San Jose State University is full; it's at capacity and now, for the first time, the school is considering not giving admission preference to Santa Clara County students.
"Now San Jose State University will have one standard for students no matter where they're from. For many, many years, our entire history as far as we know, we tried very hard to offer admission to all CSU eligible students from Santa Clara County," said Pat Lopes Harris, the SJSU spokesperson.
That meant local students only needed roughly a 2.0 GPA and a 1300 on their SATs. While others applying needed at least a 3.0 GPA and higher test scores.
The university expects to turn away 1,400 area high school and community college transfer students this fall because of the new guidelines.
"Our hand is being forced by the budget situation," said Harris.
The situation is devastating to San Jose High School seniors desperate to get into this school.
"I only applied to San Jose State, being my first choice," said Eddie Gamboa, a Overfelt High School senior. "That was encouraging me to be like, 'OK, if I do good throughout my high school years, then I have a big chance of going to college simply because they're giving that priority to local students.'"
"I have been doing everything that's required to get into it and now that I'm finally there, it's like, 'Oh, you don't know if you'll get accepted.' It's like, 'OK? Can someone tell me that earlier?'" said Jasmine Munoz, a Willow Glen High School senior.
But those who expected a smooth transfer from San Jose City College in the future are taking the possible changes in stride.
"That just life. Maybe it's better for me to get a 3.0 than a 2.0 to get into state," said Anthony Castillo, San Jose City College student.
"Might not be what I want to happen. I don't think it's fair that they're raising the bar, but if I want to get in, that's what I'm going to have to do," said Aaron Moorman, a San Jose City College student.
Officials here will make a final decision on the admissions policy late Friday afternoon, after a conference call with the CSU chancellor.
