Hi,
I am really interested in both computer hardware and software and would like to go to Cal Poly. They offer the following majors that are related to my interests : 1-Software engineering 2- Computer science 3- Computer engineering. Can you please list these in order of selectivity?
Most selective to least: CS/CSE/SE
Historically CS has been the most selective and SE the least selective, but that is not necessarily how it will be this year - it seems like several applicants are intending to apply to SE since it has historically been an easier admit. If the university receives a disproportionately higher number of applicants to SE this year though, it could tip the other direction. Too bad we don’t have a crystal ball!
Isn’t CS the most selective because it is the easiest of them all?
Don’t quite understand what you mean about CS? CS is the most selective, so it requires top grades and SAT/ACT scores. You are saying the CS is an easy major academically??
I am just asking the question why CS is the most selective of them all. I think it might be because the CSE and SE as any engineering major are more difficult.
SE and CSE are probably no more difficult than CS. CS is probably the most selective since that receives more applicants than CSE and SE combined. CS has approximately 3569 applicants for 140 spots, CSE had 1550 applicants for 115 spots and SE had 371 applicants for 44 spots based on SLO yield projections.
What do you think if I choose Computer science as my first choice major and Software engineering as my alternate major? Would that be a smart choice? I have a 32 on the ACT and a 4.4 CSU GPA.
SE is a newer major and not as well known as CS so CS gets more applicants almost 10x more and so for that reason is more difficult to get accepted into. They are both in the same school and have very similar classes. Staff has told my SE student it would be easy to switch into CS as courses are similar first two years. Because SE is an engineering major it requires more math which some students may think makes it a harder major.
@parsi7 in the past Poly has not considered alternate major—not sure if that is changing this year. You might call admissions and check on that.
@Dadfan On my application, they asked me to indicate a second choice major, so I assume they do. I will look into it though.
Last year SLO did consider alternate majors but mainly in the less selective majors (Not Engineering/Architecture/Business etc…). They could possibly consider alternates when they need to fill spots. Most of the CSU’s will ask for an alternate major but only a few actually consider the applicants alternate. Cal Poly Pomona is one CSU that does.
How selective is Environmental Engineering when compared to other engineering majors at SLO?
Environmental Engineering projected acceptance rate is around 22%.
What is the projected acceptance rate for computer science and computer engineering?
Projected CS acceptance rate is 12% and CSE is 22%. Remember these are projected so much will depend upon the # of applicants for each major.
Do you know what it is for Software engineering?
SE projected acceptance rate is 35%. I expect that it will be lower this year since it seems like more applicants will be applying for SE vs CS, since CS is super selective.
Wow. How much do employers prefer CS over SE? Is it harder to get into graduate school as a SE major?
Head of department indicated that SE major was designed to better meet employer needs as the software industry has evolved. Employment prospects for both majors are strong.
@Gumbymom, do you know the admission rates for Biochemistry and Civil Engineer by any chance?
Thank you!