You’re so right. We are better prepared this go around. I am also spending way too much time searching anything and everything 
Tis the season.
Just a heads up, it took two weeks to the day from the time I submitted my application until I received the login directions. I have seen this asked in past threads so I thought I would share it.
Two weeks exactly.
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Cal Poly provides practical education even in the upcoming AI era.
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any idea when decisions come out? IK it’s ‘by April 1’, but any other insight?
Decision Timeline for 2025
2025: A few International/US Abroad admits on February 11, 2025. Admits Friday March 14 6:15 PM PST including some Portfolio based majors. Admits Monday March 17. Waitlist on March 21 around 4 PM and rare denial. Mainly Denials, few Waitlists and Rare admits March 27, 2025 around 12:30 PM PST. Rare admit posted March 28. One International CE admit April 9, 2025.
2025 Waitlist: Admits Thursday May 1, May 2. Few admits (OOS) July 15 and denials.
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Does anyone know how rigor is factored into the admission formula?
For example, imagine two students take at least 5 years of math (max recommendation)
Student A: takes algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calcukus & BC Calc (planned senior year)
Student B takes all those courses plus takes Multivariable Calc, AP Stats, Differential Equations & Linear Algebra (planned senior year)
Are Students A & B rated the same because they both maxed out at 5 years of math or are the highest 5years of math considered and rated/weighted at a higher number?
I know the formula is secret and I’m not trying to figure it out, but I am curious how rigor factors into decisions or if it doesn’t at all.
Thanks for entertaining my strange question.
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Excellent question. Purely speculation, but I wonder if they use the MCA points first (or the current equivalent - GPA points + A-G course points + EC points - and then if there are students with equal points, then they drill down to compare the specific classes? I just don’t know how much time they spend on each application.
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In a session with an admissions officer, they did say that rigor is taken into account where it relates to major. But last week I saw that a trend in colleges overall this year (no idea about SLO) is to assess rigor based on what is available at their school which varies broadly. So my kid, that took Calc 3 at his high school, wouldn’t have an advantage over someone who finished Calc AB if that is the top in their smaller school. They are trying not to disadvantage people from small rural schools, for example.
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Thanks for that input. I know Equity is a top priority for CSUs, which is why they cap AP & honors extra gpa points.
But still wondering if they weigh multi-variable calculus course higher than pre-calculus.
While schools don’t offer all the same courses, many students go out if their way to take dual enrollment courses when a class isn’t offered.
Not trying to change any minds, but if a student has demonstrated an ability to do all the math required (let’s say for engineering) would that not matter?
Can you tell I am having a hard time with the lack of transparency in college admissions? 
Just saw your response. That makes sense.
Has the accept/decline button always been in the admissions tab or is that new?
It’s been there for us.
We don’t have that. Although this applicant portal is much more basic that other schools. At the bottom of the page, I have a link to the admissions website but not a tab. And no buttons.
How’s everyone holding up? 
The wait in this dead zone of responses is tough!
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This is not about admissions, but I did notice that there is more information available on the web site now about curriculum details for the planned semester system that begins fall 2026. I was able to find a draft 4 year plan for my D’s intended major, which was helpful.
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This March dead zone is so hard! DD is waiting on 4 schools and won’t have all answers until the end of the month. (I’m a planner so it’s probably making me more crazy than it is her!)
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Same boat. I will sure be glad when this is behind us.
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I just logged in to check any updates on Cal Poly SLO acceptances for 2026. I didn’t think they would be out yet but I have a few friends that are waiting for their kids. I was there waiting just like everyone else last year and we were checking daily. My daughter was accepted last year on Pi day! March 14th was the day she got her acceptance for Cal Poly SLO Mechanical Engineering and it was her dream school! I’m just here to say the wait is almost over! Hang in there everyone and good luck!!
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