As a Cal Poly Scholar, you are assigned an Academic Advisor through the Mustang Success Center. The Mustang Success Center provides a proactive and intentional approach to support year 1 Cal Poly Scholars through your transition and integration into Cal Poly. The Mustang Success Center goals are to support and assist you with any questions you might have including identifying resources on campus suited to your personal needs, class schedule planning, and study skills development. Our Academic Advisors can also help you navigate and understand your degree requirements, curriculum, and Cal Poly policies. Connect with your assigned advisor based on the major you declared entering Cal Poly!
For more information about the Cal Poly Scholars program, please visit the Cal Poly Scholars website.
Find your college, then use the first letter of your last name to find your advisor.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences | CAFES
YEAR 1 (2024)
A-MO: Austin Joseph Ferguson
MU-RIO: Shannon Stephens
RIV - Z: Rebecca Richards
YEAR 1 While you have an assigned advisor, you can always meet with any MSC advisor through MSC drop in hours if you need immediate assistance.
YEAR 2 and beyond scholars are supported by their college advising center or retention specialist.
College of Architecture and Environmental Design | CAED
Year 1 (2024)
A- MAD: Annie Amos
ME - Rod: Carly Head
Ru - Z: Jaclyn Banaga
YEAR 1 While you have an assigned advisor, you can always meet with any MSC advisor through MSC drop in hours if you need immediate assistance.
YEAR 2 and beyond scholars are supported by their college advising center or retention specialist.
College of Engineering | CENG
YEAR 1 (2024)
A- FLO: Cynthia Avila Alfaro
FRE - HE: Dawin Whiten
HED-N: Gracie Dodson
O-RODA: Matt Herrera
RODR-VAN: Jaclyn Banaga
VAS-Z: Katie Escalera
YEAR 1 While you have an assigned advisor, you can always meet with any MSC advisor through MSC drop in hours if you need immediate assistance.
YEAR 2 and beyond scholars are supported by their college advising center or retention specialist.
College of Liberal Arts | CLA
Year 1 (2024)
A - CHAVEL: Annie Amos
CHAVEZ - GO: Cynthia Avila Alfaro
GR - Z: Serena Petrasich
YEAR 1 While you have an assigned advisor, you can always meet with any MSC advisor through MSC drop in hours if you need immediate assistance.
YEAR 2 and beyond scholars are supported by their college advising center or retention specialist.
Bailey College of Science and Mathematics | BCSM
Year 1 (2024)
A - CAR: Austin Joseph Ferguson
CAS - GUE: Carly Head
GUI - O: Dawin Whiten
P - Z: Serena Petrasich
YEAR 1 While you have an assigned advisor, you can always meet with any MSC advisor through MSC drop in hours if you need immediate assistance.
YEAR 2 and beyond scholars are supported by their college advising center or retention specialist.
Orfalea College of Business | OCOB
Year 1 (2024)
A - J: Katie Escalera
K - P: Rebecca Richards
R - Z: Matt Herrera
YEAR 1 While you have an assigned advisor, you can always meet with any MSC advisor through MSC drop in hours if you need immediate assistance.
YEAR 2 and beyond scholars are supported by their college advising center or retention specialist.
Academic Resources
Advising
- The Mustang Success Center (MSC) is here to support scholars throughout year 1 of participating in the Cal Poly Scholars program. We are a resources and support to students as one navigates course registration/block scheduling, change of major (if applicable), campus policies, and your adjustment at Cal Poly
- Scholars can contact their assigned MSC Academic Advisor directly or meet with any other MSC advisor through our drop in advising hours every day
Change of Major
If Scholars are considering changing their major, it is encouraged to meet with a Financial Aid Counselor in the Office of Financial Aid to discuss any possible changes to your financial aid package and Cal Poly Scholars award. If a scholar doesn't know who their Financial Aid Counselor is, that is not a problem. Send an email with your respective questions to financialaid@calpoly.edu ;or visit their office in Building 1, Room 212, and you will be directed to your respective Financial Aid Counselor
Per Cal Poly policy- First time freshmen are required to stay in their major for at least one quarter. There will be change of major workshops throughout the school year to learn more about this process. We encourage you to review the change of major procedure and reach out to your advisor if you have questions
Registration
- The registration process can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. MSC Advisors are here to guide you through this process. MSC Advisors will help all Cal Poly Scholars during week 5 or 6 in UNIV 100 during fall quarter in understanding their block schedule and the registration process.
- Referencing your ACADEMICS TAB in your portal will give you access to your curriculum sheets/flowcharts and degree progress report. We have registration support videos on the Mustang Success Center Youtube channel, and other helpful registration tips outlined here.
- Other helpful links are catalog, AP/IB matrix, transfer credit and assist.org
Tutoring and Academic Support
- The University Writing and Learning Center offers free consultations on any writing project for any discipline and subject, as well as individual and group tutoring services. All students are welcome.
- Students need to create an account through the Writing and Learning Center to sign up for 1:1 tutoring support
- Drop in tutoring is also available for Mathematics, Statistics, Engineering, and Architectural Engineering
- Supplemental workshops are 1 unit credit/no credit support classes for specific Mathematics and Science classes. Students can enroll in during the first 8 days of instruction for any given quarter (also known as the add/drop period). Students need to check if the course you are enrolled in has corresponding supplemental workshop in order to enroll
- The Study Strategies Library has research-based information and resources for students to expand their academic skills in a variety of topics. Learning how to study is an on-going process. Different strategies may be required for different types of exams or assignments, and everyone has a unique learning style. During office hours, ask your professors how you might focus your efforts to study most effectively for their classes.
- Exam Strategies Workshop put on by the Mustang Success Center
Summer school
- During the middle of April/beginning of May, students will be able to start making summer school plans and deciding if they want to take classes at Cal Poly or at a community college.
- Cal Poly does offer summer school packages to Cal Poly Scholars. This is all based on your individual financial aid package and can change yearly. Review Cal Poly Summer School Financial Aid information
- If taking a class at a community college in California, scholars will want to first identify which classes you want to take. Advisors can help verify classes if classes will transfer to Cal Poly through assist.org. Students can look for class availability through cvc.edu or the respective community college . Cal Poly financial aid will not cover a community college course, however, you can talk to the respective schools Financial Aid Office or Cal Poly Financial Aid Office about your options
- If a student took a class at Cal Poly and received below a C-, it is in your best interest to repeat the class at Cal Poly for repeat and grade forgiveness policy.
- Once you complete the course, request official transcript be sent to Cal Poly and Cal Poly will not put course into degree progress report until end of October- evaluations form and transcript process
Academic Probation
Year 1 scholars that are on academic probation after fall or winter quarter, will be required to go through the First Year Success Program, coordinated by the Mustang Success Center. You will be communicated about these expectations via your Cal Poly email at the end of each term.
If you need someone to speak to about your personal situation, clarifying a requirement, understanding the policy or don't know where to start, please reach out to the Mustang Success Center and we can assist you with next steps.
University Advising Retention
The Retention team ensures that students are supported in navigating their transition from the Mustang Success Center or their transfer institution to their College Advising Centers. We provide proactive outreach throughout the academic year to ensure Scholars have access to the advising support they need to reach their academic goals. Meet with your designated Retention Specialist to discuss navigating time off, withdrawing from the term, considering permanently leaving Cal Poly, academic/ personal challenges, or getting connected to campus resources.
Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Advising
- If a scholar is both part of Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) & Cal Poly Scholars programs, it is important to know the advising expectations of both programs. Typically, EOP students need to meet with their EOP Counselor once a quarter. EOP students can meet with any EOP Counselor and can make appointments through their website.
- Students on academic probation will also need to check in with their college expectations regarding college/major expectations
Financial Resources
Scholarships
- All Cal Poly students can apply for Cal Poly specific scholarships twice a year. The financial aid office will send an email to your Cal Poly email when this window of time opens up. It is typically in late September and late March.
- It is recommended you answer the scholarship questions in a word document that you can continue to reference each cycle for scholarship applications. It is easier to update existing answers than starting from scratch each time.
- Scholarship application can be found in your portal on the left hand side called “Cal Poly Scholarships”
Financial Aid
- Financial Aid counselors are assigned based on students last name.
- To find out your counselors name and contact information, you can ask your MSC Advisor or email financialaid@calpoly.edu to be directed to your respective counselor
- Being on Academic Probation does not impact your eligibility to be a Cal Poly Scholar, though depending on your Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), it may impact your scholarship and other financial aid (see the Academic Achievement section for more details regarding SAP)
- Cal Poly Scholars do not have to reapply for the Cal Poly Scholars Scholarship. However, all students need to reapply for your FAFSA each year between October-March. Review Financial Aid website with all FAFSA related information
Basic needs
- Cal Poly’s Basic Needs Initiative seeks to ensure that all students have access to the resources needed to focus on education and success at Cal Poly. The Basic Needs Initiative is committed to fostering an equitable environment that honors the wellbeing of the Cal Poly community through intentionality and innovation.
- The Cal Poly Food pantry is available to all students. We encourage students to utilize this resource if needed.
Cal Poly Cares
- Cal Poly Cares provides limited financial assistance to currently enrolled Cal Poly students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of temporary hardship related to an unexpected situation. The grant is designated to offset a short-term financial need and is not intended to replace or supplement financial aid. Therefore, long-term needs can be addressed by meeting with a Financial Aid Counselor to determine available options. Funds are awarded as a grant, and unlike a loan, do not need to be repaid.
Campus Resources
Career Services
- Great resource for all Cal Poly students. Explore the Career Services website about all their resources. Cal Poly Scholars are encouraged to attend Career Services related workshops as well coordinated through the Cal Poly Scholars program.
Disability Resource Center
- The Disability Resource Center (DRC) cultivates an accessible and inclusive community where students with permanent and temporary disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of campus life. We facilitate student learning and access through partnerships with students, faculty, and staff.
- Explore their website to see how they can support you for your specific needs
- Possible accommodations can be reviewed on the DRC website
Campus health and Wellbeing
- Campus Health & Wellbeing cultivates student success through timely care and the promotion of lasting wellness. As a Cal Poly Scholar, there can be additional stressors and we encourage scholars to seek help where needed. Students have access to:
- College librarian
- Kennedy Library has an expert team of college librarians and specialists who provide meaningful, tailored support to students and faculty.
- Contact your college librarian or a specialist if you are seeking research help, library classroom instruction, or to further build the library’s collection within your specialty.
- Clubs and Organizations
- Cal Poly has over 400 recognized student organizations to keep students involved and connected.
Student Diversity and Belonging
Student Diversity and Belonging is a collective of campus resource centers that support and empower students experiencing marginalization, through intersectional advocacy and cultural connections to build a more just and equitable Cal Poly community. Student Diversity & Belonging is comprised of the following campus community centers organized into two cluster areas:
Race & Ethnicity
Cal Poly Scholars Office
The Cal Poly Scholars Office coordinates all aspects of the Cal Poly Scholar program. The Mustang Success Center is a campus partner with this office. If students have questions about the following, they are are strongly encouraged to work with the Cal Poly Scholars office:
- Events (the office tracks how many you've attended or logistics with events)
- Scholar mentors
- Year 1 agreement
- Cal Poly Scholars staff
- Frequently Asked questions