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To stand out to Cal Poly Pomona (CPP), especially given its 鈥渓earn-by-doing鈥� polytechnic approach, you should demonstrate a strong mix of academic achievement, hands-on experiences, and personal alignment with CPP鈥檚 values. Here鈥檚 how to tailor your application:

馃帗 1. Excel Academically (but with context)

GPA & Course Rigor: Aim for a strong GPA (typically 3.5+ weighted), especially in STEM fields if applying to programs like Engineering or Computer Science.

AP/IB/Honors: Show you鈥檝e challenged yourself. CPP values academic curiosity and effort.

馃洜锔� 2. Highlight 鈥淟earn-by-Doing鈥� Experiences

CPP鈥檚 signature is hands-on learning. So:

Projects or Internships: Talk about science fairs, coding projects, robotics competitions, agri-science work, maker faires, etc.

Personal Passion Projects: Built an app? Restored a car? Created a garden? Document it.

Job Experience or Volunteering: Any work that shows responsibility and real-world skills helps.

馃搫 3. Craft a Unique PIQ (Personal Insight Questions)

If applying via Cal State Apply, you won鈥檛 submit essays unless you're in a special program, but if you're applying for EOP, scholarships, or The Honors College, your writing matters.

Tips:

Be specific: Instead of saying 鈥淚 like engineering,鈥� say 鈥淚 designed a bridge model using balsa wood and tested its weight capacity.鈥�

Tie your story to CPP: Mention how CPP鈥檚 Innovation Brew Works, BroncoSpace, or Huntley College of Agriculture aligns with your goals.

馃摝 4. Apply for Specialized Programs

Stand out by applying to:

Honors College: Requires an extra application and shows ambition.

EOP (Educational Opportunity Program): If you鈥檙e a first-gen or from an underserved background.

Scholarship Programs: Apply early and write powerful personal statements.

馃挰 5. Demonstrate Fit and Interest

Mention CPP鈥檚 polytechnic focus, diversity, or location in Southern California.

Show interest in clubs (Formula SAE, Bronco Hackathon, etc.), labs, or CPP鈥檚 career-ready programs.