First Year Checklist
Academic & Advising Resources For Your First Year
As you're navigating classes and learning about what Cal Poly Pomona has to offer you, it's important that you also understand the academic planning tools you have at your fingertips. In this toolkit, we'll go over your tools, the importance of having a relationship with your academic advisor, and what you can do this year to set yourself up for success. You can always find more resources in the tabs at the top of this site.
Academic Planning Tool Refreshers
Curriculum Sheet
What this is: The curriculum sheet is an official document that lists your coursework for the degree you're pursuing.
Why it's important: Use it to see the coursework you need to complete to earn your degree.
CPP Connect Planner
What this is: A digital tool that helps you map out what courses you want to take and when.
Why it's important: It helps you keep track of your course planning. Your advisor can see it and make suggestions. When everyone at CPP uses it, it helps CPP assess course demand.
Degree Progress Report
What this is: Your Degree Progress Report is a digital version of your curriculum sheet. It tells you which degree requirements you've completed,
Why it's important: Frequently checking your DPR helps you understand your degree progress. You can use your DPR to confirm your Planner. If you have questions about your DPR, talk to your academic advisor.
Transfer Credit
What this is: Students may be awarded credit for courses completed at other regionally accredited colleges and universities or through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or CLEP tests. Transfer courses may be applied toward specific requirements, such as general education or major requirements, or serve as elective credit. Students can transfer a maximum of 70 units.
Why it's important: Understanding any transfer credit you've brought to CPP or want to bring to CPP can help you better map your remaining degree requirements. If you are interested in taking courses at a local community college while still being a student at CPP, review the guide.
General Education
What this is: General Education (GE) requirements are designed to complement your major courses. GE accounts for 48 units of your degree.
Why it's important: You need to plan GE requirements into your term-by-term planning.
Instruction Modes
What this is: CPP offers courses in face-to-face, online and hybrid formats. When you click on a class section in the Class Search, it will tell you what the instruction mode is.
Why it's important: When registering for classes, you should check the instruction mode so you know what to expect.
Connecting with Your Academic Advisor
You can reach out any time, but your advisor may also reach out to you to check-in ahead of registration periods or other important milestones in your academic journey. Monitor your CPP email to ensure you do not miss any advising related communication.
Your College Advising Center has regular drop-in hours for quick questions. Visit the advising directory for their website.
Your advisor will assist with curriculum, degree/college requirements, graduation requirements, and university policies and procedures. They can also help you to think about your personal, academic, and career goals, and explore the steps to get you there. Lastly, they will serve as an advocate and liaison. They may refer you to other campus programs for assistance.
Bronco Advising Center: The Bronco Advising Center provides general academic advising and is available to all students. The BAC can answer general academic advising, Graduation Pledge, class registration, academic records, student financial, and undeclared advising questions. Drop-in advising with any BAC advisor is available to all students.
Additional Advisors: You will work with primary advisor for major advising, but if you are part of one of the below programs, you can work with the supplemental advisors for program-related support. They may reach out to you via email or CPP Connect:
- ARCHES
- Bronco Athletics
- Educational Opportunity Program
- Kellogg Honors College
- International Center
- Reading, Advising, & Mentoring Program
Retention & Graduation Specialists: Your college's Retention & Graduation Specialist can help you staty on track toward graduation.
Faculty Mentors: If you have been working with a faculty member for advising or mentoring, you can still reach out to them for career advice and guidance on graduate school and internships, as well as input on research, upper-division courses, and other discipline-specific questions you may have.
- Be on time and attentive during your advising session.
- Review your CPP Connect Planner, Degree Progress Report (DPR) and Curriculum Sheet to identify classes you need.
- Prepare a list of questions to bring with you and have some way to take notes.
- Always use and check your CPP email
You may receive an email from CPP Connect with a link to schedule an appointment with your advisor. You will also be able to find the link at the top of your CPP Connect homepage.
Checklist for Staying on Track
Use this checklist throughout your first year to ensure you're staying on track for academic success.
Download the Checklist (PDF)