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Frequently Asked Questions
 

The Chancellor's office has granted approval to impact the campus for freshman applications beginning with fall 2004.  For answers to questions regarding admissions, read the First-time Freshmen Impaction Update.

The questions below pertains to general questions only.
 
  1. How many honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses do you give credit for when calculating the high school GPA?
  2. What is Cal Poly Pomona’s "learn by doing" philosophy?
  3. Is there an appeal process?
  4. How can I check the status of my application file?
  5. How many students attend Cal Poly Pomona?
  6. What is the student/faculty ratio?
  7. What kind of housing is available?
  8. What percentage of Cal Poly Pomona students live on campus?
  9. Why should students live on campus?
  10. What does it cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona?
  11. How do I apply for Financial Aid?
  12. Is Cal Poly Pomona on a quarter or semester system?
  13. What types of fraternities, sororities, and clubs are on campus?
  14. What food services are available on campus?
  15. What is the difference between a CSU campus and a UC campus?
  16. Will I get a Cal Poly Pomona email account?
  17. How safe is Cal Poly Pomona compared to other campuses?
  18. Will I have a problem finding parking on campus?
  19. What percentage of faculty have terminal degrees?
  20. Do you have any special programs for first time freshman?
  21. How does Cal Poly Pomona compare/rank with other institutions?
  22. Is it true that Cal Poly Pomona participates in the Tournament of Roses parade?
  23. What new developments are in store for Cal Poly Pomona in the near future?
1.  How many honors or Advanced Placement (AP) courses do you give credit for when calculating the high school GPA?
    Honors points are awarded for courses taught at the 11th and 12th grade level and for Advanced Placement and higher-level International Baccalaureate level courses.  These courses are identified on the UC "a-g" course list.  Up to two semesters of these 11th and 12th grade level courses may be taken in the 10th grade and earn the additional grade point in the high school grade point average calculation.
 
2.  What is Cal Poly Pomona’s "learn by doing" philosophy?
    "Learn by doing," Cal Poly Pomona’s philosophy, combines theory with practice to enable students to gain real world experience in their majors before graduation, making our graduates highly sought after by companies and professionals.

Read about why students choose to attend Cal Poly Pomona.
 
3.  Is there an appeal process?
Cal Poly Pomona reviews each applicant's record thoroughly in the admissions process and admissions decisions are rarely reversed.
 
4.  How can I check the status of my application file?
    Access your personal portfolio, the course catalog, financial aid information, and check your admission status and to do lists at BroncoDirect.

Your application status and information regarding documents received should be available approximately two weeks after it has been received.
 
5. How many students attend Cal Poly Pomona?
    Approximately 20,000 students attend Cal Poly Pomona. For a breakdown on enrollment statistics please refer to Institutional Research and Planning.
 
6. What is the student/faculty ratio?
    The student/faculty ratio is 20 to 1, with an average class size of 30 students. Smaller classes allow our students to get the personal attention they need to succeed.
 
7. What kind of housing is available?
    The Residence Halls and Residential Suites are available to first-time freshmen.  Detailed information regarding these housing options are available through the University Housing Services.
 
8. What percentage of Cal Poly Pomona students live on campus?
    Approximately 12 to 15 percent of the students live on campus.
 
9. Why should students live on campus?
    National studies show that students who live in residence halls have a higher grade point average. This is because they are closer to the faculty, campus, and peers in the same program. Residence halls have a 20% better chance of graduating and overall residence hall students are more satisfied with their college experience.

 
10. How much does it cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona?
    All fees are subject to change without notice upon approval by the CSU Board of Trustees
State University Fee
  Units Per Quarter
  0.1 to 6.0 $452.00
  6.1 or more $778.00

Mandatory Campus Fees:
Fee description Amount
Medical Facility $2.00
Bronco Student Center $71.00
Associated Student Inc. (ASI) $25.65
Athletic-ASI $6.16
Instructionally Related Activities (IRA) $16.00
Student Health $45.00

Parking Fees:  The cost per quarter cost is $90.00 for four-wheel vehicles and $24.00 for motorcycles.

Non-Resident Fees:  $226 per unit, plus State University Fee and Mandatory Fees
 
11. How do I apply for Financial Aid?
    You need to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) which are available at all high schools and colleges in the state of California. The application period begins January 1 each year for the following academic year. The priority filing period is March 2. Applications after this date will be considered for limited funding only.

Scholarships and most loans require a separate application in addition to the FAFSA. Scholarship applications are due by January 31 and loan applications are processed after a student receives an eligibility notice through the mail.

Read the detailed instructions on how to apply for financial aid.
 
12. Is Cal Poly Pomona on a quarter or semester system?
    Cal Poly Pomona is on a quarter system, which lasts 10 weeks, plus one week for finals.
Term breakdown
Winter Quarter January - March
Spring Quarter March -June
Summer Quarter June - August
Fall Quarter September - December

Cal Poly Pomona is one of the few CSU’s with a state supported summer quarter. This means that the fees are essentially the same for the summer. Other CSU’s may charge more for the summer. 
13. What types of fraternities, sororities, and clubs are on campus?
    Cal Poly Pomona has over 240 clubs and organizations, including eleven national fraternities and sororities; the Associated Students Incorporated; Agriculture Education Club; Ridgerunners Ski Club; Geology Club; Management Information Systems Student Organization; and Cycling Team.  Read about a specific fraternity/sorority or club on campus from the clubs and societies directory.

For other ways to get involved visit the Office of Student Life.
 
14. What food services are available on campus?
    With all the selections on campus, you can satisfy your appetite for different types of food.
Campus Center Market Place Bronco Student Center  
Taco Bell
Fresh Escape (Salad Bar)
Carl's Jr
Pony Express
Panda Express
Int'l Grounds		 Subway
Strips and Chips
Kikka Sushi
Pony Express
Round Table		 Kellogg West
Vista Cafe
Los Olivos Commons

Visit Foundation Dining Services for more information.
 
15. What is the difference between a CSU campus and a UC campus?
    A CSU campus is dedicated first and foremost to the education of its students. Though CSU professors conduct research, their primary responsibility is teaching.  In the UC system the primary emphasis is research, and then their students.  Many courses in the UC are taught by graduate students, while many courses in the CSU are taught by professors.
 
16. Will I get a Cal Poly Pomona email account?
    Once, you are admitted into the University, you will be assigned a Cal Poly Pomona email and website space.
 
17. How safe is Cal Poly Pomona compared to other campuses?
    When compared to other CSU’s, we rank 9th in terms of size and student population and 9th in terms of total crimes. Our University Police office is staffed by trained professional police officers and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. All campus telephones are connected to 911, located in the Communication Center. University Police is staffed by trained dispatchers and provides telephone and two-way radio contact for emergency personnel and also serves as an after-hours contact for students, faculty and staff.

You can obtain a printed copy of Cal Poly Pomona's annual security report by contacting University Police at police@csupomona.edu, or call (909) 869-4139.
 
18. Will I have a problem finding parking on campus?
    Students are encouraged to arrive early to allow time to park and walk to classes. Bronco Express Campus Shuttle service is available to take students from the parking lots to classroom sites.

There are several programs that have been implemented to enhance the availability of parking on campus. (I.e. Faculty/Staff Ride Share, Student Ride Share) In addition, our classes are scheduled from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m.
 
19. What percentage of faculty have terminal degrees?
    Ninety-nine percent of the tenured and tenure-track faculty hold the doctorate or terminal degree in their fields.
 
20. Do you have any special programs for first time freshman?
    Yes, the IGE program is a set of courses in a community within the university where students get to know each other over several years. Students work collaboratively within this learning community. The first year you would take: IGE 120 Conscious and Community: Origins and Development of Human Societies, IGE 121 Rationalism and Revelation: The Ancient World, IGE 122 Authority and Faith: Feudalism and the Renaissance. There are 2 more additional years of the program as well. For more information, check with the department secretary, Ann Ascher at 909-869-3347.

Cal Poly Pomona also has a 4-year Graduation Pledge Program. This program is designed to guarantee graduation in four years. If you are dedicated to graduating in four years, a first year student, in a major other than Architecture, and qualified for both college level math and English according to your ELM and EPT test scores, this may be the program for you. Please contact Dr. Rochelle Kellner at 909-869-4531 for more information or visit their web site.
 
21. How does Cal Poly Pomona compare/rank with other institutions?
   
  • The University graduates one of out fourteen engineers in California.
  • One of the 134 colleges named Best in the West by The Princeton Review.
  • One of US News & World Report Western Universities-Master's:Top Schools
  • The University was recently ranked fourth in the West out of 112 Western Regional universities for campus diversity.
  • The Collins School of Hospitality Management is ranked third in the nation by restaurant executives.
  • The University also has one of the top Division II athletics programs in the country, with 13 national team championships and 25 individual national championships to its credit. Our most recent championships came when our Women's Basketball Team captured the 2001 and 202 Division II National Championships.
22. Is it true that Cal Poly Pomona participates in the Tournament of Roses parade?
    Yes. Cal Poly Pomona and its sister campus, San Luis Obispo, have participated in the prestigious parade since 1948. In 1998, we were awarded the Founder’s Award.
 
23. What new developments are in store for Cal Poly Pomona in the near future?
    There are several projects that are in design and in construction.

A list of completed projects is available at Facilities Planning and Management.
The following are some of the recently completed projects:
  1. Engineering building
  2. Biotechnology building
  3. Collins School of Hospitality Management expansion
  4. Center for Technology, Training and Incubation (home to the NASA Commercialization Center, the College of the Extended University, an off-campus bookstore, food facilities and more)
  5. The Bronco Student Center (home to new dining facilities, a fitness center, additional meeting rooms, and more)
  6. The Aratani Japanese Garden
  7. The Residential Suites

 
   
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   © 2004 California State Polytechnic University, Pomona     |  Updated On:  February 25, 2005  |       Questions and Comments
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