<p>Can anyone out there give me some info on Cal Poly SLO?? How is the school`s atmosphere overall? How is the city of SLO? Is Cal Poly a prestigious university?hope to hear from anyone!</p>
<p>Cal Poly SLO is the best Cal State. It's a real bargain especially if you want to go into engineering or things like that.</p>
<p>Cal Poly definitely has a great reputation. Some of the programs are especially well-known and respected, like agriculture fields, engineering, and business. It isn't that well-known outside of California, but in the state it has a good reputation, and is one of the top public schools.</p>
<p>The overall atmosphere is amazing. I almost went there, and part of me misses it (I spent a lot of time there over the past 5 years visiting my sister). It is a very friendly, fun, laid-back atmosphere. Downtown SLO is really cute, and just has a lot of shops and restaurants. They have Thursday night farmer's markets that are really popular. If you get tired of SLO, Santa Barbara isn't that far away.</p>
<p>Thanks guys, for your help. How far a drive is it from SLO to LA? I heard Santa Barabara is beautiful also.. and how does CalPoly compare to the UC`s?</p>
<p>I believe that SLO is about a 3-4 hour drive to LA, but as always it depends on traffic. Personally I believe that Cal Poly is better than some of the lower tier UCs, but others believe all the UCs are better. A lot of people think this way due to the fact that Cal Poly isn't a research institution.</p>
<p>I'm a bio Senior at CP, and I really like it here. Challenging academics mixed with beautiful weather and friendly people= good experience. There are of course a few negatives, including lack of real school spirit regarding sports. Anyway, I've posted a lot about the school, so I'm sure you could do a search. If you have anymore specific questions, though, I'd be happy to answer. Regarding those questions already posed:</p>
<ul>
<li>It's about 4-5 hours to LA(traffic)</li>
</ul>
<p>-Cal Poly is usually ranked up there w/ UCD and UCSB in terms of "prestige." This does vary with the different majors, though.</p>
<p>Giants- my sister graduated this past June from Cal Poly in bio. Hard work, but she loved it.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies, everyone. Im going to be attending Cal Poly starting Jan. 05. so, hope to see u there Giants! What do people there usually do on their time off? to the beach and hang out? I heard Cal Poly is not that impressive partying wise..? anyone have comments on that?
4 hour drive to LA..wow i thought it would be closer..</p>
<p>4 hours to LA, also 4 hours to San Francisco. It's a small town area, but there's some things to do. The small nearby beach towns are great for hanging out and a 1/2 day at the beach, Pismo beach, Avila Beach, Moro Bay--watch out because a shark bit a surfer's board a few weeks back. I've been berry picking at some farm on the road from Moro Bay. The big thing to do Thursday nights is to go to the farmer's market in downtown SLO. Everyone goes. Aside from fruit and vegetables, tons of restaurants have food booths and there is always live music, usually it's pretty good. Free.</p>
<p>Santa Barbara is 1-1/2 hours away. There's more to do there.</p>
<p>Hey Orange Im starting in Janauary 05 too. Its good to hear. I haven't found to many winter transfers.</p>
<p>I agree with bettina that the beach and farmer's market are cool things to do with time off. Downtown is always alive on the weekends, especially at the bars now that i am 21 ;). People like to go see movies at the main theatres and at the Indi threatre on Palm St. Halloween and Mardi gras are the busiest party times, but there are almost always parties to be found if you really need one. I think the frat party thing is mostly for the freshmen and frat boys. House parties can be fun, though. There are also dance clubs for the 18+ and 21+.</p>
<p>I also agree that it's very cheap. Many of my friends chose it over the more expensive UC system. I think it might be close to the half that of the UCs' tuition now, but I'll have to check.</p>