Is Cal Poly Hard To Get Into

Last year California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo’s acceptance rate was 31.29. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

	2016	2017	2018
Acceptance Rate	29.0 %	35.0 %	31.29 %

As you can see, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is getting more and more difficult to get into. If this trend continue it’s likely that Cal Poly will be even more competitive by the time you apply.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into Cal Poly – it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo’s average ACT score is 86. To be a competitive applicant for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 77, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 95.

	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Average
Math	26	31	28
Reading	25	33	29
Writing	26	31	28
2019 Total	77	95	86
2018 Total	–	–	–
2017 Total	–	–	–

How hard is it to get into California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo?

As you can see from the data above, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is difficult to get into. Not only should you be aiming for a 4.0 but also SAT scores around 1255.

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

Recommendations	Status
School Rank	Neither required nor recommended
GPA	Required
School Record	Required

How to get into Cal Poly

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into Cal Poly. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at Cal Poly, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with Cal Poly admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1255 on the SAT or 86 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 4.0.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with Cal Poly’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. San Luis Obispo has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school – they want students who will give back to the local community and broader San Luis Obispo area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. Cal Poly needs to see past your test scores and grades – they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores – your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your Cal Poly app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that Cal Poly’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause – submit your app a few days early.

Cal Poly Average Gpa

What are Cal Poly’s average SAT scores and GPA? In this guide, we’ll discuss what scores are needed for you to get admitted into Cal Poly. You’ll also get to calculate your own chances with our admissions calculator.

Location: San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Cal Poly Admissions Statistics

There are three critical numbers when considering your admissions chances: SAT scores, GPA, and acceptance rate. All these combine to tell you what you scores are required to get into California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Average SAT: 1335

The average SAT score composite at Cal Poly is a 1335.

Cal Poly SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1240, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1430.

In other words, a 1240 places you below average, while a 1430 will move you up to above average. There’s no absolute SAT requirement at Cal Poly, but they really want to see at least a 1240 to have a chance at being considered.

Here’s the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
Math	675	620	730
Reading + Writing	660	620	700
Composite	1335	1240	1430

Exclusive: Want to learn how to improve your SAT score by 160 points?

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at Cal Poly is 4. This makes Cal Poly Extremely Competitive for GPAs.

(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. You should also have taken plenty of AP or IB classes to show your ability to excel in academic challenge.

If you’re a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change from this point on. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you’ll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you’re prepared to take on college academics. This will help you compete effectively with other applicants.

Admissions Rate: 30.2%

The acceptance rate at Cal Poly is 30.2%. In other words, of 100 students who apply, 30 are admitted.

This means the school is quite selective. If you have strong academic scores, you have a great shot at getting in.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is quite selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission. If you’re able to score a 1430 SAT or above, you’ll have a very strong chance at getting in. But if you get a 1240 SAT or below, it’ll be a steep uphill battle for you to get admitted.