Come Visit The Mustang Success Center!
Mustang Success Center | First Year Advising
The MSC operates on a drop-ins basis. We do not book appointments but this allows you to meet with an advisor in real time during our operating hours.
All students planning to meet with an academic advisor for Fall 2026 registration support should review the Semester Conversion Canvas Module and your Degree Progress Report prior to joining drop-ins. Please come with a list of potential fall courses to discuss with an advisor.
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Responses expected within 1 business day |
Email us at success@calpoly.edu using your Cal Poly email account. We are happy to answer emails from current and incoming first-year students. |
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in-person drop-ins |
Monday-Thursday
Friday |
20 minutes with an advisor. Check-in at our Front Desk (Building 52, Room D37) and be connected with the next available advisor. For current first-year students only; incoming students can access drop-ins starting on 6/22/26.
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| virtual drop-ins |
Monday-Thursday
Friday |
Meet with an advisor one-on-one on Zoom. For current first-year students only; incoming students can access drop-ins starting on 6/22/26.
If you need Fall 2026 registration support, review the Semester Conversion Canvas Module and your Degree Progress Report before joining drop-ins. Come to the meeting prepared with a list of potential fall courses.
Please use the downloaded zoom app on a computer (not a phone), if possible. Be sure to review the Zoom Tips and Tricks before joining. Instructions to meet with an advisor on Zoom:
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| Online resources |
24/7 |
Check out our First Year Advising Canvas to search for answers to many of your questions. Be sure to look at the Semester Conversion Module before registering for the Fall 2026 semester. |
| Front Office |
Monday-Thursday
Friday |
Building 52, Room D37 Our student team helps to manage our virtual and in-person drop-ins, emails, and voicemails. They are not advisors but are happy to help you get to the right place. |
Check us out on Instagram @MustangSuccessCenter and YouTube
Reasons to connect with an advisor
- Registration support
- One semester schedule planning
- Interpretation of university policy (CR/NC, Grades, Leaves, Withdrawals, etc.)
- Check-in or follow-up with the same advisor from a recent appointment (within last 2-3 weeks)
- Referrals to campus resources
- Questions regarding ASSIST.org (transferring courses from community college)
- Change of major information
Email and Phone
You are welcome to email or call our office with questions you have. We do our best to respond to all emails and voicemails within 1 business day.
Email us at success@calpoly.edu
Phone 805-756-6211 *utilizing our virtual academic advising via Zoom is the preferred way to speak directly to an advisor (and quicker). Please see our available hours listed above.
Please ensure that your email is sent from your Cal Poly email account. This allows us to verify your student status and check your academic record when appropriate. This also lessens the chance of your email getting lost.
- Download the free Zoom app with your Cal Poly login information.
- You must have the app downloaded to your computer or phone. Using just the web browser will not allow you to meet privately with an advisor.
- Test the Zoom app with your Cal Poly login information.
- Mac user ensure that you can privacy settings are set to share screen. View more information about screen share.
Other Advising resources
Athletics Academic Advising
Student-Athlete Academic Services, Mott Learning Center, Mott Athletic Center, Room 205.
The Mott Learning Center facility is open Monday-Wednesday until 7 PM, Thursday 5 PM, and until 4:00pm on Friday throughout the term. Go to Student-Athlete Academic Services
Change of Major
We encourage all students to review our change of major website prior to talking to an advisor. This ensures that you come with a list of questions for us to help you with.
Registration Process
Understanding the registration process can be complex. Here is a review of how the registration process works at Cal Poly
Schedule Builder Tutorials
Schedule builder will help you review class times, check prerequisites, build and save multiple schedules. It will also show you how navigate through the registration process such as how to add a class, swap a class, how to add yourself to a waitlist, register for classes, and more!
Taking a class at a California Community College or out of state institution
Come Visit us at the mustang success center
