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Cal Poly Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Cal Poly's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Cal Poly and build a strong application.

School location: San Luis Obispo, CA

This school is also known as: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Admissions Rate: 30.3%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Cal Poly is 30.3% . For every 100 applicants, 30 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet Cal Poly's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

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Cal Poly GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at Cal Poly is 4 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 4, Cal Poly requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Cal Poly hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Cal Poly will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Cal Poly SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1335

The average SAT score composite at Cal Poly is a 1335 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Cal Poly Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

Cal Poly SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1260, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1450. In other words, a 1260 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1450 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Cal Poly has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Cal Poly will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Cal Poly forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1450, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Cal Poly ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Cal Poly likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 29

The average ACT score at Cal Poly is 29. This score makes Cal Poly Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 28, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Even though Cal Poly likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 28 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 29 and above that a 28 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 33 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Cal Poly, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 33.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Cal Poly considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1450 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as Cal Poly, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1450 SAT or a 33 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Cal Poly here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Not used if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office December 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes November 30 April 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 1 San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
• Phone: (805) 756-1111 x1111
• Fax: (805) 756-5400
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Cal Poly, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Cal Poly.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Cal Poly. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Cal Poly, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Cal Poly, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Cal Poly is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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How to Get Into Cal Poly SLO: Acceptance Rate and Strategies

June 12, 2023

Cal Poly SLO, the shortened name for California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo, is the most selective of the 23 schools within the massive CSU system that serves nearly half a million students. With affordable and well-regarded bachelor’s degree programs in areas such as mechanical engineering, business administration, computer science, and architecture, it’s no wonder the number of applicants to Cal Poly has more than tripled since the turn of the millennium. Given the growing popularity of this increasingly-selective public university–last year’s Cal Poly SLO acceptance rate was only 29%–you will want to be aware of the following:

• Cal Poly SLO acceptance rate 2023
• SAT/ACT policy and GPAs of admitted applicants
• Admissions stats by College
• Admissions trends at California Polytechnic State University—San Luis Obispo
• The demographics of current undergraduates
• How Cal Poly admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to Cal Poly
• How to assess whether applying to Cal Poly is even worth the $70 application fee (for you)

Many students applying to Cal Poly may also find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into UCLA
• How to Get Into UC Berkeley
• How to Get Into UC San Diego

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent Cal Poly admissions data.

Cal Poly: Acceptance Rate – 2023

The acceptance rate at Cal Poly for freshmen competing for an opportunity to enter campus in fall 2022 was 29%, lower than the previous cycle’s 33% mark. The applicant pool totaled 58,935 hopefuls.

Class of 2027 figures have yet to be released. However, there is reason to believe that the numbers could be significantly lower. A reported 73,000 applications poured in to Cal Poly SLO in the 2022-2023 cycle.

Cal Poly Admissions – SAT/ACT policy, class rank, and GPA

As a test-blind institution, Cal Poly does not consider standardized test scores. That makes GPA the most important metric and those admitted into the Class of 2026 possessed a mid-50% GPA of 4.08-4.25.

Looking back to the previous year, 49% of attending students were in the top decile of their graduating high school class; 82% were in the top quartile. The average weighted GPA for enrolled students that year was 4.01. Back when tests were still considered, the mid-50% ACT range was 28-33 and the equivalent SAT range was 1240-1420.

Cal Poly- Admissions Stats by College

College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences

• GPA range: 3.94-4.25
• Acceptance rate: 48%

Architecture & Environmental Design

• GPA range: 4.04-4.25
• Acceptance rate: 30%

College of Engineering

• GPA range: 4.17-4.25
• Acceptance rate: 22%

Cal Poly SLO Acceptance Rate (Continued)

College of Liberal Arts

• GPA range: 4.00-4.25
• Acceptance rate: 31%

Science & Mathematics

• GPA range: 4.14-4.25
• Acceptance rate: 34%

Orfalea College of Business

• GPA range: 4.11-4.25
• Acceptance rate: 27%

Admissions Trends & Notes

• The most significant note is that all CSU schools have adopted a test-blind policy moving forward.
• There were 341 international students among the Class of 2026 from 61 different countries.
• Cal Poly also remains the least ethnically diverse school in the CSU or UC system. However, the URM population increased by 6% last year.
• First-time freshmen increased by 227 students.
• The average high school GPA for enrolled freshmen was 4.04.

Who Gets In?

Let’s look at the demographics of current students:

Most students hailed from California and paid in-state tuition. The most common counties of residence for in-state students in the Class of 2026 were as follows:

• Los Angeles: 15%
• Santa Clara: 9%
• San Diego: 9%
• Alameda: 6%

The states sending the greatest number of non-resident students into the Class of 2026 were as follows:

• Washington: 31%
• Colorado: 15%
• Oregon: 12%

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the entire student body is as follows:

• Hispanic: 21%
• African American: 1%
• Multiracial: 8%

International students came in the greatest numbers from the following countries:

The breakdown by gender of the entire student body shows a fairly even split:

• Female: 49%

“Feeder schools” into the school who sent the greatest number of new undergrads to the university in 2022-23 included:

• San Luis Obispo High
• Salinas High
• Arroyo Grande High
• Oakland Technical Senior High
• Redwood High
• Bellarmine College Prep
• Monte Vista High
• California High

Cal Poly’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was 27%. To compare this school to other California-based public universities, UC Berkeley and UCLA are both above 40%.

How Cal Poly SLO Rates Applicants

There are only two factors that this school ranks as “very important” to their admissions decision process and they are: the rigor of your courses and GPA earned within those courses. They “consider” items such as: extracurricular activities, talent/ability, first-generation status, geographical residence, volunteer work, and paid work experience.

Cal Poly, along with all other California State University schools have gone test-blind, meaning they will no longer consider SAT or ACT scores in the application process. Previously, test scores had been a “very important” component of the review process at Cal Poly.

In the words of the admissions office:

• “For the purposes of your application, we’ll consider your 9th-11th grade weighted GPA. That number is calculated from college-prep coursework as designated on your application. Weight is granted for courses designated as ‘honors,’ ‘college-level,’ ‘advanced placement’ or ‘international baccalaureate’ for up to eight semesters.”
• “Cal Poly takes activities such as work experience, internships, volunteer programs and extracurricular activities into consideration. We are also interested in any leadership roles you may have held in these activities.”
• “All candidates are objectively evaluated by the cognitive and non-cognitive variables under our faculty-mandated Multi-Criteria Admission (MCA) process.”

Tips for Applying 

If you plan on joining the 70,000+ Mustang freshmen hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should also know the following:

• This university does not offer interviews or consider recommendations, essays, or demonstrated interest.
• You will be required to select a major from a list of more than 60 on your application.
• Applications can be submitted any time from 10/1 through 11/30.
• There are no essays for applicants to Cal Poly SLO.

Cal Poly SLO Acceptance Rate 2023 – Final Thoughts 

If you earned a 4.0 (or better) weighted GPA in high school, you are a viable candidate for any program within Cal Poly –San Luis Obispo. Students with a 4.1 or 4.2 in a mostly honors/AP curriculum will fare best. That said, very few students are able to consider Cal Poly as a “safety” these days; all students need to make sure that they formulate an appropriate college list , containing a complement of “reach”, “target”, and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to do this in collaboration with a professional who is aware of the latest trends and strategies associated with your prospective colleges.

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Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Check-out option update

The offer for protestors in the buildings to leave with a guarantee of no immediate arrest  has been extended to 5 p.m.

Those who walk out peacefully by the deadline will not be immediately arrested and will be able to leave campus without being arrested. This does not, however, eliminate University conduct-related sanctions or legal implications. In addition, voluntarily departing in this way will be considered as a mitigating factor in University conduct processes and may reduce the severity of sanctions imposed. 

See previous message for details about the check-out process at humboldt.edu/emergency .

First-Year Students

There’s still time to apply for fall 2024 on  cal state apply . the fall 2024 undergraduate application deadline is extended to may 31, 2024., who is a first-year student.

You can apply as a first-year student if you:

• are on track to graduate with a high school diploma by Spring 2024; OR
• graduated high school, but have not taken college courses beyond the summer after graduation.

First-Year Student Admission Requirements

Each California State University (CSU) campus will be utilizing a Multi-Factor Admissions process to admit their fall incoming freshmen class. All of the information needed to make a Cal Poly Humboldt (Humboldt) admissions decision will be supplied by the Cal State Apply application and High School Transcripts.

All Humboldt applicants will be reviewed using the following two criteria and the additional multi-factor criteria provided below to make a final admissions decision for California and Non-California Residents.

The California State University (CSU) no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses. If accepted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses. Visit the CSU Student Success site for further information on course placement.

High School Course Work

Humboldt reviews college-prep course work you have taken during high school, including the courses you have in progress or planned during 12th grade. Our selection process is based on your self-reported information. We will request a seventh-semester transcript to assure you are still on-track and address any issues that arise from the review.

List of college preparatory subject requirements.

A-G Course Work GPA

For the purposes of your application, we'll consider your grade weighted GPA. That number is calculated from college-prep coursework as designated on your application. Weight is granted for courses designated as “honors”, “advanced placement” or “international baccalaureate” for up to eight semesters.

Applicants who are graduates of a California high school or residents of California and have an “a-g” GPA of 2.5 or above and have met the minimum “a-g” coursework requirements will be CSU Eligible for admissions. Applicants who are not graduates of a California high school or are not residents of California and have a 3.0 or above and have met the minimum “a-g” coursework requirements will be CSU Eligible for admission.

Any California high school graduate or resident of California earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 will be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors.

Non-California residents may be eligible for admission to the CSU by earning a 3.00 or greater “a-g” GPA along with other supplemental factors.

All applicants will be evaluated by the following supplemental factors:

• Applicants with documented Military and Veteran status
• Applicants participating in educational programming such as, but not limited to, AVID, TRIO Programs, Tribal/Native American Support, and After-School programs
• Applicants who have utilized, or are currently utilizing Foster Youth Services

Humboldt will also take into consideration the following for California Residents during the admissions process.

• Applicants residing in Humboldt County and Humboldt Service Region
• Applicants participating in Humboldt supported partnerships or promise program

Non-California Residents residing within a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) participating state and Non-WUE states will also be taken into consideration within the admissions process.

Mustang News

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's News Source

No essay, no problem — How the CSU application may affect the university’s diversity

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Cal Poly’s application for the Fall 2019 term opened Oct. 1 on the university’s online application portal,  Cal State Apply . Cal State Apply allows applicants to apply to multiple California State University (CSU) campuses with the same application. Unlike many colleges and universities, Cal Poly’s application does not require an essay.

Prospective students can fill out the general application through Cal State Apply and are then redirected to additional admission criteria based on the schools they are applying to.

The 2017  State of College Admission report from The National Association for College Admission Counseling found that a majority of colleges and universities see the essay as moderately important in determining academically qualified students.

Admission essays showcase writing skills, but also help the admission boards to humanize applicants, according to the report. The essay allows students an opportunity to express their goals in life or the obstacles they have faced — something not found through test scores or grade point averages.

“I honestly don’t know how they would know who I am as a person because it’s mainly just putting in your transcript and grades,” business administration freshman Savannah Juel said. “Obviously, you can see that each student here is academically talented, but I don’t think the application process shows much interest in diversity and what people actually do outside of school.”

Juel applied to Cal Poly using Cal State Apply last year.

According to the enrollment data from the  CSU and  University of California  (UC) systems in 2018, Cal Poly had the least racially diverse student population of all California public universities. In Fall 2017, 54.8 percent of Cal Poly’s student population identified as white — the highest of all schools in the 23-campus CSU system and 10-university UC system. The university was also ranked among the worst universities for Black students by the  USC Race and Equity Center.

Race and ethnicity do not play apart in the admission process, according to University Spokesperson Matt Lazier. The use of race or ethnicity in admission processes is against state law according to  California Proposition 209 .

The admissions boards may not be able to use race/ethnicity as a factor when evaluating students, but diversity also accounts for age, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and much more.

An essay can show the life experiences and personality of an applicant. This can help admissions take into account factors other than grades.

CSU spokesperson Elizabeth Chapin said Cal State Apply does not include an essay, but requires general information such as test scores, transcripts, citizen status, etc. to keep it a uniform application for all 23 campuses. Later on in the application process, more information may be required, but that is up to the campus and program being applied to.

According to Cal Poly Director of Admissions Terrance Harris, one main way Cal Poly’s selection of students differs from the processes of other CSU campuses is its comprehensive review as part of the Cal Poly impaction strategy. Many other CSU campuses use an eligibility index — a  combination of an individual’s high school grade point average (GPA) and score on either the ACT or SAT to create a single number.

Cal Poly’s admission for undergraduate programs is highly impacted and competitive. When applying to Cal Poly, students are required to declare a major. Potential students are evaluated through variables under the faculty-mandated Multi-Criteria Admission (MCA) process.

According to Cal Poly’s MCA process, applicants are admitted based on:

• Intended program of study
• College-preparatory courses in secondary school
• Standardized test scores
• Extra-curricular activities and work experience

Juel said she had to specify how many hours a week she participated in extracurricular activities, like volunteering, leading a club or playing a sport, but was never asked to describe her role in the activities or clubs on Cal Poly’s application.

“Diversity at Cal Poly is impacted by so many factors. One of the best ways to positively impact diversity at Cal Poly is to ensure that the students who are here attending Cal Poly have as positive an experience as possible,” Harris said. “The better the experience of our current students, the better opportunity we have to retain and recruit diverse students.”

Cal Poly only accepts applications for the fall term through the Cal State Apply online application. The application fee is $55.00. Interested students must apply within the window between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30. All applicants will be notified with an admission decision via email by April 1 and students have until May 1 to accept or decline an admission offer. 

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Application Instructions

Eligibility.

All applicants must

• Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Be a US citizen or a permanent resident
• Have completed the Differential Equations and College Level Physics Courses . Community College students must have background in Calculus and Physics. Knowledge of computer programming is a plus

Instructions

How to apply (we are not currently accepting applications. please check back later). .

Application must be submitted using the Online Application Form including supporting documents. Questions regarding the application process should be directed to [email protected] . A complete application package will include:

• A completed Application Form . 
• A Two-page Essay addressing the participant’s academic background, professional experiences, interest in UAV technologies, autonomy, artificial intelligence, computer vision, robotics, unmanned systems, career goals, and plans for graduate studies. Essays should be single-spaced with a blank line between paragraphs. Use 12 point Times New Roman or Arial font with 1 inch margin in all sides.
• Unofficial copies of your Academic Transcript(s) . If selected for the REU program, participants will be required to provide an official copy before the start of the summer program.
• Two Letters of Recommendation from Individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic ability including faculty advisors at the student’s home institution or mentors from previous research activities. Letters must be sent by the recommenders directly to [email protected] . 
• All the documents must be converted to pdf files and saved as the document name_last name.pdf (Example: Essay_Smith.pdf). The unofficial transcripts can be saved as pdf or JPEG files.
• Please upload all the required documents with the application form.

Letters of Recommendation

• Recommenders should include the applicant's name, how long they have known the applicant and in what capacity, and a ranking or evaluation of the applicant relative to their peer group.  Please comment on overall research ability or potential, ability to work independently, and enthusiasm.
• The letters must be converted to pdf files and saved as Letter_of_Recommendation_Last name of the applicant.pdf (Example: Letter_of_Recommendation_Doe.pdf), and sent directly by the recommenders to [email protected]

Selection Criteria

Selection to the REU Program will be based on many factors including but not limited to:

• Strong motivation to carry out the project and potential for growth/educational value as evidenced in the letters of recommendation and personal statements.
• Plan to complete a degree program.
• Potential for effective faculty mentor-student relationship.
• Completeness of the application packet
• Appropriate qualifications.
• Plan to apply for graduate schools.
• Willingness to live on campus housing during the period of contract. If the COVID-19 Pandemic continues, the Program will be held virtually. 
• Ability to work 40 hours per week
• Commitment to not enroll in any summer classes.  
• Commitment to participate in weekly seminars, research and professional development meetings.
• Commitment to prepare a written report at the end of the program and participate in a poster or oral presentation.
• Commitment to participate in surveys
• Minority students including Hispanics, women, and African-American are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click Here to Apply!

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• Sep 28, 2022

Applying to a Cal State University in 2023

Updated: Sep 23, 2023

The California State University (CSU) is a public university system made up of 23 college campuses across the state of California​.

Whether your student is applying to one or four of the CSU colleges, they will still apply via the Cal State Apply Application .

Here’s what you need to know for the 2023-24 admissions cycle.

How do students apply to the CSUs?

The application opens Oct. 1 and has "phased deadlines," meaning some campuses will have earlier deadlines than other campuses. Eight campuses will close on November 30th, including Cal Poly San Louis Obispo and San Diego State University. You can verify deadline dates on each campus's website or look it up here.

What is admission based on?

Since 2022, the use of ACT/SAT scores in the admissions process has been suspended for all of the CSU campuses.

As a result, the 23 CSU campuses have implemented a multi-factor review to determine admission eligibility, which includes a combination of:

Completion of the 15-unit comprehensive “A-G” pattern of college prep courses with a qualifying GPA of 3.0 or higher for non-California residents

Supplemental factors

The GPA minimums and the weighting of supplemental information used may vary by campus.

Some CSU campuses are impacted or have programs that are impacted – meaning the number of applications received from qualified applicants is greater than the number of available spaces. These campuses may use a higher GPA minimum in their admissions process.

For example, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo gives extra consideration when students take beyond the minimum number of semesters required in some of the “A-G” subject areas, such as math, lab science, or language other than English. San Diego State University, in addition to considering all of the college-prep coursework students have taken during high school, also considers the performance and the number of units taken in courses most relevant to their intended major (see "Preparation Towards Indicated Area of Study").

The main section of the CSU application asks students to report the average number of hours they participated in extracurricular and/or leadership over the most recent 12 months, as well as the average number of hours they worked per week over the most recent 12 months. Note, students are not asked to list out the activities or work endeavors themselves, simply the amount of time spent engaged in them.

Insider Tip

Students applying to Cal Poly may also be given extra consideration if they indicate they have held a leadership position in any of their extra-curricular activities, or if 25% or more of their work experience is related to their chosen major.

Does CSU consider 9th-grade year grades?

The majority of the CSU campuses use a GPA derived from “A-G” coursework taken in 10th and 11th grades only. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo continues to be the only CSU campus that will also include 9th grade in their GPA calculation.

Will CSU consider test scores, if submitted?

The CSU has made it clear that “in no case will standardized test scores be utilized in making admissions decisions for applicants. There will still be a section on the application where students can submit SAT and ACT scores, alongside AP and IB scores, but the test results will be used only for college-level math and English course placement for admitted students.

Will CSU count “credit” or “pass” pass grades?

Yes! The CSU campuses will consider course grades of “credit” or “pass” as fulfilling “a-g” requirements for those courses completed from the spring 2020 term to the summer 2021 term. Grades of credit/pass or no credit/no pass will satisfy eligibility requirements, but they will not be included in the calculation of high school GPA.

Is an essay required?

Although the CSU campuses will be looking at coursework and non-academic variables such as the hours spent in extra-curricular activities, the CSU system does not require any essays or personal statements and remains as objective as possible in making admissions decisions.

Do I need to submit my transcript or Letters of Recommendation?

Students will self-report their courses and grades in the application and do not submit letters of recommendation.

Where can I learn more about the CSU campuses?

Each CSU campus offers its own events. Find the campuses here and link to their admission events website pages. You can also visit with specific campuses in October:

Where can I learn how to navigate Cal State Apply Application?

Several resources are available to students throughout the admissions process:

Read the Cal State Freshman Application Guide

Read the Cal State Admission Handbook

Students can sign up for a virtual application workshop here . Be sure to scroll down to the very bottom of the page to "other ways to explore" and click on schedule .

Students can also wat ch Cal Poly's series of application videos.

Cal State Apply Coursework Entry Guide

Freshman Admission Requirements

Out-of-State CSU Eligibly Index

Do you have questions about college admissions? Let's talk!

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Does Cal Poly Have Essay Questions?

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Unlike many colleges and universities, Cal Poly’s application does not require an essay . Prospective students can fill out the general application through Cal State Apply and are then redirected to additional admission criteria based on the schools they are applying to.

What essays does Cal Poly require?

Cal Poly considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration . You don’t need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you’re applying to may require it.

Do you have to write essays for CSU?

CSU schools do not require essays . UC and CSU schools do not require transcripts be sent until June, after acceptance, to verify each application.

Do I have to write an essay for Cal Poly Pomona?

The application requires submission of essay question responses, cover letter, and resume . Test scores and GPA information will be downloaded from applicants’ Cal Poly Pomona application.

Is Cal Poly test blind?

So, like the UCs, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo is test-blind for the high school class of 2022 . The most important factors Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo will be considering for admission include GPA, extracurriculars, work experience, and strength of curriculum (what a student does beyond the minimum course requirements).

What is the hardest college to get into?

Presenting: The 25 Hardest Colleges to Get Into in America

• Stanford University. Geri Lavrov.
• Harvard University. Photo by Lisi Cai.
• California Institute of Technology. Wolterk.
• Princeton University. aimintang.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
• United States Naval Academy.
• University of Chicago.
• Yale University.

Which colleges require essays?

What Colleges Require the SAT with Essay?

• All of the University of California schools.
• Benedictine University.
• City University London.
• Delaware State University.
• DeSales University.
• Dominican University of California.
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.
• Howard University.

Does UCLA require essays?

UCLA requires you to take the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section . They’ll use this as another factor in their admissions consideration.

Are there colleges that don’t require an essay?

Colleges and Universities in the United States that Don’t Require an Admission Essay

• University of Alabama.
• Alabama State University.
• University of Alaska.
• Arizona State.
• Arkansas State University.
• California State University.
• University of Colorado – Denver.
• University of South Florida.

Can I get into Cal Poly with a 3.3 GPA?

Is your high school GPA good enough for Cal Poly? The average high school GPA for admitted students at Cal Poly is 4.0 on a 4.0 scale . (You can calculate your high school a GPA here.) This is a very competitive GPA, and Cal Poly is clearly accepting students at the top of their high school class.

What is the minimum GPA for UCLA?

a 3.0 GPA or UCLA GPA Requirements At a minimum, you must earn a 3.0 GPA or better (3.4 for nonresidents) in all college preparatory courses. No grades can be lower than a C.

Can you get into Cal Poly with a 3.7 GPA?

How to Get Into Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: The Admissions Criteria. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is one of the more competitive public colleges or universities in the US, with a 29.50% acceptance rate, an average of 1255 on the SAT, an average of 29 on the ACT and an rough average unweighted GPA of 3.7 (unofficial) .

Does the SAT matter for class of 2022?

SAT, ACT remain important even as universities shift away from standardized tests. Nearly 2,000 colleges and universities have publicly announced that they will not require the SAT or ACT for admission in fall 2022 . That’s more than 75% of the degree-granting institutions in the U.S.

Is Cal Poly hard?

Cal Poly prides itself on its academics and all the students are very dedicated and challenged to succeed. The classes are hard but all the work you do pays off in the end.

What is a good ACT score for 2022?

Using the first definition of a “good” ACT score, a composite score of 21 or higher on the ACT could be considered a competitive score for 2022. At the very least, we encourage students who are new to the ACT to aim for a target score that is above national averages, on individual sections and the whole test itself.

What is the #1 University in the world?

What is the #1 college in the us.

Harvard University

What is the #1 public university in the US?

1. University of Michigan . The University of Michigan at Ann Arbor is one of the nation’s finest public universities by any measure.

What Major has the least writing?

• No-Writing-Required College Majors.
• Bachelor of Arts in Painting, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting.
• Bachelor of Mathematics, Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.
• Bachelor of Engineering.
• Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.

How long is a college essay?

between 150 and 650 words College essays are usually pretty short: between 150 and 650 words . Admissions officers have to read a lot of them, after all! Weigh your words carefully, because they are limited!

Does the essay affect SAT score?

The essay is optional and will not be factored into your overall SAT score . The essay scores will be shown separately on the report.

By Cary Hardy

Hi there! I'm Cary Hardy, an education expert and consultant. I've worked with students of all ages and backgrounds, and I love helping them unlock their full potential. I'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there's always something new to learn!

I got my start in education as a teacher, working with students in grades K-12. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods.

I'm passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and I believe that education is the key to unlocking everyone's potential. Thanks for reading!

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Which is better polytechnic or bsc, what type of college is cal poly pomona, what cal poly pomona is known for.

Student journalist sues Cal Poly for withholding public records

A pr. 23—A student journalist at Cal Poly is suing the university for withholding public records regarding sexual assault and labor violations on campus.

The lawsuit, filed by the First Amendment Coalition on Tuesday, alleges Cal Poly did not properly respond to three public record requests filed by Mustang News journalist Elizabeth Wilson between September and October 2022.

The First Amendment Coalition is a nonprofit legal group that provides legal support for First Amendment issues, including free speech, free press and public meeting access.

"It was a buildup of realizing that the transparency of these records is the most important thing and by waiting more than 18 months — waiting more than a year — that is not acceptable," Wilson told The Tribune. "These records are important to the Cal Poly community. The public has a right to know, and being patient was not enough. I had to take action."

Lawsuits only represent one side of a dispute. Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier told The Tribune the university does not comment on pending legal matters.

Wilson is a third-year journalism student at Cal Poly and data investigations reporter for Mustang News. She interned for The Tribune from November 2022 to August 2023.

Cal Poly violated California Public Records Act, lawsuit alleges

Wilson said Cal Poly has responded and provided documents to other public record requests in the past but has not been forthcoming with three requests for emails regarding alleged sexual assault and labor violations on campus and the hiring of former CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro by the Orfalea College of Business.

Castro was hired as a business professor at Cal Poly after he stepped down from his CSU position when USA Today reported he failed to respond to at least 12 Title IX violations during his tenure as president of Fresno State University.

According to court documents, Wilson filed a request on Sept. 30, 2022, for email conversations between Armstrong and Castro since February 2022.

In a separate request on Sept. 2, 2022, Wilson asked for all email conversations between Keith Humphrey, Cal Poly's vice president of Student Affairs, and Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong that contained the words "rape," "sexual assault," and "safety" from the 2021 academic year.

Finally, on Oct. 6, 2022, Wilson asked for emails from Andrene Kaiwi-Conner, director of the new student transition program at the time, that contained the words "quit," "verb," "Mustang News," "emergency," "understaffed" and "complaint." Kaiwi-Conner quit her position after Mustang News published an article containing alleged labor violations from student employees supervised by Kaiwi-Conner.

"Safety as a whole was something that I was really curious about in making these requests and wanting to know the internal communications about these issues," Wilson told The Tribune. "I really wanted to know what was happening behind the scenes and what more was there beyond what the university was saying."

In all three requests, Cal Poly indicated the university would search for the records but failed to produce them, provide an estimated release date — which is required under California law — or explain why it has not yet produced the records.

Wilson followed up on all three requests numerous times, the lawsuit said.

The First Amendment Coalition wrote the university a letter on Wilson's behalf on June 16, 2023, that identified "numerous California Public Records Act violations." A month later the university told Wilson she should begin receiving responsive records "as they become available" and would be advised of progress on a bi-weekly basis.

Cal Poly told Wilson it identified approximately 50 emails responsive to one of her requests, the lawsuit said, and said it "finished reviewing" those records and they only needed to be reviewed by university counsel for redactions in August 2023, which they said would take "a few more weeks," the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit alleges Cal Poly stopped updating Wilson in September 2023. Wilson has not received records to this date.

"While the lawsuit is focused on three three specific requests I made, I also hope that this sparks a larger conversation about transparency and institutional accountability when it comes to records and the right to know this information," Wilson said.

(c)2024 The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How to Apply

Cal Poly accepts graduate applications through Cal State Apply , the application for all CSU campuses.

Get Started

• Choose a Program Cal Poly’s six colleges as well as our School of Education offer a variety of Master’s Degree Programs , including blended and concurrent degrees and graduate and professional certificates .
• Review Selection Criteria and Your Program’s Requirements While the CSU sets minimum requirements for admission to graduate programs, each individual degree program will also have specific requirements for admission .
• Gather Application Materials In order to complete your application, make sure you have a copy of your transcripts, test scores, household annual income, and social security number (if available). If required for your program, you may also need to upload copies of your unofficial transcript(s), CV/resume, personal statements, names of recommenders, etc. Please contact the Graduate Coordinator for your program for details regarding letters of recommendation. 
• Review Deadlines The application deadline will depend on your program. Some programs only allow applications for the fall quarter, while others accept applications for the winter or spring quarters.
• Apply Cal Poly accepts applications online through Cal State Apply . You may also want to look through our application resources for tips on how to complete the application.
• Send Your Transcripts and Test Scores When submitting your application for admission, you are encouraged to attach unofficial transcripts to your application from all degree-granting institutions at which you have been enrolled (if granted admission, official transcripts will also be required). If your program requires test scores, those must also be sent by the application deadline.

to submit an obituary

Please send an email with the full text of your obituary to [email protected] . Text in the body of the email is best but we can take attached word and .txt documents as well--PDFs will not work. If you would like to include a photo, please attach it as a separate file from the text. Please specify the dates for the Obituary to run. We will send you a proof with cost for your final approval.

All obituaries need to be approved and paid for in advance. To pay by credit card call Melissa 530-896-7718 or Rene at 530-896-7726.

Submission Deadlines:

By noon to be printed in next day's paper.

Friday noon to be printed in weekend papers.

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