I am a sophomore and really want to go to cal poly. I need all the tips I can get, I am going to major in Agriculture communications and Animal science or Agriculture science. Can my major effect my chances of getting in? I am in FFA and play two sports will that help as well? Please give me any advice I need any i can get. If i do not get into Cal Poly out of high school I will go to cuesta the community college there and try to get in from there any tips for that too?
Cal Poly SLO uses an MCA point score to determine admissions. GPA/SAT/ACT scores and HS course rigor are the important factors. They give bonus points for extra classes beyond the CSU minimum for Math/Science/English/Art.
Animal science is the most popular major in the School of Agriculture with around a 38% acceptance rate while Agri Comm has around a 60% acceptance rate.
You want to maximize the MCA points by having a high GPA (9-11th grades a-g courses), high test scores and extra Math and Science classes based on the scoring below. If SLO is your 1st choice school, then consider applying Early Decision. ED is binding meaning if accepted, you must attend. Applying ED also does not allow to compare financial aid packages from other schools, so make sure it is affordable.
To calculate your CP GPA use the CSU Mentor calculator but input 9-11th grades for your a-g courses. Add up to 8 semesters of Honors/AP classes points as instructed.
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/
EC’s count for only a small portion of the points.
This explains the MCA scoring:
The maximum GPA they will use is 4.2, even though you can have a higher calculated CP GPA. A 4.2 is worth 2250 MCA points. Thus, multiply your CP GPA by 535.7 and you’ll get your MCA points for GPA.
The next biggest thing is test scores. The odd thing, likely because they wanted it to total a nice round number, is that the max score is 1650, even though the max SAT score is 1600. Multiply the total of your best SAT CR and your best SAT math by 1.03125 to get your MCA test points. If you took the ACT, they convert and vice versa.
The third largest section is the class rigor score, worth 750 points. In this section you get zero points for meeting the minimum admission requirements and adders for more than the minimum. The bonuses in order of power are (min semesters/max total semesters/bonus per extra semester/total possible bonus): math 6/10/125/500 (note: stats and finite do not count), lab science 4/8/50/200, English 8/10/50/100, foreign language 4/8/25/100, visual performance 2/4/25/50, no bonus points for social sciences or electives. As with GPA, you can actually score higher than the maximum, but 750 is the most they will count.
Finally, work and ECs, worth 350 points. Work (hours per week/bonus): 0/0, 1-5/20, 6-10/40, 11-15/60, 16-20/80, 21+/100, add 50 points if work is major related. ECs (hours per week/bonus): 0/0, 1-5/30, 6-10/60, 11-15/90, 16-20/120, 21+/150, add 60 points for leadership role.
There you go. Good luck.
GPA = 2250
Test = 1650
Class rigor = 750
EC / Work Hrs = 350
Subtotal for accademic points = 5000
Parents education = 600
Veteran’s benefit = 700
Zip code= 500
High school = 700
Parent employed by CPSLO = 700
Subtotal for Demographic points = 3200
Max attainable points = 8200
Scores are capped at 5,000
Thanks so much this will help.