Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does EPIC camp cost?
$1,975
Fee covers the following:
- Housing (Sunday evening - Friday afternoon)
- All meals and snacks
- Engineering Classes
- Activities
- Engineering week group project
- Speaker Series: Cal Poly Admissions, Industry Speaker, College Life, Engineering Majors, Engineering Student Panels
- Social Events: Scavenger hunt, talent show, recreation center, pool, movie night, bowling
- Tours: Cal Poly, College of Engineering, and Housing
- EPIC camp t-shirt, cinch bag, lanyard
When can I apply?
The application process opens on February 1, 2024, and closes on March 31, 2024. Because EPIC is an outreach program, acceptance is not based on a first-come, first-served basis. However, we do start processing applications as they come in so it is best to apply early if you are interested in a financial need-based scholarship.
Can I attend a session for a different grade level?
No. Please apply only apply to the week in which you are eligible based on your rising (fall) grade.
Can I apply if I am an out-of-state or international student?
Yes. However, you may only apply to Session 1 if you are a rising 6th-8th grader or Session 2 if you are a rising 9th-12th grader. Session 3 and 4 is not available for out-of-state or international students.
Are Non-Citizens eligible to attend EPIC?
Yes! US citizenship is not required for EPIC eligibility.
Can I stay off-campus rather than in the dorms?
Housing is only for the residential program. The residential program option is designed to offer campers an around-the-clock university experience. Scholarships will be available if affordability is a concern. Please contact us if you have a medical condition making a campus stay difficult.
Is there a residential option if I live out of town?
If a residential summer program is offered we will have on-campus housing for all students.
The residential program is designed to offer campers an around-the-clock university experience. Scholarships will be available if affordability is a concern. Please contact us if you have a medical condition that would make a campus stay difficult.
I would like to attend, but I cannot afford the cost of the camp. Is financial assistance available?
Thanks to donations from EPIC’s industry sponsors, need-based scholarship funds are available. We encourage you to apply for a scholarship if you need assistance. Scholarship funds run out quickly so we encourage you to apply early.
What are the camp hours?
Residential Program
Residential: Check In Sunday 3:00 pm / Check Out Friday 1:30 p.m.
7:30-8:00am Morning Gathering
8:10-9:00am Breakfast
9:10-11:00am Engineering Class
11:10-12:00pm Engineering Fields Presentations/Industry Guest Speakers
12:10-1:00pm Lunch Break
1:10-3:00pm Engineering Class
3:10-5:00pm Engineering Design Team Project
5:10-5:30pm Break
5:30-6:30pm Dinner
6:30-8:30pm Evening Activities
8:30-9:00pm Evening Gathering
9:00-10:00pm Free Time
10:00-11:00pm On Floor/In Room
11:00 PM Lights Out
Why are sessions limited to only some grade levels?
Each session has grade-appropriate content and activities designed for student development and focus.
What are the qualifications for acceptance?
EPIC is open to all rising 6th-12th graders. The program’s primary goals are to attract more female, first-generation and low-income students to the field of engineering and inspire them to choose it as a career path. However, ALL students are welcome to apply regardless of background. Acceptance into EPIC is based on the essay you write and an indication (from your GPA, the classes you have taken, extracurricular activities, etc.) that you have applied yourself to your studies. The EPIC program does its best to determine which students will gain the most from the program.
My child is not female or a first-generation college student. Can he/they still attend?
Yes. EPIC is open to all students.
Will attending EPIC increase my chances of getting into Cal Poly?
Attending EPIC has no bearing on acceptance to Cal Poly. In addition, it does not reflect on the chances of getting accepted to Cal Poly.
We recommend students report on their CSU admission application that they did EPIC as part of their extra-curriculars. Students should also report the number of hours spent involved in engineering-related activities from EPIC in addition to any other experience in clubs, sports, community volunteering, etc. on the application.
When will I know if I've been accepted?
Notifications will be sent out within two weeks of the closing of the application deadline.
Can I drive to the camp?
If the student is legally eligible to drive, they may choose to drive themselves. Campus parking permits can be purchased at the kiosk located at Cal Poly’s Grand Avenue entrance. We recommend purchasing a weekly parking permit before parking. Parking permits are strictly enforced and cars without a permit will be cited.
I've been accepted. How long do I have to register?
Please check your admission email for registration deadlines.
What is the cancelation policy?
Refund Policy
Conference and Event Planning must receive registration and full payment to allow event participation. Registrations will not be processed with incomplete or missing payment.
Please note that the registration fee does include a $100.00 non-refundable deposit and an additional $150.00 non-refundable “materials” fee. Conference and Event Planning must receive cancelation requests in writing 15 days prior to event start in order to receive a full refund less the $250.00 non-refundable deposit and a 3% payment handling fee. Refunds will not be given for cancelations received within 15 days prior to the start of the Epic session.
- Registration fees cannot be transferred.
- No refund will be given in the event of dismissal or voluntary departure from the program at any time.
Is transportation provided?
Unfortunately, EPIC is not able to provide transportation for participants. Participants from outside San Luis Obispo County who choose to fly in may choose to fly into the San Luis Obispo airport or use the Amtrak train both of which are about 15 minutes away. Parents/Guardians are then responsible for scheduling transportation to and from the airport/train station to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
If I'm on the waiting list, when will I know if I've been accepted?
The first round of students accepted to the program has until May 15th to register. After this date, we will begin accepting students off the waiting list. You may be notified up to a week before camp begins if an accepted camper cancels.
Will meals be provided?
Yes, meals are provided ONLY for the residential program. EPIC will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. If you have any dietary restrictions, please make sure you state that during the online registration process. We recommend packing daytime and nighttime snacks. The dorms do have a mini fridge, vending machines, and microwaves.
What should I bring to camp?
Linens (sheets, blankets, and pillowcases) and a pillow will be provided.
Students are welcome (and encouraged) to bring their towels (towels are small), sheets, blankets & pillows if they prefer.
Please be sure to pack the following items along with your clothes. See the EPIC Dress Code below for specifications on appropriate camp clothing.
- N95 mask (Wearing a mask is not required. However, we will be indoors and in large groups so we support anyone who wishes to wear a mask)
- Water bottle (Please label your water bottle with the student's name)
- Hand sanitizer
- Closed-toed shoes
- Sneakers for hiking
- Socks for bowling
- Long pants (some labs require long pants)
- Sweatshirt or light jacket for night activities (it gets cold at night in SLO)
- Bathing Suit (please see dress code) and Beach Towel
- Sunscreen
- Toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
Optional Items
- Shower Shoes
- Snacks (Rooms have refrigerators in them and all items must fit in the mini-fridge. Keep in mind you will be sharing the room with at least one camper. DO NOT BRING CANDY OR SUGARY SNACKS AS THEY ATTRACT ANTS!)
- Phones are allowed but may not be used during camp activities.
- Camera
- Spending money for snacks, Starbucks, arcade, and University Bookstore.
- Earplugs
- Small fan for dorm
Please see our residential page for information about what to bring.
What are the COVID-19 regulations?
Participants who are COVID-positive will not be allowed to participate. We ask all participants to test at home before checking in on Sunday. If your test is positive on Sunday, please do not bring your child to camp. Send EPIC an email stating your child is COVID-19 positive and will not attend.
Participants who show signs of COVID-19 will be given a test to self-administer. If a participant becomes COVID-19 positive during EPIC, they will be required to isolate and guardians will need to pick up within 24 hours of being notified.
How will roommates be assigned?
Roommates are randomly assigned based on gender, age, and grade level. We try to accommodate roommate requests but make no guarantees. Once you are accepted and make payment, please send epic@calpoly.edu any roommate requests.
Can parents volunteer to help?
If you are an engineer and would like to be considered as a speaker to share your educational and industry experience, please send us an email.
Engineering Fields Descriptions
Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace engineering prepares you to create more efficient and economical solutions for aircraft, spacecraft and related systems and equipment such as drones and satellites.
Ingeniería aeroespacial:la ingeniería aeroespacial lo prepara para crear soluciones más eficientes y económicas para aeronaves, naves espaciales y sistemas y equipos relacionados, como drones y satélites.
Agricultural Engineering: Agricultural Engineering is the field of study and application of engineering science and designs principles for agriculture purposes, combining the various disciplines of mechanical, civil, electrical, food science, environmental, software, and chemical engineering to improve the efficiency of farms and agribusiness enterprise as well as to ensure sustainability of natural and renewable resources.
Ingeniería Agrícola: La Ingeniería Agrícola es el campo de estudio y aplicación de la ciencia de la ingeniería y los principios de diseño para fines agrícolas, combinando las diversas disciplinas de la ingeniería mecánica, civil, eléctrica, alimentaria, ambiental, de software y química para mejorar la eficiencia de las granjas y empresa agroindustrial, así como para garantizar la sostenibilidad de los recursos naturales y renovables.
Architectural Engineering: Architectural Engineering is the same as structural engineering but with considerations given to the architecture (how the building looks on the outside, how it will be used, ect.) and is a major unique to Cal Poly in the department of Architecture and Environmental Design
Ingeniería arquitectónica: la ingeniería arquitectónica es lo mismo que la ingeniería estructural pero con consideraciones dadas a la arquitectura (cómo se ve el edificio en el exterior, cómo se usará, etc.) y es una especialización exclusiva de Cal Poly en el departamento de Arquitectura y Diseño ambiental
Biomedical Engineering: Biomedical engineers use engineering principles and a knowledge of biological sciences to design and create new technology to improve the delivery of health care.
Ingeniería biomédica: los ingenieros biomédicos utilizan principios de ingeniería y conocimientos de ciencias biológicas para diseñar y crear nuevas tecnologías para mejorar la prestación de atención médica.
Bioresource Engineering: Bioresource Engineering is an interdisciplinary program that integrates engineering, design and the biological sciences. It is a unique profession that applies engineering principles to the enhancement and sustainability of the world’s natural resources. Bioresource Engineers seek solutions to problems that involve plants, animals and the environment.
Ingeniería de biorrecursos: Ingeniería de biorecursos es un programa interdisciplinario que integra la ingeniería, el diseño y las ciencias biológicas. Es una profesión única que aplica principios de ingeniería a la mejora y sostenibilidad de los recursos naturales del mundo. Los ingenieros de biorecursos buscan soluciones a problemas que involucran plantas, animales y el medio ambiente.
Civil Engineering: Civil Engineering is the design of systems used in civilization including structures, transportation, water, and the interaction of these systems with the ground (geotechnical)
Ingeniería civil: la ingeniería civil es el diseño de sistemas utilizados en la civilización, incluidas las estructuras, el transporte, el agua y la interacción de estos sistemas con el suelo (geotécnica)
Computer Engineering: Computer engineering, on the other hand, is a field at the intersection of electrical engineering and computer science. Computer engineers research how to build all varieties of computing systems from smartphones to integrated circuits.
Ingeniería informática: la ingeniería informática, por otro lado, es un campo en la intersección de la ingeniería eléctrica y la informática. Los ingenieros informáticos investigan cómo construir todas las variedades de sistemas informáticos, desde teléfonos inteligentes hasta circuitos integrados.
Computer Science: Computer science focuses on the theory of computation. This includes writing code that integrates data, data structures, algorithms, statistical models and more in the most efficient way possible. This field also focuses on how to create algorithms that efficiently achieve complex tasks, whether that task is emulating a human brain or determining the best route for your Uber pool.
Informática: La informática se centra en la teoría de la computación. Esto incluye escribir código que integre datos, estructuras de datos, algoritmos, modelos estadísticos y más de la manera más eficiente posible. Este campo también se enfoca en cómo crear algoritmos que logren tareas complejas de manera eficiente, ya sea emular un cerebro humano o determinar la mejor ruta para su grupo de Uber.
Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineers design, develop and build a wide range of electrical equipment including computers, electronic devices, communication systems, test equipment, electric power networks and more.
Ingeniería eléctrica: los ingenieros eléctricos diseñan, desarrollan y construyen una amplia gama de equipos eléctricos, incluidas computadoras, dispositivos electrónicos, sistemas de comunicación, equipos de prueba, redes de energía eléctrica y más.
Environmental Engineering: Environmental engineering is the branch of engineering that is concerned with protecting people from the effects of adverse environmental effects, such as pollution, as well as improving environmental quality. Environmental engineers work to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.
Ingeniería ambiental: la ingeniería ambiental es la rama de la ingeniería que se ocupa de proteger a las personas de los efectos ambientales adversos, como la contaminación, así como de mejorar la calidad ambiental. Los ingenieros ambientales trabajan para mejorar el reciclaje, la eliminación de desechos, la salud pública y el control de la contaminación del agua y el aire.
General Engineering: "General" engineering students have a specific major path in mind and create a customized program. Potential careers include: Audio engineering, Chemical engineering, Technical sales, and Medicine
Ingeniería general: los estudiantes de ingeniería "general" tienen en mente un camino principal específico y crean un programa personalizado. Las posibles carreras incluyen: ingeniería de audio, ingeniería química, ventas técnicas y medicina
Industrial Engineering: Industrial engineering profession that applies engineering analysis and methods to the production of all manufactured goods and services.
Ingeniería Industrial: Profesión de ingeniería industrial que aplica análisis y métodos de ingeniería a la producción de todos los bienes y servicios manufacturados.
Liberal Arts Engineering: Liberal Arts Engineering students obtain a wide range of innovative careers in emerging professional fields that combine skills and interests in the technology, arts, and culture. They are highly successful in obtaining technical, design, and management careers in companies such as Warner Brothers Studios, Disney, Tesla, Apple, DTS, and Universal Studios
Ingeniería en Artes Liberales: Los estudiantes de Ingeniería en Artes Liberales obtienen una amplia gama de carreras innovadoras en campos profesionales emergentes que combinan habilidades e intereses en la tecnología, las artes y la cultura. Tienen mucho éxito en la obtención de carreras técnicas, de diseño y de gestión en empresas como Warner Brothers Studios, Disney, Tesla, Apple, DTS y Universal Studio.
Manufacturing Engineering: Manufacturing engineer plans, develops, and optimizes the processes of production and designs products to be manufactured.
Ingeniería de Manufactura: El ingeniero de manufactura planifica, desarrolla y optimiza los procesos de producción y diseña los productos a fabricar.
Materials Engineering: A degree in materials engineering will teach you what materials should be used to create products and how to develop new materials to fit new and specific purposes.
Ingeniería de materiales: un título en ingeniería de materiales le enseñará qué materiales se deben usar para crear productos y cómo desarrollar nuevos materiales para adaptarse a propósitos nuevos y específicos.
Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test. They deal with anything that moves, from components to machines to the human body.
Ingeniería Mecánica: La ingeniería mecánica es una de las disciplinas de ingeniería más amplias. Los ingenieros mecánicos diseñan, desarrollan, construyen y prueban. Se ocupan de cualquier cosa que se mueva, desde componentes hasta máquinas y el cuerpo humano.
Software Engineering: Software engineering students get a strong technical preparation in computer science fundamentals. The program emphasizes a combination of technical and team management skills. A graduate of the program is expected to understand the challenges of large-scale systems development and to be equipped with the necessary technical, process and people skills to be productive in a team environment.
Ingeniería de software: los estudiantes de ingeniería de software obtienen una sólida preparación técnica en los fundamentos de la informática. El programa enfatiza una combinación de habilidades técnicas y de gestión de equipos. Se espera que un graduado del programa comprenda los desafíos del desarrollo de sistemas a gran escala y esté equipado con las habilidades técnicas, de procesos y de personas necesarias para ser productivo en un entorno de equipo.
