<p>Hi there,
I was accepted to Cal Poly SLO for the graduating class of 2016 and I declared physics as my major. CPSLO has always been one of my top choices and I would really like to attend this fall. My only concern is that I am not smart enough to complete my major with a decent GPA. </p>
<p>I really enjoy physics and I find it interesting, more so than any other subject I have yet encountered at school. My dad also has a PhD in physics and as such, he has many of his own physics books from when he was in college around the house.</p>
<p>When I read some of my dad’s physics books and try to understand some of it, i feel like the dumbest person alive. Every time I try and understand the math, I keep feeling like i’m not cut out for physics.</p>
<p>At a UC, I would be easily able to switch out of a major if I was unable to complete it, but due to the difficulty of changing majors at CPSLO’s, I am worried that I will flunk out of college. </p>
<p>What my question officially boils down to is: Should I attend CPSLO and risk being unable to change majors, or do I attend my backup(UC Santa Cruz)?</p>
<p>Let me just make this abundantly clear: I am not afraid of working hard to succeed and I already find Physics interesting. I also somewhat think I got into the physics program at cal poly slo by sheer luck. </p>
<p>My Stats:
3.7W GPA
30 ACT
1930 SAT
I did have many extra curricular activities, but I do not think CSU’s take those into very much consideration.</p>
<p>RELAX and just get that Cal Poly SLO thinks you have what it takes to succeed. Do not forget that they chose YOU! The admissions process is not a clean one – it is a selection process. Obviously, they felt you had what it takes to graduate from Cal Poly SLO and thus offered you a spot. You will do just fine. If you respect the school and think they have made good choices in the past building an extraordinary place to learn and grow, do yourself a favor and trust their judgement on picking you to be a part of their team. They only pick the people that they think will succeed and do the Cal Poly SLO name justice in the workforce.</p>
<p>With regards to changing majors, it is pretty easy to do this within a college and challenging to change from one college to another. But, there is a clear pathway to do so on the campus website. Good luck – go to your dream school Cal Poly SLO.</p>
<p>OsakaDad is dead on. Follow your dream. You may not get lots of A’s as you did in high school but you will never regret pursuing the subject you love at the school you want.</p>
<p>I think you will do fine. Just cause you didn’t understand stuff in the books doesn’t make you stupid. I’m sure that when you learn that type of stuff in class and have someone actually explain it to you (rather than just reading it and trying to figure it out by yourself), it will make sense. Colleges don’t accept students if they don’t think they will be able to handle the work. Changing majors is difficult sometimes, but rarely impossible as long as you realize you want to switch fairly early on and know the requirements for the major you want to switch into. Everyone I’ve met who’s wanted to change their major here has been able to, some more than once even. I think you should try physics if that’s what you like, and come to Cal Poly if that’s your first choice school. Don’t let your fears control you.</p>
<p>I’ve actually heard that Cal Poly doesn’t have an admissions committee. From what I’ve heard they jus put in gpa and SAT and crunch out numbers, but again that is what I’ve heard. I’ve also made it into Cal Poly but am again in the situation where somewhere like a UC is very appealing but not so much Cal Poly even though I’ve heard a lot of great things about the engineering program too.</p>
<p>Cal Poly does not just use GPA + SAT to decide admission. If that is the case, then all students with similar GPA + SAT would all get admitted, which if you had a chance to read the other threads, you would learn that is not true.</p>
<p>Here is an article with more info on Cal Poly admission process for 2012:</p>
<p>oh thanks for the article, ya i was wondering about this to because I know some qualifies students but didn’t make it and was really confused as why not. But i guess its all part of the process ha. @iamsupermani, I am kind of in the situation where you are at too. I am interested in engineering and sciences but feel that I really am not ready for the type of work that needs to be handled. Every student I encountered told me how tough it could be and that its a lot fo work, which I am ready for, but am so scared that I won’t get it. And its not specifically for cal poly but also for uc’s as well.</p>
<p>Follow your dreams :). Anyway, SLO has tons of resources for physics. They have a lab in one of the departments that is soley for physics questions (all levels) that kids volunteer/work. Also you can also sign up for weekly study sessions.</p>
<p>I signed up for one that was specific for ME’s physics and we meet twice a week the entire quarters. There are also some engineering labs that let you drop in for the more basic physics.</p>
<p>And if they don’t offer a study session for that class, you can request for a private tutor if you are part of certain programs such as SSS.</p>
<p>Additionally, I want to elaborate on NTKS17’s post. They said, “Just cause you didn’t understand stuff in the books doesn’t make you stupid.”</p>
<p>Well, folks that is what “hands on, learn by doing” is all about. At the UC’s a major part of your learning will be from books and in lecture, often with a TA. At Cal Poly, you’ll get all the theory you need and then get to go to the lab and see how it actually works. If you are not confident that you can hack the coursework, I strongly suggest that you consider Cal Poly so that you can experience the lessons rather than just read about it.</p>