@joey88, the MCA calculator is just an automated tool using the information I posted from 2013. Cal Poly’s Reguired/Desired haven’t changed since then. Electives give no extra MCA points (desired), but will keep you out if you don’t meet the minimum (required). As for, more Spanish vs more performing arts, they are equivalent in the MCA. If you max every category, you will have 900 points. The algorithm caps rigor at 750 though. There are lots of ways to 750. Does that clarify?
Yes, thank you. When info is put into the calculator, I was just looking at all the classes taken and planned for 12th grade. Is that correct?
@joey88, I’m not sure I understand the question. Make sure you have all the required covered 9-12. Get as many desired as you can. Use the rigor section of the MCA to help with class selection to insure getting the full 750 points.
Sorry, I get it but wanted to verify to use all courses taken and those planned to take senior year. For example, I will have taken 5 math classes (Algebra though Calculus) which would account for 10 semesters. Am I doing this correct?
Yes ^^^ and make sure you list your middle school courses (Math and Foreign language) which I am assuming you are aware since you are using 5 years of Math courses in your calculation.
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Thank you so much both of you for your help!
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For foreign language, I am aware that 4 semesters are required and 8 semesters are recommended. Do these requirements and recommendations mean actual courses or level achieved like for the UCs and the rest of Cal States? Would a student with only, for example, second semester of the third year of a foreign language meet the requirement?
@InfoQuestMom, you would think that the level achieved would infer competence in previous material, but the algorithm doesn’t work that way. It’s actual courses taken. That’s why putting in appropriate middle school classes is so important.
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@eyemgh So a student who placed into that level for example, because of elementary school immersion, or any other outside school experience, would not meet the foreign language requirement? In other words, the student would be considered an unqualified candidate? Or would the student meet the requirement but only receive the corresponding MCA points for whatever actual course work was done?
@InfoQuestMom, students receive MCA points only for actual high school level classes taken, even if they were taken in middle school. That really only applies to languages and math. So, if a student was fluent say in Mandarin because their parents spoke it or they were immersed in elementary school to the level that they could score well on the AP with self study, they wouldn’t get MCA points. CP might have alternative ways of establishing equivalency, but I’m unaware of them. Maybe @Gumbymom would know.
@InfoQuestMom: My understanding of the MCA points for course rigor, is that you have to take the course and have or will have a grade to get the points. The courses will have to listed on the application as a-g courses and show up on the transcript (exception for MS courses/no transcript required). Just by not listing the Middle school Math and FL courses on the Cal State apply application, many applicants lost rigor points.
I see. So basically the student would miss out on course rigor points of up to 100. But, as long as the student can get to the course rigor maximum points of 750 by maxing out with a combo of semesters in Math, Lab Science, English, and Performing Arts, it’s really not a loss.
@eyemgh and @Gumbymom Thank you so much for your invaluable help.
Good work.
Current Cal Poly student here: I can assert that this formula is pretty much accurate. My estimated MCA was 4454, and my actual MCA was 4473.
@dellarness2, that difference is probably due to the SAT change. they’ve never published how they will handle the new SAT, so we can’t update the calculation. In fact, they haven’t published anything regarding the MCA since 2013. Enjoy your time at Poly!
Just to confirm your thoughts…you should include the semesters taken in 8th grade if they are for Algebra 1 and Spanish 1 to give you credit in MCA?
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@AnnaEpp, enter any math that is Algebra I or higher and any language that is first class or higher taken in 7th grade or later. For example, some students take Algebra I and Spanish I in 7th grade and Geometry/Trig and Spanish II in 8th grade. Those would all be entered.
How do you handle Math B in middle school. Our school does not use Algebra/Geometry nomenclature (Math A/B is a hybrid class as are HS intregrated math classes). Our HS sequence is Math 1, 2, 3 and then Calculus. If a student ends with Calculus as a Sr. would that mean we can count the 10 semesters?
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@sdmom22, I’d call admissions for that. They are very helpful. Good luck!
I have a question about counting electives, if indeed it is critical to include the required 2 semesters. (Please forgive my OOS ignorance.) https://admissions.calpoly.edu/applicants/freshman/criteria.html defines elective:
I don’t understand how to determine what is an elective if they must fall into the other categories that are already counted (seems oxymoronic). So, say a student has 6 semesters of social science, since 4 are required and recommended, the other 2 should be put under electives?
Side question, are the GPAs weighted and capped, or just weighted, that are published in the class profiles here: https://admissions.calpoly.edu/prospective/profile.html (fall 2019) and here: https://viewbook.calpoly.edu/apply/ (fall 2018)? With the latter showing 4.21 average for engineering, does this imply weighted uncapped for this particular infographic if the max capped is 4.2?
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