<p>I visited the campus last year and it was great. I applied ED to engineering with a 3.59/1370 so im about in the same boat as you regarding acceptance/denial chances. </p>
<p>The only thing bad I can think of to tell you about the school is that it is not located close to any big cities or cultural centers, but this isnt necessarily a bad thing and didnt stop me from applying early decision. </p>
<p>In my opinion you should apply early decision for all of the reasons you listed. I also had some issues with my application and through calling admissions I figured out how to make changes to it after submission. Follow the directions carefully on this page. </p>
<p>i also have a question regarding sending in my scores. i took them in june yet i never sent them? should i send them now? do they have to be in Nov 1 for ED???</p>
<p>There are 2 negatives: It is difficult and getting more so as classes are cut to graduate in 4 years and tuition is being aggressively raised as California sinks deeper and deeper into the fiscal ooze. Put those factors together, add in the ready availability of financial aid at private schools and all of a sudden they don’t look like such a bad deal any more. That said Cal Poly still ROCKS.</p>