Transfer Students

CP Transfers

WELCOME!

We're so glad you're here. Engineering Student Services is passionate about supporting our transfer students.

To help ease that transition, we’ve put together some information specific to our college below. Additionally, we encourage you to explore the general academic advising information for all Cal Poly transfer students and to connect with the Transfer Center for campus wide transfer resources, events, & support. 

Future Prospective Transfer Students

If you are a future Cal Poly transfer student, please visit Cal Poly Admissions for application criteria and deadlines.

Fall 2025 Transfer Students: What To Expect

Congrats on your acceptance!  Cal Poly is working hard at preparing materials and resources right now to help you prepare for fall registration. Here is what to expect:

  1. Check out the University Advising Transfer Page for a comprehensive overview and timeline of what to expect. 
  2. Cal Poly's Evaluations Unit of the Registrar's Office will evaluate your transfer coursework and awarding Cal Poly credit - we call this a "Transfer Evaluation.” You will be notified via email when your Transfer Evaluation is completed and ready for you to review on your Degree Progress Report  (this will most likely happen in early August). 
  3. We know you are anxious to meet with an advisor.  Please know all of the information you will need for registration will be reviewed during our Transfer SLO Days Session on August 6th or 7th, depending on your major. 

    We ask that you make an appointment with an advisor ONLY after July 15th and if the following applies to you:

    • You cannot attend your scheduled SLO Days Session

    • You are an international, out of state, or a transfer coming from a 4-year institution

    • In order for us to best answer your questions, it is helpful if your transfer evaluation is complete. We ask that you wait for the email from the Office of the Registrar prior to scheduling your appointment.

  4. After receiving your transfer evaluation, please follow the steps below to prepare for registration on August 11th. (The steps will be updated by August 1st for Fall 2025.)
  5. Attend Transfer SLO Days!  Our office will be hosting a session during SLO Days. This is where we will be able to explain more major specific information, answer individual student questions and guide you through the registration process. 
  6. We will also have time on Friday, August 8th specifically to meet individually with new transfer students.

Fall 2024 Registration Preparation Checklist

Fall 2025 Transfer information coming soon!

Step #1: Download your Major Specific Materials

We understand that each major is different, so we have provided you with major specific information and documents to help you determine what you have credit for and what you should register for. Documents will be updated by August 1 for Fall 2025 Admitted Transfers.

Major Specific Documents for Fall 2024 Registration

Documents

Suggested Course Lists

Transfer Flowcharts

4-Year Flowcharts
Aerospace Engineering AERO Suggested Courses 22-26 AERO Transfer Flowchart, AERO Conc. | 22-26 AERO Transfer Flowchart, ASTRO Conc. 22-26 AERO 4- Year Flowchart, AERO Conc. | 22-26 AERO 4- Year Flowchart, ASTRO Conc.
biomedical engineering BMED Suggested Courses 22-26 BMED Transfer Flowchart 22-26 BMED 4-Year Flowchart
Civil engineering CE Suggested Courses 22-26 CE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 CE 4-Year Flowchart
Computer Engineering CPE Suggested Courses 22-26 CPE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 CPE 4-Year Flowchart
Computer Science CSC Suggested Courses 22-26 CSC Transfer Flowchart 22-26 CSC 4-Year Flowchart
Electrical Engineering EE Suggested Courses 22-26 EE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 EE 4-Year Flowchart
Environmental Engineering ENVE Suggested Courses 22-26 ENVE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 ENVE 4-Year Flowchart
General Engineering GENE Suggested Courses 22-26 GENE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 GENE 4-Year Flowchart
Industrial Engineering IE Suggested Courses 22-26 IE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 IE 4-Year Flowchart
Manufacturing Engineering MFGE Suggested Courses 22-26 MFGE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 MFGE 4-Year Flowchart
Materials Engineering MATE Suggested Courses 22-26 MATE Transfer Flowchart 22-26 MATE 4-Year Flowchart
Mechanical Engineering ME Suggested Courses 22-26 ME Transfer Flowchart, General Conc. 22-26 ME 4-Year Flowchart, General Conc.
Software Engineering SE Suggested Courses

22-26 SE Transfer Flowchart

22-26 SE 4-Year Flowchart

Step #2: Understand Your Degree Requirements

The information below will help you understand your degree requirements. It is important you know what you need to earn your degree!

Understanding your Curriculum Sheet

Your Curriculum Sheet displays all of your degree course requirements in a one to two page snapshot. 

How to access your Curriculum Sheet

  1. Go to the Degree Flowcharts and Curriculum Sheets website
  2. Select Your Catalog Year (please see your Poly Profile to determine your catalog year)
  3. Select your major
  4. Select your concentration (if applicable)
  5. Select Curriculum Sheet

The Curriculum Sheet is broken down into four main sections that are described below:

Picture of Curriculum Sheet

Major Courses

Major courses are the courses that make up your major curriculum. In some majors, this includes technical electives or concentrations.

Support Courses

Support courses are courses chosen by your department to provide foundational support for your Major Courses. In the College of Engineering, these courses sometimes double count as General Education Courses.

General Education (GE) Courses

General Education courses are broken down into several areas. You may notice some of these areas are completed through your Support Courses. In most cases, transfers still need to complete some GE courses at Cal Poly including the Upper Division C. 

Free Electives

Free Electives can be found on a few College of Engineering major curriculum sheets. In general, most students in the College of Engineering do not have Free Electives. If your major has Free Electives, you should have already fulfilled this requirement with transfer credit.

Understanding your Degree Progress Report

Your Degree Progress Report

Your Degree Progress Report (also known as your DPR) is the most important tool to understand as a Cal Poly student. Like the Curriculum Sheet, the Degree Progress Report displays all of your degree requirements to graduate. The Evaluations Unit uses the Degree Progress Report to post your degree so it is important to make sure the courses you have and will be taking are fulfilling the requirements you expected in your DPR.

Your DPR should be ran at least once per quarter to track your progress to degree.

The Degree Progress Report is also broken down into sections that are described below.

As a reminder, your Degree Progress Report will not be accurate until you receive an email from the Office of the Registrar letting you know that your Transfer Evaluation is complete.

How to access your Degree Progress Report

  1. Log in to my.calpoly.edu
  2. Go to your Student Center under My Apps on the left hand side
  3. Click on Degree Progress Report under the drop-down menu and then click on the arrows

 

How to read your Degree Progress Report

Scrolling through the Degree Progress Report can be a little confusing. It can be helpful to look at the Degree Progress Report with your Curriculum Sheet in hand as it is broken up into sections similarly to your Curriculum Sheet.

You can view your Degree Progress Report through the PDF or online.

If you view it online, you can select "Hide Satisfied Requirements" to see what requirements you will need to plan for.  

At the top, you will find General Undergraduate Degree Requirements. These are important, but don't be concerned because most of these requirements will be met as you complete your courses.

The United States Cultural Pluralism Requirement and the Graduation Writing Requirement are also in this section. We will review both of those requirements below.

Picture of DPR

Next your General Education Requirements appear. You may have transferred in a majority of these courses.

Picture of DPR    

After GE Courses, you will see a section for your Major Requirements, which includes your support courses. If you have a declared concentration, then this section will also appear below your Major Requirements.

Picture of DPR

 

 

It is so important that you READ all the notes for each section in the DPR. Not reading the notes may mean you miss important information and take a class that is not necessary. If you have any questions, let us know at eadvise@calpoly.edu. We are here to help!

Your Transfer Credit

While reviewing your Curriculum Sheet or Degree Progress Report, you may ask how certain courses transferred to Cal Poly. You can see further details about your transfer credit in your Poly Profile under "Higher Ed Credits Detail."

Transfer credit will continue to be evaluated and processed by Cal Poly until registration. When your transfer evaluation is complete, you will receive an email from the Office of the Registrar - Evaluations Unit. At that time, you will be able to view your transfer credit transcripts in PolyProfile, and how those classes apply towards your degree in your Degree Progress Report.

Steps on how to find your transfer credit

  1. Access PolyProfile through your Cal Poly Portal under your Academics Tab. 
  2. Click on the Higher Ed Credits Detail link located on the right side of the page.
  3. Under Additional Higher Education Credits Detail, you will find the transcripts we received from you. 
  4. On the right side, you will find the courses you took and on the left side, you will see how they transferred over to Cal Poly.
  5. After reviewing your courses, you can access your Degree Progress Report to view your overall degree requirements.  You can then see what you have completed and what you still need to graduate.

View of Higher Ed Credit

IF YOU BELIEVE YOU SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED CREDIT FOR A COURSE AND DID NOT:

You may petition for it to count toward your degree.

Please note: Advisors are also submitting petitions on your behalf if we have noticed that your credit did not fully articulate. You may receive a notice that a form was completed for you.

Depending on the type of course you want credit for, you will complete one of the two forms below. Please email us at eadvise@calpoly.edu if you have any questions.

Graduate Writing Requirement (GWR) & United States Cultural Pluralism Requirement (USCP)

There are two requirements that are important for you to know about. Since you may be transferring in a majority of your General Education (GE) courses, you will want to review both requirements below so you are not adding extra work while completing your degree. 

Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR)

The Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) is a CSU-mandated program designed to ensure that student can write proficiently before they enter the professional workforce. All Cal Poly students who are seeking a degree must fulfill the GWR before a diploma can be awarded.

  • Undergraduate students with 90 or more completed units should attempt to fulfill the GWR before their senior year.

There are two ways to fulfill the GWR:

    1. Pass a GWR-certified upper-division course with a C or better on a major writing assignment and a final course grade of C or better with at least 35% of the final grade based on the cumulative grade of all writing projects; OR,
    2. Earn a passing score on a GWR Portfolio 

GWR Information for Transfer Students

IF YOU TRANSFERRED TO CAL POLY FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE:

You will need to fulfill the GWR at Cal Poly even if you were GE-certified at your community college because the GWR is an upper-division University degree requirement and students must complete the requirement at the CSU campus at which they are matriculated.

IF YOU TRANSFERRED TO CAL POLY FROM ANOTHER CSU CAMPUS:

You may receive GWR credit if you fulfilled the requirement while enrolled at another CSU campus. Ask a representative from the GWR office at your former CSU campus to send to the Writing and Learning Initiatives office (writingandlearning@calpoly.edu) an official letter verifying GWR completion.

IF YOU TRANSFERRED TO CAL POLY FROM A 4-YEAR INSTITUTION OUTSIDE OF THE CSU SYSTEM:

You will need to fulfill the GWR at Cal Poly because students must earn GWR credit from the CSU campus at which they matriculate.

For more More information about the GWR, please visit the GWR website. 

United States Cultural Pluralism (USCP) Requirement

Students are required to complete one USCP course. This course also fulfills a requirement for Major, Support, General Education, or Free Elective category.

What are USCP courses? 

USCP courses must fulfill all of the criteria according to AS-836-17 and they must also address the Diversity Learning Objectives (DLOs).

How this will look in your DPR:

Picture of DPR

You can explore what courses count for the USCP requirement on the Catalog website. 

 

Step #3: Check off Completed Coursework on Your Flowchart

Now that you have reviewed your degree requirements, you will cross off any courses on the Flowchart that are marked as complete. 

Understanding your Flowchart

Your Flowchart

Your Flowchart is one example of a path towards graduation. All transfer students enter Cal Poly at different places in their curriculum. 

In Step # 1, you were asked to download two flowcharts, which we will review in detail below and in this Flowchart video.

4-Year Standard Flowchart

This flowchart displays the most efficient path towards graduation in 4 years. All transfer students enter at different places in their curriculum. You may prefer to use this flowchart over the transfer flowchart if you have more classes in your GE or support areas left to complete. Please note that some introductory major courses may differ for a transfer student in some majors. The Suggested Course List (described below) will further explain what transfer students should take to fulfill these requirements. 

AERO Flowchart

Transfer Flowchart

Engineering Student Services worked really hard to create special flowcharts for our College of Engineering students.

This flowchart was created specifically for transfer students. It shows the quickest way to graduation for a student who has transferred in the maximum amount of credit that they could from a CA community college.

Many students may have courses in the left hand column that they still need to complete at Cal Poly and should adjust the flowchart accordingly or use the 4-Year Standard Flowchart. You should use this flowchart if you have completed a majority, if not all, of the coursework listed on the left-hand side.  

Transfer Flowchart

 

How to read your Flowchart

Your flowchart displays your Degree Requirements in different colors. 

  • Orange Courses = Support Courses
  • Green Courses = General Education Courses
  • Yellow Courses = Major Courses
  • Pink Courses = Concentration Courses, if you major has a concentration option

A course that is stretched across 2 or more quarters just means that you can take that course during any one of those quarters. It does not mean you must take this course multiple times.

Each course that is listed has courses in smaller green text listed below. These courses are the pre-requisites required in order to take that course. For example, a student must take MATH 241, ME 211 or ARCE 211 in order to register for Engineering Dynamics: ME 212.

ME 212 on Flowchart Screenshot

Check off Your Completed Coursework

Now it's your turn!

We have reviewed your Flowchart options. Take a moment to pull up your fillable Flowchart (or use a printed version) and check off coursework you have already completed. 

You can use your Degree Progress Report (DPR) to identify courses you have credit for. If your evaluation is not complete and you are unable to view your transfer credit in your DPR, do your best to read the course titles and check off courses you believe you have completed. You will want to refer back to your DPR prior to registration.

For example, we have checked off the courses in the image below.

If you are using the Transfer Flowchart, you will want to first check any courses on the left hand side of the document that you have completed.

Curriculum Sheet to Flowchart

Step #4: Select Courses to Complete the Registration Worksheet

Using your updated flowchart, identify courses for which you meet prerequisites and circle them on your flowchart. You can refer to the Suggested Course List for major-specific course suggestions and requirements.

Once you have gathered a comprehensive list of recommended courses and courses that you meet the pre-requisites for, fill out the Registration Worksheet below. We recommend filling out back-up courses in the event you do not get a seat in all your courses.

Registration Worksheet

Download your Registration Worksheet (link to pdf)

Ideal Courses: Courses you should prioritize taking during Fall Quarter.

Back-Up Courses: Other courses you meet the pre-requisites for and you can take if your ideal courses do not work out.

Understanding your Suggested Course list

Your Suggested Course List

Your Suggested Course List is just that - courses that we suggest transfers take during their first quarter at Cal Poly. There are specific notes about introductory courses and sections that may be relevant to consider for registration. Please make sure you read this document in its entirety. This document has essential information for you to be able to successfully register for the correct courses in fall quarter. 

Every major will be slightly different, but in general they will include the following sections to help you prioritize your fall schedule:

  1. High Priority Courses
  2. Mid Priority Courses
  3. Low Priority Courses
  4. General Degree Requirements Notes
  5. Additional Notes
  6. Contact Information for our office and your Department

Please download your list from Step # 1 above.

ScreenshotScreenshot

Step #5: Create and Save Schedules in Schedule Builder

Schedule Builder lives within the Student Center and is one of the tools you may use to prepare for registration. This tool allows you to view available courses and seats for an upcoming term, organize a schedule of courses in a calendar view, save favorite schedules, and enroll.

Understanding Schedule Builder

Check out this video to learn how to use Schedule Builder as a student.

We encourage you to practice using Schedule Builder and explore the schedule builder FAQs.

  • Practice searching for upper level GE courses (Upper Division C).
  • Practice using the filters by searching for class with a face-to-face mode of instruction.
    • Below is a table that further describes the different class modalities:
Synchronous Synchronous courses are fully online with established meeting days/times.
Asynchronous Asynchronous courses are fully online with NO established meeting days/times. Course requirements are completed in a self-guided manner.
Sync/Async Hybrid Synchronous/asynchronous hybrid courses are fully online, but the meeting pattern is a combination of established days/times (for the synchronous online component) and student self-guided work (for the asynchronous online component). 
In Person In person courses are offered at on-campus or off-campus physical locations with established meeting days/times.
In Person/Sync Hybrid In person/synchronous hybrid courses include in-person and online course content. These courses have established meeting days/times.
In Person/Async Hybrid In person/asynchronous hybrid courses include in-person and online course content. The meeting pattern is a combination of established days/times (for the in-person component) and student self-guided work (for the asynchronous online component).

Three schedule builder tips we have learned:

  1. Filters don't actually filter until you try to build a schedule. 
  2. Class Status filter: If you get an error when you try to build a schedule, it probably means you are filtering for "open" classes and that class is currently full. You can just remove that class and build a schedule without it. If you still want to look at the class and maybe get on the waitlist, then you need to uncheck "open".
  3. If you filter for both Area C GEs and Graduation Writing Requirement (GWR) classes  it gives you BOTH C GEs and GWR course, NOT classes that fulfill both. Be careful. Read course descriptions to confirm GE credit or GWR credit.

Saving Schedules in Schedule Builder

Below we have provided tips and screenshots to help you save schedules in Schedule Builder

Step 1: Select the term and use the Expanded Filters to Add Courses

Step 1

Step 2: View more information by Selecting Sections and reviewing the Class Notes for details on Reserved Seats for new transfer students

Step 2

Step 3: Once you have Added Courses, select Build Schedule

Step 3

Step 4: View Different Schedules

Step 4

Step 5: Click the Heart icon to Add Favorite Schedules which you can access later or add to your Enrollment Shopping Cart (remember to create back-up schedules)

Step 5

Step #6: Register

Registration for new Fall 2024 Transfers will be on Monday, August __ at __

Advising and Registration Support

We want to make sure you you feel prepared to register. Below is what you can expect:

  1. August __ or August __ - Transfer SLO Days Part 2: We hope you will be able to attend Transfer SLO Days. This important session will be led by an Advisor and representative from your major department. This is where we will be able to explain more major specific information, answer individual student questions, and guide you through the registration process. 
  2. Post-Transfer SLO Days Support: We are available to support you with individual questions after Transfer SLO Days. Visit our virtual drop-ins below:
    • Friday, August __: Zoom Link
      • 9:00AM - 11:00AM
      • 12:00PM - 4:00PM
    •  Monday, August __: Zoom Link
      • 9:00AM - 12:00PM
      • 1:00PM - 4:00PM
  3. August __ - Registration
    • College of Engineering new transfers will register on Monday, August __ at __

Frequently Asked Questions

We wanted to highlight some frequently asked questions that may come up during this time. Please do not hesitate to connect with us at eadvise@calpoly.edu if you have additional questions!

FAQ's

1. Can I meet with an advisor before registration? 

Yes, you can meet with an advisor before registration, however, we do want you to know that all of the information you will need for registration will be reviewed during our Live Transfer SLO Days Session. 

We ask that you make an appointment with an advisor ONLY after July 15th and if the following applies to you:

  • You cannot attend your scheduled SLO Days Session
  • You are an international, out of state, or a transfer coming from a 4-year institution

In order for us to best answer your questions, it is helpful if your transfer evaluation is complete. We ask that you wait for the email from the Office of the Registrar prior to scheduling your appointment.

Schedule your appointment with us!

2. What should I do if I am wait listed for my classes?

The two reasons you may have ended up on a waitlist are:

  1. There are no more open seats available in the course.
  2. Another transfer student tried to enroll in the course, but since they have enrolled past 18 units or did not meet the course pre-requisites, the waitlist system has been "turned on" and every student after them has been placed on the waitlist.

OUR SUGGESTIONS AT THIS TIME
  • REMEMBER THOSE BACK UP COURSES: We encouraged you to identify all courses you meet the pre-requisites for and write them down as back-up courses. Now use those options to continue to register or waitlist in any classes that you need. Remember you can waitlist for up to 16 units!
  • CHECK OUT OTHER SECTIONS: You may be waitlisted in a section of a course, however a different section may have available seats. Take a look at other sections and register for or waitlist those as well.  
  • REVIEW YOUR SUGGESTED COURSE LIST: Some courses require a permission number to enroll. If a permission number is needed, we have indicated this on your major's suggested course list.

3. How do I get a permission number?

Permission number instructions will differ depending on your major. Your Suggested Course List document will outline how to obtain a permission number.

In the future, outside of your first fall registration, you will visit the Engineering Student Services Permission Number website for department contacts. 

4. If I have transfer credit that did not count for a Cal Poly course can I request to substitute the class?

Refer to "Your Transfer Credit" in Step #2

5. How many units should I enroll in for my first quarter at Cal Poly?

Since Cal Poly is on the quarter system, our courses move quicker than the typical semester system and could be more challenging during your first quarter here. We recommend staying between 12-16 units keeping in mind important prerequisites you will need to complete to stay on track for graduation. 

You must take 12 units to be considered a full-time student (for financial aid, housing, etc.). We recommend that you register for at least 12 units. We know you will be taking many engineering courses, so keep in mind that although 12 units may not sound like a lot, in some majors this may mean 5-6 engineering courses. If you find that you are just shy of 12 units, we recommend you check out enrolling in ENGR 301: Engineering Professional Success (1 unit) during fall quarter.

6. I believe I should receive credit for ME 228, what do I do?

If you did not receive automatic credit in ME 228 but took at least a two-quarter unit CAD course using SolidWorks, you could possibly receive credit.  For more information about how to do this, please see this website. 

If you have any college specific questions please reach out to our office by emailing eadvise@calpoly.edu

To learn more about academic and campus resources check out the Transfer Center's resource page. 

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