Enrollment Appointments

Continuing Student

Enrolled in classes at Cal Poly without being absent more than two consecutive quarters (excluding summer term). Students on approved leaves of absence, Cal Poly Study Abroad or Exchange Programs are considered continuing students.

If you are not eligible to register at the university, the registration system will direct you to contact the Admissions Office at (805) 756-2311 for information and instructions.

Qualified Students with Disabilities (with prior approval)

Some students with documented disabilities may qualify for Special Exception Registration. Please review the eligibility criteria at DRC Priority Registration and contact the Disability Resource Center (805) 756-1395 for more information.

Extended Education Student

You may enroll in regular classes offered by the university through Open University if you meet eligibility requirements and are not a matriculated Cal Poly student. You may also enroll for extension or vocational courses, workshops, or other programs which offer academic or professional credit. For more information, contact the Extended Education Office at (805) 756-2053.

Former Student

You matriculated previously but have not enrolled in classes for two consecutive terms (excluding Summer term) and must reapply for re-admission ("Former Student" should not be confused with "Continuing Student." Please see definition of "Continuing Student" at the top of this list).

Postbaccalaureate Student: (Graduate Student)

Hold a bachelor's degree and admitted to a master's degree, credential, or certificate program. A new post baccalaureate student qualifies for registration as a New Student for the first term. A Cal Poly student admitted to a post baccalaureate program will not be allowed to register for more than one term without proof of bachelor's degree completion. Courses taken during that term will not automatically apply toward post baccalaureate work without special approval.

Postbaccalaureate Student

(2nd Bachelor's Student) Students that hold a bachelor's degree and admitted to pursue a second bachelor's degree or to enroll for professional development courses. Students fall under the same rules as other undergraduate students for honors and register as a New Student the first term and then as a Continuing Student.

New Student

First-time freshman, first-time transfer student from another college, or first term in a post baccalaureate program. (You do not qualify if you are a California resident aged 60 or older, a CSU intra-system visitor, or a transitory student who has been admitted for one term only.)

Special Exceptions

If you are in a program which qualifies you for Special Exceptions registration, confirm with your sponsor that your name and correct ID number have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar at least two weeks before registration begins.

Undergraduate Student

Admitted to the university and have not yet been awarded an initial bachelor's degree.

I have been allowed a special exception, or I am registered with Disability Resource Center. Will I still get to register before anyone else?

Yes, students with disabilities (prior approval required), special exceptions, and new students will still register first. The next group to register will be graduate students, then continuing undergraduates, and finally, any Degree Planner non-compliant students.

Do I have to use Degree Planner?

Failing to log into Degree Planner during a term login window will NOT result in a delayed registration appointment.

However, Degree Planner is a tool that benefits you. Your accuracy helps you graduate on time as Cal Poly can anticipate your plans and ensure that your academic needs are accommodated.

To ensure that your planned courses are included in course demand data for the upcoming terms, log in at least once between the end of Add/Drop for the current term and the end of Add/Drop for the next term (excluding summer). The Add/Drop deadline falls on the 8th business day of each term. Check important dates on the Course Demand Login Calendar or the Office of the Registrar's Calendars and Deadlines page.

How will this affect me if I go into a Blended program?

Once you are in a Blended program, you will be considered a Graduate student, and will be able to register after special exceptions and new students, and before graduating seniors. However, until the Office of the Registrar processes your paperwork to put you into the Blended program, you will still be given an appointment based on your actual academic progress level percentage with continuing undergraduates.

How will this affect me if I am attending Cal Poly part-time?

Your registration appointment time will still be based on your actual academic progress level percentage, regardless of your enrollment status (full-time or part-time).

How will this affect me if I am studying abroad?

While you are abroad, your actual academic progress level will consider your study abroad placeholder units (IP 300, AP 300, DE 300) as degree-applicable units. This will allow you not to fall behind in your actual academic progress level, so that your registration when you return will not be negatively affected. Once your international transcripts are received and evaluated by Cal Poly, your actual academic progress level percentage and future registration appointment time will be updated with the actual degree-applicable units that you earned while abroad, the next time the gauge is updated.

How will this affect me if I have transcripts from another school or other paperwork (concentration declarations, substitution forms, etc.) that will affect my degree progress?

Effective Fall 2018

Forms Include: Course Substitutions, Concentration Declarations, Advisor Approved Electives, Technical Electives, Individualized Course of Study, and Change of Catalog.

Transcripts (received from other colleges) - Excludes Study Abroad transcripts

Study Abroad coursework will take more time to evaluate, but if you are going through a Cal Poly affiliated program, then you will have placeholder units to make sure your registration appointment includes those courses taken abroad.

Expected Academic Progress Gauge runs its calculations 3 times a year (April for Fall Reg / October for Winter Reg / January for Spring Reg)

Detailed information about the Academic Progress Gauge can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.