<p>I am a junior in high school and I am very interested in Cal Poly. I read somewhere that the acceptance rate for people who applied early decision was actually lower than those applied during the regular period. Does anyone know if this is true?
Also, what do you think is the chance of me getting into Cal Poly? I would like to major in civil engineering.
4.5 gpa w
3.9 uw
IB program
1370 (math and cr)/ 1940 (all of sat1)
lots of community services hours but no work experience yet (I plan on getting a job this summer)
Also I am also not from California if that makes a difference (from Arizona)</p>
<p>I have no idea if the acceptance rate was lower or higher for ED. But, I think from reading these threads, that it was easier to get in ED with some majors. There were students admitted ED in engineering this year that has lower stats than my son, who was waitlisted and then ultimately not admitted. Your stats look pretty good to me.</p>
<p>If you know SLO is your first choice, and you’re willing and able to commit immediately upon acceptance, I say go for Early Decision. If you’re not accepted from ED, they defer your application to RD, so no harm done.<br>
My daughter and her good friend have almost identical stats - same gpa, same school, same classes, about 10 points difference on the SAT. Both applied to architecture. He applied ED and was accepted almost right away. She applied RD because we needed to find out about financial aid before we could commit. She was waitlisted and ultimately rejected.
We know of one other girl from their school with lower stats than my daughter who was also accepted to architecture via Early Decision.</p>
<p>I would think doing early decision would make it slightly easier because it shows your commitment to the school. However, if you do decide on doing early decision, make sure you are absolutely certain about your choice. Otherwise you will have regrets, and having regrets about such an important decision is never good.</p>
<p>“She applied RD because we needed to find out about financial aid before we could commit.”</p>
<p>You don’t have to commit before getting your FA package:
</p>
<p><a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf</a></p>
<p>If they don’t offer enough, you just say thanks but no thanks, and apply RD elsewhere.</p>
<p>My friend vossron is correct that an inability to pay will release you from the Cal Poly early decision commitment. However, one minor point to note is that Cal Poly isn’t a Common App school and actually has a slightly broader policy on being released from ED than what is quoted above. Not that one would wish to be in a situation where invoking the release is necessary, but it’s there if needed.</p>
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<p><a href=“http://www.calpoly.edu/~acadprog/99pdf/admissions.pdf[/url]”>http://www.calpoly.edu/~acadprog/99pdf/admissions.pdf</a></p>
<p>Also be aware that Cal Poly, as a CSU, has very little merit aid to award and is seeing fees rise significantly every year, 30% in 2009-2010 if I remember correctly.</p>
<p>“You don’t have to commit before getting your FA package:”</p>
<p>Great - NOW you tell me! ;)</p>
<p>Seriously, as per usual, everything worked out for the best. My daughter was accepted to Cal Poly Pomona for architecture and got a financial aid package that more than covers her first year. We live near enough for her to live at home and commute, so while she would have rather ‘gone away’ to college, we can save a lot by having her stay home. Another good buddy from her school will be going there as well, so she’s good.</p>
<p>Still - if we had it to do over, we’d go early decision.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback! I’m not sure whether ED is the best choice for me yet. Does Cal Poly give merit scholarships? (I know this is completely different but I’m asking because I know U of A and ASU do.)</p>
<p>Most of Cal Poly’s scholarships have a need component, but there may be some that are strictly merit-based. When you submit your FAFSA you’ll be automatically considered for these. But since you’re out of state, you probably won’t be able to pull together enough merit money from Cal Poly to make it comparable to your in-state options.</p>
<p>[Cal</a> Poly Financial Aid - Scholarships](<a href=“http://www.ess.calpoly.edu/_finaid/types_aid/scholarships.htm]Cal”>http://www.ess.calpoly.edu/_finaid/types_aid/scholarships.htm)</p>
<p>wcw110, Cal Poly gives an Outreach Scholarship to some out of state students and it’s merit based. I’m not sure what the range of amounts is, but it’s not an insignificant figure. Also, I’m hearing from current OOS students that it’s not all that difficult to get in-state tuition for the soph-senior years if you plan ahead and follow the rules. Take that into consideration when you weigh CP SLO against your other options.</p>
<p>The outreach scholarship is $1000. So, it is not that big compared to the $30K+ cost of attendance. </p>
<p>Also, the information on getting in-state residence is no longer accurate. It is no longer easy to get. With the budget problems the CSU system tightend up on granting change of residency requests. Based on my converstation with the CP adminssions staff in November it will now be very difficult for anyone trying to change residency.</p>
<p>Mariner116, the $1000 maximum is not an accurate figure, and this is based on personal experience this year. </p>
<p>We’ll be looking hard at the in-state qualifying process this year, and I’ll let you all know how it goes… I have no doubt the California schools will be diligent about making sure students are following the rules, as well they should. We’re not planning to break any, but do want to work within the system to acheive resident status, if possible.</p>
<p>riverrunner, do you have a student that has gone through the steps and will be making the application for CA residency this fall?</p>
<p>No, Mariner, my daughter will be a freshman in the fall. I do have a friend here (OOS) who’s son in a senior at Cal Poly. She has given me some advice, and of course, I’m looking at the guidelines on the website.</p>