<p>My daughter was accepted and we are trying to decide if she should attend the Open House in April, SOAR and/or WOW. We are out of state - so traveling and cost are a big consideration. I was a bit confused about the Week of Welcome (WOW). It sounds like it is not mandatory for Freshman, however, it seems that most colleges have a New Student Orientation and I am surprised that it is optional. Does anyone know what the attendance rate at the WOW is? She was wanting to attend the Open House to confirm her choice and look into some things (like housing), that we were unable to do on our visit to the campus last year. What are your recommendations and suggestions?</p>
<p>My son went to the Open House and WOW back when WOW was almost a week (I think it’s only a day or so now?) He loved WOW and has found that some of his WOW leaders are now working for the company where he’ll work once he graduates this spring. </p>
<p>We go back every year for Open House to watch the robotics competition that my son participates in. It’s very fun, and also nice to talk to students in other engineering disciplines and hear about their projects. Almost all the campus organizations have booths set up around campus - this is a good way to get a feel for what there is to do outside the classroom. We love going to the ag school’s displays - last year there was a newborn calf, lots of little chicks, very cool information about the campus-wide composting program, and many enthusiastic students.</p>
<p>I’d recommend WOW as well - the activities are arranged so that you’re in a group of people in your dorm or group of apartments so it’s a good way to get to know other students.</p>
<p>WOW is a great way to meet other people and to know the downtown area/school better. It is not required, but I recommend doing WOW if you like to socialize and hang out. For me, I didn’t find it that exciting probably because I am not very outgoing. You get to do a lot of activities, which may include going to the beach, watching movies, and watching hypnotist performances. You basically get to go out more. </p>
<p>I know some people who did not attend WOW. Instead, they participated in activities their dorm/apartment put out (frisbee, bbq, board games, etc).</p>
<p>Although WOW is technically optional it covers a lot of territory and is an important part of the freshman experience. WOW is both fun and an informative time for the incoming newbies. Unless there is NO $$$ available I would consider it an essential, in the big picture the cost is insignificant. It is aimed at a broad cross section, so not every kid gets the same value from WOW but a number of truly important topics are mixed in with the fun stuff. It is tacked on to the front end of the fall class start so no extra travel cost is involved. Attendance is very high for WOW, probably approaching 100%. Open House is a nice Show & Tell if you have the time, a fun day, but the value is marginal even for many who live in state. It is an 8 hour round trip from LA for a few hours of activity. But what the heck, any excuse to visit SLO is a good excuse.</p>
<p>WOW is a definite attend. SOAR would be number 2. WOW gives your daughter the true feeling of what it will be like to be at Cal Poly.</p>
<p>This is all very helpful. I’m glad to hear that WOW is attended by most new students as it really seems like it is the equivalent to a typical freshman orientation. I was worried that since it was “optional” that maybe students did not attend. In reading further about SOAR it looks like for out of state students they add a day prior to the start of WOW rather than do it in July/August. So that sounds like she could easily do both. As much as I would love to go to Open House (and have an excuse to visit SLO) it would cost a bit as we would have to fly, rent a car, hotel, etc. So in the scope of things it sounds like it would be okay to pass on that. We were able to spend some time on campus and explore SLO - but because it was exam week we were unable to do the housing tour and take a specific college tour - but that aside we were able to get a good “feel” of the campus. She was hoping to have one more visit to confirm that was where she wanted to be and to check out the dorm options - but I’m glad to hear it will not be a mistake if we do not attend the Open House.</p>
<p>@giddyup, if your daughter has decided that CP is the school of her choice, then I think it’s fine skipping the open house. If not, you may still want to attend. Though CP was my son’s leading choice, it was the Open House that pushed him, my wife and me, over the fence.</p>