Cal Poly San Luis Obispo vs UC Irvine
UC Irvine is the more selective of the two at 29%, versus 31% 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 vs UC Irvine: the differences that matter
How Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine are almost equally selective (31% vs 29%), 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 level of applicant interest, while UC Irvine puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, first-generation status. 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 UC Irvine's is around 1420. Their admitted ranges are nearly identical. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.
What each school weighs
Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or UC Irvine harder to get into?
UC Irvine is harder to get into, with a 29% acceptance rate versus 31% at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
What's the difference in SAT scores between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine?
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and UC Irvine's is around 1420.
What are my chances at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Irvine?
That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.