Follow the calculator @ucbalumnus posted. It was derived from a post I made on the MCA that’s still pinned at the top of the Cal Poly forum.
The algorithm has certainly changed, but in what ways, no one knows. The maximum rigor points used to be capped at 750, even though something like 900 were possible.
Our son did have the max in math, lab science, English and language, but IF the max is 750, it’s possible to get there without.
That said, if I wanted the strongest shot at Cal Poly, I’d max everything they ask for, do 20+ hours of ECs with a leadership role, and get a job that’s major related, even if tangentially, even if 1h per week, even if as a volunteer.
If looking for more of a residential college experience, I’d look at these two Cal State schools, in addition to the Cal Polys already mentioned:
Cal State: Chico
San Diego State
These are all of the ABET-accredited programs for mechanical engineering in California, for other ideas. Also, have you checked out your WUE options? These are the ones that offer WUE tuition for mechanical engineering majors (150% of residential tuition…at some schools like Oregon State it’s competitive to get…others it’s given to all).
What’s your son looking for from college? Size preferences (whole university and/or class size)? Importance of intercollegiate sports fandom? Greek life? Any particular interests he wants to explore in college? Does he prefer rural, suburban, or urban environments? Any areas of North America that he would prefer (or prefer to avoid)? Any weather preferences? If we know more about what your son wants, we can give better suggestions.
I would try to take AP Physics - Mechanics online if not available at the high school, and I would also try to do Multi Variable Calculus in the senior year.
This is completely unnecessary. IF it’s the natural continuation, sure, but NO school would expect a student to go out of their way, not even MIT and Caltech.
I think an engineering applicant applying to top schools should take as much math and physics as possible. Since the OP has already taken Calc BC it’s a good idea to do the next advanced class in the sequence. Otherwise the student may be taking no math in the senior year which is less than ideal. This is perhaps unnecessary for Cal Poly but I think for the schools on this list it might be safer to have.
Thanks for this. He’ll be taking Calculus AB and BC this coming school year, so he doesn’t yet have it under his belt. If he were to take an online AP Physics class this summer, he won’t have calculus yet. Would there be any benefit to taking AP Physics I, or would it be better to wait and take AP Physics C concurrent with his Calculus class?
Thanks for this. He’s still feeling out what sort of environment he’d prefer, so I’ll update when I have more. We’ll definitely look into your Cal State suggestions, and some WUE options.