Cal Poly SLO, OOS

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Hi all. I am a bit concerned on my chances of getting into Cal Poly Luis Obispo. I am an out-of-state student. Here are my stats:
9th-11th grade (I’m a rising senior): GPA of 4.00 based on the CSU calculator. But I’m unsure of this a-g honors courses stuff. So I am not sure I calculated it correctly.

9th grade: Honors English 1 - A, Honors Social Studies 1 - A+, Health 1 (1/2 semester)- A+, Gym 1 (1/2 semester)- A, Spanish 1- A, Honors Algebra 2- A+, Honors Geometry- A, Honors Earth Science- A, Intro to Business- A.

10th grade: Honors English 2- A, Honors Social Studies 2- A, Spanish 2- A+, Honors Trigonometry- A, Visual Basic (1/2 semester)- A+, Honors Biology- A-, Honors Chemistry- A-, Business Law- A+, Piano Level 1 (1/2 semester) - A+.

11th grade: Honors British Literature - B+, AP Microeconomics- B, Health 2 (1/2 semester)- A, Spanish 3- A, AP Calculus AB- B+, AP Chemistry- A-, Honors Anatomy- A-, Gym 2 (1/2 semester)- A+.

In addition, my SAT score is, when superscored, a 2170 (760M, 730W, 680CR).

Is the GPA based on 9th-12th grades, or 10th-12th?

And I would like to major in computer science there. I’m alright when it comes to ECs.

What do you guys think of my prospects of getting in, early decision?

2

For OOS, you can only use AP classes for the extra honors points in the calculation. Also you need to make sure you meet the visual/performing arts requirement. SLO uses an MCA point system for admissions. I will send you an explanation regarding the calculation later today since it is on my ipad. As an engineering applicant, you want an MCA score of 4500+ for the best chances. You look like a competitive applicant but several of the engineering majors including CS/BME abd ME have a < 10% acceptance rate. Type of major makes a huge difference in your chances at SLO.

3

@Gumbymom Thank you for this information. I calculated my MCA using @eyemgh 's post. It turned out to be 4588. What would that be comparatively to other CS applicants? And this is my senior year schedule- Global Studies A, AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Government, AP Literature & Comp, Honors physics, and 2 1-semester study halls. What do you think I could do to further maximize my MCA score? I was thinking of perhaps taking out AP Biology (2 credits) and replacing it with another year of Spanish (1 credit) and a visual arts class (1 credit - 2 semesters). Thanks for the help.

4

Lab sciences net 50 bonus points per semester whereas foreign language and performing arts only net 25 per semester. In effect, it’s a wash UNLESS you’ve already maxed the number of bonus semesters you can have for lab science and you haven’t for language and performing arts. Clear as mud? :wink:

5

4588 is a competitive MCA score, but I have seen higher scoring applicants get rejected due to the low acceptance rate for CS. I would apply ED if SLO is your #1 choice and since you are full pay, there probably will be a slight advantage. Good Luck.

6

@Gumbymom, I’m not sure the advantage comes from being full pay per se, but rather the slightly softer applicant pool OOS. All UCs and at least Poly of the CSUs have set hard targets for out of state students to bridge the budget gap. All students applying to Poly are ranked by the same MCA, but in state and out of state are pooled separately. Poly is a no brainier at the in state price, but will only attract out of state families able to pay substantially more than their own in state options. Also, Poly is pretty well know in the West, becoming, as one counselor deemed CP, “the it school,” but it’s not as well known as UCB or UCLA East of the Rockies. Those two factors both will eliminate some highly qualified candidates. It’s still very competitive, but I’d guess the MCA threshold for most majors is lower OOS than IS.

7

@eyemgh, I can remember if your son is OOS or not. I vaguely remember he likes to ski.

8

OOS, ME. His MCA was just under 4800. He does love skiing, but is excited about learning to surf. :smiley:

9

you’re looking pretty good dude, they take 9th - 11th grades. I’m an incoming freshman majoring in EE. Hope to see you see you there soon!!

10

You are a solid applicant but, the school is so competitive (and CA is doing funky things with it’s budget which will have an unknown impact on OOS applicants next year) it could go either way.

Be sure to apply elsewhere.

Good luck.