Information for Newly Admitted MS Students
This is an overview of information for newly admitted MS students. It is intended as an outline and resource links to accompany an information session. It will not make as much sense without attending the information session.
Agenda:
- Welcome, congratulations
- Introductions (John Bellardo, Graduate Coordinator; Aaron Keen, CSSE Department Chair)
- Grad coordinator is responsible for administer the program. Good first point of contact for most questions. Note that grad coordinator independent from your thesis advisor.
- Common CSSE grad questions answered and policies explained at https://csc.calpoly.edu/gr
- Graduate Education office is responsible for university-wide events, forms, etc. https://grad.calpoly.edu/
- Curriculum overview (45 units; 9 Unit Thesis, 20 Units @ 500-level, 16 Units @ 400/500 level)
- Thesis only
- Time to completion between 4 and 6 quarters
- Starting thesis quickly helps minimize time in program. See finding a thesis advisor.
- Graduate courses between 12 – 28 students (depending on interest).
- Mix of current research papers and more advanced fundamentals.
- Courses listed in university course catalog. Not all courses offered every year.
- Semester conversion in Fall 2026. See https://csc.calpoly.edu/gr/q2s/
- Financial Aid
- Admission offer does not come with financial aid
- Complete the FAFSA. University-wide programs and graduate student specific opportunities require it.
- Graduate specific opportunities via graduate education at https://grad.calpoly.edu/resources/financial-opportunities/financial-opportunities.html
- In-state / Out-of-state tuition waivers
- Research Fellowships
- Student Assistant Fellowships
- And more
- All graduate specific opportunities require applications, have deadlines, and are competitive
- International students also get to deal with the visa process and a long-distance move. I’m not an expert in either, but our International Center is here to help make the process smoother. https://international.calpoly.edu/
- What is next?
- Decide if Cal Poly is right for you and update your portal
- Fall 2025 enrollment for new graduate students will take place in the middle of summer. Exact timing is emailed to your Cal Poly account and will be posted at https://registrar.calpoly.edu/enrollment-appointments/
- I expect some additional communication from campus (registrar’s office, graduate education office), but not much
- Graduate education will have virtual orientation and in-person social immediately before Fall quarter
- Transitioning to Cal Poly
- Questions?
Other resources