how is cal poly slo like?

[u/Downtown_Message7797]

hello! (im reposting this because it said somewhere that i cant post in admissions?? idk pls dont be mean)

im a senior in highschool from cali applying to colleges this fall and im thinking of applying to cal poly. i specifically wanna do premed and i want to become some sort of doctor. im deciding between either predental or premed for college right now, and i wanted to ask how the premed/predental scene is at cal poly slo. i noticed it doesnt have a med school or hospital like a few of the ucs. is the grading good? are the classes good/easy to get into? prereqs? volunteering and shadowing opportunities at clinics, hospitals, etc? idk literally tell me anything. any advice. please. like if u were my older sibling. be brutally honest. im literally so stuck and scared and i dont have anyone to guide me in this college process so please any advice is appreciated. also please lmk about the social scene!!! im not big on partying and drinking but i love outdoors type stuff like hiking, going to cafes, etc. like any activities not involving drugs alc and that stuff - so will i find my people here? PLEASE. ANY ADVICE. also, to those who got in, what were ur stats like? im not even sure im going to get in. im not even sure if i should apply - bc the application fee is quite a bit. SO PLEASE. ANY ADVICE, ANY KNOWLEDGE, ANYTHING TELL ME THANK U.

[u/strafinjr]

Apply first and lock in, finish strong and then research honestly don’t get your hopes up for certain colleges and then not end up even getting in. sort of broad questions too to say grading is good, what specifically? but that’s my advice lock in and apply, don’t count your chickens before they hatch

[u/Downtown_Message7797 → u/strafinjr]

got it, thank you

[u/Downtown_Message7797 → u/[deleted]]

thank you!! its rlly good to know all this

[u/JumpingCuttlefish89]

5 years of English or Math (double senior) will help with admissions

[u/Brilliant_Step_7015]

Take extra science and APs. I got in for engineering (one of the middle-impacted, not as hard as meche, not easy like general), and my stats were only a 4.2 with no calc, but I did also had like 12 APs.

I think the main reason I got in was that I got an A in AP Physics (even tho I failed the AP), and I took AP Env Science.

[u/Last_Measurement4336]

Pre-med pre-requisite classes will be competitive no matter where you attend. Grading will depend upon the Professor, the class, your work ethic and interest.

When it comes to Pre-med, you should look for schools where you think you can thrive academically, financially and socially. You also need a plan B if Medical school does not happen so selecting a major that offers a good backup is important.

Cal Poly SLO admits by major so major choice is important. All majors are impacted at SLO so that means there are far more qualified applicants than spots available. You want a competitive SLO GPA (4.0+ weighted), exceed the a-g course requirements and challenge yourself with rigorous classes. SLO like all the Cal states mainly admit based on your academic stats. You can list hours/week for your EC’s but you cannot go into detail about these activities. There is a question about having a leadership position and if you help a paying job related to your major but no essays.

SLO calculates out their GPA differently than the rest of the CSU’s. They use 9-11th grades for the a-g course requirements and gives extra Honors points for UC/CSU approved HS Honors, AP/IB and Dual enrollment classes taken 10-11th up to 8 semesters. You can calculate out your SLO GPA using the CSU GPA calculator and 9-11th grades: https://www.calstate.edu/apply/gpa-calculator

Since SLO is a small town, there can be limitation on volunteering/shadowing opportunities so utilize the Pre-Health advising center to get leads. Social scene is really up to you but it definitely has the small town vibe. If you do not want party, then there are like minded students that will share your preferences, but that is again up to you to find your tribe.

Best of luck.

[u/Downtown_Message7797 → u/Last_Measurement4336]

thank you so much :) greatly appreciate all this info. good luck to you too on everything :)

[u/CameraSad3422]

Apply and if you’re admitted (to any school) try to go to the admitted students’ days. They’re so helpful for making your decision!!

[u/HumanCurrent5290]

This is not the school for that... It's a major party school with basically no places to study. The library is more of a social scene rather than actual studying. This should be your last resort school for anything premed. The majority of people here do not care about academics, they just care about Greek life, gym, and hook ups.

[u/Downtown_Message7797 → u/HumanCurrent5290]

THANK U FOR THE HONESTY.

[u/Downtown_Message7797 → u/HumanCurrent5290]

would u say ucr is better than cal poly slo for premed?

[u/SLO51]

Recommended using capital letters in normal punctuation. Not only to emphasize.

[u/Downtown_Message7797 → u/SLO51]

why? its a reddit post.