MCA scores and admission decisions timeline

timell
Sat, 24 Nov 2018 01:31:55 +0000

OOS student trying to decipher the admissions timeline.

If it’s true that Cal Poly uses MCA for all/most of the admission decisions, why does it take so long to release the decisions if the applications are due on 11/30? (wouldn’t it just be a sorting of the MCA scores as some have suggested, modulo the checking for accuracy and completeness of the application)

If it’s more than just the MCA, what other factors are believed to be factored into the decisions?

Another philosophical question that I have is how can you use GPAs in the MCA calculation if the GPAs between high schools have different levels of rigor? (attending a “difficult” school and receiving a top education, top SAT score, but a low GPA because the grading standards are very high).

Conversely, I know that standardized tests (SAT, ACT) take care of variation in academics between schools but a one time sitting for an exam may also not be a true measure of a student’s aptitude.