Open House/ Admitted Students Weekend

<p>Hi Everyone. I’m wondering if most admitted students will be going to the CP Open House this coming weekend. We RSVP’d but my son and I are contemplating whether or not we should go. We’re 3 hours away (in the Los Angeles area), have been up twice in the last six months, toured and attended information sessions both times. He already hit the accept button and submitted his housing deposit. I dragged my heels about making hotel reservations and when I looked into it a few days ago there wasn’t much available. Yesterday, one of the hotels called me back to let me know they had a room open up… so, I went ahead and booked it for Thursday night. If I keep the reservation, we’ll visit The Farmers Market that evening and then CP on Friday, heading home that night. We don’t mind missing the parade and hoopla, DD18 has a tournament early Saturday that cannot be missed. I’m just not sure how much more we’ll get out of visiting CPSLO again this coming weekend and if we should even go. If we don’t go this weekend, our next visit would possibly be to SOAR or maybe not again until WOW. Any insight/suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance! </p>

<p>@SunnySoCalMom‌
The ones who I know are going are those accepted students who are sitting on the fence, don’t know as much about CP, the campus, or their intended major and are trying to figure out whether to hit the accept button for CP or another college. (My kid hit the accept button back in December and would have done it sooner if that was even possible! :-bd) Farmers Market is always great but then your kid will get to enjoy a lot of them in the coming years! I kind of get the impression that the Open House is a bit of a sell job for those undecided and for CP to put its absolute best foot forward.</p>

<p>@swimdogmom
Thank you! Yeah, CPSLO has been DS’s #1 all along. He applied ED and got rolled into RD. It was such a relief when he was accepted the fist day they notified instate! :)</p>

<p>What you’ve said is very similar to what I was thinking. We probably won’t go. I take it you and yours won’t be in attendance either? Are you planning to attend SOAR? </p>

<p>^^ Probably not SOAR but most likely WOW week (and not open house…). I hear, though I may be wrong, that freshmen are automatically enrolled into their classes 1st quarter?? Kid has already sent quite a bit of time at CP so minimizing the hotel stays…</p>

<p>My son hasn’t committed yet even though there’s a 90% chance he will. He’s wiggling a little still on a similar style, but small private in the East. With that said, he’s been to Poly twice and feels like he knows all he needs to and that the Open House won’t add further information. He’ll definitely go to SOAR and WOW if he attends Poly.</p>

<p>@swimdogmom We visited the Math department in early March and the chair confirmed that the students are automatically enrolled in their 1st quarter classes.</p>

<p>@SunnySoCalMom We are also in the LA Area. If you are not sure if you should go, I would strongly recommend it. When we visited 2-years ago my son was still on the fence (seven acceptances, most with scholarships) but leaning toward Cal Poly. We went to the department sessions and were very impressed with Dr. Vakalis, the computer science department chair. He spent the better part of an hour meeting with the parents and answering our questions, as the prospects met with other faculty and current students. He was very open and honest and didn’t sugar-coat anything. I was so impressed, I sent him a thank you email the next day. He responded within an hour. As we left campus after the sessions, my son stopped, looked at my wife and me and said “Well, I guess I’m a Mustang.” </p>

<p>Yes, Open House for all colleges are a sell job. At calpoly it’s also a good way to showcase the departments, which some students may not have had a chance to find out more about. Students can also start meeting peers within their college and major, great if they don’t know anyone attending yet. The second day is when the current students set up their booths representing all the clubs and activities. Lots of food and activities going on that day and quite fun, which is also a way for kids to meet people with similar interests. I don’t think it’s absolutely necessary to attend (especially if you have visited twice in the past 6mos) but it’s a good start in getting acquainted with other students, and to decide if that is the college for them if still undecided.</p>

<p>Thanks! You guys are awesome! Your wealth of information, generosity in sharing it and your kindness are very much appreciated! I continue to learn so much from you all and I can only hope for a chance to return the favor!</p>

<p>I’ve been 4 times to Open House and especially enjoy the time on Friday with the individual departments. You meet the professors and hear from students in the major. There is often a Q&A with the both profs and students. You have lunch with your department and see the labs and projects. It’s a really good time. It gets you really excited about your department. With the MatE department they made ice cream with liquid nitrogen and there were lots of demonstrations of cool things you can do with different materials. I recommend going if you can.</p>

<p>We are hoping to go; I think is sounds great! Still waiting on a few scheduling decisions to make a final decision, but a room is reserved!</p>

<p>Anyone prospective comp scs majors going? (I know I’ll be! ) </p>

<p>We have decided to go…my D does not need any selling at this point, but it should be lots of fun to mingle with other new students and families. We should have special “CC” name tags to find each other ;-)</p>

<p>DS doesn’t feel the need to again. Honestly, it’d probably be a frivolous expenditure since we were just there a couple of weeks ago… but it sure would’ve been fun! I regretfully called the hotel and CalPoly to cancel reservations about an hour ago. S has a couple of housing questions but he can call the department for that info.
I guess I’ll have to wait until SOAR (or move in) to get my sweatshirt. </p>

<p>@GoldenWest Great idea about the name tags! Have a fantastic time! I hope you’ll post about your experience. </p>

<p>Thank you, I will! What major is your son in?</p>

<p>@GoldenWest Anthropology. How 'bout your daughter? Has she already accepted?</p>

<p>Psychology…and I think she is about to push the button. We are very excited!</p>

<p>Now I’m even more sorry I won’t be there this weekend! We might’ve had a chance meeting since our kids are both in CLA. I hope your visit this weekend gives you both the last bit of assurance you’ll need to move forward. Does she already know which housing she prefers?</p>

<p>Woohoo! I’ll be up there this weekend. Coming from San Diego CLA Major! Can’t wait to meet everyone! </p>

<p>No, I think she is just starting to look into it. I will send you a PM, @sunnysocalmom!</p>