i was baffled by all the high test scores listed here but then… i realized Cal Poly uses Super Scores ~!~
my kid only took the SAT once so i didn’t even think about that aspect…i’m assuming lot of the high test scores are ‘combined’ rather than one setting like the UC uses ?? that’s another lesson for future applicants.
Alright that makes me relieved, thanks
@bigguy17 you are not bursting my bubble. I am still confused. Is it true that Cal Poly does NOT have essay questions? So what you submit is grades, test scores, correct? I also read that they don’t look at your extracurriculars…THEN how do they choose who to admit??? What is it based off…it is not like the normal UC app or Common App with mulitple essay questions, activity lists etc. Please let me know. I am looking for information that is all. And yes I know that computer science is a very tough major. I think for many it is luck of the draw with that major because it is so impacted everywhere…one needs to have a stellar application all the way around - including recommendations and amazing extracurriculars. Thanks for any information. Specifically interested in Cal Poly as to how they admit if they don’t ask for much on their app? Thanks!
Accepted for Economics, 4.33 GPA 36 ACT, In-State
@bigguy17 and unfortunately, even for athletes it isn’t enough anymore. If he was superstar enough to be recruited that is one thing, but other than that…being smart and playing sports won’t cut it for many schools. Again, the questions they think when looking to admit are what have you done (and I mean impactful) and what can you bring to my school. And while Hispanic is a “hook” - it appears that more and more “minorities” are applying to college so perhaps it is not as much a “hook” anymore. Thank you for any more information you can provide. Again was wondering specifically about Cal Poly and admissions.
@LvMyKids2 I was actually responding to someone who implied Cal Poly’s CS program wasn’t prestigious enough for high stats CS students. But no, Poly doesn’t look at essays and all the other stuff that UC’s and Ivy leagues schools do. I imagine they have a ton of high stats students. How they decide who gets a spot and who doesn’t among all the genius CS applicants is a mystery to me. I just know now that if my friend had applied for computer engineering instead of computer science, he would have had a much better chance at SLO.
@bigguy17 thank you! That is interesting. Can I ask what is the difference between the computer engineering and the computer science? Thank you again 
@Bigguy17, I’m not underestimating SLO’s CS program, or the quality of its student body. It’s top notch or I, as well as thousands of others, wouldn’t have applied.
What I am saying is I believe that the average ACT/SAT scores of those attending the program are not 35/1550 and there will be a lot more acceptances into the major with significantly lower scores.
Parent of a current Cal Poly computer science student here. Indeed there are some high stats applicants who will be admitted, but will decide to accept elsewhere. My own high stats son didn’t apply to UC’s or Ivy’s, but he did turn down other excellent direct admit offers from RPI, WPI, Northeastern, Case Western, Purdue & Rose Hulman. Cal Poly has been an excellent fit for him. Some people may see it as a safety for high stats students, but the location, class size, cost (even for us out of state) and the hands on experience make it a dream school for some - regardless of their stats. Best of luck to all who would find Cal Poly to be their perfect fit!
@KES2022 i believe what you are stating is probably true. The stats are different for Admits verus Enrolled. We may see very high GPAs and test scores of those ADMITTED, but I am sure many of them (not all) will end up attending other selective schools that they are admitted to. This could be due to a variety of reasons - costs, scholarship, better financial aid or bc they feel that the other school is “better” Therefore, the average SAT/ACT scores of those that actually ENROLL (attend) will be lower. I agree with @ts2918 that FIT is very important.
My oldest son had 3.7GPA(9-11th) ,28 or 29 (27 in English, 24 in Math) on ACT and only one AP class, he was accepted to Anthropology major last year. He heard from CalPoly as soon as they started releasing decisions(He declined the offer and is at a local community college with 3.9GPA, expected to get in most of the UCs he will be applying).
So I have no clue what their order was. My middle one applied for Economics with much higher stats than his brother has not heard anything yet this year.
Puzzled…
I have friends who have gotten in for perhaps less difficult majors but with significantly lower stats than the majority of us on here, I truly think it is random. My mom is best friends with a Cal Poly parent and she says when her daughter was accepted two years ago, the whole process was randomized. At least that is what I like to put my trust in so I don’t lose all hope!
D accepted for Architecture today, In-State
Does anyone know if the application date listed on the student center has anything to do with when we receive our decisions? My date currently says 11/13/2017
I applied for Economics
CS GPA: 3.86
SAT: 1420
AP 5 in APUSH
Full IB Candidate Predicted: 41
OOS for tuition purposes (International HS)
@jcraft18 Are you doing UWC?
My daughter was accepted for material engineering, in-state
@LvMyKid2 you can google it but I think computer engineering is more like integrating hardware and software and CS is more about algorithms and writing code and that kind of stuff. I’ve read dicusssions that really you can do computer science with CE degree but I don’t know enough about it. My friend only wanted CS. He was working with people writing programs while in high school. And he played soccer and was very good but had no interest in playing in college. My point was just he was this very well rounded student and was featured in a magazine and stuff like that. Most people who get into CS at any UC or MIT or SLO have like 35/1550 test scores or they don’t get in. The schools may make exceptions for females because they want more women in the STEMS and may be willing to take slightly lower scores in some cases to increase the diversity or whatever. IDK for sure but I’m guessing.
@bugabug The college of liberal arts were the first to release acceptances on Thurs. Remember that you only see those that chose to post on CC.
With that being said, as a woman applying to CE, I still haven’t heard yet… and I don’t think admissions will come out on weekends? Not sure. But my SAT Was 1300 and 4.2 GPA… I have no clue whether I got in or not. Just keeping my fingers crossed
Congrats on Ag Bus!
Can you tell me your unweighted gap and act or sat/
just wonder if I’m a candidate or not.
my gpa is good but my act is only 26 :0[