Hello, I’m having trouble forming my list. Here’s my scores:
CSU gpa: 3.5
SAT: 1780 (560 R, 690 M, 530 W)
ACT: 26 (24 Eng, 28 M, 26 R, 26 Sci 22 W)
Cali resident
Desired major is Comp Sci, but maybe Acounting
Any help would be awesome! I want to go to SDSU, but seems like a reach. Thanks!
Cal States except for Cal Poly SLO admit by major and the eligibility index.
(CSU GPA x200) + (ACT comp x10) or (CSU GPA x800) + (SAT Math + CR).
Your EI’s are 960/4050
For the best chances at SDSU, you want EI’s around 1000/4100 so you are close. SDSU is definitely worth an application. I would also consider Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Fullerton and San Jose State.
For SJSU, you might want to consider Software Engineering instead of CS since it is an easier admit.
Do you think picking a different major would increase my chances at SDSU? And also, do you think having a backup would be beneficial (my backup is CSULA), because I feel like I would be admitted to at least Fullerton or something. Thanks!
With the competitiveness of all the California schools especially schools like SDSU, you should have several schools on your list. 2 safeties, 2-3 Match schools and 1-2 Reach schools. Switching majors at SDSU could be problematic since all majors are impacted, so I always recommend applying for your 1st choice major. It is much easier to switch out of a competitive major than to switch into it.
CSULA would be a good safety school and you have good chances at all the other schools I listed in my original post. Here is a list of the impacted campuses/majors if you want to have some solid backup schools.
https://www.calstate.edu/sas/documents/impactedprogramsmatrix.pdf
Ok, so far, my list is as follows:
Cal Poly Pomona
CSULB
SDSU
CSULA
is this a good list? I’m willing to pay for an extra fee waiver, since we get four applications for free.
Thanks!
What criteria do you have for choosing a school, other than admission chances and whether your intended majors are offered or impacted? For example, do you prefer it to be in a specific area or commuting distance from where you live?
In terms of cost, you can use the CSU net price calculator at http://www.csumentor.edu/finaid/pais/ to estimate financial aid and net price.
If you are going for CS, I would add 1-2 more schools for good measure. What is your local CSU, since you will have priority? As @ucbalumnus posted, is there any other criteria you are looking for in a school? I understand if there are cost constraints, but applying for only 4 schools (especially for CS) can be risky.
I second the idea you should apply to one more program like SJSU’s Software Engineering major and one at the “less selective/not selective” CSUs, unless CSU LA is your local CSU in which case you’re good on that account.
@ucbalumnus I don’t think area matters too much, but I would prefer a nice campus with a good and respectable program. Also, I would like to stay in SoCal, but I’m also interested in SJSU.
@gumbymom My local CSU is CSULA, so I think I’m okay on that. I’m guaranteed acceptance there. The only problem with applying to two more is that I would have to pay for the application price. Criteria is above ^
@MYOS1634 I’ve already applied to both CPP and CSULB and planning to apply to CSULA cause it is my local school. I just don’t know if I have a good chance of making it in either of them.
My options are these:
Thank you guys for replying, you guys are really a big help! 
I’d go with number 3: apply to both and pay the extra $55 if you have them. If it’s going to cut on food or necessities, I’d go with option number 1.
Number 4 only if you can earn the extra $55 relatively easily.
Alright, I think I’ll do #3, since its the safest route. Thanks!
Are CSULA, CPP, and CSULB within reasonable commuting range (in LA traffic)? Or would you have to live there? Living there would cost more (though remember that living at your parents and commuting costs are non-zero), so if the $55 application fee is a bother, you and your parents may want to carefully go over the finances involved (and see the net price calculators). Presumably, SDSU and SJSU would require living there.