Start Here | Cal Poly Skip to main content Close Main navigation * Visit * Apply * Give Global Navigation * About Cal Poly * About Cal Poly * Facts and Figures * President and Leadership * Rankings and Awards * Academics * Academics * Academic Calendar * Academic Advising and Services * Centers and Institutes * Colleges * Internships and Co-ops * Library * Research * Study Abroad * Student Life * Student Life * Athletics and Recreation * Clubs and Organizations * Health, Wellbeing and Safety * Housing and Dining * Tuition and Financial Aid * Tuition and Financial Aid * Financial Aid * Student Accounts * University Divisions * Cal Poly Maritime Academy * Admissions * Mustang Athletics * News * Contact Us Find Information For * Students * Parents * Alumni * Staff * Faculty Close Search Cal Poly Websites Other Ways to Search * Campus Map * Directory * Find a major Top Navigation * My Cal Poly Portal * Students * Parents * Alumni * Staff * Faculty * Visit * Apply * Give Menu Start Your Journey Here Welcome to Cal Poly Choosing a college is a big decision. We want to help you make an informed one. The right university will offer you resources, opportunities and a place to explore your passions, develop your skills and prepare you for a successful career. It will provide a community where you feel inspired, supported and challenged to reach your full potential. Here's why we think Cal Poly is a great choice, and how to apply. learn by Doing Our academic philosophy, Learn by Doing, sets us apart from other colleges and universities. In classes, projects, labs and other academic pursuits, you'll actively engage through hands-on, real-world experiences building both your knowledge and your skill and cultivate proactive, whole-systems thinking. Explore Learn by Doing Tour Cal Poly Take a virtual tour of our university. Real World Impact From your first day on campus, you'll actively contribute to addressing our most enduring questions and solving California’s — and the world’s — most pressing challenges. You'll dive into classes in your major your first year, then engage in hands-on learning, undergraduate research opportunities, collaborative projects, leadership roles and more throughout your academic journey. It's an approach that ensures Cal Poly graduates are ready to make an immediate impact in their careers. Electrifying the Navajo Nation Construction management students traveled to the Navajo Nation in Arizona to install solar panels for local families with limited or no access to power. See what they built Finding a Clean Energy Source Student are studying whether the waste from California’s olive production could be used to make biomethane, a clean-burning energy source. Dig into preservation efforts Restoring Critical Ecosystems Student ecologists are cultivating and planting native species on the Oceano Dunes to stabilize the sand, reducing the amount of harmful dust that blows into neighboring communities. Follow their progress Campus community Exploring every angle is essential to who we are. That applies not only to your classwork, but also to the perspectives of people we meet and the activities we do. We want to give you the opportunity to explore this diverse world, embrace new ideas, make new friends and discover new interests. Housing and Dining Along with becoming a part of an active and supportive community, living on campus will give you easy access to all of the delicious options in our brand-new dining complex. Cal Poly Maritime Academy Located at our scenic waterfront Cal Poly Solano Campus in Vallejo, California, Cal Poly Maritime Academy is the only degree-granting maritime academy on the West Coast. Athletics and Recreation From competitive sports to our world-class rec center to access to the great outdoors, there are many opportunities to play as hard as you work. The world is diverse . We want to make sure our campus reflects that and is a safe space for you to be yourself and connect with others. Cultural Resources Our Graduates are prepared to succeed All the hands-on opportunities you’ll have throughout your years at Cal Poly will add up to a level of experience that will be unmatched by your peers — and in high demand by employers. Learn by Doing makes sure that when you graduate, you’ll be a resourceful and innovative professional, prepared to take the lead in discovering solutions yourself. Ready to Apply? Create your Cal State Apply profile beginning Aug. 1, submit your undergraduate fall 2027 application starting Oct. 1. Choose your status and learn more about what it takes to become a Mustang. 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