Why choose Cal Poly?

A Polytechnic Approach Here, we weave technology and hands-on learning experiences into our academic programs, bringing textbook concepts to life in a technologically advanced and multicultural world. Students also experience a broad-based education through our general education program.

Why do I want to go to Cal Poly?

Learn by Doing sets us apart from other colleges and universities. In classes, projects, labs and other academic pursuits, you'll actively engage through hands-on, real-world experiences building both your knowledge and your skill and transforming you into a proactive, whole-systems thinker.

What makes Cal Poly special?

Our faculty provide the foundation for Learn by Doing, creating real-world opportunities for students to take their learning outside the classroom. They see first-hand the difference hands-on experiences have in advancing a student's understanding of a subject and of themselves.

What is so good about Cal Poly?

Undergraduate students can choose from almost 70 majors, with Cal Poly's highly ranked engineering programs as the most popular choice. There are more than 80 state-of-the-art laboratories and 50 clubs dedicated specifically to the Cal Poly College of Engineering.

Is it worth it to go to Cal Poly SLO?

Though Cal Poly is the most expensive of the CSU's, it is an excellent bargain. You truly do receive a UC level education at a CSU price tag. Cal Poly is a better school than many UC schools and though it isn't cheap, it is priced far below most UC schools.

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE CAL POLY - (pros/cons & everything you should know)

What do people say about Cal Poly?

U.S. News & World Report ranked Cal Poly #1 Top Public Schools. Cal Poly's Learn by Doing process has kept it ranked as the top public, master's level university in the West for 31 years straight! The hands-on approach to learning allows students to explore their interests and begin building their careers from day one.

What are the hardest majors to get into at Cal Poly?

Why is Cal Poly so expensive?

Cal Poly is more expensive than many schools in the University of California system because UC's provide more financial aid. Part of the goal of this plan is to offset some of those costs making Cal Poly a more accessible choice for low and middle-income California students.

What is the controversy with Cal Poly?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is facing backlash over the hiring of former Cal State Chancellor Joseph Castro for a faculty role. Castro resigned the chancellorship in February in the wake of a scandal over how he handled sexual harassment allegations against a top administrator.

Is Cal Poly hard to get into?

California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo is selective with an acceptance rate of 30%. Students that get into California Polytechnic State University: San Luis Obispo have an SAT score between 1260–1450* or an ACT score of 28–33*. Regular applications are due November 30.

What are the top 3 majors at Cal Poly?

What is Cal Poly SLO known for academically?

The most popular majors at California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo include: Engineering; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Agricultural/Animal/Plant/Veterinary Science and Related Fields; Social Sciences; Architecture and Related Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences ...

Is Cal Poly an elite school?

The personal finance website, in its ninth annual list, used six rankings — from 2.5 to 5 stars — to identify the 736 schools across the nation “where your tuition (and time) is likely to pay off.” Cal Poly achieved the top rating along with 33 other schools, including Ivy League universities as Harvard, Princeton, ...

What are some fun facts about Cal Poly?

Is Cal Poly worth the money?

Cal Poly continues to build on its reputation as a top-value university that regularly receives favorable rankings and has high demand for its graduates from industry. Last fall, U.S. News & World Report named Cal Poly the best public, master's-level university in the West for the 30th straight year.

Is Cal Poly respected?

Cal Poly was named one of the 34 best public or private universities in the nation, according to Money magazine's 2023 Best College rankings, landing it on a list that's a veritable who's who of top American campuses.

Is Cal Poly a wet campus?

This option is a first in Cal Poly's history. Changes to the campus alcohol policy have allowed the university to officially be considered a wet campus, which made this kind of establishment possible.

Is Cal Poly a competitive school?

First-Year Student profile

Admission to Cal Poly is competitive. We look for students who have strong academic records and are active in and out of the classroom.

Is Cal Poly selective?

Admission to Cal Poly is highly selective and competitive in all majors. While GPA and test scores are important, it is impossible to predict a candidate's chances by looking at these statistics alone. We encourage students to apply to the program they feel best fits their academic and professional goals.

Is Cal Poly a top tier school?

The personal finance website, in its ninth annual list, used six rankings — from 2.5 to 5 stars — to identify the 736 schools across the nation “where your tuition (and time) is likely to pay off.” Cal Poly achieved the top rating along with 33 other schools, including Ivy League universities as Harvard, Princeton, ...

How smart do you have to be to get into Cal Poly?

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.

What major is Cal Poly best known for?

Cal Poly is best-known for its engineering and agriculture programs.

Which major is easiest to get into Cal Poly?

Some 27 Cal Poly majors are in the single digits when it comes to the ratio of seats available to total applications. At the other end, the program with the best acceptance rate is bioresource and agricultural engineering, which has room for 60 of its 169 freshman applicants, or 36%.

Is Cal Poly a public ivy?

So, here's this year's list of Public Ivy schools: Binghamton University. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Christopher Newport University (VA)

Is Cal Poly a smart school?

“Cal Poly is one of the top public engineering, architecture, business colleges. We're definitely the best school in the CSU system, which is great because you pay CSU tuition and fees to get a much better education.”