I’m wondering if students with higher-than-average-for-SLO GPAs and strong ECs, etc. can still get into Cal Poly Slo without the 5 years of English and Math and 4 years of a language. Are they so impacted that they automatically turn away students that don’t have those? Thanks!
All you can do is apply and see.
My daughter got into a school with less than the recommended language but her high school cancelled the next year.
Her counselor and she both noted it. Is that why she got in or would she have gotten in without the note, just taking less than required? One will never know.
If you want SLO, apply - and see - just make sure you have a balanced list.
Recommended is meant to be seen as required but you’ll still be considered without.
Bottom line - if you don’t apply, you’ll never know.
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If nothing has changed substantively since 2013, and beyond a few minor tweaks, there’s no reason to believe they have, recommended classes are important to achieving a high MCA score. You can skip one, maybe even two and still get the maximum rigor score, but doing so is playing with fire for the most competitive majors.
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D23 was waitlisted (but ultimately not admitted) with just 4 years of English/Math and 2 years of LOTE for a competitive major at CPSLO (Marine Sciences).
So in answer to your question, I don’t think it’s an ‘automatic’ no, but likely applicants who had the bonus years had the edge that got them in.
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It’s not an auto-reject, but if you want to be a highly competitive candidate, then you should try to take the recommended classes. If you’re missing one or two, you may be fine. If you’re missing them all, then you’re going to have a tough time getting admitted, even with a high GPA and strong ECs. If SLO is your top choice, do your best to take all recommended courses to give yourself the best shot.
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Thank you! I’m a little confused about whether 9th grade courses count or not. Is it that they don’t factor in the grades, but do factor in the classes you completed? Thanks for any insight.
They count. They factor into both GPA and course work completed.
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Yes, 9th grade classes absolutely count for course completion. And 8th grade, too, if its a required/recommended course… For example, many kids take Algebra 1 in middle school; some may also start foreign language in middle school.
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For the Freshman Class of 2028, on the decision template I added the # of years for each of core course categories to get an idea if meeting the SLO recommendations makes a huge difference in their decisions by having the 5 Years English and 4 Years FL. For the posters that listed their information, more students had the 4 years FL vs. 5 years English but plenty of admitted students had 4 years English and 3 years FL. Since not all admitted students post in College confidential it is really hard to come to any conclusions.
If possible, meet the SLO recommendations but it is not a make or break situation if you cannot.
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Thank you - so helpful!
I found the Cal Poly Admissions team to be very approachable and responsive to questions. Here is their contact info: Contact Admissions | Cal Poly
Also, right before the application deadline, they held a couple of Zoom How to / Q&As for applicants in November. It was nice that during the Zoom, they offered 1:1 breakout sessions if applicant had specific question/difficulty with filling out the application.
The trick to finding these Zooms was that it was in the Visit Cal Poly section Visit | Cal Poly Check back in October for November dates.
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Just to clarify, some middle school classes count as courses, but not in the GPA. 
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In my opinion, their GPA calculation and high GPA ranges quoted in their student profile makes them a competitive school to apply and get admitted.
Unlike the UCs, they consider grades from 9th in their GPA calculation. A lot of students have a not so smooth transition from junior high to high school with a few B’s in the 9th grade making them not competitive for SLO.
Adding more language courses can reduce GPA as well, since the denominator in the weighted capped GPA will increase.
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I depends completely on the major. In the CENG the 25th percentile GPA is 4.13. The more competitive majors will be higher.
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@Wanderlust22 The “Virtual Application Workshops” sessions are posted here Cal Poly Tours - It looks like every Thu 2PM or 3PM PST & Fri 3PM until Thanksgiving.
This is a 60-minute virtual application workshop, hosted over Zoom by a Cal Poly Admissions Officer. You will have a chance to ask application questions. We recommend you create a Cal State Apply account and begin your application prior to attending this workshop. You may save your application’s progress, but please do not submit the application prior to this virtual workshop.
S24 found it super helpful for his specific questions.
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