Understanding Cal Poly GPA Requirements for Admission and Academic Standing
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) is a highly competitive institution within the California State University (CSU) system. Understanding the GPA requirements, calculation methods, and related academic policies is crucial for prospective students, current students, and those considering transferring. This article provides a detailed overview of Cal Poly's GPA requirements, calculation methods, and other relevant academic considerations.
GPA Calculation at Cal Poly
At Cal Poly, your Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total number of grade (quality) points earned by the total number of units attempted. It's important to note that all units attempted, whether passed or not, are included in this calculation, with some exceptions. Courses graded as "CR/NC" (Credit/No Credit) and those with administrative grades (excluding "U"/"WU") are not included. Grades of "RP" (Report in Progress) and "I" (Incomplete) are also excluded from GPA calculations.
Grade Changes
A grade may be changed to correct a clerical error or an error in the calculation of a grade. Students questioning a grade should first contact the instructor. If the issue remains unresolved, they should discuss it with the chair of the department offering the course. If still unresolved, the student should consult with the dean or associate dean of the relevant school. As a final recourse, the student can write a detailed letter to the Chair of the Fairness Board.
Dean's Honors List and President's List
Cal Poly acknowledges academic excellence through the Dean's Honors List and the President's List. The President's List is compiled annually, recognizing undergraduates who have been named to the Dean's Honors List for at least three out of the four quarters of the academic year. Honors at graduation are awarded to candidates for bachelor's degrees based on their Cal Poly GPA.
GPA and Admission to Cal Poly
GPA is a critical factor in the Cal Poly admissions process. Cal Poly is an impacted campus, making admission competitive across all majors. While GPA is important, it's not the only factor considered.
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Average GPA of Admitted Students
The average GPA at Cal Poly is 4.12. This indicates that successful applicants generally have near-perfect grades. If your GPA is at or below this average, a higher SAT score (though currently test-blind) or exceptional achievements in other areas can help compensate.
Holistic Review
Cal Poly utilizes a Multi-Criteria Admission (MCA) process, evaluating candidates based on both cognitive and non-cognitive variables. Factors considered include the rigor of high school coursework, grades earned, work experience, internships, volunteer programs, and extracurricular activities.
Test-Blind Policy
Cal Poly, along with all other California State University (CSU) schools, has adopted a test-blind policy. This means that SAT and ACT scores are not considered during the admissions process.
GPA Calculation for Admission
For application purposes, Cal Poly considers the weighted GPA from 9th-11th grade college-prep coursework. This number is calculated based on the courses designated on the application.
Credit/No Credit Grading
Some courses are offered on a Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) basis. Undergraduate students receive a grade of CR for work equivalent to a C- or better, and NC for grades of D+ or lower. Graduate students receive CR for a B- or higher, and NC for C+ or lower.
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Restrictions on CR/NC Grading
Students electing for CR/NC grading must have at least a 2.0 GPA in cumulative Cal Poly work. Most majors do not allow CR/NC grading for major or support courses. It is the student's responsibility to check the "Degree Requirements and Curriculum" for their major to determine if CR/NC grading is permitted.
Changing Grading Basis
Students can change their grading basis through the registration system until the end of the 8th week of instruction (or 20% of instruction remaining date).
Other Grading Symbols and Policies
Incomplete Grades
An "Incomplete" (I) grade is assigned when a student has not completed a portion of required coursework due to unforeseen and justified reasons, with a possibility of earning credit. The instructor determines the terms for completing the work, typically within one year. Failure to complete the work results in the "I" being converted to an "F" (or NC).
"WU" Symbol
The "WU" symbol indicates that a student did not withdraw from the course and failed to complete course requirements, with insufficient completed work for normal evaluation.
"RP" Symbol
The "RP" symbol is used for courses extending beyond one term, indicating work in progress. The "RP" must be replaced with a final grade within one year, except for graduate theses, which have a seven-year limit.
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Course Repetition
Undergraduate students may repeat a maximum of 16 units at Cal Poly to improve their GPA. If the second grade is higher, it replaces the first. Grade forgiveness does not apply if the second grade is lower. Effective Fall 2026, grade forgiveness can be applied to the same course twice. Students may repeat an additional 12 units beyond the 16 units eligible for grade forgiveness.
Withdrawals
The "W" grading symbol indicates that a student was permitted to withdraw from the course after the regular add/drop period, with approval from campus officials. Withdrawals after the initial drop period require a petition, especially within the final 20% of instruction, and are typically granted for serious and compelling reasons.
Term Withdrawals
Students who need to withdraw from all classes must follow the University's official withdrawal procedures, initiating a request with the Office of the Registrar.
Retroactive Withdrawals
Students may petition to have all grades retroactively changed to "W" if they can document serious and compelling reasons for an unofficial withdrawal, within one year of the term's end.
Academic Renewal
The CSU system offers an Academic Renewal program, allowing students to petition to have up to two or three semesters of previous undergraduate coursework disregarded if they faced difficulties meeting graduation requirements due to a grade point deficiency. Five years must have elapsed since the term(s) to be disregarded were completed.
Transfer Students
The transfer acceptance rate at Cal Poly is highly competitive. For those entering the university, Cal Poly received a large number of applications and admitted a small percentage of students. This makes Cal Poly a challenging school to consider as a "safety" for transfer students.
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