Hey folks, been thinking about California State University in Pomona. Can anyone who's been there or knows about the university give me some insight into the campus and courses? Appreciate it!
California State University (CSU) Pomona, often known as Cal Poly Pomona, is reputed among the CSUs for its "learn by doing" approach, which amalgamates theory and practice, giving students admirable hands-on experience right from the fundamentals to advanced concepts. It's located in a suburban setting in the Pomona Valley, close to Los Angeles, which provides plenty of off-campus opportunities as well.
The campus is spacious, populated with a diverse mix of students, and is eco-friendly, it has designated areas with native vegetation and animals. The university also has a diverse selection of clubs and organizations.
It's notable that the College of Engineering is well-regarded, and consistently ranked among the top public engineering programs in the nation by U.S. News. Many of their engineering alumni move on to work in industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and civil engineering.
Moreover, Cal Poly Pomona's College of Business Administration is also highly acclaimed, especially for its Computer Information Systems, Accounting, and e-business programs. Their Hospitality Management degree is also well-regarded and the program's students manage and operate an actual restaurant on campus as part of their coursework.
As for the academic environment, expect to be challenged but also supported. Many courses, especially in stem fields, are rigorous. However, most professors are willing to give help outside of class hours and there are plenty of tutoring and academic resources on campus.
On the admissions side, the application requirement aligns with the rest of the CSU system: they don't require essays or letters of recommendation, just an application and high school transcript, ideally with a 2.5 GPA for California residents, and 3.0 for out-of-state students. For the 2024-2025 cycle, they are test-blind, meaning that they won't consider your SAT or ACT scores.
Although some classes can be large, especially lower-division courses in popular majors, there are also many smaller, more intimate classes, especially as you progress in your degree. As a result, the student-faculty ratio remains a moderate 25:1.
I hope this helps you a bit in your decision-making! Let me know if you have any specific questions, happy to help further!
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