Cal Poly Admissions Selection Process Explained

<p>A Cal Poly student recently did his Senior Project on the criteria for admission. The process that Cal Poly uses to select its students is called the Multiple Criteria for Admission (MCA). </p>

<p>Here are some highlights from the report:
Cal Poly uses four main categories to determine whether to admit a student. These categories are weighted and they are listed below.
GPA: 45-55%
CSU Course Requirements: 10-19%
SAT/ACT: 25-35%
EC’s: 1-10%</p>

<p>Students who surpass the university’s requirements are awarded extra points. These points are awarded under the CSU Course Requirements category. Students who take more semesters than required in specific categories are awarded extra points. The maximum number of points that can be earned in each section are listed below:</p>

<p>English (10 Semesters; 100 Bonus Points)
Algebra (4 ; 0 Bonus Points)
Geometry (2 ; 0 Bonus Points)
Foreign Language (8 ; 100 Bonus Points)
Lab Science (8 ; 200 Bonus Points)
History (4 ; 0 Bonus Points)
Performing Arts (4 ; 50 Bonus Points)
Advanced Math (4 ; 500 Bonus Points)</p>

<p>Here’s the link to the project: <a href=“http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=statsp[/url]”>http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=statsp</a></p>

<p>The MCA is described on pages 4 to 6.</p>

<p>Still doesn’t explain why I was waitlisted.</p>

<p>/rant</p>

<p>Cal Poly has a history of waitlisting overqualified applicants, so that may have been the reason why you were waitlisted.</p>

<p>What about for transfers?</p>

<p>I took 4 years of English plus a beginning composition class, would that count as 10 semesters? Great study btw, will help a lot of people on this forum!</p>

<p>His report is missing some factors. I don’t feel to mention what he left out though.</p>