Navigating GPA Requirements for Cal Poly Pomona Admission

Gaining admission to Cal Poly Pomona involves meeting specific academic criteria, including GPA requirements. These requirements vary depending on whether you are a freshman, transfer student, or graduate applicant. This article provides a detailed overview of the GPA requirements for Cal Poly Pomona, along with other factors considered during the admission process.

Minimum GPA Requirements for Freshmen

To be considered for admission to Cal Poly Pomona as a freshman, applicants must first meet the minimum California State University (CSU) eligibility requirements. This includes satisfying the A-G requirements, also known as Academic Subject Requirements, which represent the minimum academic preparation needed for CSU eligibility.

A-G Requirements and GPA Calculation

The A-G requirements consist of 15 specific subject courses completed in grades 9-12. A GPA of 2.5 or higher is required for California residents (3.0 for non-California residents) in these courses, with no grade lower than a C-. Advanced Placement (AP) and honors courses can earn extra GPA points for up to eight semesters of approved honors-level, International Baccalaureate (IB), and AP courses taken in the last three years of high school. No more than two approved honors-level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. Extra points are also awarded for college courses used to meet CSU "A-G" requirements.

Multifactor Admissions (MFA)

Cal Poly Pomona uses a Multifactor Admissions (MFA) process to evaluate applicants. This process creates a Cal Poly Pomona eligibility index (CPP Index) for an applicant’s desired major. Similar to the academic criteria, the university uses self-reported information from your application. All local applicants receive additional consideration during the admission process.

Elimination of SAT/ACT Test Scores

The California State University (CSU) has eliminated the use of SAT/ACT test scores when making undergraduate admission decisions. Applicants may still submit test scores; however, they will NOT be used for admission purposes.

GPA Considerations for Transfer Students

Transfer applicants must meet the minimum CSU eligibility requirements to be considered for admission. Fall applicants must have requirements completed by the end of the Spring term, and Spring applicants must have requirements completed by the end of the Fall term. Cal Poly Pomona uses a Multi Factor Admission model which creates an eligibility index for transfer applicants. CPP will be utilizing both academic and non-academic factors when making admission decisions.

Impacted Majors and Supplemental Coursework

CPP has various majors that are impacted (more people apply than they can accommodate) and therefore, have established supplemental courses that need to be completed with a "C" or higher to be considered for admission. Students that have been or will be awarded an ADT that is deemed similar to the major that they are applying to will have the supplemental coursework waived. Cal Poly Pomona admits applicants to their alternate major only if there is additional capacity beyond those admitted as a primary major.

GPA Requirements for Graduate Programs

The graduate program at Cal Poly Pomona presumes that the student has an undergraduate degree with a major in computer science or equivalent coursework in the principal computer science and mathematics subjects required for such an undergraduate degree. Students without such preparation cannot be admitted.

Minimum Requirements and Conditional Admission

These are minimum requirements for the program admission. Applicants who do not meet unconditional admission but have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 3.0 may seek conditional admission. However, priority will be given to unconditional admissions first.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose native language is not English and who hold a bachelor's degree from a college or university where the principal language of instruction was not English must have passed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam with a minimum score of 6.5 or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam with a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based, or 550 on the paper-based, or 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL. Students without the necessary preparation cannot be admitted as graduate students; they must first take a number of undergraduate courses as listed above prior to applying for the Master's program.

Understanding the Average GPA of Admitted Students

While minimum GPA requirements exist, the average GPA of admitted students tends to be higher. The average GPA at Cal Poly Pomona is 3.69. This requires you to be above average in your high school class, needing a mix of A's and B's, with a leaning toward A's. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.69, you'll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you're prepared to take on college academics.

Additional Factors Considered in Admission

It's important to remember that GPA is not the only factor considered during the admission process. Cal Poly Pomona reviews each application holistically, taking into account factors such as:

Coursework difficulty
Extracurricular activities
Letters of recommendation
Personal statements

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Cal Poly Pomona is 73.7%. Because this school is not selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average.

Resources for International Students

After you submit your Cal State Apply application, CPP will request that you submit your foreign transcripts. Students with IGCSE/"O" Levels must provide scores for at least five subjects with a score of “C” or higher. Students in the new grading system are required to obtain a score of 4 or higher. Subjects must include English, Mathematics, Social Science, one Biology and one Physical Science (Chemistry or Physics). Students in the IB System are required to complete at least six subjects with grades of 4 or higher. If you have completed and passed a level five from the Cal Poly English Language Institute (CPELI), you may be eligible for a waiver. This waiver is only applicable for undergraduate students.

Read also: Decoding Yale Admissions

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