Applying to Cal Poly? Here are 6 insights into its admissions process

Stories by The Tribune journalists, with AI summarization

The application period is now open for students hoping to attend Cal Poly, and the San Luis Obispo university's competitive admissions continue to attract record interest.

Cal Poly received nearly 79,000 applications for this year's fall class, marking an all-time high and a 5.5% increase over the previous year.

The intense competition means that fewer than 8% of applicants secure a spot, with certain majors, such as psychology and software engineering, admitting less than 4%.

Now, it's time for the next round of Cal Poly hopefuls to submit their applications, which are due on Dec. 2.

Want to know more about the admissions process, which majors are in the most demand and more? Check out these six stories.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

A large sign marks the Grand Avenue entrance to Cal Poly’s university campus in San Luis Obispo.

NO. 1: CAL POLY SLO APPLICATIONS SOAR TO ANOTHER NEW RECORD

The university said it intends to keep “strategically” growing to meet the increased pool of applicants. | Published February 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Owen Lavine

A student lets out a yell for the crowd after receiving her diploma. Cal Poly celebrated more than 5,000 graduating students in six ceremonies on June 17 and 18, 2023, at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

NO. 2: DID YOU GET INTO CAL POLY? HERE’S EVERYTHING TO KNOW AS ACCEPTANCES GO OUT

From the timing of acceptance letters to what to do if you are waitlisted — here’s your guide to getting into Cal Poly. | Published March 11, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kaytlyn Leslie

Masters degree recipient Manuel Torrez Jr. waves to Cal Poly audience. The university began a series of graduations with the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences at Spanos Stadium on June 11, 2022.

NO. 3: HOW TOUGH IS IT TO GET INTO CAL POLY? SOME MAJORS HAVE ROOM FOR LESS THAN 4% OF APPLICANTS

One College of Liberal Arts major has room for just 2% of students who applied. | Published May 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kaytlyn Leslie

Cal Poly celebrated more than 5,000 graduating students in six ceremonies on June 17 and 18, 2023, at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

NO. 4: HOW HARD IS IT TO GET INTO CAL POLY BY MAJOR? SEE HOW PROGRAMS COMPARE

Scroll through our database to find out how many applicants were vying for spots in Cal Poly’s 64 majors for fall 2024. | Published May 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kaytlyn Leslie

Students and parents pause at the Welcome Center to pick up keys as more than 8,800 students began to move in to on-campus housing on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.

NO. 5: WHAT WERE THE HARDEST MAJORS TO GET INTO AT CAL POLY? TAKE A LOOK AT THE TOP 10

One College of Liberal Arts major continued to hold the top spot as the most difficult major to get into at the San Luis Obispo university. | Published May 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kaytlyn Leslie

A large sign marks the Grand Avenue entrance to Cal Poly’s university campus in San Luis Obispo.

NO. 6: DID YOU APPLY TO CAL POLY? HERE’S WHEN ACCEPTANCE LETTERS WILL BE SENT

Students will have at least six weeks to make their college decisions. | Published February 21, 2024 | Read Full Story by Owen Lavine

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.