Yep - assumed that is what you meant. At least for 2023 and assuming the 3x rule applies to materials.
That reality stung a bit with a son who applied materials and heading to a waitlist/rejection. 
I really do not think that 70% number is accurate. That’s why I think it’s flawed to apply the 3X across the board. It just doesn’t track with what we know about SLO.
Aafat already corrected the math for you above, but no—the idea is that you take the target enrollment for first time freshmen and multiply 3 (since in theory they only get 1 in 3 admitted to actually enroll (but not sure sure because Cal Poly doesn’t tell us exactly what their yield is by major)), then divide by the number of first time applicants in that major.
Oops, my page had not refreshed and I didn’t see that @Gumbymom had already explained! So yes. What Gumbymom said. 
(Which is always a good rule of thumb to follow)
1 Like
Reputation is strong and loyal for those on west coast. With no PhD program, it’s not nationally ranked so east coasters don’t know the school as much. Curriculum is comparable to UC’s and the education and hands on approach is very true! Research, I can’t comment as much since my 2nd year daughter (business) doesn’t have a lot of research opportunities yet.
Overcrowding—- if you mean difficulty getting classes you need, the struggle is real!!! If can leave every day and time open, your chances will increase significantly to get what you want. However with freshman getting blocked in, athletes getting priority and other clubs (there so many clubs on campus) also getting priority, by the time you can register, you will likely be waitlisted on 2-3 classes. My daughter has junior standing and since there are pre reqs and some classes are not offered in spring, she was only able yo choose from 5 available classes for what she needs. Registers for 4, wait listed from 20-40 on waitlist. Since then, has been enrolled into 2, still waitlisted on 2. A bit nerve wracking gambling like this. Situation will get worse when they move to semester system, I’m guessing. Reasonable housing cost is another issue. If you can drive, way more options. But then not being guaranteed a parking permit on campus is an issue as well.
Despite all of this, it’s worth it. Cal poly is amazing and the all the good outweighs the negatives. Your student will have the time of their life here with an incredible education.
My daughter got in on 3/11. I hope you get good news too!
FYI, application to the Honors program is BY INVITATION only. They were sent out by Cal Poly admission last week.
I corrected myself. Listen people I get the math. It does not add up for several majors.
I think it’s an unproven theory and looking at some majors it doesn’t always make sense.
Still Haven’t heard. I’m guessing the odds are not in our favour. Thoughts?
Just curious if you feel the struggle to get classes and the waitlists will impact the ability to graduate in 4 years? Is the difficulty to get classes primarily the Gen-Ed type classes and intro level core classes or does it also include the classes within the major itself? (Son was accepted to business)
Really this issue is widespread at many of the larger public schools across the state and is most definitely not limited to SLO.
1 Like
Yes sorry, that was part of the page that didn’t refresh before I replied. Anecdotally though I think there ARE a few majors where you can expect a significantly easier time getting in. The issue is that you really do need to want to major in that thing! On our tour after my daughter was admitted, we talked to a family whose son had a pretty low GPA, few hours of ECs and had been admitted for Industrial Tech and Packaging. It’s in the college of business but clearly is a MUCH easier admit than business admin. He happened to luckily want to major in that field and there aren’t a lot of applicants. But possibly since it’s very specific and a good program that not a lot of schools have, their yield is a little higher than other programs. Who knows.
Like any school some majors are more impacted than others thus more difficult but I just think the 3X is likely not applicable across the board. While I do think it can be challenging to change majors it is certainly doable in many cases. My son’s friend is in the process and it wasn’t as challenging to get the approval as one would think. During admitted students day (weekend) I remember one of the administrators saying on stage that it’s sort of a myth that you can’t change majors at CP which is based on how they used to make it much more difficult than how they operate now.
1 Like
Agree – all that makes sense. But in the absence of anything else, it helps to have a proxy to get you in the ballpark. I always think people should at least understand that applying for the severely impacted majors like psychology, they should do the math and be realistic that their chances of getting in are very, very low at Cal Poly.
4 Likes
@GoldRush2 Just curious what that low gpa is that you mentioned. Do you happen to know if he was in state or OOS?
It was a year ago now, so I don’t remember well. He was in state, and I just remember that the UW gpa was much lower than my daughter’s and friends who had also been admitted (more like between a 3.25 and 3.5 UW), but I absolutely don’t remember specifically. There is always a range at all schools! And there are always exceptions to the average/median GPA at every school, even the most selective!
1 Like
My kid is a 3rd year - is in high unit major - came in with 4 community college courses, credits for English via AP test and took two classes in quarter plus - so had 21 units. She has also taken summer courses the last two years and is on track for graduating in 4 years. Taking courses in summer has been key to staying on track for her - she has had some key pre requisites she didn’t get during the regular year but was able to get in summer. But mostly if it’s a priority you can figure it out but may have to do some things you don’t really want - like 7am calculus 4 days a week and summer classes.
2 Likes
thx! One other quick question - how soon do the students have to pick one of the concentrations?
ETA: when I wrote this I jumped to the assumption your kid was a business student but maybe that’s not the case.
End of 2nd year they choose their concentration
1 Like
do we think that waitlists will be posted tomorrow based on past years timelines?
2 Likes