<p>I haven’t submitted my application yet, and I’m thinking about choosing a less impacted major besides Mechanical Engineering.</p>
<p>My GPA according to Cal Poly’s formula is 3.63, and my SAT scores are 1920 (Math: 720, Reading 590, Writing 600). I took honors classes when I could and am currently taking AP calculus. </p>
<p>I am planning on submitting my app with Mechanical Engineering as my major but I am aware Cal Poly is known for that and thus it would be hard for me to get in with my GPA (I think). If I’m wrong, correct me. Otherwise, would you recommend that I apply with either computer or electrical engineering as my major? Would my chances be the same for all three majors? Note that I am very interested in all three branches, but I would prefer Mechanical.</p>
<p>In all honesty, not trying to offend you, but I think that you’re likely to get rejected if you apply for any Engineering program. I’m not sure if many people know this, but Cal Poly’s Mechanical Engineering is tied for second IN THE NATION among all public and private universities. Their other Engineering programs are also in the top 2-5 (Computer Engineering is tied for third and Mechanical Engineering is also tied for second), Architecture is Top 4, Landscape Architecture is Top 10, and Business Admin. is Top 30-40 I believe. They are all very challenging majors to get into.</p>
<p>Do you only see yourself doing Engineering?</p>
<p>So about 37% get admitted into engineering, and about 37% decide to enroll. I’m not sure how wait listing factors in here, but I’m guessing the transfer students get the open spots after the 2/3 admitted freshman decline. If only Cal Poly listed admission rates for specific engineering branches.</p>
<p>Again, not trying to discourage you, but 63% of Cal Poly applicants had a 3.75 or better GPA. I’m willing to bet the people in the other 37% are in majors that Cal Poly doesn’t necessarily specialize in. You can take your chances and see what happens.</p>
<p>If it doesn’t work out, you could go to Cuesta (the local community college in SLO) for a year or two and then transfer to Cal Poly for Engineering. You just need to get really good grades there, and plus you can get your general ed. out of the way.</p>
<p>And where can I see this ranking? Why don’t I see Cal Poly listed in any top engineering lists?</p>
<p>To answer your question, I would go to CSUN as a mechanical engineer major before I even think about applying with some thing besides engineering for Cal Poly.</p>
<p>You don’t see Cal Poly on the very well known ranking because they only rank universities with engineering Phd programs. </p>
<p>Schools such as Harvey Mudd, Cooper Union, West Point are all not on this list either. Because they are ranked against schools with no Phds. Cal Poly engineering ranking belongs to this list.</p>
<p>@OP
Cal Poly is a technical university with top ranks in Architecture, Engineering, Agriculture, and Business.</p>
<p>If you are not interested in any of those areas, then I would say you are better off at another university.</p>
<p>And I would beg to differ from BrainDP’s opinion. Without intending to offend CSUN people, but CSUN lags quite a bit behind Cal Poly almost in every discipline.</p>
<p>The previous post about Cal Poly ranking is correct. We are ranked as a top 4 or 5 undergraduate architecture school in the nation. We are one of the top 5 agriculture school or something in the US, not far behind Cornell. And of course, we are the #2 public undergraduate engineering school (master level) in US, right behind West Point.</p>
<p>What I meant was, I would go to CSUN before studying some thing I am not even interested in at Cal Poly. One exception would be Computer Science at Cal Poly, but I’m guessing the average GPA for that area is high as well.</p>
<p>BeingSLO, do you know anyone in engineering with a HS GPA 3.6 (non-transfer)?</p>
<p>I’m not “making up” ranks for Cal Poly. Why would I do that?
You can see all the rankings on the college section of USNews. I’m simply informing you how difficult their Engineering program is, and how hard it is to get into.</p>
<p>I don’t think studying something else at Northridge is a good idea either. Northridge doesn’t hold a candle to Cal Poly in any subject, let alone a nationally top-ranked Engineering program. Cal Poly is better than a most UC schools in some majors.</p>
<p>Computer Science is not as impacted or difficult to get into. You will have a significantly better chance at getting into Cal Poly if you apply for it. But again, if you have your heart set on Engineering at Cal Poly, your best bet is to go to Cuesta Community College in SLO, getting all A’s, and transferring to Cal Poly.</p>
<p>You both like to assume my intentions don’t make sense. I wouldn’t study some thing else besides engineering at CSUN because I plan on staying true to what I’m interested in. CSUN is my back up college, being my home area CSU, and I was just using it as an example to show that I’d stick to science and engineering no matter what.</p>
<p>It’s good to know Computer Science isn’t as impacted at Cal Poly. I don’t know what good it would do me though. Sure, I like using computers, but using a computer pretty much non stop for my classes for 5 years would be too much for me. I’m looking for a major that would challenge me and open my mind through the physical and through software, and I’d just dig myself an even deeper mental hole with CS. If it were my only chance into Cal Poly, it at least makes me consider CS. </p>
<p>Out of electrical and computer engineering, which would you guys assume is least impacted? </p>
<p>I’m considering Cuesta, but I’m afraid even with good grades I would get rejected for transfer and have to go elsewhere. I’m applying to every UC, a few CSUs, USC, USD, U of the Pacific and Loyola MU. My hope is that I get lucky with one of the UCs guessing Cal Poly rejects me.</p>
<p>CSUN isn’t on the same level as Cal Poly though, especially in Engineering, Architecture, and Business. I would talk to your high school counselor, but I’m guessing Cal Poly might not accept a transfer from an Engineering major student at CSUN because the Engineering at CSUN doesn’t even come close… I would get several opinions on which school would be best to eventually get into the Engineering program at Cal Poly from counselors, and you should call Cal Poly’s Engineering department.</p>
<p>I really don’t know which one is the least impacted, but if I had to make a guess I’d say Computer Engineering.</p>
<p>As for Computer Science, I’m not sure if every course will sit you behind a computer all day. Again, it’s a good idea to contact the department for more information and express that you don’t want to just sit behind a computer.</p>
<p>I honestly think going to Cuesta (and getting VERY good grades, all A’s) for one or two years would be your best bet to get into Cal Poly’s Engineering program. Cal Poly is by far the best Engineering school in CA along with UCB. Again, I highly recommend you contact both Cal Poly’s Engineering department, and Cuesta and express your wishes to them. Maybe even take a trip to Cal Poly and meet with the department heads.</p>
<p>Good advice, I’ll talk to my counselor first.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if this helps, but I attended the Cal Poly EPIC summer camp for a week in 2009 and was in the mechanical engineering team amongst several teams. Each team had about 8 members that did intro activities around the campus relating to their respective group name. You think CalPoly would see me as more interested in ME, or would this not apply to admissions?</p>
<p>It might, if you go talk to the Engineering department head. But I didn’t notice anything like that on the application when I applied. Also, extra curriculars aren’t really focused on either on the application.</p>
<p>On the CP website it says you can’t include personal statements or letters of recommendation unless they specifically request them either.</p>
<p>Honestly I dont think there is any significant difference between mechanical, electrical, or computer as far as one being more or less impacted than the others.</p>
<p>Also (and perhaps therefore), I would really recommend you to apply for what you WANT to major in, NOT what you think you have the best shot of being accepted in.</p>
<p>Best of Luck! I’m apply to SLO as well; early decision civil engineering =D .</p>
<p>I know there may not be a place to add that in the application, but I’m just hoping that during the manual considerations they acknowledge the fact that I attended their engineering camp, and that it would help my chances.</p>
<p>Brian, since your GPA is a bit low a suggestion would be applying for computer engineerng instead of mechanical. I remember some kids getting accepted last year. You can go back and look at lasts year thread where students posted their stats, major and whether they were admitted or rejected. Once you get in, you can always switch from computer to mechanical if you so choose. Switching between engineering majors is not uncommon.</p>