Do I even have a chance?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
1

<p>I recently talked to my HS college counselor and she said I have a chance of making it in, but I have my doubts due to a low SAT score (which I’m re-taking in November, October is full). I’m looking at all these other people with high SAT scores and GPA’s past 4; it’s really discouraging me.</p>

<p>My CSU GPA is 3.94. (6 AP Classes, tons of honors classes. 10 AP Classes if you include senior year.)
SAT: 1030 (470M + 560 CR)</p>

<p>I really want to go here for Comp Science but realize that the math portion of my SAT is low. However that is because I completely winged the SAT and did not study at all (I don’t know why I did, honestly. It was stupid of me.) I also forgot to bring a calculator. DOH! I’ve been preparing and have had lots of practice daily, I’m confident I can raise my math to at LEAST 550. Hopefully 600? Hopefully I will improve my CR too. Thank you CCers!</p>

2

<p>Unless you get that SAT up considerably in the Math and CR to around 700, it will be difficult. The average SAT (Math and CR) for in-coming Freshman 2014 was 1406… See link: <a href=“Cal Poly Admissions”>Cal Poly Admissions;

<p>Your GPA is within range. SLO also takes into consideration your 9th grades so you need to recalculate your GPA using those grades. Plus they use an algorithm of bonus points for extra Math/Science/Language/English/Art classes. The most bonus points are for Math and Science. See link: <a href=“http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=statsp&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dcal%2Bpoly%2Bslo%2Bmca%26fr%3Dipad#search=“cal%20poly%20slo%20mca””>http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1014&context=statsp&sei-redir=1&referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%3Fp%3Dcal%2Bpoly%2Bslo%2Bmca%26fr%3Dipad#search=“cal%20poly%20slo%20mca”&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>With current Stats it is a reach.</p>

3

<p>I agree with @Gumbymom‌, your SATs are low for CS or any of the tougher engineering admits. That doesn’t mean you can’t improve them. As was pointed out, the average SAT in the college of engineering was 1406 and it was drawn down by the easier of the engineering admits like Industrial Engineering. The average for CS is certainly higher. With that said, lots of intangibles come into play. Your application will receive a big boost if you go to a Hayden Partners school. You’ll also get a boost if either or both of your parents did not finish high school. The bottom line, prep hard for the SAT by doing LOTS of practice tests and figuring out why you missed the questions you did and apply to Poly as a reach. Have other options that you KNOW you will get into that you’ll be happy with. Good luck!</p>