I recently (stupidly) submitted my application through cal state apply to Cal Poly SLO for Computer Science. I included all my information and thought I did it correctly until I read a thread on here that says I need to include Algebra 1 and Geometry in my coursework from middle school. I didn’t include it because it never asked for it. I then called the Cal Poly admissions office and they said I can’t change my application after its submitted. Now the only way I can change the coursework is if I appeal after a decision is made.
I’m feel pretty stupid and I would like any advice you have to offer.
Thanks.
Cannot offer any advice other than following Cal Poly admissions instruction of filing an appeal. There were many prospective students last year that had the same issue and did not include their Middle school Algebra/Geometry grades.
Hey, thanks for replying. It sort of baffles me that this problem is so big yet there is no official way to rectify it. I will try the application change form, although I doubt they will do anything as it does say I can’t update coursework. Might have to cross cal poly off my list sadly because I don’t want the uncertainty that comes with am appeal…
You applied as a CS major so you might consider changing your major to Software Engineering which might be an easier admit and where your omitted classes may not impact your decision too much. The major change is available on the linked form.
The problem is, Algebra and Geometry are required. Your application makes no mention of those courses, so could possibly be rejected for not meeting the minimum requirements. It is unfortunate because one can easily intuit that you took those based on the math you are in now. Cal Poly will not allow reconsideration based on application errors.
It’s not like you are asking for help after you were rejected. You figured out you have an error, well before the application was even due. I would call admissions and ask to be bumped up the chain even if it means you need to talk to the director. It’s a long shot, but you could even request your application be completely withdrawn so you can start it over.
Worst case, you get nowhere and learn a tough, but valuable life lesson on the importance of details.
This I know is true…you will do well no matter where you land.
I agree that it is not OP’s fault but this was an issue for the last few years even with the old CSU mentor application. SLO is unique in many ways for applying, using MCA points instead of EI etc… There should definitely be specific instructions put out by SLO for prospective applicants on how to apply if their requirements deviate from the rest of the CSU’s.
Be a squeaky wheel and maybe some one higher up in admissions can help you.
Personally, I just want to thank many of the posters here on CC for pointing out this issue in the past. It helped a great deal with my son’s application last year. Additionally, I contacted the counselors at my school and asked them to make it a point of emphasis when talking to seniors during the application process. They were already aware of it and were advising students how to proceed.
The sad thing is that it seems that it would have been an easy fix (and a priority) when the application was re-done for this year. I’m sorry to hear of anyone suffering from this lack of clarity. A person shouldn’t have to frequent a third-party message board to gain clarity regarding the application.
@Gumbymom@eyemgh@AMCdad
Thank you for your support and helpful advice. I called the admissions office again with my mom and talked through our problem with an admissions rep. She basically repeated the same thing about appealing and that they can’t withdraw my application. She also stated that the lack of Algebra 1 and Geometry wont AUTOMATICALLY disqualify me, as they ask for transcripts later and can see I am taking hard courses. The big problem lies in that I don’t get the extra semester points in my MCA (if the formula on here is still relevant). Because I am applying for CS, one of (if not THE) most competitive major(s) at Cal Poly, I am assuming many people will have the max amount of math semesters. I would think I am a competitive applicant with 1500 SAT (790m/710rw) and 4.13 CP GPA but the missing 250 MCA points would probably disqualify me due to the competitiveness. Another thing that annoys me is when talking to the rep, I brought up the argument that someone with the same classes as me would be similarly qualified, but be accepted because of my clerical error, not my academic achievement. She then implied that the clerical error might be a valid criteria in picking the other applicant over me.
After talking with the admissions rep for a while, we were able to be transferred to the director but could only leave a voice mail. I don’t think there is much I can do at this point, which makes me angry and disappointed as I toured Cal Poly this last summer (coming from Washington State) and I got excited about applying and attending.
Anyone reading this now: PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES.
@jonathanb1: Thank you for the update and I understand your frustration. My son actually got lucky in that he had me review his CSU application prior to submitting where I noticed his omission of the Middle school Math courses. It did not make much difference for him since SLO was a Reach anyways, but based on your academic qualifications, you look like a competitive applicant. Hopefully things will work out and you end up with an acceptance. Best of luck and I am sure there are many more schools that would love to have you without your Middle school Math grades.
Remember, the MCA rigor section maxes out at 750, assuming it’s the same, but more than 750 are possible, 950 to be exact. Many high achieving students that have done well in class amass enough classes to get more than 750. They just can’t utilize them. A loss of the math year might not kill your chances if you have more lab sciences, English or foreign language. Also, OOS students are ranked only against OOS students. It’s thought that the OOS pool might be slightly less competitive.
As for the clerical error, she’s unfortunately right. No matter how stupid the application is, it’s incumbent on the applicant to do everything correctly. Every year thousands of students do. That said, I get not letting you use it as an excuse to appeal, but it seems a little pedantic that you can’t correct it, well before it’s actually due. You don’t get a bump over the student who waits until the last day, but by that logic, you should.
My son is a Senior ME. His freshman roommate and roommate again senior year is a CS from WA. We’ll all be keeping our fingers crossed for you!
My daughter made a similar mistake with math but had enough foreign language and science points that she still maxed out that section despite only getting 250 for math.
I agree that this a problem with the system. My daughter would have missed including an a-g class taken in 8th grade, if I hadn’t see an eatier thread posted here. Since there is still more than a month to go before apps are due, i would suggest you contact CSUapply (there are online chat, phone, and email options–I would go with email so you have an easy paper trail). I would ask them if they can either:
unsubmit and reopen your app
or
delete your app, so you may start over
Definitely be polite, and explain the issue succinctly.
Will they do either of the above? I have no idea, but I think you should do this for several reasons:
a) you’ll have a paper trail should you decide to appeal
b) this may help them improve the system in the future–a simple note where students enter 9th grades telling them to also enter a-g 8th grades in this section would be a great improvement
c) I think you’ll feel better knowing that you advocated for yourself
Calling the admissions offices is not likely to help. I doubt they have access to the CSUapply system (certainly at this point).
Hearing this is an issue, I don’t see why calpoly or csn does not add a field that asks for a-g courses taken in middle school. Seems so unfair to not allow a correction for a simple error.
@grgscrjr Thanks for including that link because one, it gives applicants the correct information I wish I had looked at when filling the application and two, because I would like to address a problem with it. If you go up one navigation menu on that page to “Filling out your Cal State Apply Application” you’ll see that the page you linked is titled “High School Coursework (Undergraduate Only).” Now isn’t that confusing? I was confident in my ability to fill out high school coursework and comfortable with the a-g subject requirements so I didn’t feel any need to find help. If there was any indication on the application’s course page or on the help forum that SPECIFICALLY said “Middle School Coursework” without having to go deep into the help forum or on a third-party site I might not be in the trouble I’m in currently. Also, thank you for the advice to contact CSU Apply, I will definitely be doing that.
Thank you @twicemama for the words of encouragement and I share your thoughts about this issue. Also,
@VickiSoCal I calculated my MCA with and without the extra 250 math points.
MCA w/ math: 4629
MCA w/o math: 4379
I actually am taking two math classes this year, AP Calc BC and Statistics but I know that Statistics doesn’t count. I have 4 years of lab science, and the max bonus points for visual performance along with only 1 year of extra math which comes out to be 500/750 MCA points for class rigor.
@eyemgh and @Gumbymom Thanks for being so helpful and understanding with your advice, I really appreciate it.