How do I get into CalPoly SLB? Or how do I get them to like me?

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

About me:
-a HS junior
-not the greatest test taker (I do average, sometimes aced them, sometimes not), but I do pretty good in projects or whatnot
-needs volunteering/interning opportunities for architecture, or anything ( I know, I’ll look some up on my own)
-I already have a college planning financial service thing that my parents hired
-I guess I’m pretty artsy
-I take interest in arts and sciences
-will be going on a College Road Trip Tour in November, touring in NorCal universities (does this count as College Preparedness?)
-I’m specifically looking into CalPoly San Luis Obispo because of their really good Architecture program (based on internet stats)
-I’ll be joining my Filipino Club (You would have never guessed it…I’m Filipino), California Scholarship Federation, Key Club, some sort of environment club and I’ll still look into more)

  • My mindset as of right now (and correct me if I’m wrong):
    I’ll do anything to make me look the best for colleges to accept me because my parents hired a somewhat pricey college planning/financial company to help my brother and I into really good colleges, and I don’t want to end up not being what they invested in. So, please give me college advice!
  • somewhat of a procrastinator, always spends weekdays/ends doing homework (workaholic?)
  • I plan to Major in Architecture, and possibly want to get a Master’s and get a license for it, and minor in Interior Design (since they somewhat correlate, right?)

If you want to know my college picks (unofficial) and would like to recommend me an Architecture school in SoCal, please do so!
(ranking from top to bottom picks, preferably in California)

  1. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo ( I REALY REALLY REALLY want to get in here)
  2. Cal Poly Pomona
  3. UC Berkeley School of Environmental Design
  4. Cornell University ( I know, that’s like, what, an Ivy League school? I chose this because of internet-based stats. I’m literally a B-Average student. Kill me now.)
  5. Southern Institute of Architecture (Sci-Arc, Los Angeles)
  6. University of Southern California

If you’re asking the level of my college preparedness, throughout my HS years:
-I have taken 1 ap from freshman year-- passed the class with an A.
-I have taken 1 ap from sophomore year-- passed with a B (I thought I had it good in that class, but I don’t want to blame the teacher either) as for the exam, I passed with a 3
-Currently, I’m taking AP Physics 1, AP US History, and AP English Language and Composition
-next year, I want to take AP Studio Art, AP Gov, and AP Environmental Science

My stats as of my Sophomore year (since I researched this is what colleges look for?)
AP Art History- B (my teacher was strict, but she was really on point on teaching)
H English- B
Korean 1- A
CC Geometry- C (I know, I don’t like Math, and its ironic because Architecture deals with a lot of math, right?)
Chemistry ( I think my teacher said its Honors, but this is what it said on my transcript)- B
H World History- A
Academic Decathlon (Homeroom)- A

Did any of the above information help you understand just a little bit about me? (Actually I told you guys a lot)

So, in short:

  1. How can I get into CalPoly San Luis Obispo (preferably with a full-ride scholarship) with the way that I am now?
  2. How can I make myself–I don’t know–more desirable for colleges?
  3. Is it possible to intern for architecture firms even when I’m a HS junior? Or should I just stick with small-scale volunteering?
  4. Is it true that to get into UCs you have to do a lot of extracurriculars, community services, preferably for 2 years?
  5. Is it also true that grades don’t really matter? (But I’m still trying to make them look good anyway)
  6. Do I appeal to colleges when I take a lot of APs?

Also, I have questions about College:

  1. Is it true that once I’ve passed the AP classes I’ve took in HS, I won’t need to be taking them in college? (Isn’t this the very definition of AP…?)
  2. So, once I’m done with these AP classes, are there still a lot of other college classes I need to take? (when I get to college)
  3. Which is better: a big,public school or a small, private school? (Because, from what I was told, I’m able to concentrate better in studying in a small, private school rather than a big, public one)
  4. Is it true that once you graduate from a REALLY good school, (in regards to Architecture), do you get hired fast because of the prestige of the school? Or not?

Thank you so much! Sorry for the long post. I’ll give you a potato if I had one. :C

2

I forgot to mention! My GPA is 3.231 ( I know, that is REALLY bad!)

3

It is not true that grades don’t matter- in fact they matter very much. Cal Poly SLO is very, very competitive and especially so for Architecture. Your GPA is too low- any of these schools will be a huge reach for you. The upper and mid-tier UC’s will also be reaches although you might be OK for Merced or Riverside. The UC’s do like well-rounded applicants, but your test scores and GPA are the first thing they will look at. If you are accepted at any of these schools, you will most likely not qualify for any merit scholarships.

Try using the “Find a College” tab at the top of this page. You can enter your GPA, test scores, desired major, geographical area, size of school, etc, and it will generate a list that will better meet your qualifications. There are other sites that will do the same thing. While it is not the final word in schools for you, it will at least give you an idea of schools that might be appropriate for your stats.

4

Thank you for your comment! Yes, I meant SLO. In regards to my GPA, I’m going to try to raise it so that I can reach the really impacted schools.

5

Take a look at the Freshman profile for 2015 to see want Stats you need to get into SLO. Since you are a HS Junior expect to see these numbers increase by the time you apply.

http://admissions.calpoly.edu/prospective/profile.html

http://architecture.calpoly.edu/prospective

Cal Poly SLO also uses 9-11th grades in their GPA calculation (different from the rest of the CSU’s) and a MCA point system to determine admission. If you want more information regarding the MCA point system, send me a PM.

I agree that right now your GPA will hinder your chances at the majority of the UC’s, SLO and CPP. Work on getting those grades up and prep for the SAT/ACT. Do EC’s that you enjoy, not just to pad your application.

GPA/Test scores and HS course rigor are probably the most important items for SLO. EC’s will come into play if they are directly related to your major and Essays for the UC’s will be important.

Good Luck.

6

There’s nothing a private counselor can do to “get you into a really good college.” If they say they can, you should hire someone else. I say that because all colleges, read again ALL COLLEGES look at your GPA first. Nearly all colleges look at your test scores next. If your counselor can change those numbers, then they can get you in. As you know, they can’t.

What a good counselor should do is to help you find good fits for your personal profile, both academically and non-academically and maybe, maybe help you edit and tailor your essay(s) (not required at Poly).

I can’t speak for the rest of your schools, but Cal Poly admits by a strict algorithm. Even if you get all As this year, Architecture will be an extremely long shot. If you do get in, you certainly won’t get a “full ride.” In fact it’s unlikely that you’ll get any merit money at all. The reward at programs that are hyper competitive is simply admission.

I’m not trying to rain on your parade, but I really think you need to back up a step and search for programs you have a better shot at getting into. The die is mostly cast with very little time left to influence it. I’m afraid you will likely bar let down by every school on your current list.

Note: The statistics that @Gumbymom posted are impressive, but they are misleading. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design has 5 majors. Three of them are among the easiest admits at Cal Poly. Those majors (city planning, construction management and landscape architecture) pull down the stats for the college. You can be assured that Architecture and AE averages are much more in line with CENG, with the average GPA over 4.0 and the average SAT over 1400.

7

Hmmm…(?)…try UNLV. It’s WUE and does have an arch program…

8

Do your best this year and see where you stand.