Hey everyone, I've been looking at Cal Poly Pomona as one of my potential college options. But I'm not sure if my GPA would be competitive enough. What are their typical GPA requirements? How much leeway do they give for intense coursework or improvement over time?
Cal Poly Pomona, like other CSU schools, has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 for California residents and 3.0 for out-of-state applicants. However, these are only the minimums. The average GPA for admitted students tends to be higher. For a school like Cal Poly Pomona, the average GPA for incoming students is around 3.69.
Although a high GPA is important, Cal Poly Pomona also takes the overall academic rigor of your high school curriculum into account. This includes AP or IB classes, dual enrollment, and college prep courses. So, if your GPA is slightly lower but you've taken a rigorous course load, it could potentially balance out.
Upon that, Cal Poly Pomona, like many universities, takes a look at improvement over time. A positive trajectory - that is, improving grades over your high school career - can show persistence and adaptability, which can be beneficial.
Remember that GPA is just one aspect of your application to Cal Poly Pomona. The school will review your application holistically, also taking into account factors like extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and personal statements.
Just remember that these figures are averages and do not guarantee admission. Each application is evaluated individually, and there are always students who get accepted with GPAs below the average.
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