Summer School

Students typically take summer courses to:

• Get ahead
• Catch up if they are behind
• Lighten future quarter loads
   

Most students choose one of these options:

• Cal Poly summer school (primarily in person, with some online options)
• A California Community College (in person or online)
• Another university or out-of-state college

Summer at Cal Poly is often a good fit for GEs (lower-division and upper-division). Major courses can be offered, but are less common—always confirm availability in the schedule before planning around it.

Pros

• No hassle transferring courses
• On-campus housing available
• Can be more affordable for out-of-state students
• Upper-division GE options may be available

A: Cons

• 5-week and 8-week sessions move quickly
• Fewer online options may be available
   

Pros

• Often more affordable for in-state residents
• More options for lower-division GE requirements
• Many online options
• assist.org can help confirm how courses transfer

Cons

• You will need to learn a new registration system and use assist.org
• You must remember to send transcripts
• Transfer credit can take up to two quarters to appear on your DPR, which can affect prerequisite timing for fall (and sometimes winter) registration
• Some CCC summer sessions begin before Cal Poly spring quarter ends

1. Start with a community college, find an online course there, then verify transferability on assist.org.
2. Start with a course title, search options on CVC.edu, then verify transferability on assist.org. (Use the CVC.edu instructional worksheet.)

If you have never taken the language, start at the beginning level. If you want to place into a higher level, you will need to demonstrate proficiency at the institution where you plan to enroll. Use assist.org to confirm articulation and talk with an advisor if you are unsure. In some cases, language credit may require a department form (for example, a substitution), so plan ahead

Semester units convert to quarter units at 1.5x. Example: 3 semester units = 4.5 quarter units.

Free electives can be fulfilled by any CSU-transferable course, as long as it does not articulate as a Cal Poly course you have already completed. Use assist.org (and the worksheet process) to confirm CSU transferability.

1. Identify the requirement you want to fulfill (GE, support, major, or elective).
2. Find course options and verify articulation on assist.org.
3. Confirm your plan with an advisor before you enroll.
4. After the course ends, send official transcripts so credit can be posted.

Follow the same general approach: verify how the course will apply, confirm with the appropriate advisor or department before enrolling, and send transcripts after completion so credit can be evaluated and posted.