Prepare for Your Maritime Journey
Complete the following steps to get ready for your Orientation at Cal Poly Maritime Academy.
Pre-Arrival Checklist
- Become familiar with your Cal Poly email account. You will receive official university communications and information about Orientation, so be sure to check it regularly.
- Complete the reading material that will be mailed to you in early July.
- Complete your health forms.
- Complete Title IX training. Instructions will be sent via email.
- Compile uniform items not included in the seabag (black socks, steel-toed boots, white crew neck undershirts, and athletic shoes).
- More information about your student ID is coming soon.
Cadets Only
- Uniforms are ordered based on information provided in the Cadet Fit Sheet (this can be found in the Application Status Portal in the Cal Poly Maritime Academy Readiness Checklist).
Cadets will receive the following items at Orientation:
- Two uniform sets:
- Khaki uniform sets (2)
- Salt and Pepper uniform set (1)
- Cadet logo-T-shirt
- Exercise wear (2 shirts, 2 shorts)
- Outerwear (1 heavy weight, 1 medium weight, 1 light weight)
- Coverall (1)
- Headgear
- Hard hat (1)
- Baseball cap (1)
- Combo cover (1)
- Name badges (2) and name tapes (2)
- Dress shoes (1 pair)
- Belts (1 black and 1 khaki)
- Duffel bag (1)
Swim Assessment
Incoming students in licensure majors as well as oceanography must complete a swim assessment during orientation week. This assessment fulfills a prerequisite for Marine Safety and Survival programs and the shipboard training required after your first year.
Why We Assess
The results determine your readiness for intensive water-based training:
- Credit (CR): You may proceed immediately to advanced training.
- Remedial Instruction: If you do not pass, you will enroll in PE 100 (Beginning/Intermediate Swimming) to build the necessary fundamentals before advancing.
Assessment Requirements
The test is not timed, but it must be completed without stopping. Cadets will be asked to swim four lengths (100 meters) of a 25-meter pool, using the following strokes in order:
- Breaststroke (1 length)
- Backstroke (1 length)
- Sidestroke (1 length)
- Swimmer’s Choice (1 length)
- Underwater Swim: A short distance demonstration.
Important Tips
- Goggles: In line with emergency protocols (where goggles wouldn't be available), goggles are not permitted for the assessment.
- Exceptions: If you wear contacts or have a medical condition requiring goggles, you must provide your own.
- Practice: We strongly encourage all students to practice these strokes prior to arrival, especially if you have concerns about your swimming ability.
