Cal Poly San Luis Obispo vs Skidmore College

Skidmore College is the more selective of the two at 26%, versus 28% at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Selective
28%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1420
Public · California
Skidmore College
Selective
26%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1390
Private · New York

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo vs Skidmore College: the differences that matter

How Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Skidmore College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Skidmore College are almost equally selective (28% vs 26%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo leans more on state residency, while Skidmore College puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, interview. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420 and Skidmore College's is around 1390. Admitted students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorCal Poly San Luis ObispoSkidmore College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essaynot consideredvery important
Recommendationsnot consideredvery important
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredvery important
Talent / abilityconsideredvery important
Character / personal qualitiesconsideredvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or Skidmore College harder to get into?

Skidmore College is harder to get into, with a 26% acceptance rate versus 28% at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Skidmore College?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and Skidmore College's is around 1390.

What are my chances at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Skidmore College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.