• Admissions

• Prerequisites

• Records/Transcripts/Grading

• Evaluations

Admissions:

How many students attend Cuesta College?

• Cuesta is large enough to provide a complete educational program, yet small enough to provide students with individual attention from teachers and counselors. Total enrollment is around 10,000 students in day, evening classes and weekend College courses.

Where can I get housing information?

• Cuesta College does not provide on-campus housing. We can, however, offer resources for you to explore. It is important for you to know that Cuesta College does not endorse any specific student-housing complex. The college does support that students generally realize many advantages by living in housing facilities developed for students. Such complexes provide an important aspect of college life, which is living and studying with groups of other students, thereby providing an opportunity to broaden the student's social and academic contacts. Such complexes also provide trained, on-site  managers, 24-hour emergency services, and adequate off-street parking.

• Housing information is available in the Student Development office located in the Student Center, building 5000. If the Student Development office is closed, housing information and packets can be picked up at the Bookstore, DSPS, and the Admissions and Records Office downstairs in the Library Building.
   

• For further information regarding housing, please contact Off-Campus Student Housing Association

Does Cuesta College have a Student Health Center?

• Yes, the Student Health Center is in the 2800 building on the San Luis Obispo Campus. The Health Center is in the N3000 building of Cuesta's North County Campus.

What are the fees?

• Fees can be found on the Cost to Attend/Fees web site, click on Fees.

What are the transfer possibilities to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo?

• Refer to the Counseling web site, click on Counseling.

Where is Cuesta College located?

• Cuesta College is located on Highway 1 midway between the cities of San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay on California's beautiful central coast. The college is a short distance from both the seashore and mountains with many recreational areas nearby.

Is there public transportation?

• Yes, the Central Coast Area Transit (CCAT), in cooperation with Cuesta College, provides local transportation between San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, Los Osos, Morro Bay, Cuesta, Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo, Monday through Saturday. Transfer to other CCAT regional routes, SLO Transit and South County Area Transit (SCAT), can be made at the County Government Center, located on Osos Street between Palm and Monterey streets in downtown San Luis Obispo. All CCAT buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with bicycle racks.

• Discount passes are available for student, faculty and staff at the Cashier's office. For more information call (805) 781-4362 or (805) 541-CCAT. Information for ridesharing call (805) 541-CARS.

Prerequisites: Return to top

• A prerequisite is a course (or equivalent skills or prior experience) that a student must pass (or possess) before enrolling in the more advanced course.

• Effective Spring 2002, the following courses require prerequisite verification BEFORE you can register in the course.  Prerequisite courses

How do I verify that I’ve taken the prerequisite course?

• Entrance in to English 1, or 1A is allowed based on assessment scores or the completion of English 56 or a course equivalent to English 56.

• Entrance in to all other courses listed above is by review of courses you’ve completed that appear on your academic transcript.

How do I verify prerequisites completed at Cuesta?

• The Cuesta College student records program clears Cuesta coursework automatically. You do not need to complete the Prerequisite Clearance Request.

• Submit an official transcript to the Cuesta College Admissions & Records Office.  The Evaluator reviews the transcript and clears any English and Math prerequisites completed.

• Science courses listed above will be cleared by your request. Complete the Prerequisite Clearance Request. Indicate how you met your prerequisite and attach a copy of your transcript to the request form. Submit the completed request form to the Admissions Office and allow 3 working days before registering for the class.

• If you are enrolled in the prerequisite course at Cuesta, the student records program will allow you to register in the next level course. If you do not pass the prerequisite course you will need to drop the next level course. If you are enrolled in the prerequisite course at another school, you will need to complete a Prerequisite Challenge Contract (available at the Admissions & Records or Counseling Offices). This contract allows you to register in the class and submit your official transcript once your course is completed. If you do not pass the prerequisite class you will need to drop the next level course.

You will not be able to clear your prerequisite course without a transcript for all courses except English 56, 1 and 1A, which could be cleared by assessment.

If you have submitted the Request for Prerequisite Clearance without having sent or attached transcripts, the form will be returned to you and no action will take place.

Records/Transcripts/Grading: Return to top

How do I get a Verification of Enrollment?

• Beginning the first day of the semester, you may come to the Admissions and Records Office and request an enrollment verification. You may also submit a written request by providing your name, social security number and the term needed.

How many units do I need to take to be a Full-time Student?

• A full-time student must maintain and carry a 12-unit load for Spring and Fall semesters. Summer session is 4 units.

How do I get a transcript?

• All requests must be in writing. Submit the written request that includes your full name, social security number, birth date, when you attended, where you need the transcript sent and your signature. The first 2 requests are free, after that the charge is $3.00 per copy. You may provide credit card information to charge your request.  If you chose to do so, we need the your credit card number, expiration date and your signature.  You can order transcripts on line at http://academic.cuesta.edu/admrreg/records.htm.

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Do we fax transcripts?

• No.

When are grades available?

• Grades are available the first day of the next fall or spring semester or summer session.

How do I get my grade/report card?

• You may get the grades off Cuesta's PAWS website, submit a self-addressed and stamped envelope, or come in with photo ID to the Admissions and Records office.

I believe the instructor gave me the wrong grade?

• You have 6 months after grades are posted to contest your grade. If it is within that timeline you must contact the instructor and request he/she do a grade change. This grade change request should include documentation to validate your extenuating circumstances.

Evaluations: Return to top

How is a grade point average (G.P.A.) computed?

• Divide cumulative units attempted into cumulative grade points.

Cummulative Units attempted: 11.0 units
Cummulative Grade Points: 38.0
G.P.A. = 11 divided into 38 = 3.4

 Is Cuesta an accredited college?

• Yes, Cuesta is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and colleges.

Does Cuesta accept course work from other U.S. colleges and universities?

• Yes, as long as the college or university is recognized by a regional accrediting agency. Check with Evaluation Office or Counseling Office to confirm accreditation.

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Does Cuesta accept course work from colleges and universities outside the U.S.?

• Yes, if the transcript has been evaluated by a recognized evaluation service, for more information check with Counseling or Evaluations Office.

Are there any limitations on the units accepted from other accredited colleges and universities?

• Yes, Cuesta, as a community college, accepts only lower division credit.

How are quarter units converted to semester units?

• Quarter units X .667 = semester units.
  EXAMPLE: 4.0 quarter units X .667 = 2.7 semester units

What are the requirements for an Associate in Arts Degree General Studies?

• 2000/2002 catalog requirements for the Associate in Arts degree are:

  • Complete 12 degree applicable units in residence;

  • Complete 18 lower division semester units of general education course work;

  • Meet the health education requirement;

  • Meet the diversity requirement;

  • Complete 60 lower division semester units with a minimum G.P.A of 2.0;

  • Meet the writing and algebra proficiency requirements;

  • Fill out and turn in an Associate Degree application (available in Admissions & Records Office).
    

• An Associate in Science for General Studies is all of the above requirements plus 18 units of Math/Science as part of the 60 units.

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If requirements for an Associate degree in General Studies are met is that the same as C.S.U. general education certification or I.G.E.T.C. certification?

• NO, please see explanation of certifications below.

What is CSU GE certification?

• To obtain a bachelor's degree from a state university in the CSU system, a student must complete a minimum of 48 semester units of General Education (see Cuesta Catalog for CSU GE pattern) course work. Nine (9) units are upper division to be completed after transfer and the remaining 39 units may be completed before transfer. All lower division general education course work must be certified upon transfer. A complete certification will ensure that the community college student will be accepted as a junior, and have completed all lower division general education requirements. Apply for GE Certification in the Admissions & Records office. The certification request must include transcript request for CSU campus of acceptance.

What is I.G.E.T.C. certification?

• I.G.E.T.C. is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Certification. The certification verifies completion of lower division general education course work (refer to Cuesta catalog for required courses) for community college students transferring primarily to the U.C. system. Applications for IGETC are available in the Admissions & Records office. Unlike CSU GE certification, IGETC has to be totally complete with each course completed with a "C" grade or higher. Completion of IGETC, like CSU GE certification, ensures the student will transfer as a junior, with no additional lower division general course work required.

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What is the difference between quarter system and semester?

• The Quarter system has four 10 to 12 week terms of instruction during an academic year (Fall, Winter, Spring, & Summer). Cal Poly SLO is on the quarter system.  The Semester system has two 17 to 18 week terms of instruction during the Academic year (Fall & Spring).  Cuesta College is on the semester system.

What is an Associate degree?

• An academic title conferred by community (2 year) college after having completed the prescribed curriculum.

Does Cuesta College accept Advanced Placement credit?

• Yes, Advanced Placement credit is used toward the Associate degree, C.S.U. GE certification and I.G.E.T.C. certification. A score of 3 or higher is required and credit is granted through a petition available in the Counseling office. If credit has been granted at another college, additional credit may not appear on Cuesta transcripts.

Are there Commencement Ceremonies in the Fall for mid-year grads?

• No, Cuesta graduates (both mid-year and Spring) are honored once a year at Commencement Ceremonies in May.

What is A.G.S.?

• Alpha Gamma Sigma is the California Community College Honor Society. A cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher is required for membership, along with the completion of 20 service hours per semester. Members are recognized at Commencement and membership is posted on student's permanent record.

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Are learning skills courses and remedial courses, such as Math 3 and Math 7 used for the Associate degree?

• No, these courses are not degree applicable as designated in College catalog.

Does Cuesta College honor "catalog rights" for Associate Degree?

• Yes, if a student maintains continuous enrollment, without break, when a change in degree or certificate requirements occurs, they would not be required to fulfill the new requirements. Also, if a student misses no more than two semesters and degree or certificate requirements change, it is not necessary to meet the new requirements.

What is a certificate of completion?

• An award for completing courses in a specific curriculum.  A maximum of 12 units with a "C" or higher in each course.  Refer to catalog for specific major requirements.

What is a certificate of proficiency?

• An award for completion of courses in a specific curriculum more that 12 units all completed with "C" grade or higher. Refer to Cuesta catalog for requirements.

What is a designated degree?

• In addition to the General Studies degrees, Cuesta offers designated degrees in a variety of curriculums. Refer to Cuesta catalog for specific majors.

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Copyright © 2002-2004 Cuesta College
Last modified: February 22, 2008