Next Steps for New Scholars 2024-25
Congratulations on your acceptance to Cal Poly!
Step 1 below should be reviewed before and after accepting the Cal Poly Scholars financial award. The remainder of the steps are to be completed after accepting the Cal Poly Scholars financial award.
Questions? Email cpscholars@calpoly.edu!
Chat with a current Scholar? Complete this form and we will contact you soon!
Review the Scholars' Agreements & Commitments
Year 1 Scholars
The Cal Poly Scholars program is committed to supporting you:
- build a personal support network for college success
- foster an inclusive community of Scholars, and
- develop knowledge and skills for lifelong success.
Our commitment to you will look like community and educational engagement opportunities such as mentorship, residential learning community activities, workshops and events, academic advising with the MSC, UNIV 100, and more.
By accepting the Cal Poly Scholars financial award, you agreed to the commitments listed on New Scholar Agreements & Commitments 2024-25. Please review and become familiar with the agreements.
New Transfer Scholars
The Cal Poly Scholars program is committed to supporting you:
- build a personal support network for college success
- foster an inclusive community of Scholars, and
- develop knowledge and skills for lifelong success.
Our commitment to you will look like community and educational engagement opportunities such as workshops and events, partnerships for academic success with the Office of Writing and Learning and the Transfer Center, and community building among Transfer Scholars and with other members of the transfer community.
By accepting the Cal Poly Scholars financial award, you agreed to the commitments listed on New Scholar Agreements & Commitments 2024-25. Please review and become familiar with the agreements.
Sign up for SLO Days and attend our breakout session
Year 1 Scholars
- July 5-6 (in-person - available date for Scholars in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) who are not able to attend the preferred EOP date on Aug. 9-10)
- July 8-9 (in-person)
- July 18-19 (in-person)
- August 2-3 (in-person - available date for Scholars in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) who are not able to attend the preferred EOP date on Aug. 9-10)
- August 9-10 (in-person - preferred date for Scholars in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), and required for all EOP Summer Institute students)
- August 13 (virtual)
- For in-person sessions, you can also stop by our table at the Resource Fair during Day 2 of SLO Days.
- If you’ve already paid, please work directly with the Orientation team to request a refund by submitting an Orientation Request Form.
- Orientation fees will be applied to the accounts of students who decline or are no longer eligible for the Cal Poly Scholars financial award. This can be processed by accessing the "Orientation Events" tab in your MyCalPoly Portal.
- For SLO Days, the cost of attendance for supporters, additional meals, and merchandise are not covered as part of your Cal Poly Scholars award.
- For WOW, plan to bring $25 in cash for use while exploring campus and beyond!
New Transfer Scholars
- If you’ve already paid, please work directly with the Orientation team to request a refund by submitting an Orientation Request Form.
- Orientation fees will be applied to the accounts of students who decline or are no longer eligible for the Cal Poly Scholars financial award. This can be processed by accessing the "Orientation Events" tab in your MyCalPoly Portal.
- For SLO Days, the cost of attendance for supporters, additional meals, and merchandise are not covered as part of your Cal Poly Scholars award.
- For WOW, plan to bring $25 in cash for use while exploring campus and beyond!
Complete your University Housing application
Year 1 Scholars (required)
- At Cal Poly, students request to live in a Residential Learning Community (RLC) -- not a specific building. As a Cal Poly Scholar, you can request any RLC, but you are highly encouraged to reside within the Year 1 Scholars Community with fellow Scholars.
- If you are also participating in the Education Opportunity Program (EOP) or TRiO Achievers, you might only be able to select a room within those respective communities. Note: All Year 2 Scholars, including those who are also participating in EOP and TRiO Achievers, are expected to reside on-campus, and are encouraged to live in the Year 2+ Scholars Community.
- You can request a roommate who is not a Scholar! As long as you both request each other as roommates and choose the same community, you can reside in any RLC.
- Looking for a roommate? Consider joining a group on social media with other incoming Cal Poly students!
- To learn more about first-year, on-campus housing requirements, including possible exemptions, visit housing.calpoly.edu/freshman_live_on_requirement.
New Transfer Scholars (optional)
Select and request your laptop
Join a mentorship or coaching program
Year 1 Scholars
As a new student in the Cal Poly Scholars program you'll be partnered with a mentor! Through one of our approved mentorship programs, you and your mentor will meet a minimum of three (3) times during the academic year - ideally once per quarter or multiple times your first quarter. These connections may include one-on-one interactions, small group gatherings, and/or participating in Scholars community events together.
A few benefits of having a mentor include:
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Tailored peer connection and guidance to support your personal transition to Cal Poly
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Clarify university policies and procedures and direct you to campus and community resources and services
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Enhanced opportunities for campus and community involvement, such as exploring clubs and organizations and participating in Cal Poly Scholars events.
More information regarding specific mentorship options will be shared via email this summer. Keep checking your Cal Poly email for details.
New Transfer Scholars
As a new student in the Cal Poly Scholars program, beginning this fall, you will have the opportunity to connect with a Transfer Scholar Academic Coach offered through the Office of Writing and Learning and the Transfer Center! By joining the academic coaching program, you will be paired with a Transfer Scholar Coach who you will be required to meet with a minimum of once (1) per quarter for total of three (3) meetings during the academic year. These connections may include one-on-one interactions, small group gatherings, and/or participating in Scholars community events together.
A few benefits of having a Transfer Scholar Academic Coach include:
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Tailored peer connection from Transfer Scholars and guidance to support your personal transition to Cal Poly
-
Academic support during your transition to Cal Poly
-
Clarify university policies and procedures and direct you to campus and community resources and services
-
Enhanced opportunities for campus and community involvement, such as exploring clubs and organizations and participating in Cal Poly Scholars events
More details regarding sign-ups will be sent out later this summer. Keep checking your Cal Poly email for details.
Attend the Welcome Reception!
Date: TBD
Time: TBD
Location: TBD
| Scholar Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Scholars | New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students |
| New Transfer Scholars | New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as transfer students |
| Cohort or Scholar Cohort | A group of Cal Poly Scholars who enrolled, for the first-time, at Cal Poly in the same academic year as either Year 1 Scholars or New Transfer Scholars (ex. Scholars who entered during the 2022-23 academic year are in the 2022 Cohort) |
