We live in CA, and have a Junior with a 3.6, but a pretty poor test score. Looking at our options, while trying to keep costs to a minimum, wondering what current schools on WUE are test optional. Trying to get updated information. Thanks.
In state, non impacted majors at non impacted CSUs are test optional for frosh applicants with CSU recalculated GPA >= 3.0. Other CSUs may admit even with a low test score (what is the test score?). UCs also emphasize GPA over test score, so UCM or UCR may be within reach.
Many WUE schools are not that selective, so even if they are not test optional, 3.6 GPA with a low test score may be admitted. For example, NAU is not test optional, but recalculated 3.0 GPA is auto admit for frosh, regardless of test score.
This website will list all test optional schools: https://www.fairtest.org/university/optional
How poor is poor test scores?
Cal states admit by eligibility index and major so a high GPA could make up for a low test score.
Cal states use a capped weighted GPA with up to 8 semesters of honors points for UC approved Honors, AP, IB or DE courses taken 10-11th grades.
Here is the CSU GPA calculator and Eligibility index calculator: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index
As stated above, non-impacted majors and campuses will accept in-state applicants with a minimum EI of 2900. So if he has a CSU capped weighted GPA and plug this into the EI calculator (CSU GPA x 800) + (SAT Math + EBRW), his EI without an SAT score is already 2880.
He should have plenty of options in-state depending upon his intended major.
Non-imapcted CSU’s include Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, Bakersfield, Stanislaus, San Francisco State (most majors), Humbdolt (most majors). See impacted campus/majors below:
https://www2.calstate.edu/attend/impaction-at-the-csu/Documents/ImpactedProgramsMatrix.pdf
His SAT score is currently around the 1000 mark. Thanks for the CS school info. Any thoughts for out of state schools? Thanks again.
My senior son sounds similar (with a 3.67 GPA and an 1100 SAT). We are also in CA. He has ultimately decided to go to community college for a couple of years and then transfer, but he was admitted to Cal State East Bay and will likely also be admitted to San Francisco State and Sonoma State. The higher GPA helps compensate for the lower SAT score with the CSU schools.
For out of state, we looked at Washington State, Oregon State, University of Nevada Reno, Arizona State and Northern Arizona University. It looked like he qualified as an automated admit at them all based on his GPA and that same GPA also got him the WUE rate at most of these schools.
Colorado Mesa University isn’t test optional, but that SAT would probably be enough.
https://www.coloradomesa.edu/
Grand Junction is a fun growing town.
Another idea is U of New Mexico. https://scholarship.unm.edu/scholarships/index.html
If the SAT could be improved a bit you might even get instate tuition.
Well good news is that all the PAC 12 schools are visiting his HS this week to do a mini college fair, so I will be asking many questions.