Intended Major(s): Comp Sc, Comp Eng, Aerospace Eng
GPA, Rank, and Test Scores
Unweighted HS GPA: 3.78
UC Unweighted HS GPA: 3.68
UC Weighted capped HS GPA: 4.05
UC Weighted uncapped HS GPA: 4.23
Class Rank: N/A
ACT/SAT Scores: 1500 best, 1530 superscore
List your HS coursework
(Indicate advanced level, such as AP, IB, AICE, A-level, or college, courses as well as specifics in each subject)
English: English 11 (B, B+), English 12
Math: (including highest level course(s) completed) : AP Calculus AB (A+), AP Calculus BC
Science: (including which ones, such as biology, chemistry, physics): AP Physics 1 (A), AP Physics C (A), Chem Honors (B, B+)
History and social studies: US History (A+), Econ/Govt
Language other than English: (including highest level completed): Spanish 3 (A)
Visual or performing arts: Architecture 1
Other academic courses: AP CSE (A+), Honors Digital Electronics (A, B), AP CS-A Java
From other colleges (Include college courses taken while in high school if not included above.): Life in Universe (4.0)
Awards
Extracurriculars (Include leadership, summer activities, competitions, volunteering, and work experience)
Tutoring & Volunteering at local library
Game Development Club at HS for 2 years
CS 50 from Harvard edX
Learning programming, arduino & robotics on own
Participation in various math competitions, but no awards
Taekwondo & Swimming, but no awards
Essays/LORs/Other (Optionally, guess how strong these are and include any other relevant information or circumstances.)
Essay: Above Average
LORs: Average
Schools (List of colleges by your initial chance estimate; designate if applying ED/EA/RD; if unsure, leave them unclassified)
Not aiming for a scholarship
Assured (100% chance of admission and affordability):
Extremely Likely: UCM
Likely: UCR, UCSC, Cal Poly Pomona, WPI, UPitt
Toss-up: UCD, SJSU, Santa Clara Univ, Purdue, Virginia Tech, UMass, Penn State
I would also suggest applying to Pitt as soon as the applications go live. They have rolling admissions so you will receive a decision rather quickly. You probably will have a decision before the ED and EA deadlines for applications happen.
Based on Freshman admission by discipline | University of California , your 4.05 weighted-capped GPA suggests that UCM is likely, UCR and UCSC seem to be in the toss-up range, and UCD, UCI, UCSB, and UCSD are lower probability at best. At many of these campuses, computer science and engineering majors are more selective.
Based on Freshmen Impaction Results | Admissions , SJSU is low probability for computer science or computer engineering and likely for aerospace engineering, assuming that your math GPA (added for engineering majors) is 4.0.
Based on CPP Freshmen Student Profile: Multifactor Admission , CPP is lower probability for aerospace engineering, mechanical engineering, or computer science, but toss-up to likely for computer engineering.
For any of the out-of-state schools with early action, apply early action. Some fill up their class or popular majors in the early round, making the regular round much more selective.
Note that Purdue, Virginia Tech, Penn State, and Washington admit engineering majors to first year undeclared engineering; students then need to go through secondary admission for specific majors. The first three have specific college GPAs that automatically admit, but Washington does not.
What do you mean Purdue, Virginia Tech, Penn State have specific college GPAs that automatically admit? Do you mean if the student has a specific eng major in mind, and have a certain GPA; the student will get the major of his choice?
Yes, the first year undeclared engineering student who takes the specified courses and earns the specified college GPA in them is automatically admitted to the major. Last I checked, the needed college GPA was 3.2 at Purdue, 3.0 at Virginia Tech, and varies by major at Penn State. But check on the schools’ web sites for current information on this matter.
I like it but I think you may UMass and Va Tech, you might be slightly optimistic. Purdue very optimistic.
Maybe add an Arizona or ASU or Oregon State which has WUE but is in budget regardless. Unless, of course, you are ok with UCM. You could always add these late if needed.
Two things you have going for you.
You can afford to be full pay OOS
INTL students - if they stop coming.
Ps - your stats would get you HUGE automerit, for example, Alabama would be 20k ish after $30,500 off so that’s another ‘safe’ option.
Just a note that Purdue is direct entry for CS in the College of Science.
If you opt to apply to the College of Engineering for Computer Engineering or Aero, then you are admitted to First Year Engineering and will need a 3.2 GPA in your first year stem courses at Purdue, to be guaranteed admission to your intended major. It’s typically a pretty seamless transition. You can read about their Transition to Major (T2M) process here: Transition to Major - School of Engineering Education - Purdue University
I would lean UMass for CS and Va Tech in the reach category, especially UMass and Purdue as unlikely.
Just my opinion.
In the end you need just one. If UCM and CPP will make you happy, then apply where you feel best. The worst the others can say is no but you still have those two. But if you have zero interest in those two, then why have them on the list ?
I mentioned Bama solely because your stats bring you to $30500 a year off so about $20k all in. It’s a great deal - but all your schools, except potentially Santa Clara, will hit budget.
Seriously consider ED to Santa Clara since your budget is pretty close to their COA. But I understand it is a tough decision. Another option is to wait for EA results in December and then use ED 2 for Santa Clara.
If transferring colleges from exploratory studies is not a concern add colorado. Also RPI.
Where would RPI sit in in terms of probability? I think it will be toss up at best, but judging from the comments here; I feel I need more safety schools.
Also are you talking about univ colorado boulder? I am not familiar with it, and hence not sure about what you mean by transferring colleges from exploratory studies.
Yes. University of Colorado, Boulder. They usually put students in exploratory studies and it is a reasonable effort to change to engineering after first year.
Oregon State would be another school to add as others have suggested.
On the flip side at holistic schools (for example berkeley), admission is still possible as they look deeper into your coursework, essays and extra curriculars and not just GPA. Your challenge would be to build a list with more such schools.
It’s true that UCB is very holistic, but with the listed UC GPAs, it would be a super reach for the stated CS/engineering majors. The OP would have to make an exceptionally strong case for themselves in their PIQs and ECs.
Typically, CA applicants with stronger SAT than GPA will find greater success at out of state schools that can see the SAT.