I have applied to Cal Poly SLO Computer Science for the fall.
I am from Texas, and if I’m using the MCA website calculator correctly, I have a 4613 MCA. Does that make me competitive for the program?
Stats:
4.0 unweighted GPA
Most rigorous courseload possible, maxed on “courseload” bonus points
1390 SAT score: 690 verbal, 700 math <— worried about it being low
~20 hrs ECs per week with leadership roles
No work experience
Ranked #1 in class
Thanks.
Target MCA for CS/Engineering majors is 4700+. Being OOS puts you into a separate application pool so under a 4700 MCA may be enough.
Here is some CS MCA data from last year:
Rejected
Computer Science
MCA 4736
UWGPA: 3.93
WGPA: 4.58
SAT: 1480
11 AP Classes
OOS
Waitlisted Computer Science
ACT 35
SAT 1530
UW GPA 3.67
MCA approx 4700
Computer Science
4774
OOS
Accepted (omg, omg, omg)
Computer Science
4735-approx
OOS
Accepted 
Computer Science
OOS
Accepted
MCA - Not sure how to compute
GPA 3.97 uw
ACT 33
Computer Science
MCA: I don’t think the equation is correct.
GPA: 3.84 UW
SAT: 1560
OOS (WA)
Accepted
Chancing is always a guess, but based on previous years, a 4613 probably won’t make the cut.
If you have your heart set on Cal Poly, tomorrow is the deadline to submit application changes. You could consider SE which is still very selective, but not as much as CS.
If you’re set on CS, ride it out and see what happens.
Good luck!
Thank you all for your responses. @eyemgh, I am seriously considering changing my application to SE based on your recommendation. Do you think I’d have a shot there? Thank you so much for your advice.
Some data from 2019 for SE.
Both Twin Daughters Accepted to Software Engineering
OOS (WA)
MCA Unknown
One twin had GPA 3.997/4.0 UW with 1470 SAT
Other twin had GPA 3.937/4.0 with 1530 SAT
First twin will have 11 AP
Second twin will have 10 AP
Software Engineering
4828
OOS
accepted
Software engineering accepted
~4750
1500 SAT
4.4 gpa
Work hours major related
Not as many posts for SE for OOS.
It’s hard to say, but I think it’s less competitive than CS. Many CS majors end up doing SE in their jobs anyway.