Student Life
Being a Cal Poly student is a special privilege. Our academic programs are challenging and inspiring. And in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences there are endless opportunities to enrich your time here through dozens of college clubs and organizations. An opportunity to meet others who are passionate about your interests, the chance to gain valuable leadership experience, meet industry members, or just have a great time and expand your horizons -- it's all possible by joining one of our outstanding, and often award-winning, clubs.
College Academic Advising
Planning for success will help you get the most from your Cal Poly education. Each major in our college is supported by a specialized team of professional academic advisors and peer advisors. Visit our Advising website to get started.
Scholarships
Check out the list of scholarships offered in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences. For additional information and how to apply, students are also encouraged to visit the Financial Aid website.
Peer Advising
Peer advisors are available both virtually and in-person for drop-in academic advising-related questions that are both general and major-specific, and to assist with the navigation of registration tools and processes.
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) Ambassadors
The CAFES Ambassadors is a college-wide student organization whose purpose is to act as a public relations team for the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES). The 2024-25 academic year will be the 36th year the organization has worked to promote the college to prospective students, alumni, industry and government partners, donors and other stakeholders.
College Clubs and Organizations
The college offers more than 50 student clubs and organizations. Discover your passion and Learn by Doing alongside fellow students. There is truly something for everyone!
Enterprise Projects
As a student at Cal Poly, students have the unique opportunity to gain hands-on experiences in business enterprises or through work experience on campus. These experiences serve to strengthen students’ academic studies, while at the same time providing the knowledge and skills that lead to a better understanding of and appreciation for important production, managerial and marketing challenges employees face in the workplace. Students participating in enterprise projects earn units that are reflected on their Cal Poly transcript. Enterprise projects are available in various departments in the college and open to students from all majors.
Undergraduate Research
Cal Poly’s undergraduate research programs are the quintessential Learn by Doing opportunity for students. Taking information learned in the classroom and applying it in a laboratory setting to advance the field and solve real-world problems exemplifies Learn by Doing and can be transformational for a student’s career path. Undergraduate students have one-on-one interactions with faculty members and graduate students performing cutting-edge research, with some undergraduates publishing their findings in scientific journals.
Learn more here!
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Each year, the college sponsors a 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) to provide students the opportunity to experience undergraduate research projects on topics related to their programs or in which they have interest. Students work closely with faculty research leads, and receive a stipend. The program is open to all students in the college. In 2023, CAFES sponsored 39 students. Each student presented their project at the start of the program (oral presentation) and at the end of the 10 weeks (poster presentation). Students interested in participating should email CAFES@calpoly.edu.
College Career Fairs
Each year, the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences (CAFES) hosts two career fairs designed to provide students with opportunities to meet with employers across the agriculture, food and environmental sciences spectrum.
Graduate Programs
The College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences offers programs reflecting the growing diversity of choices available and skills required in modern agriculture, life sciences, and related professions. With three M.S. degrees, 10 specializations and a Master of Agricultural Education, our graduate program encompasses the wide range of disciplines.
MAP Center
The Multicultural Agriculture Program (MAP) provides support and encouragement to undergraduate students of all cultural backgrounds in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences with a peer mentor-based structure that cultivates student achievement and a sense of community.
Campus Housing
Students in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences are required to live on campus their first two years. Living on campus enhances connections with the Cal Poly community and provides resources that support academics, inclusion and wellbeing easily accessible.
Second-year students live in Poly Canyon Village and Cerro Vista Apartments, which feature private and shared rooms with full kitchens. Dining plans are available, but not required. Campus residents also enjoy flexible lease agreements, tutoring and student life resources, and 24/7 support not readily available elsewhere in the local college housing market. Utilities, WiFi, and laundry are also included. You can see inside campus apartments and learn more on the University Housing website. University Housing notifies students when the Continuing Student Housing application opens to two-year required students, generally in Winter Quarter. Automatic housing grants are provided to cover a portion of campus housing fees for students with the greatest financial need. To learn more, visit the University Housing website.