient contact. If you are leaning towards PA, then Nurse practitioner could be another option but then you need your BSN. Either path, BSN/NP or PA will be highly competitive.
Just to clarify, are you saying majoring in biology wouldn’t give me any good backup routes if becoming a PA doesn’t workout?
Would physiology be a lot better? Or what is your suggestion on majors I should consider to become a PA?