Summer School/Transferring Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I take summer school courses?
- To get ahead
- To get caught up if you are behind
- To help lighten your normal quarter loads
What are my summer school options?
- Attend Cal Poly’s summer school program (primarily in-person, some online options)
- Attend a California Community College (in-person or online)
- Attend another university or out-of-state college
What is Cal Poly summer school like?
Visit the Cal Poly Summer School website for detailed information. The most common type of courses students take during summer school at Cal Poly are G.E.’s, both lower and upper division. Major courses are not as common, so make sure to check PASS to see what is being offered.
Pros:
- No hassle transferring courses
- On campus housing available
- More affordable for out-of-state students
- Can take upper-division G.E. courses
Cons:
- Five-week and eight-week sessions move very quickly
- Few courses are offered online
Why might I consider taking courses at a California Community College?
Pros:
- More affordable for in-state residents
- More course options to fulfill lower division G.E. requirements
- Many online options
- assist.org helps take the guesswork out of how courses will transfer to Cal Poly
Cons:
- Must navigate a new registration system and learn how to use assist.org
- Must remember to send transcripts
- Transfer credit can take up to two quarters to appear on your DPR, which means pre-requisite courses taken over summer will not be recognized in time for fall registration and may not be recognized in time for winter registration
- Some community colleges begin their summer session before Cal Poly spring quarter ends
How can I find online courses?
There are two ways students tend to approach this:
Approach 1:
Start with a particular community college and look for online courses on their website. Then check assist.org to verify the course(s) will fulfill your target G.E. area or major/support course at Cal Poly.
Approach 2:
Start with a specific course title and use CVC.edu to find a list of possible community colleges or universities that may offer that course online. Then check assist.org to verify the course(s) will fulfill your target G.E. area or major/support course at Cal Poly. Download the CVC.edu instructional worksheet.
What should I do if I want to take a language course over the summer?
If you have never taken a language before, take the beginning level. If you are interested in skipping to a higher level, you will need to demonstrate your proficiency at the institution you wish to attend. This can look differently depending on where you attend. Use assist.org to verify how language courses will articulate to Cal Poly or meet with an advisor.
In many cases, language courses will not directly articulate to Cal Poly language courses but you may be able to receive credit by completing a major/support substitution form with your department chair; make sure you discuss this before signing up for the course. Please note: it can be difficult to find online language courses.
If I attend an institution on the semester system, how will the units transfer?
Semester units are worth 1.5 quarter units. To determine how many quarter units you will earn, simply multiply the semester units by 1.5. For example, if you earn three semester units, you will earn 4.5 quarter units at Cal Poly.
What if I need to take a course to fulfill free electives?
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. To verify the course(s) you are interested in are CSU Transferable, follow the instructions on the assist.org worksheet.
What steps should take if I am ready to take courses at a California Community College?
Follow the instructions on our Transfer Credit Advising Sheet or meet with an advisor. Always make sure to verify your course selections with an advisor PRIOR to taking the course.
What steps should take if I am ready to take a course at another university or out-of-state?
Follow the instructions on our Transfer Credit Advising Sheet or meet with an advisor. Always make sure to verify your course selections with the appropriate people PRIOR to taking the course.