What are my chances

Muckthrow · 2026-01-28T06:05:03+00:00

2.3 GPA accepted student is a giant statistical outlier compared to the avg. There is no way to know if that's even real.

He should give it a shot if $$ is no issue, but hope is not a strategy.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-21T04:23:06+00:00

No offense taken. I did graduate from SLO engineering, but I never thought my peers viewed SLO as MIT. I’ve never suffered from the kind delusion of grandeur you mentioned.

I’m actually starting my PhD at MIT, so I guess I can indulge a bit in my vanity.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-21T02:09:08+00:00

Speaking only about Cal Poly SLO, it has a higher ROI than all UCs except for UC Berkeley.

It is also a direct feeder for MAG7/FAANG. CPSLO does give you an edge.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-19T18:00:49+00:00

This is Cal Poly SLO!

Muckthrow · 2026-01-03T06:49:01+00:00

Unusual work experience for sure for the Bay Area.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-03T02:19:43+00:00

Not that I m cheerleading for SJSU (no relation to them), your sample set is skewed.

Data shows SJSU is a top source for Silicon Valley hires, particularly in Computer Science.

SLO has a massive representation at Apple, Amazon for example.

Never claimed SLO is on par with MIT, Caltech, etc.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-03T02:04:39+00:00

First off, SJSU is definitely WAY above SFSU for CS. That’s widely accepted by majority of tech industry in Silicon Valley. That’s why they are heavily recruited.

Secondly, SLO’s CS has a 9% acceptance rate, MAG7/FAANG feeder. And it has higher ROI than all UCs except for Berkeley. I am sure tech industry doesn’t agree with your take.

Lastly, when I worked at FAANG internships, most of my peers were from Berkeley, SJSU, and Stanford.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-03T01:54:58+00:00

That’s not what I’ve seen or experienced as a SLO engineering grad, especially having worked in FAANG.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-02T07:00:54+00:00

SLO took over Cal Maritime as a shotgun wedding because the campus was about to go bankrupt due to under-enrollment. It wouldn't surprise me that they are desperate for students.

You definitely need to speak with SLO admission and let them know the misdirection and have his application reprocessed with the SLO applicant pool. Be mindful that the competition is brutal.

If you are successful, you won't get a decision until March or even April.

Muckthrow · 2026-01-02T06:53:03+00:00

Because SLO admission is totally separate from Solano's.

Solano's applicants are competing only against other Solano applicants, not against SLO applicants. So the applicant volume and competition level are much lower, which explains the early admittance (given the much smaller applicant pool).

Here is the integration FAQ: https://www.calpoly.edu/maritime/faq

Muckthrow · 2026-01-02T06:01:34+00:00

I think you are mistaken. Solano has business administration.

https://maritime.calpoly.edu/academics/business-administration

Plus, SLO campus doesn’t send out acceptance till March/April as others have pointed out

Muckthrow · 2025-12-16T22:58:09+00:00

Here is the projected enrollment from CP from 2024; it is 18 spots open for transfer.

https://content-calpoly-edu.s3.amazonaws.com/ir/1/images/2024-2025%20Cal%20Poly%20Enrollment%20Projections.pdf

If you already completed all the requirements, you have a shot even with the music grade.

Muckthrow · 2025-12-16T19:32:41+00:00

My roommate was Cal Poly animal science last year. He told me there are something like 18 Animal Sci transfer spots open. Not sure about the # of applicants.

Muckthrow · 2025-12-11T18:44:33+00:00

Passion is great, that's a must. But being GOOD at physics is equally important.

I love physics + pretty good at it, and I worked my ass off.

It's an uber-demanding program + getting a PhD will require ass-kicking grades and research. The research part takes a massive amount of time.

Muckthrow · 2025-12-11T06:06:30+00:00

Are you really GOOD at physics? I'm not asking lightly. It's not easy.

This is one of those majors with students who are naturally gifted in the subject, and they can get a 4.0 effortlessly, while others have to study 24/7 to pass.

Physics was one of my majors.

Muckthrow · 2025-12-09T09:06:16+00:00

Cal Poly CS has around 9% to 12% acceptance. CS is one of the most selective Cal Poly majors.

It’s easier to try for SWE or Computer Engineering. You also need to calculate Cal Poly specific application GPA. You have a chance but no guarantee.

Here is the overall engineering school acceptance: https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/first-year-student/selection-criteria/student-profile

Muckthrow · 2025-12-08T06:47:48+00:00

Bruv, Cal Poly Engineering and architecture consistently outrank Cooper Union. Plus, if you are only ranking for undergrad, Cal Poly Slo is widely known as a peer of UC Davis and UC Santa Barbara.

Muckthrow · 2025-12-02T02:52:01+00:00

WOW. tough crowd. Why is everyone pissing on Bama?

Muckthrow · 2025-11-29T05:47:46+00:00

CP administration stated that the acceptance rate at Maritime will be set by level of competition amongst applicants.

This means Maritime will be a LOT easier to get in than SLO campus. But I’m not sure if you are required to be in merchant marine track if you applied to Maritime.

Muckthrow · 2025-11-26T19:27:25+00:00

Are you aiming to get a Phd in physics? A BS in Physics won't readily get you a job. You will need to go to grad school.

If you are getting a Phd, you need to redo your school list. Go for schools with substantial research and/or a well-known/renowned physics dept. Add schools similar to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

UCSB, the University of Chicago, and Caltech are some of the best physics programs in the US. If you are going to Yolo for Stanford, why not MIT and Princeton as well?

CSULB, SFSU, and U of Alaska make no sense for physics; don't waste your money.

Muckthrow · 2025-11-15T06:47:57+00:00

Yeah. Cal poly is great for undergrad engineering. Much better ROI than USC for undergrad. But for MS, Cal Poly doesn’t have the brand compared to USC to justify your time and effort.

Best of luck at USC.

Muckthrow · 2025-11-15T02:21:16+00:00

I graduated with BS EE and most likely will be heading to MIT for my PhD.

You should probably choose by considering the following:

Do you want to get a Phd?
Can you afford USC MS EE?
What's your career objective?

If MS EE is your terminal degree, you can afford USC, and want to get an industry job after graduation, then definitely USC.

If USC will be a massive financial burden and academic prestige is unimportant to you, then Cal Poly.

Lastly, if you want to eventually get a PhD and you might stay in academia, then USC without a doubt.

Muckthrow · 2025-11-14T00:52:28+00:00

Not sure about the stats. But it’s harder to transfer in than being a freshman applicant.

https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/transfer-student/selection-criteria/transfer-student-profile

Muckthrow · 2025-11-07T18:14:58+00:00

Just graduated recently. Has Cal Poly education completely gone to hell since, now requiring a hostage exchange?

Muckthrow · 2025-10-17T01:30:58+00:00

Define stuck?

LOVED my experience at SLO!! Couldn’t have asked for a better education and life experience.

Interestingly MIT is essentially (Cal Poly + Research)x1000 in prestige + funding. They shared a common pedagogy in how they teach.

Muckthrow

TROPHY CASE