| Location: | Southwest |
| Setting: | Large Town Setting |
| Type: | Public |
| Size: | Very Large (+10,000 Undergrad) |
| Mascot: | Mustangs |
| Nickname: | Cal Poly |
California Polytechnic State University, commonly called Cal Poly, is a nationally ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, USA. Cal Poly is part of the 23-campus California State University system and is the second largest land-holding university in California.
Comprised of seven distinct colleges, Cal Poly offers a full spectrum of degrees. Specifically, the university's highly respected engineering, architecture, and agriculture colleges consistently place at the top of United States national academic rankings. In U.S. News & World Report's 2008 America's Best Colleges report, Cal Poly ranked as the #1 Public Master's University in the Western United States for the 15th consecutive year. Many highly competitve students apply for admission to Cal Poly, yielding, in 2008, an acceptance rate of 33%. The university directly competes for new students with several University of California campuses, and Cal Poly is often regarded as the premier campus within the California State University system. There are over 117,000 living Cal Poly alumni, and in fall 2007, 19,777 students were enrolled in the university.
Cal Poly is a member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges. Cal Poly is one of three California State Universities that participate in the Big West Conference. Cal Poly is known for its "learn by doing" philosophy.
Cal Poly was established in 1901 when Governor Henry T. Gage signed the California Polytechnic School Bill. The California Polytechnic School was built adjacent to San Luis Obispo and held its first classes on September 30, 1903, offering secondary (high school) courses of study. The first incoming class was 20 students. The school continued to grow steadily, except during a period from the mid 1910's to the early 1920's when World War I led to drops in enrollment and drastic budget cuts forced fewer class offerings.
|
Full-Time vs. Part-Time
|
Men vs. Women
|
||||
|
Race/Ethnicity
|
|
In State vs. Out-of-State
|
Top States for Incoming Freshman
|
| Percent of Students International: | 1% |
| On-Campus Housing Available: | Yes |
| Percent of Students Living On-Campus: | 21% |
| Freshman Students Required to Live on Campus: | No |
| Member of: | NAA, NCAA |
| Sports Include: |
Football (Other) Basketball (Big West Conference) Baseball (Big West Conference) Track (Big West Conference) |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-State | Out-of-State | |
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 4,245 | $ 14,415 | |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 0 | $ 10,170 | |
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 4,245 | $ 4,245 | |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 3,241 | 11% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 2,234 | 25% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 3,016 | 16% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 3,006 | 27% | |
Any Aid: |
43% |
| Acceptance Rate: | 14% (Most Selective) |
| Test Scores | |
| SAT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting SAT Scores: | 98% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Verbal: 540, Math: 580 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Verbal: 640, Math: 680 |
| ACT Scores: | |
| % of Students Submitting ACT Scores: | 42% |
| Bottom 25th Percentile: | Composite: 24, Verbal: 22, Math: 25 |
| Top 75th Percentile: | Composite: 28, Verbal: 28, Math: 29 |
| Application Fee: | $ 55.00 |
| Formal Demonstration of Competencies: | Not Required |
| High School Diploma or Equivalent: | Required |
| High School GPA: | Required |
| High School Rank: | Not Required |
| High School Record: | Required |
| Recommendations: | Not Required |
| TOEFL: | Required |
| Test Scores: | Required |
College Advice
|
 |
|
|
Question:
Cal Poly SLO?
What is the probability that i will get into Cal poly SLO with a GPA of 3.6 when i took my ACT i did somewhat good i guess i got a 19, but i still havent taken my SATs but am planning too... i am in two clubs, but play no sports....
its because im planning to apply there 2008 for the landscape architecture... THANX IN ADVANCE!!!
13 months ago
Best Answer
Your GPA is solid, I would maybe add an activity or two, it all helps and work on getting a good SAT score. I like your major that sounds like a fun one, and I also think that it will help you when applying since it is not one that everyone will trying to be getting in with at Cal Poly. Good luck.
|
|
|
|
Question:
UCSD or Cal Poly SLO?
I have to choose between UCSD or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo... Both amazing schools and I feel so lucky to choose between the two... I am a transfer majoring in Political Science.
Pros
UCSD - #3 in the nation for my major, Challenge, Will learn so much, closer to home, wide range of class choices, better study abroad program (I like it more, not necisarily better)
Cal poly - Very fun, great education but not as much for my major, classes wont be too difficult, Hot girls (bonus) I know who I would live with, can be more of a leader in clubs, smaller school.
Cons
UCSD - Might take 3 years instead of 2, people there are not as social, will be so dang hard, no idea who would live with, all I would do is probobly read and study the whole time, large school.
Cal Poly - Not as much of a challenge, farther from home, not as many class choices, not as reputable for major...
I don't know what I should do, both campuses are beautiful and they are both totally opposites but great opposites
16 months ago
Best Answer
You are right about UCSD having one of the best Poli Sci department. When people think of Cal Poly, they usually picture engineering, not Poli Sci. What is one more year compared to rest of your life? This is once a lifetime opportunity.
Since the CSU system is based on teaching and not research, you will get more individual attention, which I would list first as the pro for Cal Poly.
You want to pick the school mainly based on academics because no matter which school you choose, if you look to have fun, you will have fun and you will find plenty of people that are willing to go along.
|
|
|
|
I'm having a hard time deciding where I want to go. I'm really rooting for Davis because it is the only UC that offers Nutriton Science and Exercise Biology majors. I know after college I want to pursue a career in sport medicine or sports nutrition. I understand UCSD is a fantastic and very presitigious university, and I've been told its a huge honor to be accepted. However a vast majority of their majors focus on physics, engineering, math, and computer science. Not exactly my cup of tea. So if i turned down that offer and attended davis, which isnt exactly at the top, would it be a silly decison?? I'm a San Diego native so it'd be ahuge transition for me. How does Davis rank academically?? What about the campus life? I'd appreciate the oppinions!! :)
17 months ago
Best Answer
Err, SD is ranked higher than Davis, but it's not that huge a jump really. If you like Davis a lot better and has the majors you want that SD doesn't, go there. SD is ranked higher, but it's more of an incremental increase. Berkeley and UCLA trump SD by the same amount that SD trumps Davis so it's not like SD is the best thing since sliced bread.
Davis will be a HUGE transition for you. In my opinion, nowhere in the entire US (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico) have as nice weather as San Diego. Davis is this little cow town that gets 110+ in the summer and below 30 in the winter. You can have fun at both places though. Since you're from SD, you'll do a lot better than others cuz you have friends and stuff outside of school. Frankly, I found UC San Diego far more boring than Davis, despite UCSD being in a much better city.
|
|
|
|
so far i've been admitted to UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Poly Pomona, San Diego State University and San Jose State University? I want to do engineering. I know that Cal Poly SLO is best for engineering but it seems like it is in the middle of nowhere. Thats why im thinking SDSU. What would you pick
17 months ago
Best Answer
go to poly... if you want to learn something go there. As far as the other ones goes.. they arn't as good in engineering. It is not in the middle of nowhere. In fact, they have dorms too if you want to check it out.
forget SDSU and UC Santa Cruz, they don't have as good of an engineer program there, you will regret going to them and not going to poly.
|
|
|
|
I fully intended to enter Cal Poly as an English major for Fall 2007, however, after learning about economics in school lately, I have been doubting which major I should choose. I heard majoring in English is very difficult, but I English is one of my strengths, but I am beginning to love studying Economics... help! How difficult, if even possible, is it to change majors at Cal Poly? I heard it's nearly impossible...
17 months ago
Best Answer
I checked out the CalPoly website to try to find the information you needed, and you are correct -- it is very difficult (but not impossible) to change majors after you have been admitted.
Here's why. As an intended English major, you were admitted to the College of Liberal Arts. Economics majors study in the College of Business. Cal Poly makes switching from one college to another very difficult.
It looks like you're going to have to go in as an English major, and fulfill those requirements for at least three quarters. You will also have to take Economics and calculus classes, and you'll have to do very well in them in order to even apply to switch to an Economics major.
They also make it clear that you'll have to make an appointment at the Advising Center in order to determine whether you will be eligible to change your major.
Looks like it's going to be tough.
Best wishes to you.
|
|
|
|
What college major combines business and technology? I will be attending Ohio State next fall and as of now I am undeclared for my major. I have interests in business (finance, accounting, econ, etc) and computers (design, technology, programming, networking). Although I do not want to major in anything related to engineering because I am not extremely good with science and I just would rather have an office type job in a large city than be an engineer. What major do you recommend?
19 months ago
Best Answer
My sister did her degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She currently uses her degree to manage both IT and Business Unit direct reports. Her understanding of the Oracle DB (she's a certified super-user)and actual business operations (finance, marketing, strategy, etc.) allows her to manage global reporting for various business units at a leading california software company. She is about 26 and makes 80K. Hope this helps...
|
|
|
|
Question:
Difference between Two Cal Poly CSUs?
What's the different of Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly Luis Obispo? Which one is better? I am admitted to Cal Poly Pomona, should I feel happy about it?
20 months ago
Best Answer
Congratulations on your acceptance to Cal Poly Pomona! In my opinion, in today's college admissions world, every acceptance is one to feel happy and excited about!
Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have some similarities and differences. They are pretty close in size (San Luis Obispo is slightly larger) and both offer solid programs in engineering, business, and many other fields of study. San Luis Obispo is more difficult to get into, but it is not exactly easy to get into Cal Poly Pomona, especially for certain majors.
Another key difference is their location. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is located in a small city along the central coast. The closest "large" city is Santa Barabara. Pomona is located fairly close to Los Angeles. This might give Pomona students a bit of an edge when it comes to lining up internships.
I think which one is "better" really boils down to your intended major. A higher percentage of students major in engineering at San Luis Obispo, and it has a stronger reputation for engineering. However, Pomona's engineering programs are not bad in any way. Both are fully accredited by the American Board of Engineering Training (ABET), and fine for engineering. Beyond engineering, however, you'd really have to look closely at individual departments, because both schools have their strengths.
If you're considering both schools, I'd suggest that you visit both to see which one feels more "like you." They do have somewhat different feels, and one might appeal to you more than the other.
Hope this helps - Congratulations again on your acceptance!
Carolyn Lawrence, www.AdmissionsAdvice.com
|
|
|
|
For Engineering. If you are a cal poly grad explicate your Bias.
Diddo for UC grads. If you are not from california, have you heard of Cal Poly or California Polytechnic State University? How would you rank Cal Poly Versus the UC's. State whether you went to college and which institution you have attended. Also include what your major was. Thanks
20 months ago
Best Answer
It depends on the specific engineering program. Many UC's have weaker programs than Cal Poly SLO.
Many, MANY employers in California are biased in FAVOR of Cal Poly SLO. I've known several partners in architectural and civil engineering firms, say, who claim that they will hire Cal Poly grads over anyone else as soon as they walk through the door.
It has something to do with the practical reputation of SLO's programs-- probably mythical at this point.
If your interests are more in research or an advanced degree, UC is the way to go. But job prospects are excellent+ for Cal Poly grads coming out of the gate. And it's quite a bit cheaper.
Interestingly enough, SLO's reputation has not rubbed off on Pomona, which is unfortunate, because that school is well regarded.
|
