TRIO Achievers

Student Academic Services
Student Academic Services

Services

Click on the appropriate drop-down lists for more information.

New TRIO First-Time Freshman

Residential Learning Community (RLC)

TRIO Program requirements stipulate that first-year freshmen are required to reside in the designated TRIO residential learning community for their first year at Cal Poly.
Upon acceptance into TRIO, you are automatically placed in the TRIO RLC. Similarly, any roommates that you indicate on your application will also join you in the TRIO RLC. By participating in TRIO RLC you do not participate in room selection. We do make exceptions for those students that meet housing accommodation as outlined by the Disability Resource Center or have a special circumstance that has been cleared by TRIO.

Check out our video on TRIO RLC here. 

Your roommate may opt-out of rooming with you in the TRIO RLC by selecting another community. Should this occur, you are responsible for updating your roommate request via your housing application.

For more information about the housing process, please see the First-year Student Housing link.  Additional information is also referenced in the FAQs section of their site as well.

Meal Plans - It is important to note that first-year freshmen living on campus in the residence hall are required to have a meal plan which covers more than 11 meals per week. However, students with extenuating circumstances may withdraw from or change their dining plan by contacting Cal Poly Campus Dining.

photo of trinity hall

First-Year Seminar (UNIV 100)

TRIO offers a fall quarter orientation course on campus resources and university life. Incoming first-time freshmen will be blocked enrolled in the course. This course aims to teach and enhance career and financial readiness and to facilitate the transition into Cal Poly.

picture of students in FYS

Intake

All new students will need to have an intake appointment with a TRIO staff member. During the intake meeting, we will review TRIO expectations as well as utilize the time to get to know students on a one-on-one basis. We encourage students to come with any questions they may have about TRIO, Cal Poly, and more.

Orientation

Newly admitted students will participate in a separate TRIO orientation that typically occurs during the Saturday of week 1. This is a mandatory orientation that will introduce you to TRIO at large as well as introduce you to your assigned LINKS peer mentor!

picture of students at orientation

Peer mentors are assigned to all new TRIO students to assist with the transition to Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. Students will meet with their mentors to build community, connect to resources, receive support while adjusting to Cal Poly and the quarter system, and more. In addition, all peer mentors hold weekly open office hours open to the entire TRIO community.

TRIO Activities and Events

All TRIO participants are expected to attend at least two activities per quarter. During your intake meeting, a TRIO staff member will discuss where to find eligible TRIO activities and events. These activities can consist of: TRIO workshops, special events, additional meetings with TRIO staff, and/or TRIO-approved campus partner events (e.g., Student Academic Services, Career Center, college-specific events, Student Diversity & Belonging events).

picture of students at chase event

Quarter Check-Ins

Admitted students must meet with TRIO staff once per quarter. During your first year at Cal Poly, your quarterly check-ins should happen prior to week 6 of each quarter.

New TRIO Transfer

Intake

All new students will need to have an intake appointment with a TRIO staff member. During the intake meeting, we will review TRIO expectations as well as utilize the time to get to know students on a one-on-one basis. We encourage students to come with any questions they may have about TRIO, Cal Poly and more!

Orientation

Newly admitted students will participate in a separate TRIO orientation that typically occurs during the Saturday of week 1. This is a mandatory orientation that will introduce you to TRIO at large as well as to introduce you to your assigned LINKS peer mentor! Please note that there are no fees nor additional registration required for TRIO orientation.

First-Year Seminar (UNIV 100)

TRIO offers a fall quarter orientation course on campus resources and university life. First-year transfer students must register for the course during their registration window. This course aims to teach and enhance career and financial readiness and to facilitate the transition into Cal Poly.

picture of students in FYS

Peer mentors are assigned to all new TRIO students to assist with the transition to Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo as a whole. Students will meet with their mentors to build community and to offer support with the adjustment to Cal Poly and the quarter system, connect students to various resources and more. In addition, all peer mentors hold weekly open office hours that are open to the TRIO community.

picture of students at orientation

TRIO Activities and Events

All TRIO participants are expected to attend at least two activities per quarter. During your intake meeting, a TRIO staff member will discuss where to find eligible TRIO activities and Events. These activities can consist of: TRIO workshops, special events, additional meetings with TRIO staff, and/or TRIO-approved campus partner events (e.g., Student Academic Services, Career Center, college-specific events, Student Diversity & Belonging events)

picture of students at event

Quarter Check-Ins

Newly admitted students must meet with TRIO staff once per quarter. During your first year at Cal Poly, your quarterly check-ins should happen prior to week 6 of each quarter.

Housing Options

Transfer students are not required to reside in any campus housing. Transfer and continuing students have the option to reside in on-campus housing or can reside off-campus. Keep in mind that housing on campus fills quickly, and there is a helpful guide for off-campus options. TRIO Achievers also has a helpful Housing Options presentation, made by our LINKS peer mentors, with great tips and options when considering housing. A presentation recording is available; contact trioachievers@calpoly.edu to request access to the recording.

Continuing TRIO Students

Tutoring

  • Please create an account here and watch this video on how to schedule an appointment in the Writing & Learning Center. Feel free to contact TRIO Achievers Staff for more information/guidance.
  • Booking you appointment - When booking your tutoring appointment, please indicate your program affiliation as "TRIO Achievers Student"
  • TRIO Achievers are eligible to request repeat appointments for an entire quarter! Contact TRIO Achievers staff at trioachievers@calpoly.edu for more information.

TRIO Activities and Events

All TRIO participants are expected to attend at least two activities per quarter. These activities can consist of: TRIO workshops, special events, additional meetings with TRIO staff, and/or TRIO-approved campus partner events (e.g., Student Academic Services, Career Center, college-specific events, Student Diversity & Belonging events)

Quarter Check-Ins

All TRIO participants are expected to meet with TRIO staff at least once per quarter. We will review your personal and educational goals and plan the next steps toward your career or educational path.

Senior Exit

Prior to exiting Cal Poly, schedule your final check-in with TRIO staff. During this final meeting, we will conduct a senior exiting interview.

poster of TRIO Grad Recognition

Here's some resources sorted based on different topics

Advising

Academic

Assistance with all aspects of educational planning and scheduling each quarter. This includes:

  • Schedule Builder and Degree Planner
  • Advise on curriculum sheets and flow chart
  • Strategies for maintaining and improving GPA
  • Help with study skills
  • Summer/transfer credit - Assist
  • General guidance on course or term withdrawal, as needed
  • Flexible drop-in advising - Contact Us

Personal

  • Mindfulness and time management
  • Connections to campus clubs and other extracurricular activities
  • Encouragement and advocacy
  • Cultural events and field trips
  • Planning for life after graduation

Graduate and Professional School

TRIO strongly supports participants in continuing their education pursuits in graduate and/or professional school. Advisors provide support for

  • Choosing the right graduate/professional school program
  • Researching funding opportunities including financial aid
  • Completing the application
  • Visits to California campuses that offer post-baccalaureate programs
  • Engaging with campus partners and CSU-wide initiatives supporting TRIO students moving on to graduate or professional school opportunities

Tutoring

In order to best support the needs of students and provide more accessibility, tutoring is available through the Writing & Learning Center. Undergraduate and graduate tutors are available for one-to-one or small-group consultations on any activity, assignment, or exam for over 250 courses and subjects across all six colleges.

 

TRIO staff and LINKS peer mentors also will lead various workshops through the academic year on:

 
  • Study skills
  • Time management
  • Balancing work/life roles
  • Connecting students to additional resources

TRIO Achievers coordinates tutoring through the Writing and Learning Center on-campus. The Writing and Learning Center provides options for individual to small group settings. To get started:

 
  • Please create an account here and watch this video on scheduling an appointment in the Writing & Learning Center. Feel free to contact TRIO Achievers Staff for more information/guidance.
  • Booking your appointment – When booking your tutoring appointment, please indicate your program affiliation as “TRIO Achievers Student.”

Mentorship

LINKS (Leading in Navigating Knowledge and Success) peer mentoring program is designed to help TRIO first-time freshman and first-year transfer students transition to Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo. Mentors meet with assigned students to discuss transition progress and provide advice, assistance, and/or resources to better equip them.

 

Your mentor will show you the town, help you meet new friends, and show you the ropes at Cal Poly. Think of your mentor as your personal tour guide in a foreign land! You will meet with your mentor frequently throughout the year and quarterly activities with other TRIO students.

 

Your mentor has the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the challenges of your new life at Cal Poly. You'll also make lifelong friends that share your interests and goals.

Workshops

TRIO offers workshops throughout each quarter that focus on a wide range of topics such as financial literacy, academic tools and strategies, career and professional readiness and graduate school preparation.

 

All enrolled TRIO students are granted access to the TRIO Achievers/SSS Canvas shell which includes access to resources, previous workshops, and more.

 

Financial Literacy

TRIO staff members are available to advise participants in Financial Aid education including completion of FAFSA, understanding financial aid, paying your college bill, and exploring scholarships. Staff members are also available to advise participants in areas of personal finance education including developing a budget, learning about banking, understanding credit, and searching for student employment.

Cultural Enrichment Activities/Field Trips

To meet our participants’ personal and social needs, TRIO organizes an array of cultural enrichment activities that enable students to express themselves, network, and build collegial relationships amongst their peers.

 

These events are offered to TRIO students free of charge. Since effective strategies to improve retention rates rely on a holistic approach, attending cultural events is integral to the TRIO program.

 

Participants are strongly encouraged to attend events to be exposed to new cultural experiences. Cultural enrichment activities may include attending plays, concerts, sporting events, industry tours, etc.


photo of students at winchester museum

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