Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: 07/15/2023
Handbook
Cal Poly Graduate Student Handbook
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What is the cost (tuition & fees) to attend Cal Poly?
Check out the cost of attending Cal Poly and look over the many types of financial aid that are available on Student Accounts.
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How is my residency determined?
The process for determining residence for tuition purposes is detailed on Admissions.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Admissions Office.
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When and how do I register for my classes?
In general, first time new graduate students who are starting in Fall quarter will register in early August.
Students in programs that pay state tuition, which are the majority of our graduate programs, will register through Schedule Builder in My Cal Poly Portal (Student Center). Instructions for registration can be found on Tools for Registration. Please note that at this time, graduate students do not have access to Degree Planner or Degree Progress Report (DPR).
The following programs are run on a self-support tuition model: MPS Dairy Technology, Fire Protection Engineering, Accounting, Business Analytics, Quantitative Economics, Packaging Value Chain, and Taxation. To register, students in these programs should go to Extended Education.
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What courses should I register for during my first quarter?
Contact your Graduate Program Coordinator.
It is also advisable to review your curriculum requirements detailed in the Cal Poly Catalog.
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Will there be a new graduate student orientation?
Graduate Education will host a virtual graduate student orientation and in-person social event prior to the beginning of fall quarter. Fall 2023 virtual orientation will be self-paced through Canvas, and new graduate students will receive an email invitation to join the online orientation in July. New and current students will also be invited to attend an in-person social event on September 15, 2023 (more information TBD).
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What is AlcoholEdu/Haven training, and am I required to complete it?
All students at Cal Poly, including graduate students, are required to complete mandatory AlcoholEdu/Haven training before beginning their courses.
For more information about this training, please visit Campus Health & Wellbeing.
General
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What is the application deadline for my program?
Application deadlines by program can be found on the Graduate Program Deadlines Website.
Make sure you complete all of the required information on time; send your transcripts directly from the institution granting your Bachelor’s degree to the Cal Poly Admissions Office.
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On the Cal State Apply application in the Academic History section, do I need to list all of the undergraduate courses I have taken?
Graduate applicants will only enter classes manually that are in progress, or classes that you plan to complete before you receive your Bachelor’s degree. You will NOT need to enter coursework manually for any courses that have already completed towards your Bachelor’s degree and are listed on your transcript.
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Where do I send my transcripts?
You should have an official set of transcripts sent to the Cal Poly Admissions Office. Do not send transcripts to the Graduate Education Office, Graduate Program Coordinator, or your program’s College or Department’s Office. Your transcripts must be received by the Cal Poly Admissions Office by your program’s application deadline. Check your My Cal Poly Portal (Check List) to verify if the university has received your transcripts.
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Do I need to take the GRE?
Most programs require you to complete the GRE General Test. Please have your test scores (Quantitative, Verbal, & Writing) sent to Cal Poly (Institutional Code 4038). Some programs have been granted an exception and do not require the GRE; please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator for more details.
GRE scores are valid for 5-years. Your test scores must be received by Cal Poly by your program’s application deadline.
Also note that if your Bachelor’s degree overall GPA is lower than 2.5, you MUST complete the GRE. To be considered for admittance, you must obtain a score at or above the 50-perentile level for Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing.
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Do I have to take the GRE if I completed my undergraduate degree at Cal Poly?
Normally, students who are currently matriculated at Cal Poly or completed their undergraduate degree at Cal Poly do not need to take the GRE. However, some programs do require all applicants to take the GRE; contact your Graduate Program Coordinator to determine the specific requirements of your program.
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What do I do if my undergraduate overall GPA is 2.5 or lower?
For your application to be considered for admittance, you must take the GRE and score at the 50-percentile or higher in all three categories: Quantitative, Verbal, and Writing. Your GRE results must be received by the Cal Poly Admissions Office by your program’s application deadline.
You should also discuss your academic standing with your Graduate Program Coordinator, develop a formal study plan, and research any prerequisite courses that will enable you to succeed at Cal Poly. Cal Poly requires a 3.0 in your formal study plan in order for you to be awarded a Master’s degree.
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What are my chances of being admitted?
Your Graduate Program Coordinator can provide the best feedback on how well your qualifications fit their program’s requirements and just how many students they will be admitting.
Please keep in mind that even if a Graduate Program Coordinator recommends you for admission, you must still meet all of the University and California State University requirements. All final admissions decisions are made by the Dean of Graduate Education.
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When will I get a decision on my application?
You can be admitted any time after your application is COMPLETE and all of your transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation are received by the Cal Poly Admissions Office. Some program Coordinators/Directors make recommendations on a rolling-basis, and others wait until all applications are received (application deadline) to make recommendations. Once a recommendation is made by your program’s Graduate Program Coordinator and IF ALL of your documentation is received by the Cal Poly Admissions Office (check your To-Do List on your Portal), then it typically takes 10-12 working days to process your application. You will receive an email from the Cal Poly Admissions Office signed by the Dean of Graduate Education when an official decision has been made.
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Where do I send my letters of recommendation?
All Letters of Recommendation (LOR) must be submitted electronically through the Cal State Apply application (Quadrant #4 – Program Materials /Evaluations) portal. You should identify the individuals who will send in your LORs. Your recommender’s LORs must be uploaded electronically to your application. Do not send LORs directly to Cal Poly’s Admissions Office, Graduate Education Office, Graduate Program Coordinator, or College/Department Offices.
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What should I do if I do NOT intend to attend Cal Poly?
If you no longer plan to attend Cal Poly, please send an email to admissions@calpoly.edu indicating that you wish to officially withdraw your application.
Admissions
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What courses are required in my program?
You should contact you Graduate Program Coordinator with any questions regarding the courses that are part of your program and what prerequisites might be required.
It is also advisable to review your curriculum requirements detailed in the Cal Poly Catalog.
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What is the culminating event for my program: thesis, project, or exam?
You should contact your Graduate Program Coordinator with any questions regarding the culminating event requirements for your program.
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I have questions regarding my academic background and if I am qualified for a graduate program at Cal Poly. Would I need to take any prerequisite courses?
Please contact your Graduate Program Coordinator with any questions regarding prerequisites courses that you might be required to take in order to be considered for acceptance.
Curriculum
Blended Programs
Information about Blended Programs can be found on Blended Programs
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When does Cal Poly admit international students?
If a graduate program is open for Fall, Winter, or Spring applications, then we admit international students for any quarter. The Fall International Application deadlines are the same as those listed on the Cal Poly Admissions website and vary by program. For Winter, the application deadline for international students is September 1, and the Spring application deadline is December 1.
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What type of financial aid do you offer specifically for international students?
The Cal Poly International Center provides a list of financial resources including scholarships, grants, awards, and loans for international students to explore on International Students & Scholars.
You should also visit Cal Poly Financial Aid.
The Graduate Education Office does offer some non-resident tuition waivers. You can find more information on Graduate Education.
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Where do I send my transcripts?
All official transcripts must be sent directly to the Cal Poly Admissions Office. You can find more details on Cal Poly Admissions.
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Do I need to provide a certified English translation of my transcripts?
If any of your education was completed outside of the U.S., unless the transcript is in English, your official transcripts must be submitted in the native language and accompanied by a certified English translation. The translator must be certified by one of the following: Institute for International Education (IIE), Amideast, Saudi Arabian Education Mission, United States embassy or consulate. Directions can be found on Graduate Level Transcripts.
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Is my institution considered accredited by Cal Poly?
Your international university must be recognized by the International Association of Universities in order to be considered for admission at Cal Poly. Learn more on International Academic Evaluations.
If you have any additional questions, please contact: international-admissions@calpoly.edu
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Should I take the TOEFL or IELTS, and what is an acceptable score?
You can take either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement of Cal Poly. Cal Poly's institution code is 4038.
You must have taken either test within the last 2 years; for TOEFL, the minimum acceptable score is 80 (internet based); for IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 is required.
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Can the GRE substitute for TOEFL?
No. A GRE score cannot satisfy the TOEFL requirement.
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What other steps can I take to be granted a language waiver?
For more details, please consult Cal Poly Admissions.
This requirement may be waived if your country of citizenship is listed on TOEFL or IELTS
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For an on-line program, do I need to satisfy the English language requirement?
Yes. You must satisfy the English language requirement for any Master’s degree program offered by Cal Poly, no matter what the mode of instruction may be.
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If I attended a university in the United States and took some courses (through a Study Abroad Program, for example), does that waive my English language requirement?
No. A waiver of the TOEFL or IELTS requirement will only be given to applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution of higher education.
This requirement may be waived if your country of citizenship is listed on TOEFL or IELTS.
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How old can my TOEFL or IELTS scores be and still be acceptable by Cal Poly?
2 years.
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What is the process for getting an I-20 VISA issued?
Student applicants need to complete the Visa Information Form for Degree Students through the International Center.
If you have additional questions, email intlservices@calpoly.edu.
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Does Cal Poly accept students from 3-year institutions?
In general, Cal Poly follows WES accreditation policies. If a WES evaluation establishes equivalency to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree, then we will accept your application. Contact the Cal Poly Admissions Office for any questions regarding the process for obtaining a WES evaluation: international-admissions@calpoly.edu
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How does my GPA get converted to a Cal Poly 4.0 GPA scale?
Your transcripts will be automatically evaluated and converted to a Cal Poly 4.0 scale as part of the application process.
For any questions regarding the conversion of an international GPA to the Cal Poly 4.0 scale, please contact international-admissions@calpoly.edu
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How do I satisfy the Graduation Writing Requirement?
For any questions regarding the Graduation Writing Requirement, you can find staff contact information on Writing and Learning Initiatives.
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Once I am admitted, when do I register for classes (state and self-support)?
In general, first time new graduate students who are starting in Fall quarter will register in early August.
Students in programs that pay state tuition, which are the majority of our graduate programs, will register through Schedule Builder in My Cal Poly Portal (Student Center). Instructions for registration can be found on Tools for Registration.Please note that at this time, graduate students do not have access to Degree Planner or Degree Progress Report (DPR).
The following programs are run on a self-support tuition model: MPS Dairy Technology, Fire Protection Engineering, Accounting, Business Analytics, Economics, Packaging Value Chain, and Taxation. To register, Students enrolled in these programs should go to Extended Education
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I have questions regarding my academic background and if I am qualified for a graduate program at Cal Poly. Would I need to take any prerequisite courses?
Please contact your Graduate Program Coordinator for any questions regarding prerequisites courses that you might be required to take in order to be considered for acceptance.
You can find contact information for your program’s Coordinator/Director on Graduate Program Coordinators.
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On my To-Do-List (CP Portal), what is an “International Academic Evaluation”?
The requirements for an international academic evaluation are given on the Cal Poly Admissions.
If you have any further questions, contact: international-admissions@calpoly.edu.
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What type of housing is available for international students?
Contact the University Housing Office for on-campus information.
For off-campus housing ideas, visit the International Students & Scholars.
In general, there is a shortage of affordable housing in San Luis Obispo, CA, and on-campus housing is reserved mainly for undergraduates. You should use the information found on the websites listed above to find and secure housing as soon as possible.
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As an international student, who can I connect with once I arrive on campus?
Once you arrive in SLO, it would be best to contact both your Graduate Program Coordinator and the International Center and setup an appointment to meet with them and get acquainted with our campus.
The International Center staff is available to meet with international graduate students once they arrive on campus. Students may come by the International Center in Building 52, Room E32 for a check-in meeting with advisors.
The International Center also offers opportunities for new international students to connect with domestic and international students through the International Welcome Ambassadors Program.
Students can also get involved in the International Club through ASI. Learn more with the International Club page.
Finally, students can connect with Cal Poly faculty and staff through the International Poly Hosts Program:. Learn more about that program through the International Poly Hosts Program page.
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Do international students have orientation programs?
Yes. There is mandatory online orientation and an in-person orientation every quarter. For more information visit Orientation Programs for International Students.
Direct all questions to intlservices@calpoly.edu
International Students
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What types of financial support are available to me as a graduate student?
We have a variety of financial support programs that are specifically geared toward graduate students including Graduate Assistantships, Tuition Waivers (Resident and Non-Resident), Presentation Awards (to help fund Professional Conference costs), Graduate Equity Fellowships (based on financial need), the Diverse Education Scholarship, the California Pre-doctoral Program, and the CSU Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program.
Learn more about these opportunities on Graduate Education under the resources section.
The Graduate Education Office recommends that you also visit the Cal Poly Financial Aid.
Financial Support Opportunities
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Who can help me to find housing in SLO?
Housing can be difficult to secure in San Luis Obispo, CA as it is a small coastal town and not a major metropolitan area. Please visit these websites to find more information about housing opportunities:
Cal Poly International Housing
In general, there is a shortage of affordable housing in San Luis Obispo, CA, and on-campus housing is reserved mainly for undergraduates. You should use the information found on the websites listed above to find and secure housing as soon as possible.
If you are beginning your graduate program in Fall (September), you should begin looking for housing months in advance.
Housing
