Former Returning Students Not In Good Standing

Thank you for your interest in readmission! We are here to help you navigate this process and hope that this page will answer many of your questions about returning to Cal Poly.

You are considered a "former returning student" if you are no longer matriculated at Cal Poly (did not attend for three consecutive quarters or two consecutive semesters, and are not on an official leave).

You are considered "not in good standing" if you were formally disqualified from the university, you left with one or more grade point averages below a 2.0 in your last quarter at Cal Poly, and/or if you have one or more registration holds due to academic or administrative probation. If you were formally disqualified, you must meet the readmission criteria prior to returning to the College of Engineering. If you broke your enrollment when you were not in good standing, you must also meet this criteria prior to returning to the College of Engineering.

 

Step # 1: Review the "Road to Readmission Presentation"

Please read through this presentation in detail before moving forward.  This will provide guidance and clarity on the readmission process and will help identify your category for the next step.

  Road to Readmission Presentation  

Step # 2: Identify Your Readmission Category

The readmission criteria is based upon how many lower-division units you have left to complete and are available to you at a community college.  Readmission is also possible if you only have upper-division units remaining (see Category B below).  You must create a Readmission Agreement with a readmission advisor in Engineering Student Services identifying the courses required to meet the readmission criteria (listed below).  If you meet the requirements, you are guaranteed readmission to your former major.  

Categories

CATEGORY A:

Students who have: 

  • 12 or more quarter units of outstanding major/support coursework on the 2022–2026 catalog that can be completed at a community college, or
  • 9 or more semester units of outstanding major/support coursework on the 2026–2028 catalog that can be completed at a community college

If you are unsure which catalog to follow please refer to: https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/semester-conversion-ceng-transition 

Requirements:

  • Formerly referred to as "Category 1 & 2" Readmission.
  • You are advised to assess whether you should return to school immediately or take some time off before enrolling in readmit coursework.
  • Complete lower-division (100-200 level) major/support coursework as identified on your readmission agreement at a community college. 
  • A minimum of a 2.300 grade point average is required in the readmission coursework.
  • The College of Engineering will follow the repeat policy of the community college when calculating the readmission GPA.
  • To graduate from Cal Poly, a 2.0 CPSLO (cumulative) and Major GPA is required. Even though a 2.3 is required for readmission, a higher GPA may be necessary to meet the 2.0 requirements for graduation.
  • You may need to attend more than one community college in order to meet the minimum requirements.
  • Community colleges may require prerequisites before enrolling in readmit courses.  If the prerequisite is a required major or support course and a C- or below was received in the course at Cal Poly, then that community college course will also be included into the readmission GPA.
  • Withdrawals (W's) are acceptable.
  • You must be in good academic standing at the last institution attended before reapplying to Cal Poly.
  • No exceptions will be made regarding the above criteria.

CATEGORY B:

Students who have:

  • 11 quarter units or less of outstanding major/support coursework on the 2022–2026 catalog that can be completed at a community college, or
  • 9 semester units or less of outstanding major/support coursework on the 2026–2028 catalog that can be completed at a community college

If you are unsure which catalog to follow please refer to: https://eadvise.calpoly.edu/semester-conversion-ceng-transition 

Requirements:

If you find yourself in Category B, you are required to schedule an appointment with a Readmission Advisor.

  • Formerly referred to as "Category 3" Readmission.
  • You are advised to assess whether you should return to school immediately or take some time off before enrolling in readmit coursework.
  • Students dismissed at the end of Spring Term may begin readmit coursework in the Fall via Open University at Cal Poly. Summer enrollment is not permitted.
  • 2.700 GPA in specified upper-division major and/or support courses that are identified in the approved readmission agreement.
  • To graduate from Cal Poly, a 2.0 CPSLO (cumulative) and Major GPA is required. Even though a 2.70 is required for readmission, a higher GPA may be necessary to meet the 2.0 requirements for graduation.
  • Withdrawals are acceptable.
  • The courses may be completed at Cal Poly via Open University or at another university via Open University (also known as Extended Education or Continuing Education).  These two options are explained in more detail below.
    • If you have 1-2 lower-division major and/or support courses to complete at a community college, you may be required to complete those courses first AND then complete the remaining units at Cal Poly or another university. Work with a readmission advisor in Engineering Student Services to create a Readmission Agreement.
    • GEs may be taken at the community college, but they will not be included in the readmission GPA.

Category B: Option # 1 Completing Requirements at Cal Poly

  1. If you choose to take courses at Cal Poly, please review the Open University website for deadlines, fees, forms, etc.
  2. When you are ready to create a readmission agreement, schedule an appointment with a Readmission Advisor. 
    • The College of Engineering will allow 1 course during the first enrollment via Open University. Enrollment for future courses will be discussed with your Readmission Advisor.
  3. You will be sent an email requiring your agreement to the terms to enroll via Open University while going through the readmission process. (This email will override your registration hold and allows Open University to enroll you into Cal Poly courses after you submit their enrollment forms.)
    • Approval from the College of Engineering to enroll in Open University is required each term.
    • After each term (once grades are posted), you must email your readmission advisor to discuss the next steps.
  4. You are responsible for submitting Open University enrollment paperwork by their deadlines.
    • The College of Engineering recommends contacting the instructors of the courses that you plan to enroll in prior to the first week of school. This will give you the opportunity to explain your situation, inform them that you will need their digital signature on the enrollment form, and that your name will appear on a separate roster for the course via Open University. Once the term begins, attending office hours and study groups are highly encouraged.
  5. Former students must submit the CSU application to the Cal Poly Admissions Office. The application and deadlines can be found: https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/returning-students
    • Former student applications are reviewed once Open University’s grades are posted. Therefore, you will be crashing into courses during the first week of school.  Our recommendation is to meet with the instructors in advance to discuss the possibility of enrollment in the class.

Category B: Option # 2 Completing Requirements at Another University

  1. If you choose to take courses at another university, course substitutions will be required. Please meet with your Readmission Advisor to discuss your next steps.
  2. Former students must submit the CSU application to the Cal Poly Admissions Office. The application and deadlines can be found: https://www.calpoly.edu/admissions/returning-students 
    • Former student applications are reviewed once Engineering Student Services receives your final grades. If your last course is during Fall Semester and transcripts do not become available until mid-January, please work with your Readmission Advisor to verify grades will be available before the term begins. 
    • A final transcript is needed by the Cal Poly Admissions Office as soon as it becomes available.
    • Since registration may have already occurred, you may be crashing into courses during the first week of school.  Our recommendation is to contact the instructors in advance to discuss the possibility of enrollment in the class.

Step # 3: Schedule a Readmission Appointment

Please schedule your appointment using the link below:

  Schedule Your Appointment  

Step # 4: Submit a Former Returning Application

The Admissions website provides more information on application term deadlines and the readmission application.  Prior to submitting the application, you must confirm with your advisor that you are eligible to apply for readmission.

     

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