I am currently trying to decide between two schools, WPI and Cal Poly, and while I know there is a lot do around SLO, what do students at WPI do for fun? I’m worried because I don’t want to be put in an environment where students only go to class and study.
My impression is that WPI and Cal Poly attract similar students and have many common goals at institutions. I don’t know much about Cal Poly SLO though.
Students at WPI have fun. There are 200 clubs and activities at WPI. There is a student government (SGA). There are several fraternities and sororities. There are cultural groups like the Chinese Student and Scholar Association and Hillel. There are club, intramural and Division 3 sports. Students also are involved in many stereotypically nerdy/geeky activities like Dungeons and Dragons, Video Games, LARPing. Some students build robots and participate in design competitions like the Cornell Cup design competition. There is a student orchestra and music program. There are several fraternity and non-fraternity house parties. It’s not hard to find a “hook up” if that’s what you want. Some people manage to find significant others. Students often hang out at local museums, bars, and clubs. There are also many other colleges and students in the area, though they are not very nearby (I believe there are shuttles though).
WPI is a fairly inclusive community, and I believe the university as a whole values inclusivity more than other schools.
There is a fair amount of academic work, but it’s not really so hard core that people have no time to do anything but study.
Let me know if you have any specific question.
LINK: https://www.wpi.edu/student-experience/getting-involved/clubs-organizations
Cal Poly SLO and WPI do attract very similar students, at least as far as engineering goes. Both of my kids got their BS degrees in mechanical engineering. My son went to Cal Poly SLO and my daughter to WPI. They both got a good education and both had fun while in school.
At SLO, my son’s activities seemed to be more or less just around the town of SLO, both on campus and off. Kind of a drive to get to any bigger town. Did spend time at the beach occasionally.
At WPI, my daughter did a lot on campus but also a lot in the town of Worcester. Worcester has minor league sports teams and other entertainment venues, more so than SLO. She even went into Boston a few times as it is about an hours drive away.
I believe that the most deciding factor in what kind of fun activities you do is who you are and what friends you make. If you want to participate in something, you will. If you just want to sit home, you will. Both schools are excellent choices.
As a parent, I think I liked WPI a little more. Smaller school, seemed to me to be a little closer knit group of students. SLO had the big overwhelming feel to it. WPI was more money, but the living expenses were much less than SLO. WPI also has a very good 4 year grad rate and my son took 5 years to get thru SLO because of class availability / scheduling issues.
WPI has an unusual term system for a college. More like one might have ion high school. Four 7 week terms throughout the Sept to June school year. There were week long breaks between the two fall and two spring terms. Kind of nice to get that week off with no school work hanging over you. We live in CA, so my daughter was able to come home a just relax for that break.