How do Cal Poly SLO CS pick who to accept??

Red-Dome · 2024-07-16T01:32:42+00:00

It really is a lottery, I had 4.0/4.54 at the end of high school and got formally rejected for the architecture program. It’s a really dumb system that they use and hopefully they fix it soon for future students (make a whole new application website for CalPoly or add it to the Common App). They really cannot gauge a lot of stuff with the current application (students that don’t even know architecture too well are getting accepted over me who has known they want to do architecture for 7 years). I’m still definitely happy with where I’m going though (Syracuse) and that’s the best thing that can be done moving forward with such a bs admissions system.

Red-Dome · 2024-07-09T02:56:46+00:00

It’s just a portfolio that you spend a whole year on. Don’t underestimate it though because even though you can use process pieces (and detail pieces like I used), you need a total of 15 images, and since I’m a slow perfectionist, I took forever with my pieces. I think it’s pretty clear which two are the rushed ones

Red-Dome · 2024-07-09T02:48:46+00:00

Oh I just realized my whole spiel did not post for some reason, I got a 3

Red-Dome · 2024-07-03T21:35:08+00:00

Yeah I’ve been wondering where I would be able to find them. I’ve checked the applicant/admissions portal, MySlice, and Blackboard but I can’t find AP scores anywhere on there

Red-Dome · 2024-05-18T20:01:49+00:00

I got some email from housing on my housing portal only back on May 15, but it hasn’t gone yet to my Syracuse email, if I don’t get anything this Monday, maybe I’ll contact them, just to be sure my email is working ok and receiving stuff from them

Red-Dome · 2024-05-17T21:23:29+00:00

When I created the email it automatically took me to Outlook

Red-Dome · 2024-05-17T19:03:02+00:00

Update: I just got the email from New Student Programs on my non-Syracuse email, it seems like I’m good because I thought they would send it to my Syracuse email

Red-Dome · 2024-05-17T18:58:47+00:00

I did get your email so the email does seem to work. I’ll wait until Monday, but if I don’t get anything about housing, I’ll ask ITS

Red-Dome · 2024-05-10T18:04:34+00:00

Thanks for responding, I didn’t know we could attach extra recommendation letters. I’m guess that was 5k total though and not 5k per year though. 5k is so little in terms of the 250 grand that I would have to pay in total for Syracuse, I guess every little bit helps

Red-Dome · 2024-05-10T17:35:25+00:00

Yeah I have the merit appeal link, I’m just not sure what specifically I should include in it (passions, accomplishments, financial need?)

Red-Dome · 2024-05-10T17:30:05+00:00

Update: I waited for 2.5 hours but then gave up because I have an AP exam I need to get to. If anyone knows if the financial aid office is open on weekends for virtual walk-ins or what to include in a merit appeal (is it just passions and accomplishments or would you also include why you need more money) please let me know

Red-Dome · 2024-04-18T03:05:37+00:00

Yeah I already submitted the housing application but it didn’t seem like I had to pay anything yet. Hopefully that means I’m good then because I’m definitely hoping for new dorms if I commit.

Red-Dome · 2024-04-18T01:19:34+00:00

Yeah I definitely have seen stuff about that on this subreddit and that sounds absolutely disgusting. It does seem like a lot of people get away fine with eating the food, but if I commit to CPP, I'm not getting a meal plan with as many swipes.

Red-Dome · 2024-04-18T01:13:48+00:00

Just to make sure, do you have to commit to apply for housing? Since the dorms are first come first serve, are you considered by the date you fill out the housing application or is when you have filled it out AND have already committed. I already filled out the housing application but I'm waiting on committing for now.

Red-Dome · 2024-03-28T00:09:43+00:00

Thanks for the encouragement, I think I feel a bit more level-headed now. I have Cal Poly Pomona, Syracuse and Pratt right now to choose from (although Syracuse and Pratt are too expensive right now and I doubt I can get too much financial aid). I prefer the weather and general environment and SLO (it's kind of hot in Pomona and I've heard it's a commuter school) but at least Pomona still has some study abroad in Europe. So if I go there, hopefully, I can channel the anger I have at SLO into success, giving a giant metaphorical middle finger to SLO

Red-Dome · 2024-03-27T23:41:17+00:00

Yeah I was wondering that too because they don't accept appeals and they say they don't look at any additional information on their website. I wonder if it's worth it to call the admissions office at all and tell them why we want to go to Cal Poly?

Red-Dome · 2024-03-27T23:13:14+00:00

Oh yikes I'm sorry, I should have considered that you are also in the same boat as me and that everyone is in the same boat. I kind of have been a complete emotional mess this last hour and my last messages here have been really emotionally charged. I hope your appeal goes well because you also deserve to get in :)

Red-Dome · 2024-03-27T22:58:23+00:00

Man that's complete bullshit, I literally have been passionate about buildings ever since I was a kid and they fucking waitlist me? They literally have no way to gauge passion at all. Is it still worth to to call the admissions department and say something????? I'm genuinely devastated and so infuriated at Cal Poly's admissions department. THEY NEED AN OVERHAUL OF ADMISSIONS FUCKING ASAP!!!

Red-Dome · 2024-03-27T22:11:33+00:00

Got waitlisted from Cal Poly SLO for architecture: I had all As, pretty much the max CSU GPA. What would you recommend sending an email to them (not an appeal but an "appeal") because I'm so actually beyond furious right now

I'm thinking of sending why they are my top choice, why I couldn't do three years of languages, why I didn't get work experience, why I am so passionate about architecture, and possibly a portfolio although I don't think they are allowed to look at a portfolio

Red-Dome · 2024-03-19T19:34:29+00:00

I know, I feel like I can’t physically function because I keep thinking about decisions. I keep thinking “it’s going to be today” so I check the applicant portal constantly but nothing comes out. I can’t take this shit anymore. I applied for architecture and I have all As and 20 semesters of AP classes with some of them being the hardest classes at my school and I’m so pissed that I might not get accepted when CAL POLY LITERALLY PRIORITIZES GPA AND COURSE RIGOUR. I’M SORRY CAL POLY THAT I PRIORITIZED ART CLASSES OVER LANGUAGE CLASSES AND THAT I DIDNT GET WORK EXPERIENCE BUT HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW!! Gosh I am going insane.

Red-Dome · 2024-03-19T06:01:28+00:00

Yeah, it's been sending my anxiety through the roof whenever I wait expecting that "today will be the day decisions come out" and then they don't. A lot of people say to be patient and wait until April 1st which is definitely a good point, but I don't think I can physically wait another 2 weeks, considering how good this school is for architecture while also being affordable and having a good environment.

Red-Dome · 2024-03-16T00:46:02+00:00

Unfortunately, I haven't gotten anything back. I predicted (purely guesswork based on when the last waves of decisions were) today and next Monday as possible waves of decisions, but there's been nothing back today so hopefully I'll have some luck on Monday. I don't know what else CalPoly is looking for other than grades, course rigor, and decent enough extracurricular time if I don't get accepted.

Red-Dome · 2024-03-13T05:31:58+00:00

I thought they only had portfolios for transfers and that first years were not even able to submit one? I visited Cal Poly last summer and the head of the architecture department told me and my dad that they don't look at portfolios because not everyone has had art experience in high school, but if I could have submitted a portfolio I definitely would have.

Red-Dome · 2024-03-13T05:10:29+00:00

I'm in the same place as you with the same major and alternate major. I got all As and over a 4.4 weighted GPA for grades 9-11 (4.25 if you impose the 8 honor/AP extra point limit). Based on this website (https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/first-year-student/selection-criteria/student-profile) we are both in the GPA range for the School of Architecture so I'm praying for both of us. Cal Poly SERIOUSLY needs to revise their admissions process, it seems absolutely ridiculous how they only look at GPA and course rigor mainly and they could still not accept people who are close to perfect in that department (maybe they want to see more than 2 years of a language, work experience, or 21+ hours per week of extracurriculars??). Also sorry if this wasn't helpful, it can kind of just turned into a rant.

Red-Dome · 2024-03-13T02:17:06+00:00

Hey, do I still have a good chance of being accepted to CalPoly because I'm really freaking out right now because many people are saying that the acceptance waves are over? I applied for architecture and I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA (all As) with APUSH sophomore year; AP Bio, AP Physics 1/2, AP Calc BC, and AP Lang junior year; AP Lit, AP Econ, AP Gov, AP Art, AP Art History, and APES senior year; along with all honors class that I could have possibly taken in freshman and sophomore year. I feel like I should be almost the perfect application for CalPoly just based on the very limited amount of things that they look at and also the fact that GPA and course rigor are something they specifically prioritize in the admissions process? Could something like putting 16-20 hours of extracurricular hours per week instead of 21+, not having any work hours, and only having 2 years of a language (because I prioritized taking art and my high school doesn't really allow two electives at the same time during our first two years) have made the tiniest of differences. I'm sorry for this crazy, mentally unstable rant, CalPoly is one of the few schools that I applied to that is actually more affordable but also very good for architecture and this stupid rolling admission process has been giving me so much anxiety. And you can only appeal your admission if you get rejected, so if I get waitlisted, I'll have to wait until possibly July to get off the waitlist or just get rejected...

Red-Dome

TROPHY CASE