• Admissions

• 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 12,000 students in day, evening classes and weekend College courses.

Where can I get housing information?

• Cuesta College does not provide student 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 Life & Leadership office located in the Student Center, building 5300. If the Student Life & Leadership office is closed, housing information and packets can be picked up at the from the grey boxes outside their entrance doors or at the information desk located in 3100 building downstairs.
   

• For further information regarding housing, please contact Student Life & Leadership Office.

Does Cuesta College have a Student Health Center?

• Yes, the Student Health Center is in the 3100 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.

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Records/Transcripts/Grading:

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-credits load for Spring and Fall semesters. Summer session is 4-credits.

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 terms or summer session.

How do I get my grade/report card?

• You may get the grades off Cuesta's website http://www.cuesta.edu/regnews.asp, 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.

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Evaluations:  

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

• Divide cumulative GPA Hours into cumulative grade points.

Cumulative GPA Hours: 11.0 credits
Cumulative Grade Points: 38.0
G.P.A. = 38 divided by 11 = 3.45

 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 Evaluations 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 the Evaluations Office.

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

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

How are quarter credits converted to semester credits?

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

What are the requirements for an Associate in Arts Degree?

• Catalog requirements for the Associate in Arts degree are:

  • 12 credits in residence

  • General education course work

  • Health education requirement

  • Diversity requirement

  • 60 lower division semester credits with a minimum overall G.P.A of 2.0

  • English and Math competency requirements

  • Submit the Associate Degree application.  Also available at all campuses in Admissions and Records.
    

• An Associate in Science for General Studies and Transfer Studies also requires 18 credits of degree applicable Math and/or Science courses as part of the 60 credits.

• Applicants for the General Studies and Transfer Studies degrees must have catalog rights prior to Fall 2008.

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If requirements for a General Studies or Designated degree 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 credits of General Education course work. Nine (9) credits are upper division to be completed after transfer and the remaining 39 units may be completed before transfer (see Cuesta Catalog for CSU GE pattern). A complete certification will ensure that the community college student will be accepted as a junior and has completed all lower division general education requirements. Apply for GE Certification in the Admissions & Records office.

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

• I.G.E.T.C. is the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum. 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. Coursework must be 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 education 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 college (2 year) after having completed the prescribed curriculum.

Does Cuesta College accept Advanced Placement Exams?

• Yes, Advanced Placement credit is used toward the Associate degrees, C.S.U. GE certification and I.G.E.T.C. certification. A score of 3 or higher is required.

Is there a commencement ceremony in the Fall for mid-year grads?

• No, Cuesta graduates (both mid-year, Spring and summer) are honored once a year at the commencement ceremony 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 003 and Math 007 used for the Associate degree?

• No, these courses are not degree applicable, as designated in the catalog course descriptions.

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

• Yes, if a student maintains enrollment, with no more than one-semester breaks (summer session excluded), when a change in degree or certificate requirements occurs, they would not be required to fulfill the new requirements.

What is a Certificate of Specialization (formerly Certificate of Completion)?

• An award for completing courses in a specific curriculum requiring fewer than 18 credits with a "C" grade or higher in each course.  Refer to catalog for specific major requirements.

What is a Certificate of Achievement (formerly Certificate of Proficiency)?

• An award for completion of courses in a specific curriculum normally requiring 18 or more credits, with a  "C" grade or higher in each course (exception: Certificate of Achievement CSU GE Breadth). Refer to Cuesta catalog for requirements.

What is a designated degree?

• In addition to the General Studies, Transfer Studies and Liberal Arts degrees, Cuesta offers designated degrees in a variety of curricula. Refer to Cuesta catalog for specific majors.

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Last modified: April 28, 2009