Office of New Student Programs & Family Engagement
Office of New Student Programs & Family Engagement

Frequently Asked Questions

Spring 2023 information will be available in October 2022.

About the Virtual Orientation Experience

Yes, Orientation is a mandatory enrollment requirement for all new undergraduate students. You must complete all required components. Failure to complete any required component will result in your CPP acceptance being withdrawn.

  1. Make your Virtual Orientation Experience reservation. REQUIRED
  2. Complete the CPP Online Orientation. REQUIRED
  3. Attend Virtual Orientation Day. REQUIRED

As you go through your virtual orientation experience, you will learn important information about Cal Poly Pomona, meet other new students, and register for your first-semester courses!

  • Make your reservation for Virtual Orientation Day between October 20 and November 3.
  • Your CPP Online Orientation is available beginning November 15. Complete the CPP Online Orientation at any time before your Virtual Orientation Day.
  • Virtual Orientation Day is January 6, 2022. You will attend iMeet CPP and Virtual Advising & Registration via Zoom.
    • Schedule:
      Time (Pacific) Session
      10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Welcome
      10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Break
      10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Check in for iMeet CPP
      11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. iMeet CPP
      12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. Break
      12:45 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. Check in for Virtual Advising & Registration
      1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Virtual Advising & Registration

We recommend the following:

  • Laptop or desktop computer
  • Headphones
  • Microphone
  • Web cam
  • Reliable high-speed internet access

Even though you can use other devices, such a tablet or smartphone, to participate in your Virtual Orientation Experience, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer if one is available to you, especially for Virtual Advising & Registration, which is when you register for your first-semester courses. If you need to request a technology-related accommodation, please enter it during the reservation process.

Yes! You can add up to two guests to your Virtual Orientation Experience during the reservation process for no additional fee. Guests can be anyone who is supporting you during your CPP journey - parents, siblings, family members, trusted friends, or anyone else who is important to you! Visit the Parents, Families, and Guests section of our website for more information about the Bronco Family Virtual Orientation Experience.

You bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from your previous school and we are so excited to welcome you to Cal Poly Pomona! Every higher education institution is different and our Virtual Orientation Experience introduces you to what you need to know to transition successfully to CPP, as well as connect you with students, staff, and faculty at CPP.

Yes! Regardless of when you last attended CPP or went through orientation, all returning students must go through the orientation experience to re-acquaint themselves with Cal Poly Pomona, especially since so much has changed in the last year and a half. Returning students should make an orientation reservation by the stated deadlines for the term they are returning to CPP. Returning students attend transfer orientations. Returning students who have previously paid the Student Orientation Fee do not pay the student orientation fee again.

PolyTransfer is dedicated to helping transfer students make a seamless and successful transition to Cal Poly Pomona. Visit the PolyTransfer website to learn more about their services and resources. 

Making Your Virtual Orientation Experience Reservation

Make your reservation for your Virtual Orientation Experience between October 20 and November 3. You need to accept your offer of admission before being able to make a reservation. Making your Virtual Orientation Experience reservation signs you up for the CPP Online Orientation and the Virtual Orientation Day on January 6, 2022. You are required to make a reservation as part of your mandatory enrollment requirement. If you do not make a reservation by the deadline, your admission will be withdrawn.

You make your reservation through the Orientation Reservation system in BroncoDirect. When you make your reservation, you will confirm that you can attend Virtual Orientation Day on January 6, 2022 and add guests (no additional fee, maximum of two guests). To make your reservation:

  • Log in to MyCPP.
  • Click on Register for Orientation.
  • Follow the prompts to confirm your reservation.

You will receive a confirmation email when your reservation is confirmed.

If you have a known unavoidable conflict that will prevent you from participating in Virtual Orientation Day on January 6, 2022, you must request an exemption from participating in synchronous Virtual Orientation Day. Exemption requests must be submitted by the Spring 2022 reservation deadline (11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, November 3). If your request is approved, your confirmation email will contain more information about the steps you need to take to register for your first-semester classes.

For Spring 2022, we have only one Virtual Orientation Day on January 6, 2022. If you have unavoidable conflict that prevents you from attending on that day, you must submit an exemption request by the reservation deadline of 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on November 3. The exemption request form will be available beginning October 20.

If you have already confirmed your reservation for Virtual Orientation Day on January 6, 2022 and something occurs that would prevent you from attending, contact Orientation Services as soon as possible so we can assist you. Missing Virtual Orientation Day without contacting Orientation Services in advance puts you at risk of being withdrawn from CPP.

Tutorial: How to Accept Your Admission Offer and Pay Your Enrollment Deposit

If you are receiving an enrollment deposit waiver, you still need to accept your admission offer.

If you need accommodations, including access to technology to complete your orientation requirement, be certain to enter the details of your need when you make your Virtual Orientation Experience reservation. Depending on the nature of your request, you will receive a response from either the Disability Resource Center or Orientation Services. If you forgot to include your accommodation request in your reservation, please contact Orientation Services as soon as possible but no later than December 16 for Spring 2022. Depending on the nature of your accommodation, you may need to register with the Disability Resource Center in order for your request to be approved.

All videos in the CPP Online Orientation are closed captioned. If you would like to have the CPP Online Orientation text read aloud, we recommend viewing the orientation using the Chrome browser with the Read Aloud extension enabled.

Auto-generated transcripts will be available on all orientations sessions held on Zoom. If you require professional-level captioning, submit an accommodation request with your orientation reservation. If you have already submitted your reservation, contact Orientation Services as soon as possible but no later than December 16 for Spring 2022.

Your BroncoName is your Cal Poly Pomona user name, the primary identifier for campus-wide computer systems. It is also the part preceding @cpp.edu in your email address. You will need to claim your BroncoName before making your Virtual Orientation Experience reservation.

Go to the CPP Account Claiming website to claim your BroncoName. You will need your BroncoNumber (your student ID number) and your claim code, which is your birthdate using the YYMMDD format.

For questions about or help with the Account Claiming process, contact the IT Service Desk at (909) 869-6776 or helpdesk@cpp.edu.

Completing the CPP Online Orientation

Complete the CPP Online Orientation before your Virtual Orientation Day to ensure your ROS hold is removed. Successfully completing the CPP Online Orientation means that you have viewed all nine sections and passed the final test with a score of 80% or higher. Not completing the CPP Online Orientation puts you at risk of being withdrawn from CPP.

The CPP Online Orientation will be available beginning November 15. It is a self-paced course that you can complete at your convenience. It takes about two hours to complete. You do not have to complete the Online Orientation at one time. We recommend you take breaks throughout the program. You can save your progress and return to complete it at a future date.

Successfully completing the CPP Online Orientation means that you have viewed all nine sections and passed the final test with a score of 80% or higher. Your Orientation Registration (ROS) hold will be removed one to two business days after completing the online orientation.

Be sure to complete the CPP Online Orientation before Virtual Orientation Day to ensure your ROS hold is removed from your student account. You can use any Internet-connected device to complete the Online Orientation (computer, tablet or smartphone).

Not completing the CPP Online Orientation puts you at risk of being withdrawn from CPP.

All videos in the CPP Online Orientation are closed captioned. If you would like to have the CPP Online Orientation text read aloud, we recommend viewing the orientation using the Chrome browser with the Read Aloud extension enabled.

Attending Virtual Orientation Day

All Virtual Orientation Day sessions are on Zoom. Your reminder emails will contain your Zoom links. Please keep these emails!

All CPP students have a CPP Zoom account. Using your CPP Zoom account allows us to accurately record your attendance. You can access Zoom via MyCPP or by going to cpp.zoom.us and logging in with your BroncoName and password. Even though you can use Zoom on a smartphone or tablet, we recommend using a laptop or desktop computer for all Virtual Orientation Experience components.

Tutorial: Starting a CPP Zoom Account

Virtual Orientation Day takes place on Zoom. To ensure you are prepared to use Zoom, complete ALL of these steps on the device you will be using BEFORE Virtual Orientation Day:
  1. Download and install Zoom if you do not already have it installed on your device.
  2. If you already have Zoom installed, check for updates to make sure you have the latest version.
  3. Log in with your BroncoName and password. You must be logged in with your CPP account for your attendance to be recorded.

Log in to Zoom

If you do not attend your scheduled Virtual Orientation Day, your admission to CPP will be withdrawn. If you wish to be considered for reinstatement after being withdrawn, you will need to file a formal appeal with the Office of Admissions.

If you can no longer attend your scheduled Virtual Orientation Day, contact Orientation Services AS SOON AS POSSIBLE prior to the start of Virtual Orientation Day to discuss your options. Be certain to include your Bronco ID number so we can assist you quickly.

Academic Advising and Course Registration

Advising and registration is conducted in a small group by major. In a small group setting, you will meet virtually with academic advisors and registration assistants from your major and college. Advisors and registration assistants will provide guidance on your first-semester coursework. If you need to, you can complete your course registration over several days since your enrollment window is open for one week. You will also be able to make course adjustments during the add/drop period at the start of the semester. If you have in-depth questions about your academic plan, you can schedule an advising appointment for a later date.

You will register for your first-semester courses during Virtual Advising & Registration on Virtual Orientation Day. Your enrollment window will remain open for one week so you can make any adjustments to your courses if needed. You will be able to make changes during the add/drop period at the start of the semester.

Information on what you need to register for is available in the CPP Online Orientation, your college's Canvas course, and in your CPP Connect Planner. Be sure to set up your Plan on Planner prior to your Virtual Orientation Day so you are well-prepared for advising and registration. Reviewing these resources prior to Virtual Orientation Day will help ensure your registration goes smoothly.

You must complete your CPP Online Orientation in order for your ROS hold to be removed. Successfully completing the CPP Online Orientation means that you have viewed all sections and passed the final test with a score of 80% or higher. Once you complete the CPP Online Orientation, your Orientation Registration (ROS) hold will be removed the next business day. Be certain to complete your CPP Online Orientation before your Virtual Orientation Day to ensure that your hold is removed prior to course registration.

You must attend Virtual Orientation Day for your OAV hold to be removed. Your OAV hold will be removed prior to the start of your enrollment window on Virtual Orientation Day once your attendance is recorded.

The deadline to change your major as part of the admissions process has passed. Your next opportunity to change your major will come after your first semester at CPP. You must attend Virtual Orientation Day with your admitted major. However, you can let your advisor know of your interest in changing majors so that they can provide you with guidance. Review the Cal Poly Pomona Change of Major Guide for more information about the change of major process.

Orientation Fee

No, you do not have to pay your student orientation fee in order to finalize or confirm your orientation reservation. Please be certain to make your orientation reservation by the deadline, regardless of your ability to pay the fee at the moment. The orientation fee is not due until after any financial aid you may be receiving is posted to your student account. Be certain to check your account balance after your financial aid is applied and pay any remaining balance.

The Student Orientation Fee is posted as soon as you make your Virtual Orientation Experience reservation. You will see it listed as ORS Fee on your student account. The fee is due by the date listed but you are able to pay it earlier if you would like. If you are receiving financial aid, the orientation fee is due after your financial aid is applied to your student account. Be certain to check your account balance after your financial aid is applied and pay any remaining balance.

The Student Orientation Fee fee will be refunded or reversed if your admission to CPP is withdrawn, either at your request or by the Office of Admission.

The Student Orientation Fee is a mandatory enrollment fee that cannot be waived. However, it is due after the financial aid disbursement date for the semester, so you can wait until after your financial aid is disbursed and then pay any remaining balance on your student account.