<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I am planning on applying to Cal Poly SLO this fall (2012).
I was wondering what my chances are of getting in and what score I should aim for the ACT exam. </p>
<p>Stats:
GPA: 4.2 (weighted)
ACT: ?
EC’s: Editor for school newspaper, Secretary of 2 clubs, NHS, CSF, won a few awards, and lots of volunteer hours.
Major: Art and Design</p>
<p>Of course, it also depends on my portfolio- but just for getting into the college itself…</p>
<p>What are my chances of getting in and what should score should I aim for the ACT?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Academically I’d be very surprised if you didn’t get in, especially as an Art major. Although I suspect admissions to Art and Design depend more on your portfolio than being an academic powerhouse.</p>
<p>An ACT of 27+ will make you competitive. However, I’d shoot for 30+ just to be safe. It gets more competitive every year. Hire a good tutor or take a comprehensive study course from an established and well qualified exam prep service. This is very important. My kid increased his ACT and SAT scores dramatically using tutors and an exam prep service. When I say dramatic, this is what I mean:</p>
<p>ACT increased 9 points from his first pretest to the actual test. His actual score was in the 97% overall and the 99% in Math and English.
SAT2 Math went up 90 points for a near perfect score from his first attempt to the final attempt.</p>
<p>It really works.</p>
<p>Thank you! Yes, it does get more competitive every year. I am really hoping I get in because it is definitely my number one choice. :)</p>
<p>The middle 50% of people score a 25-29 on the ACT. If you get a 30+ I think Cal Poly would become basically a safety for you.</p>
<p>I agree with what has been said about studying for the SAT. With only a little studying I bumped my SAT math by 60 points, and that is probably what made the difference for me to get accepted to Cal Poly.</p>
<p>If cal poly is your first choice, definitely apply ED.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses! Unfortunately, Cal Poly does not allow Music and Art and Design majors to apply for ED (according to their website).</p>
<p>I am finishing up my first year in the Art and Design dept. so maybe I can give a little advice. My stats for admission were weighted GPA 3.9, ACT 24. Low ACT, I know,but somehow miraculously, I was cleared for general admission to cal poly and was asked to submit my portfolio. They say they don’t care about EC’s etc. but i did have a couple of national awards for art so maybe (?) it helped? I’d definitely try to get your ACT up above mine! Probably not hard to do as I am a stereotypically dyslexic artist therefore a poor test taker. Get working on your portfolio this summer if possible. I waited until the fall, and with college apps., artist’s statements, and keeping my grades up, it was REALLY stressful to be working on the portfolio at the same time. “It’s all about the quality of your portfolio” is the mantra for admission and quite true, I think. So I tried to make mine memorable. Must have worked! Other advice that I offer students in the arts is to apply to a lot of colleges. I got that tidbit from my own counselor, because the judging of your work is so subjective. I applied to maybe 8 colleges–rejected by my “safety” schools, accepted by my “reach” schools, one of them being CP. Go figure. Lastly, don’t buy into what others say about “lower standards” for art students. True you don’t need your test scores to compare to those of the engineers, but when you get here, you will find the work competitive, demanding…if you want to succeed, you will find yourself working your tail off in the studios every night. So, hold your head high. It is NOT an easy route to be an artist/designer. I’m actually writing this now as a reminder to myself…haha. P.S. I love the challenge of CP! Good luck! You can PM me if more ?s.</p>
<p>Wow! That’s great! Thank you for your response! That is interesting about how you were rejected from your safety’s. I guess the admission process is pretty subjective as far as Art majors go, so I will definitely keep my options open. That’s great that it is a challenge! 
Yes, working on the apps earlier is definitely a good idea. Okay I will definitely PM you.</p>