I’m thinking about applying to Cal Poly on an architecture major. I heard that Cal Poly is ranked at one of the top schools for the architecture major in general. Does anyone know if it is hard to get in with this major, and what they stress at Cal Poly in general? (academics vs activities)
Also, is it hard to get a scholarship if you’re out of state?
Here are the Stats for the Freshman Class of 2014:
Architecture & Env. Design: Applied:1,845 Accepted: 882
Avg CSU GPA: 3.90 Avg ACT: 28 Avg SAT (M+CR): 1280
Stats for Freshman Class 2015 will probably be higher.
Architecture is one of the more competitive majors at SLO so all you can do is apply and do your best.
Information for Scholarships: http://financialaid.calpoly.edu/_finaid/types_aid/scholarships.htm
As an OOS applicant, do not expect too much FA/Merit Aid from Cal Poly or any other California State public school since the majority of the aid will go to in-state students.
I would also encourage you to look through the 2019 Regular Decision thread and the 2014-2015 Early Decision thread to see the stats of those accepted into the architecture program. CSU GPA and SAT/ACT admit scores are increasing. If you are absolutely sure that CP is your top choice, I would strongly encourage you to apply early decision. This is your best chance to get accepted as the OOS applicant pool for architecture is smaller than regular decision.
Our kid is architecture OOS too, but don’t count on much in the way of scholarships from the school - couple thousand. Also very difficult to establish residency given the very restrictive provisions established by CA a few years ago, so plan on paying OOS tuition for all 4 or 5 years or seeking private or department-based scholarships in later years.
Wonderful architecture program and you can’t beat the “learn by doing” in this major. Think CP “slipped” to #2 (behind Cornell) this year, but relished the number #1 spot last year!
I got in to architecural engineering
my gpa was 4.1
and my sat score was 1780
its really really easy to get in, don’t stress
I wouldn’t say a program predicting an acceptance rate of less than 50% is “really really easy to get in.”
any extra curriculars? what’s your ethnicity?
@susie0102, ECs per se and ethnicity don’t matter at CP. They only count EC hours and work hours per week, during the year you apply. National President of an organization counts just the same as participant in the school band or chess club. It’s only about hours per week, period.
Ethnicity is not part of the CP admissions algorithm.
If you haven’t done it thus far, look up the “Confused About MCA Score” thread. It will give you a deeper insight into CP applications and a better understanding on why you can’t just compare “stats.”
Good luck!
@eyemgh how does ethnicity not matter?! 
California publics banned affirmative action, so ethnicity/race cannot be used in admission decisions.