Students currently registering for fall 2025 enrollment can use PolyLink, a student-made AI chatbot designed specifically for Cal Poly students, to help build class schedules.
The chatbot aims to simplify academic life by offering students help through four hubs: the chatbot function, schedule builder, flowcharts and class search, said Cristian Castro Oliva, head of engineering at PolyLink and a computer science senior.
Launched in winter quarter by Oliva, PolyLink is now operated by a team of 11 students, according to the PolyLink website.
Oliva originally created the chatbot as part of a senior project last spring. He was motivated to tailor it towards enrollment after facing challenges navigating the process and finding resources as a transfer student.
“The chatbot can introduce you to resources you did not know existed at Cal Poly,” said Alexios Sideris, head of product at PolyLink and a business administration junior.
Oliva plans to add more features to enhance the site for the next academic year, while Sideris hopes to introduce a social feature to help students find campus events more easily.
Business administration sophomore Aidan Chenault discovered the site from a presentation in his finance class and decided to try it. While Chenault appreciated the ease of setting up his account and accessing the chatbot, he said he would like to see improvements to the look and serviceability of the platform.
“Once students realize how easy it is to use and how much stress it relieves from having to go back and forth searching for specific classes and professors, I think everyone will use it,” Chenault said.
Oliva hopes his chatbot will reduce stress related to schedule making.
“I want it so PolyLink can make their whole schedule with one click,” Oliva said. “I want to be almost like magic.”