<p>It looks like CPSLO’s admissions is basically by the numbers (although some aspects are subjectively evaluated to add to the formula). It is likely that ED applicants are only admitted if their admission scores are so high that they do not expect the admission threshold to be any higher than that. So it is probably not really “two chances”. Other schools’ ED and EA probably work similarly, even with holistic admissions – only those who are expected to be clearly above whatever threshold for admission they use are admitted early.</p>
<p>[Freshman</a> Selection Criteria - Admissions - Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo](<a href=“Cal Poly Admissions”>Cal Poly Admissions)</p>
<p>Also, your sister should run the net price calculator to see how her financial aid and net price will change when you enter college.</p>
<p>CPSLO is a fine school, but given that it is just on the edge of affordability, it may be a better idea to apply RD there and several other schools in order to compare financial aid and scholarship offers.</p>