Cal Poly Pomona is Southern California’s state polytechnic institute, with strong programs in the engineering and science disciplines, including a well-regarded pre-vet program. Cal Poly Pomona also has a strong five-year architecture program.
You may not know that Cal Poly Pomona offers a hospitality management major, as well as a music industry studies major, in which students learn a combination of the technical side and the business side of this industry. Students in this program are also required to have an internship.
Like the other California State University campuses, admission to Cal Poly Pomona is offered on the basis of grades (GPA) with a few other factors. About 32,000 students apply for admission each year, and Cal Poly looks to admit a class of about 3,000 first-year students. Strength of high school curriculum is considered in the process, with honors and AP courses taken only in the 11th grade given additional weight.
Fourteen of Cal Poly Pomona’s majors are impacted, so when you apply, and the application asks you to list your first and second choice majors, don’t list two impacted majors! List at least one choice that is not impacted; this will help your chance of admission. Transferring between schools within Cal Poly Pomona is not difficult once you are a registered student.
Only about 18% of Cal Poly Pomona students live on campus; most of the students are from the immediate area and commute from home. However, there are many active student organizations on campus, including Greek life, a thriving Hillel and other religious groups, and many groups related to a variety of academic subjects. The listing of over 250 student groups is here.
Cal Poly Pomona’s campus is the former horse ranch of the Kellogg family (the cereal company). Many of the original ranch structures have been preserved and the Kellogg Foundation has continued its generosity to the college over the years.
You can see all of my photos from my visit to Cal Poly Pomona here.