Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z California State University - GENERAL
,
1

I’m a senior in high school and have a 3.6 CSU GPA and if I calculated correctly, a 4300 MCA. I have a 31 ACT(33,34,32,25). I really want to study in Cal Poly’s mechanical engineering program because of their learn-by-doing curriculum but I’m pretty sure I will get rejected if I apply with that major. I heard it is easy to transfer into mechanical if you are accepted into a different engineering program. Is this true? If so, which is the best major to apply to instead?

2

Cal poly SLO and all the other CSU’s will not be using ACT/SAT test scores in their admission decisions, so the calculated MCA points using the test scores will not be correct.

SLO will be relying heavily on your SLO CSU GPA which is your CSU GPA plus 9th grades and an 8 semester cap for Honors points.

You can use the UC Rogerhub calculator and enter in your 9th grades for the a-g courses. Your Capped weighted UC GPA + 9th grades = SLO CSU GPA.

https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

Prior to this year, when the MCA calculator considered test scores, an MCA of 4700+ would make an applicant competitive for ME.

Here is the SLO CSU GPA admit range for 2020 Freshman in the College of Engineering as a comparison: 4.04 – 4.27

SLO appears to be a Reach school based on your current GPA for ME.

Changing majors within the College of Engineering is easier than from another College, but you are still required to complete certain pre-req courses to change from one Engineering major to another. Also one of the change of major requirements, is that as a Freshman applicant, you would have had to been qualified for that particular major at time of admission. There is no easy back door to get into SLO for Engineering.

See below:
II. Basic Criteria
In determining standards for major changes, a department representative may consider the following criteria when considering students’ requests:

a. Eligibility for the proposed major at the time of admission.

b. Academic record (e.g. GPA, coursework, etc.).

c. Ability to complete degree requirements in the new major in a timely manner.

http://catalog.calpoly.edu/academicstandardsandpolicies/otherinformation/#ChangeofMajor

Industrial Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering are known to be less competitive but changing majors is not guaranteed so make sure you will be happy in another discipline if you decide to attend SLO.

3

Here is the specific change of major criteria for ME:
To change to ME, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum 2.750 Cal Poly cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 2.000 Term GPA
  • If a student was originally admitted to GENE and is switching from GENE to ME, Cal Poly Cumulative GPA must be a 2.000 and student must be in good academic standing.
4

So if I make sure I maintain a strong gpa, I can switch within my first quarter hopefully? My current gpa meets the requirement so hopefully I can. I don’t really know of any other learn-by-doing based schools. The UC’s are mainly research schools and I would rather be working on improving my hands-on knowledge which is why SLO is the best option for me.

5

To change to ME, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum 2.750 Cal Poly cumulative GPA
  • Minimum 2.000 Term GPA
  • If a student was originally admitted to GENE and is switching from GENE to ME, Cal Poly Cumulative GPA must be a 2.000 and student must be in good academic standing.
6

You state that you are a HS senior? You would first have to be admitted to SLO and then attend 1 quarter, get approved for the ICMA, complete the course requirements with the required GPA before you allowed to change majors. Definitely possible but getting admitted is the first hurdle.

Not sure what you mean by “my current GPA meets the requirement”. You mean your calculated SLO GPA for admission meets the admit ranges for 2020 Freshman?

7

BTW: Cal Poly Pomona also is a great option and prides itself on the learn by doing philosophy. Happens to be a slightly easier admit than SLO.

The Cal state system in general does a great job in preparing students for the work force so they are geared to a more hands on learning curriculum. Also internships through out your college career will help in obtaining the job skills wanted by employers.

8

With a sub 4 gpa, CPSLO is really unlikely.

I think CPP will be a coin toss for an engineering major.

Sac, Chico Northridge and Fullerton are all solid and are likely to accept you.

Apply broadly and good luck.