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Cal Poly Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Cal Poly's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Cal Poly and build a strong application.

School location: San Luis Obispo, CA

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

Admissions Rate: 30.3%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Cal Poly is 30.3% . For every 100 applicants, 30 are admitted.

This means the school is very selective . If you meet Cal Poly's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.

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Cal Poly GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 4

The average GPA at Cal Poly is 4 .

(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. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Cal Poly hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Cal Poly will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Cal Poly SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1335

The average SAT score composite at Cal Poly is a 1335 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Cal Poly Moderately Competitive for SAT test scores.

Cal Poly SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1260, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1450. In other words, a 1260 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1450 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Cal Poly has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Cal Poly will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Cal Poly forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1450, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Cal Poly ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Cal Poly likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 29

The average ACT score at Cal Poly is 29. This score makes Cal Poly Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 28, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.

Even though Cal Poly likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 28 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 29 and above that a 28 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 33 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Cal Poly, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 33.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Cal Poly considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission . If you're able to score a 1450 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.

For a school as selective as Cal Poly, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1450 SAT or a 33 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Cal Poly here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Not used if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office December 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 1
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes November 30 April 1

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 1 San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
• Phone: (805) 756-1111 x1111
• Fax: (805) 756-5400
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Cal Poly, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Cal Poly.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Cal Poly. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Cal Poly, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Cal Poly, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Cal Poly is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Undergraduate

First-year factors, new transfer factors, application procedures, cal poly application filing periods.

California Promise Program

Former/Returning Students

Other information.

Office of Admissions Building (172H), 2nd Floor,  Room 2-20 Phone: 805.756.2311; Fax: 805.756.5911 Tour Information Line: 805.756.5734 Email: [email protected] https://admissions.calpoly.edu/

Cal Poly comprehensively reviews all applications, seeking students who have strong academic records and are active in and outside the classroom.  Admission to Cal Poly is highly competitive. Beyond the basic California State University qualifications, Cal Poly considers other factors for admission deemed important to the campus and does so in an objective format. Review the selection criteria for undergraduate applicants by starting here: Cal Poly Admissions .

Applicants are notified of a formal decision by April 1.

When a first-year application is reviewed, the following are considered:

• The applicant’s intended program of study (the major to which application is made)
• The applicant’s college preparatory courses in secondary school
• GPA earned in college preparatory courses
• The applicant’s extra-curricular activities and work experience
• Non-cognitive variables deemed important to the campus

For a comprehensive look at Cal Poly’s selection criteria for a first-year applicant, including deadlines, visit Cal Poly Admissions Selection Criteria .

The majors below have additional requirements:

• Art and Design – qualified first-year applicants will be requested to submit an electronic portfolio per specific instructions provided to the applicant
• Music – qualified first-year applicants will be requested to audition either in person or via specified media

When an upper-division 1 transfer application is reviewed, the following are considered:

• The number of units completed
• Completion of CSU and Cal Poly program required coursework with a grade of ‘C’ or better
• General Education (G.E. Breadth) or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) courses
• Academic performance in college courses (GPA)
• The applicant’s extracurricular activities and work experience

For a comprehensive look at Cal Poly’s selection criteria for a new transfer applicant, including deadlines, visit https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/transfer-student/selection-criteria .

• Art and Design – qualified new transfer applicants will be requested to submit an electronic portfolio per specific instructions provided to the applicant
• Music – qualified new transfer applicants will be requested to audition either in person or via specified media
• Architecture – qualified new transfer applicants will be requested to submit a portfolio per specific instructions provided to the applicant

Appeals to Undergraduate Admission Decisions - First Year and New Transfers

Cal Poly does not set aside spaces for students who appeal admission decisions. Every denied application has been reviewed for maximum consideration. Therefore, for an appeal to have merit it must bring to light new academic information, as well as information pertaining to extenuating circumstances that was not present in the application information that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced.  Neither grades received in the current academic year nor mistakes made by the applicant on the application are a basis for an appeal or the reversal of a decision.

Review the Cal Poly Admissions website for complete information and instructions regarding the process to submit an appeal here .

For admission consideration, Cal Poly requires applicants to submit the online application ( https://www2.calstate.edu/apply ) with the corresponding $70.00 application fee, which is both non-refundable and non-transferable. The application and fee cannot be used to apply to another term.

Applicants should not submit additional information beyond the information submitted on the application unless requested to do so by the Admissions Office. Applicants are advised to submit complete and accurate information on the application for admission. Failure to file complete, accurate, and authentic application documentation may result in denial of admission, cancellation of academic credit, suspension, or expulsion (Section 41301 of Title V, California Code of Regulations).

View detailed online application information at https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions .

Cal Poly accepts undergraduate (first-year or new transfer) applications for the Fall term only.

First-Year Applicants apply through the online process. This process requires applicants to submit Cal Poly’s online application with the corresponding fee during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30.

*Please note: Applicants will receive notification of their admission status by April 1. Those selected must accept or decline Cal Poly’s offer of admission by May 1.

New Transfer Applicants apply through the online process. This process requires applicants to submit Cal Poly’s online application with the corresponding fee during the application filing period of October 1 to November 30.

Offers of admission to Cal Poly are conditional pending satisfactory compliance with the “Terms and Conditions of Admission” found online at Terms and Conditions for First-Year Students and Terms and Conditions for Transfer Students .

The California Promise Program

The California Promise Program enables a specific number of CSUs to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in four years. All CSUs have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in two years. The program is limited to students who are residents of California.

Students who commit to enter either the four-year or two-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisors as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan and complete 30 semester units or the quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating CSUs may stipulate other requirements as well. Interested students entering the CSU should contact university offices or visit The California Promise Program website.  

The California Promise at Cal Poly

Cal Poly has established a pilot pledge program for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer to complete their baccalaureate degrees in two years. The Bachelor of Arts in English is the only major available at this time. Interested students should contact Cal Poly’s Transfer Center ( transfer @calpoly.edu ).

Former Students Returning in the Same Major

Students who were previously enrolled at Cal Poly and who wish to return to the university must follow the guidelines appropriate to their category.

Former undergraduate students who left Cal Poly in good standing (2.0 or higher GPA) , before completing their degree, and who wish to resume their former program (major) at Cal Poly, can essentially be reinstated after submitting a paper CSU undergraduate application and transcripts from any institutions attended after leaving Cal Poly. A returning student is one who has no enrollment record for three consecutive regular terms (fall, winter, spring). If you have missed 2 terms, you may enroll without completing a returning student application. Once you have missed 3 terms, you must complete a returning student application. An application and corresponding fee must be filed or postmarked before the application deadline date listed below for the appropriate term:

Former students who did not leave the university in good standing (i.e., were academically disqualified), will have their application and transcripts sent to their department college for review before reinstatement can occur. Applicants in this category are advised to contact their major's academic department or advising center to begin dialogue about satisfying any requirements before submitting their application. For more details regarding applying as a returning student please visit the Returning Students website .

Former Students Returning in a New Major

Former Cal Poly students wishing to return to Cal Poly in a different major must file an online application with the corresponding fee by the same application deadline as new applicants. Applicants in this category will compete equally with new applicants for the available transfer openings in their declared major.

Consistency with State Regulations

The philosophy of the Cal Poly Admissions Office is consonant with the mission of California Polytechnic State University and is in accordance with Title V, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations, and specifically, the California Code of Regulations for the California State University System, Title V, Section 40600.

Graduate Admission Requirements

View online information for graduate admission here .

Determination of Residence for Tuition Purposes

The Cal Poly Admissions Office determines the residence status of all new and returning students for tuition purposes. View comprehensive online information here .

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International Students

Office of Admissions Building (172H), 2nd Floor,  Room 2-20 Phone: 805.756.2311; Fax: 805.756.5911 Tour Information Line: 805.756.5734 https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions Email: [email protected]  

International Admissions

Cal Poly, as part of the California State University (CSU) system, assesses the academic preparation of international students using factors such as academic performance, verification of English proficiency, and financial resources (to meet federal regulations). For this purpose, international students include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors, or those in other nonimmigrant classifications. The CSU uses separate requirements and application filing dates in the admission of international students.

Reference the International Admissions section on the Cal Poly Admissions website for detailed information .

 Cal Poly does not have a separate international application. International applicants submit the online application ( https://www2.calstate.edu/apply ) appropriate to their level of entry with the corresponding $70.00 application fee which is both non-refundable and non-transferable. The Cal Poly Admissions Office will contact each international applicant regarding additional requirements once the application has been received. View application information, deadlines and selection timelines by visiting https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/international-student/dates-and-deadlines .

For more information about international admission in addition to the application for admission requirements:

International First Year Applicants – visit https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/international-student/selection-criteria .

International New Transfer Applicants – visit https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/international-student/selection-criteria . Please note: Cal Poly does not accept applications for undergraduate transfer students with less than 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) or applications for second undergraduate degrees.

International Graduate Applicants – visit https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/international-student/selection-criteria .

After all required documents have been received, the Admissions Office will determine eligibility for admission and will notify the applicant of the result. International applicants admitted to Cal Poly will complete a visa questionnaire and receive a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (I-20 form) which is necessary to obtain a student visa to enter the United States or for requesting permission from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for transfer to Cal Poly from another U.S. institution. Other requirements may be imposed by USCIS. Applicants should note the I-20 form is valid for enrollment only at Cal Poly for the term indicated and that it includes an expiration date.

 Undergraduate Deadlines for International Students

Graduate Deadlines for International Students

For detailed information about deadlines, visit https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/international-student/dates-and-deadlines .

International students should also visit the Cal Poly International Center website at  https://international.calpoly.edu/ for additional international student information and services.

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English Department

College of liberal arts, english 133 and 134 curriculum.

The curriculum of our first year writing courses is divided into “sequences,” which means that shorter assignments prepare students to write the major (4-6 page) essay that is due at the end of the sequence.  Below you will find descriptions of these major assignments. 

Sequence I: Your Writer's History

This essay is often written during the first week of English 133 and 134 – although some instructors require students to revisit and revise it again at the end of the quarter.  In these essays, students reflect on their experiences as writers, drawing attention to the importance of developing a writing process, the challenges of writing, and the sense of accomplishment they experience after recognizing their development as writers.  Ultimately, these students are assessing their own abilities as writers so they can better understand the work they have before them.   

Sequence II: Profiling a Person, Place, or Event

For the profile sequence, instructors select a theme – such as the environment, the media, or local culture – and ask students to interview people who work within this area, while other instructors simply ask students to use this assignment to become better acquainted with an aspect of someone’s life, a well-loved place, or even social trends.  For many instructors, conducting an effective interview is essential for this sequence because the interviewee’s vantage point needs to be fully depicted in the essay.   

The profile sequence challenges students to synthesize multiple texts and viewpoints: including their own critical response to their interviewee’s work, the interview itself, and, when appropriate, the students’ own experiences and responses.  In addition, students must account for and write to an audience that does not have knowledge of their essay’s subject matter.  Students are encouraged to carve out distinctive approaches to the assignment – approaches that permit them to explore exceptional elements found in cultures surrounding them.   

Sequence III: Public Rhetoric and Argumentation

For this sequence, students choose a public issue and write a persuasive essay supporting their viewpoint.  Students explore complex subjects in which they have a personal investment and address the concerns of those who hold different positions.   

Students learn that a well-written and fully-supported argument requires them to conduct research both to support their own claims and to fairly depict opposing viewpoints.  They also learn to use the rhetorical appeals of ethos , pathos , and logos to persuade and connect with their chosen audience.  Regardless of the topic they choose, students are encouraged to select a focus that matters to them , something you want to understand better.  Moreover, as students engage with rhetorical inquiry, they are urged not to approach their topic and their research with firmly held points-of-view that can shut out competing perspectives.  

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General Education

Writing resources for students, cal poly university writing and rhetoric center.

Location : Kennedy Library, Room 111C Hours : Sunday:  4 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Monday - Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Phone : (805) 756-6032

• The University Writing and Rhetoric Center offers free consultations on any writing project for any discipline. All writers are welcome!
• Schedule a FREE consultation on your writing project by appointment two days in advance; Drop-in visits are available on a first come, first serve basis. *Note: due to the high volume of writers who seek our services, we recommend scheduling an appointment ahead of time.
• Call (805) 756-6032 to make your appointment
• Note: The University Writing and Rhetoric Center is closed during the first week of the fall, winter and spring quarters, finals week, and during the summer quarter.

Online Writing Resources

The sites below open to new windows outside of this web site.

• Guide to Grammar and Writing : Interactive quizzes, linked information, PowerPoint presentations.
• Paradigm Online Writing Assistant : Help with organizing, editing, thesis/support essays, argumentative essays, and documenting sources.
• Purdue On-Line Writing Lab : an expansive website with detailed information on punctuation, sentence structure, tips for multi-lingual writers, business writing, online tutorials, just to name a few.  Includes online APA and MLA style guides.
• The Writing Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison : Offers an online writer's handbook with grammar and style handouts.

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Academic Skills Center

Writing and learning initiatives, top 5 study strategies.

• Procrastination
• Note Taking
• Time Management Schedules
• Test Preparation

ACADEMIC SKILLS CENTER

In this section.

• Test Essay (PDF)

Preparation

Taking the essay test.

• Glossary of Essay Test Terms

Works Cited

Tests: essays.

Essay or subjective exams may include either short answer questions or long general questions. These exams have no one specific answer per student. They are usually scored on an opinion basis, although there will be certain facts and understanding expected in the answer. The main reason students fail essay tests is not because they cannot write, but because they fail to answer the questions fully and specifically, and because their answer is not well organized.

Essay exams require recall learning. Carefully figure out the major content areas to learn. If you are not caught up, this is not a time to read everything in a frantic manner. Focus on the key source for the test: notes or textbook, or whatever you think will be most heavily covered on the test. It's better to understand and know a few things very well than to have a large quantity of unorganized, poorly learned material. These suggestions may help:

• List all topics sure to be included on the test. List important subtopics for each.
• Skim all the materials to be covered, checking those to be more intensively studied.
• Write down all the key topics covered in class and in your reading up until the test date (probably about 5 or 6 topics at mid-quarter and 9 or 10 at finals).
• Read or reread all materials not understood; use a specific purpose when reading.
• Develop a pool of information for each topic. Answering words like "who," "what," "where located," "how works," "key characteristics, " "cause-effect," and "examples" for each topic will help to cover the critical information.
• Finally, take 2-3 blue books to class and a mechanical pencil that won't need sharpening. If the instructor specifies ink, take a pen with erasable ink.
• Note the number of items, point distribution, range of difficulty, and time available.
• Jot down any immediate answers that come to your mind - lists, outlines, etc. Jot down any other key information you might forget.
• From the parts quickly construct a rough outline.
• Note the instructional words included in the question, e.g., compare or contrast.
• Use the outline as a "map" to answer the essay question. If you don't have time to finish the whole test, this outline may give you some points. More importantly, the outline helps you to stay focused.
• If you know the answer, write only what you are asked.
• Avoid generalities.
• Use part of the test question in your test answer at the beginning of the paragraph. This signals to the reader that you are answering this part of the essay here! This will earn you points.
• Include an introductory statement at the beginning and a summary paragraph at the end.
• Review your answers. Your essay is written under the intensity of a deadline, but it is graded under much more relaxed conditions. Allow sufficient time to check for spelling, grammar, omitted words, incorrect dates, etc. This is when you will be glad you wrote in pencil.

A Glossary of Essay Test Words

ANALYZE:  When asked to analyze, separate (a thing, idea, etc.) into its parts to find out their nature, proportion, function, interrelationship, etc.

COMMENT:  When asked to comment, you are asked to explore the impact and meaning of something; give a note in explanation, criticism, or illustration of something written or said; remark or make an observation made in criticism or as an expression of opinion

COMPARE:  Examine qualities or characteristics in order to discover resemblance's. The term compare is usually stated as compare with, and it implies that you are to emphasize similarities, although differences may be mentioned.

CONTRAST:  Tell how two or more topics are different from associated things, qualities, or events, etc.

CRITICIZE, INTERPRET, and REVIEW:  Express your judgment with respect to the correctness or merits of the factors under consideration. Give the results of your own analysis and discuss the limitations and good points or contributions of the plan or work in question.

DEFINE:  Definitions call for concise, clear, authoritative meanings. Details are not required, but boundaries or limitations of the definition should be cited. Keep in mind the class to which a thing belongs and whatever differentiates the particular object from all others in the class.

DIAGRAM, and ILLUSTRATE : Present a drawing chart, plan, or graphic representation in your answer. You may be expected to label the diagram or add a brief explanation or description.

DISCUSS:  Examine, analyze carefully, and present detailed considerations pro and con regarding the problems or items involved. Often found in essays.

EVALUATE:  Present a careful appraisal of the problem, stressing both advantages and limitations. Evaluation implies authoritative and, to a lesser degree, personal appraisal of both contributions and limitations

EXPLAIN, RELATE:  Clarify and interpret the material you present. State the "how" or "why," reconcile differences in opinion or experimental results, and state causes if possible. In brief, tell how it all happened.

JUSTIFY, PROVE : To justify your answer, provide factual evidence or logical reasons. In such an answer, evidence should be presented in convincing form. Establish your answer with certainty by evaluating and citing experimental evidence or by logical reasoning.

LIST, ENUMERATE:  Present an itemized series or tabulation. Be concise.

OUTLINE:  Give main points and essential supplementary materials, omitting minor details, and present the information in a systematic arrangement or classification.

SUMMARIZE:  Give the main points or facts in condensed form. Omit details, illustrations and examples.

TRACE:  Give a description of progress, historical sequence, or development from the point of origin. Such narratives may call for probing or deductions.

Deese, James and Ellin K. Deese.  How To Study (3rd ed) . New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1979.

Examination Skills and Techniques . Lincoln, Nebraska: Cliff Notes, Inc., 1968.

Millman, Jason and Walter Pauk.  How to Take Tests . New York: McGraw-Hill, 1969.

Pauk, Walter.  How To Study In College (2nd Ed) . Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1974.

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Applying to a Cal-State School? Here’s What You Need to Know About the CSU System/Process

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Even among large state university systems in the U.S., the California State University system (referred to as Cal State or CSU, although there are other CSUs in the U.S.) is a behemoth. With a population of over half a million students, staff, and faculty members across its roughly two dozen branches, it plays a huge role in educating the state of California, and also attracts students from outside the state.

If you’re used to thinking of colleges as distinct, singular entities, you may find the mechanics of applying to a large state college system like Cal State to be somewhat confusing. If you’re from outside of California, you may also have questions about how your residency affects your application requirements and chance of being accepted.

Never fear, CollegeVine is here! In this post, you’ll find an outline of the Cal State system of colleges, their application processes and requirements, and the factors you’ll need to consider if you’re thinking about applying. Read on for our advice on making wise choices about the Cal State system.

A Brief Introduction to the Cal State System

The Cal State system as it operates today was created by the California Master Plan for Education of 1960 , but the colleges it consists of have existed for much longer under various names and groupings. Originally intended primarily to educate teachers, these colleges now offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in a full range of fields.

Today, the Cal State system consists of 23 distinct campuses, some of which maintain additional “off-campus” branches that extend their reach to a larger number of students. You can find a full list of these campuses and detailed information on each campus on the Cal State website. Cal State also owns a number of other research and laboratory facilities throughout the state, including an observatory and a ship for training future mariners.

Like most state colleges, the Cal State schools were originally created to serve residents of that state. California residents still enjoy preferential treatment in admissions and a lower in-state tuition rate at the Cal State schools. However, students from other states and even other countries are also eligible to apply.

Currently, nearly 479,000 students attend Cal State each year, and the system lays claim to the title of largest (by population) 4-year state college system in the nation. It’s responsible for half the bachelor’s degrees awarded in California every year, and it awards more bachelor’s degrees each year than any other university system in the U.S.

It’s important to keep in mind that the California State University system is not the same as the University of California (UC) system. Both are systems of public universities in California, but each has its own policies, campus choices, and admissions procedures, and the UC schools are generally more selective and more expensive. To learn more about the UC system and its application requirements, visit the CollegeVine blog post How to Write the University of California Essay Prompts 2017-2018.

Applying to the Cal State System

To be eligible for admission to any of the Cal State schools, you must have successfully completed certain college preparatory courses while you were in high school. If you’ve completed these requirements, your high school GPA and your SAT or ACT scores are plugged into an established equation to produce the single number known as your Eligibility Index (EI).

Your EI is the main factor that determines admission to most of the Cal State schools and majors. Each school and major has its own EI cutoff for admission. This threshold may also depend upon where you live; students who come from the immediate area of the college and, more generally, the state of California receive preference in the form of lower EI cutoffs.

Applying to one or more schools in the Cal State system is different from applying to most other colleges in some significant ways. If you’re hoping to get admitted to a Cal State school, particularly one of the more popular campuses, you’ll need to follow the instructions carefully.

First of all, instead of the Common Application, Coalition Application, or another shared application system, the Cal State schools use their own application system, Cal State Apply. You must use this system to apply to any of the Cal State schools, and you can specify multiple Cal State schools on it if you’d like.

If you take a look at the Cal State admissions website , you’ll see that it lists a “priority application filing period” that lasts from October 1 to November 31 for admission in the next fall semester. The term “priority” is a bit of a misnomer here; at some of the more popular campuses, all the available first-year spaces may be taken during this time period.

In order to have the best possible chance at getting admitted to the Cal State college you’re interested in, you should always plan to submit your initial Cal State application during the priority application filing period. Some colleges in the system may continue to accept applications after November 31, space permitting, but this is not guaranteed.

In certain circumstances, you may have to provide additional information as part of your Cal State application. What this might require of you depends on the school and the situation. (We’ll discuss these circumstances in greater detail below.)

If you’re a first-year applicant (not a transfer applicant), you should not submit any additional documents with your initial application. After you submit your initial application, you’ll be contacted directly with instructions if and when more information becomes necessary. Don’t submit anything extra during the basic application process unless you’re specifically told to do so.

Impacted Campuses and Majors

One special piece of terminology that you’ll find used in the Cal State system is “impacted.” If a Cal State college, or a specific major at a Cal State college, is described as impacted, this means that demand for admission to this college or major exceeds the available space, making admission to this college or major much more competitive.

Whether a particular school or major is impacted can vary from year to year, but some campuses, like Cal State Fullerton , are already known to be impacted for the 2017-2018 application season. Impacted Cal State colleges generally require a higher EI for admission than the others, and impacted majors may require a higher EI than other majors at that college.

Impacted schools and majors may also base their admissions decision on additional information, requiring you to submit supplemental documents. Again, if these documents become necessary, the college will inform you and provide instructions for submission. Don’t submit any additional documents during the initial application process.

Admission for Non-California Residents

As we’ve mentioned, the Cal State system was established specifically to provide educational opportunities to students from California. For this reason, preference in admission is given to California residents, especially those living in the local area of a particular college, and to transfer students from the California community college system.

If you’re not from California, you’re still welcome to apply to the Cal State system. However, you should be aware that you’ll be subject to higher admissions standards. The EI threshold for out-of-state applicants is typically higher, meaning you’ll need higher grades and test scores to get in, and you may also need to submit supplemental documents if the college requests them.

As with most state universities and colleges, it’s also more expensive to attend schools in the Cal State system if you’re from out of state. California residents enjoy lower in-state tuition.

Choosing a Cal State Campus

With so many campus options scattered across the entire state of California, you might find it hard to decide which Cal State schools to apply to. While the schools in this system have a lot in common, and are run by the same chancellor and group of administrators, each campus also has a distinct character of its own.

Some of the Cal State schools are located in major cities like Los Angeles, while others are set in suburbs or small towns. Each school offers its own set of majors, and some of the schools are extra-specialized — Cal Maritime, for instance, is a small Cal State school that only offers a few majors related to maritime science.

Fortunately, the Cal State system’s website provides tools that you can use to help make this decision. Along with information on each college and the academic and other programs they offer, this website offers a Campus Match Tool that allows you to search among the 23 different Cal State schools by factors like size, location, and athletic offerings.

For more details about each campus, it’s a good idea to explore the individual websites of the Cal State colleges you’re interested in, and even to visit and speak to current students to get a more personal perspective. You can find links to each of the Cal State colleges on the Cal State website.  

When you submit your initial Cal State application through the Cal State Apply system, you’ll be instructed to specify your campus(es) of choice. If any of the Cal State colleges you choose requires additional information from you in order to make a decision, the individual school(s) will contact you directly and provide more instructions for what to submit and how.

Considering the Cal State system may be a little overwhelming due to its breadth, but within that wide variety of programs, you may very well find one that’s perfect for you. Especially given the early deadlines of the priority application period, if you think any of the Cal State colleges might be a good fit for your less, it’s worth getting to know their process, checking whether you meet their requirements, and putting in your research in advance.

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!

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California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Cal Poly Pomona

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California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Cal Poly Pomona’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Common app personal essay.

The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don‘t feel obligated to do so.

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you‘ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

Transfer Student

What is a transfer student.

If you have taken any college-level classes since the summer beyond your high school graduation, you are considered a transfer student. Applicants applying as a transfer student should be a college junior with 60 or more transferable semester units or 90 quarter units by the time of transfer.

Your Application

Cal Poly accepts applications for transfer students from October 1 - November 30. Learn more about our application process, including choosing a major and how to submit your application materials.

How to Apply

APPLICANT  RESOURCES

Dates to remember.

Learn about application due dates, financial aid filing periods, supplemental application dates, decision notifications and more. 

Dates and Deadlines

Selection Process

Review our admissions requirements and selection criteria, including your intended major, completed coursework, GPA and other variables. 

Selection Criteria

Application Help

Learn how to access the application through Cal State Apply, as well as tips to help you navigate and complete each of the sections.

Application Resources

Paying for College

Calculate and review your costs of attendance as well as learn about the various types of financial aid available. 

Cost and Aid

Once You’re Accepted

Did you get an offer of admission and are wondering what you need to do next? Learn more about the steps you need to take and the things to remember after you have been selected for conditional admission to Cal Poly.

What's Next?

Cal Poly does not accept applications for lower-division transfers, students seeking a second Bachelor’s degree, intra-system visitors, or students seeking professional growth or development.