How does credit transfer work at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo?

I'm considering transferring to Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and want to know about their credit transfer process. What's their policy, and how many credits can I bring over from another college?

Credit transfer at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo is a thorough and thoughtful process. They carefully evaluate credits from your previous institution to ensure they align with the school's rigor and curriculum. As a transfer applicant, there isn't a specific maximum or minimum credit requirement. However, it's essential to be aware that not all credits can or will transfer over.

Each course taken at your previous institution is evaluated by the appropriate academic department at Cal Poly to determine if it matches or is equivalent to a course at Cal Poly. That means at its most basic, the college looks at the content, rigor, and hours of the course, and matches it to a similar course at Cal Poly SLO. Keep in mind that while this process can be pretty comprehensive, it doesn't guarantee that every transferred credit will apply to your major's specific requirements.

Transfer credits for core courses in your major need specific approval from the academic department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. You may have to provide additional details about the course, such as a syllabus or a detailed course description, for these credits to be assessed accurately.

It's worth noting that acceptance of courses for transfer doesn't necessarily imply that these courses will apply to specific degree requirements. Once admitted, a detailed Degree Progress Report will be prepared for you by Cal Poly, showing how transferred classes meet certain requirements.

Remember, you can appeal decisions on transfer credits if you believe a mistake was made in evaluating your credits. In such a case, it can be helpful to have available course syllabuses or other proof of content alignment from your previous institution.

This process can take a bit of time and patience, but it ensures the quality of your Cal Poly education remains intact. It's worth reaching out to Cal Poly's admissions office or their transfer center for more detailed information specific to your circumstances.