Academic Support is Here
Many students face academic difficulty at some point in their college careers — you are not alone! There are many people across campus who are here to support you and your academic journey.
Resources Available to Help You Succeed
There are many reasons that you may find yourself on academic notice and we are here to help. Reach out to your academic advisor to discuss your options and the areas that they can offer support. It may be as simple as balancing your course schedule or something personal and outside of your control, in which case you advisor can connect you with support and available resources.
For first-year students, the Mustang Success Center’s First Year Success Program provides the skills, resources and support for first year Mustangs on academic notice.
Visit the First Year Success Program
Understanding the Academic notice Policy
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences is here to support students on academic notice with resources to help you get back on track.
First Year Students
New first-year students on academic notice after fall and/or winter quarters must participate in the “First Year Success” program coordinated through the Mustang Success Center. All first-year students will be contacted by the Mustang Success Center to complete their academic notice requirements.
New Transfer Students on notice for the First Time
New transfer students on academic notice for the first time in fall or winter quarters will participate in the Transfer Academic Success Program. Be on the lookout for an email about this program.
All other students on academic notice will be contacted by the college's Advising Center or by their individual academic advisor. Interventions for this student group varies depending on a student’s term GPA and/or their cumulative GPA.
The college advisors take a targeted approach to students on notice. For those students in academic disqualification status, or in danger of disqualification status, a personal, one-on-one approach best serves students. As such, a student’s assigned academic advisor will reach out to the student directly to help ensure academic success.
What is the College’s Academic Disqualification Policy?
Students will be placed on academic disqualification status if their Cal Poly GPA or their higher ed GPA falls below the following progress levels:
| Academic Progress Levels | Progress Level GPA Limits |
| Progress Level IV (75.1%-100%) | 1.950 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA |
| Progress Level III (45.1%-75%) | 1.850 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA |
| Progress Level II (20.1%-45%) | 1.700 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA |
| Progress Level I (0%-20%) | 1.500 Cal Poly Cumulative or Higher Ed GPA |
Students who are on academic disqualification status at the end of fall and/or spring quarters may appeal for reinstatement. An appeal form will be made available to students on academic disqualification.
Note: Students will not be dismissed due to academic disqualification status at the end of the winter quarter, but they will be placed on an academic success contract.
What is the College’s Academic Dismissal Policy?
A student who does not appeal their disqualification, or a student whose appeal is not approved, will be dismissed from the university. A dismissed student is no longer an active Cal Poly student and will be disenrolled from courses.
Students on academic dismissal status will need to consult with their department regarding the possibility of being readmitted to Cal Poly in the future.
What is the College’s Readmission Policy?
Academic dismissal from the college does not have to be permanent. To be readmitted to Cal Poly in the future, a dismissed student must demonstrate success in major related courses at another academic institution. Once they've demonstrated success (by meeting the terms of the readmission contract), they will reapply and be admitted into their original major.
Students have two choices for their readmission contract:
- Complete a minimum of 22 semester or 32 quarter units of pre-approved courses at another institution and achieve a GPA of 2.75 or better
- Complete a minimum of 12 semester or 16 quarter units of pre-approved courses at another institution and achieve or GPA of 3.0 or better
In both instances, the expectation is that the student will earn a B- or better in the pre-approved courses.
Before taking courses at another institution, dismissed students must consult with their respective department. A department representative will establish the list of pre-approved courses to take at another institution.
When a student is nearing completion of their pre-approved courses, and are on track to attain the required grades and GPA, they can apply for reinstatement via the link on the Returning Students webpage.
Students are offered only one readmission contract. If a student is dismissed, readmitted, then fails to make progress and is dismissed a second time, the student will not be offered another readmission contract to that major.