Freshmen cal poly student warning you not too come

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
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<p>bjornredtail and others who have a big problem with Cal Poly’s position on changing majors: Cal Poly simply couldn’t be more transparent about this policy. </p>

<p>There are hundreds (thousands?) of colleges that accept “undeclareds” and don’t bat an eyelash. Further, some of the Ivies and other highly selective schools state that they fully expect students to explore many areas of study during the first two years, and won’t ALLOW the declaration of major until junior year. The trick is knowing yourself well enough in your senior year of high school to know where you are on this spectrum and to choose a school that meets your needs.</p>

<p>Bashing Cal Poly for having this policy is silly. Just know the rules and expect some hassles if you decide to switch horses midstream.</p>

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<p>LSkaiWalker, </p>

<p>I remember a few months ago when we were deciding where to go, and we both chose Cal Poly and were so excited about it. Now it seems that it has become a hell hole for you. You know I just think you need to put a bit more effort into it. I was a total go getter, I didn’t wait for people to walk up to me. I went out there and joined clubs. I’ve been at Cal Poly for less than a quarter. I the VP of Finance of a international business with which I’m going to New Mexico with for a conference. I’m a co-director for student community services, and on top of that I’ve lost 20 pounds since starting college. I’m also in Cal Poly accounting club and Cal Poly Entrepreneurs. In all these clubs and activities I have volunteered, met people, and joined club sports with them. I’ve also started developing an iPhone app with a person for the Cal Poly Entrepreneur club. Yes, a lot of the people here at Cal Poly are “bros” and fake, but I know there are some genuine people here. I still haven’t made a core group of best friends, but I’m just wait to meet them in a club meeting, a class, or even at VG’s. You never know. One of my friends is switching from business to material engineering. Everything is set she just has to maintain a certain GPA while taking a few core classes, so it is possible to change. I’m trying to say that you need to put a bit more effort to find some good people. If I were you I would stay stick around for the rest of this year. You can be successful at Cal Poly you just need a positive attitude and find opportunities yourself. Good luck in your endeavors.</p>

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<p>Tell me where in the brochure that it says “changing majors is nearly impossible”. Unless you are willing to beg some department chair, the policy states that you simply can’t change majors in such a way that will delay your graduation. Since you start taking stuff your freshman year, ANY change of major will delay your graduation. Therefore, any change of major is specifically prohibited unless there is a ‘special exception’. So, I ask again. What’s wrong with pointing this out? And, how is that a good thing?</p>

<p>Part of the reason I attended Cal Poly was the possibility that I could switch to something else in the College of Engineering if I didn’t like CSC. It turned out that I can’t do that. So, I shouldn’t be disappointed in the university as a result?</p>

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<p>

</p>

<p>[College</a> of Engineering Advising Center - Changing Majors](<a href=“http://eadvise.calpoly.edu/dept/major.php]College”>http://eadvise.calpoly.edu/dept/major.php)</p>

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<p>As someone who regularly links to eadvise.calpoly.edu and continually complains about changes of major, you might think I’ve read that. Along with the requirements for Civil and Mechanical. Along with physically walked to the advising center and asked about it. Have you even considered that things may have been somewhat different before this darn budget crisis, back 5 years ago when I applied?</p>

<p>Moreover, you really aren’t answering my question. What is so bad about pointing that out? What is so bad about saying that this is bad policy and that you should avoid this university if you are the slightest bit unsure of what you want to do (ie, 90% of the people who apply)?</p>

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<p>bjornredtail, point well taken.</p>

<p>I hope high school students and parents who read this thread will think very carefully about their need for flexibility in changing majors before making a final decision about Cal Poly. I don’t agree that it’s a bad policy. Bad is subjective in this case.</p>

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<p>I remember when my daughter was accepted to Cal Poly, we were thrilled. But, my husband said his *only *reservation was the fact that she needed to declare a major and switching wouldn’t be as simple as in other universities. He changed majors twice at Stanford. :wink: However, since our daughter seems to know what she wants to do in grad school and feels that her undergrad degree will help prepare her, it hasn’t been an issue, so far. Of course, she’s just finishing her first quarter. But, I’m confident that she’ll stick with it. In fact, she’s hoping to add a minor which will also benefit her in her career after grad school.</p>

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<p>I don’t think there’s anything bad about pointing out how difficult it is to change majors at Cal Poly. In fact, I think it’s to everyone’s advantage that this information be readily available (which, in my opinion, it is). </p>

<p>I don’t think it’s a bad policy, and I think that part of what might seem to be heavy-handed enforcement of it is due to the pressure on Cal Poly, and all CSUs, to get the students out in 4 years, 5 at the most.</p>

<p>I don’t know what the policy was 5 years ago, but I do know that 2 years ago when my son applied, I was nervous for his sake about declaring a major and sticking with it for 4 years. He wasn’t nervous at all - at that point he was sure he wanted to be an EE major. He changed his mind during his 3rd quarter when he found digital to be so much more fun than analog, and was able to change to CPE. If he hadn’t been able to change, he would have simply stuck with EE and taken as many CPE electives as he could have. Going from EE to CPE wasn’t a big jump given that so many courses overlap.</p>

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<p>I’ve thought about the “why” of this policy a little, and I’m sure a Cal Poly administrator could tell me if I’m right about this, but here’s a guess:</p>

<p>By requiring major declaration and making it hard to switch, Cal Poly can be a very efficient university. They have a hand-selected number of students in each area of study which means they can very accurately staff and prepare for each quarter. Some schools struggle with large numbers of kids declaring Engineering on application, and then drifting off to some other department before their first year is over. Some even apply to schools knowing their odds of admissions go up if they apply to Engineering, and use this as leverage to get in, knowing full well they don’t plan to stick with that major. </p>

<p>I think part of the strength of the Engineering, Architecture and many other departments at Cal Poly is that the faculty enter each year with confidence that they have a very committed group of young freshmen on the doorstep.</p>

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<p>^^^ Excellent point, riverrunner.</p>

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<p>If you kind of read between the lines, you quickly figure out why it is hard to change majors at Cal Poly. It’s a case of follow the money. Budgets are set for each department. Not sure how they allocate the money, but they do so. Then each department figures out how many students that budget supports. If there is a space, they will accept a transfer. However, if there are more than one person trying to transfer in, guess what, they take the most qualified. And there are always more trying to transfer in than spots.</p>

<p>bjornredtail, you’ve whined about the lack of ability to transfer on another thread and your “solution” was simply a more detailed whine. If you or anyone else wants to change the way things are figure out how to change it. You have to get a system in place that provides funding to the various departments based on the number of students that “want” to be in that department. </p>

<p>If you read some of my other posts you will figure out that I did not attend Cal Poly, but my son does. The college I went allocated at least part of their various department’s funding based on how many students were in that department. Everyone went in as “undeclared”. You could not declare a major, even if you wanted to your freshman year. Toward the end of freshamn year, most departments held freshman picnics or something to get students to want to come into their department. They were recuiting you. This system worked because the school also was a large research institute and funding from that helped even out the annual fluctuation on student numbers. </p>

<p>Who knows, there may be other ways to do this. </p>

<p>If you want to change the system, you need to understand why the system is the way it is. Only then can you recommend changes. And don’t think that they will jump at the idea of changing. You’ll have to play the political game and really work at it to try and effect a change. And your changes may never come to pass.</p>

<p>I believe that few high school seniors really know the difference between some of the majors they are looking at. They have no real experience with them. I also believe that computer science is one in which the reality of the major is not always like the perception going in. </p>

<p>I don’t think that Cal Poly, or any other school, should admitt by department and force the high school seniors to choose. I am also floored by how many that do just that. I grew up on the east coast and went to school there. I can’t think of a single school that forced one to declare a major. But then, that was a long time ago. </p>

<p>My daughter is going to school in New England and went in as “engineering undeclared”. She is a freshman and is trying to choose a major. For her, choosing a major and getting into that department is as easy as checking out the box on a form. But, that is one of the reasons she decided on her particular school.</p>

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<p>Is Calpoly’s ED Binding?
I just got accepted through ED, but now reading this, I realised that this is NOT the school for me, I am such a city person that I think I’d die in one week</p>

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<p>Yes, ED is binding unless you cannot attend for health or financial reasons. If you have to, attend Cal Poly for a quarter and if you don’t like it, transfer. But you never know, you may end up liking it. Just have a good attitude.</p>

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<p>I thought Cal Poly was EA, not ED. Is that wrong?</p>

<p>"The ‘Early Admissions Decision’ option allows qualified applicants to know, around mid-December, if Cal Poly will offer them admission to Fall quarter. Applicants selected will have test scores on the higher end of the scale, are in the top 5-10% of their graduating class, and have established strong academic records throughout their entire secondary education. Early Decision applicants also must submit the CSUmentor online application with the $55.00 fee electronically by October 31st.</p>

<pre><code>* Applications must be submitted by the October 31st deadline.

  • Cal Poly will use the ACT or SAT1 (math and critical reading only) scores you have right now for the selection process.
  • If you are selected for admission, Cal Poly needs your decision by January 15th
  • Applicants not selected through this option will automatically be reviewed under the regular admission program."
    </code></pre>

<p>Nope: I guess not!</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ophs.opusd.k12.ca.us/Counseling/early_decison.htm[/url]”>http://www.ophs.opusd.k12.ca.us/Counseling/early_decison.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Some schools that have binding Early Decision programs are Pitzer College, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Duke University.</p>

<p>Cal Poly offers Early Decision
Early Application Deadline: October 31
College Notification Date: December 15</p>

<p>EA/ED Policy: Early Decision is an option offered to those first-time freshman applicants for whom Cal Poly is clearly their first choice. Applicants should have established strong and consistent academic records throughout secondary school and should have completed all the required standardized testing by October of their senior year. Candidates are reviewed on their program of study in secondary school, academic performance in classes, standardized test scores, extra-curricular activities, and/or work experience.</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.venturescholar.org/hs/ea_ed.html[/url]”>http://www.venturescholar.org/hs/ea_ed.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Early Decision candidates must be committed to attend Cal Poly. Students admitted under this plan and who accept the terms of admission may be released only for compelling medical or financial reasons. Students who apply for Early Decision and are not selected will automatically be reviewed under the Regular Decision process.</p>

<p>For students who choose the Early Decision option:

  • The student must submit an electronic application, along with the required $55 application fee, by a final deadline of October 31st.
  • The student is notified of the admission decision around December 15th.
  • The student’s reply to an offer of admission by Cal Poly must be submitted electronically by January 15th.</p>
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<p>Eirina:</p>

<p>When you were researching Cal Poly did you not realize it’s in a smaller city (town) vs. an urban area? For me, personally, if I were applying early to a school with a binding contract I would check out every possible pro and con before hitting the submit button. Perhaps not everyone knows the difference between ED and EA. You have more leeway with the latter. My daughter didn’t apply ED to any school, including Cal Poly. She wasn’t even keen on going there when she applied RD. But, in the end, it’s the school she ultimately chose and couldn’t be happier.</p>

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<p>just to show another side to lukes original post. </p>

<p>I’m a freshman girl, in a sorority, in the marching band and i’m an engineer. I live in the engineering dorms and i love it here in slo. but like luke said its a place you either love or hate.</p>

<p>i’m an out of state kid and i’m from an island, so i’m used to the small town feeling, but it’s an amazing “intermediate time” in my life between high school and the real world. </p>

<p>he is very dead on when he says there is no diversity and the dorm life sucks. I normally spend about 6 hours in my dorm per day and that is sleeping and i don’t have an RA on my wing of the dorm, so I don’t deal with RA’s much, but i’ve heard they are ridiculously strict and my friends have gotten noise violations from singing disney songs in the laundry room at 10 pm… the food is horrible and you quickly learn where to eat and what to buy in order to maximize your meals and plus dollars. </p>

<p>I personally love it here at Cal Poly, but in order to do so you need to know what you want to do with your life, because I have seen many friends go through the hassle of attempting to change their major and not knowing what they want to major in. </p>

<p>A few tips on college life I have stumbled through my first few months.</p>

<p>participate in greek life, I never thought i was the “sorority girl” but it is the best decision i have ever made</p>

<p>join clubs and get involved in your major your first quarter. my good friend is in thailand (as a freshman) working with engineers without borders for all of winter break</p>

<p>branch out and meet people during fall launch and WoW, ever person you meet will benefit you in one way or another</p>

<p>listen to cal poly when they say to study between 25-35 hours per week. i didn’t listen to this the first few weeks and I ended up playing catch up the next few weeks. something my calc professor told me - study 2 hours for every 1 hour of lecture</p>

<p>do not wait until the week before finals (or the day before your final) to first visit the library. i first went in october and I’m glad I learned good study habits and where to go in the library before the whole school was there the last few weeks of the quarter. </p>

<p>again, not saying you’re wrong, this is just to show that there is also another side…</p>

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<p>Nice perspective islandgirl32. I think it is good for people to see both sides. Cal Poly is not perfect, but it can be a wonderful school for many students. You are doing a great job and it sounds like you are choosing to have a wonderful experience at CPSLO!</p>

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<p>The OP has an interesting prospective. I’m not joining this bashing fest on her because she was just trying to give her honest opinion, whatever you think of her personally.
I’m a freshman at Cal Poly right now as well. </p>

<h2>I agree with her on some places, but here are my pro’s and cons for people considering cal poly- </h2>

<p>CON’S
-The campus food is just terrible.
-Changing your major is impossible almost.
-The ability to graduate in 4 years concerns many.
-Classes are difficult to get if you have a bad reg. date. GE’s always difficult.
-A good group of people aren’t serious about school here. Lots of drunken partying on the weekends and screwing around that i frankly didn’t expect to see. I feel as though if you don’t partake in this, you miss out to a LARGE extent on the social scene and making new friends.

  • The school is career based and geared towards engineering. For someone who has to go to graduate school and isn’t an engineer, this is little weird. Not a huge deal though if your on the ball about your curriculum.
    -Rich kids seem abundant </p>

<h2>-Classrooms are dated, equipment is old. </h2>

<p>PRO’s

  • the town of SLO is just amazing. Recently rated one of the happiest places to live.
  • Cal Poly and SLO are just happy places to be. I can’t really describe this feeling.
  • the weather is great
    -The racial “problem” doesn’t bug me at all. It’s just as diverse as other universities in my opinion.
    -I like the professors here so far and the classes. They are always willing to help out in office hours and are mostly qualified individuals.
    -People are generally nice, may not be the most friendly though.
  • The Quarter system is good.
  • I like how much hard work is involved to do well here.
  • The Cerro Vista apartments are nice.
    -Biking, running, everything for outdoors people is here!
  • The campus is pleasant and organized well, except for the construction :confused: . </p>

<hr>

<ul>
<li>I’m sure i’m forgetting alot of pro’s. Even though there are some con’s for me, it’s still a great place to be and a great match for new students that are thinking of coming here. I definitely won’t be transferring, unless classes get extremely difficult to enroll in because of budget cuts or the likewise.</li>
</ul>

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<p>That’s wierd, I had no idea that every single freshman girl joins a sorority. I’ll have to keep that in mind</p>

1 Like
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<p>After one year at Cal Poly as a Biochemistry major, I transferred to Berkeley. Cal accepted all my credits and I graduated in four years. The fact of the matter is that “Polytechnic” is part of the name because its focus is engineering and architecture. Those majors are inherently rigid and structured. If one wants diversity, transfer. At Cal, I met poets, historians, as well as physicist and chemists.</p>