<p>Now planning to go CalPoly Slo, I was wondering what the common consensus on things were at CalPoly. </p>
<p>Would a person with liberal beliefs feel out of place?
Are there research opportunities available?
Generally, what is the campus and atmosphere like?
Any info would be great!</p>
<p>THANK YOU!!</p>
<p>My son is a 4th year student at Cal Poly. He’s very liberal in his views and he’s extremely happy there. I don’t think politics is a big part of his college experience although having said that, one of his GEs this quarter was about politics in America. They watched the presidential debates and studied current issues. I think you can find your niche there regardless of your politics.</p>
<p>What is your major? If it’s engineering, there are all kinds of opportunities for research and competitions. Have you heard of the concrete canoe competition? Cal Poly has won this 3 years in a row. Students participate in robotics competitions, build solar houses, design and build electric vehicles, etc, etc. Most majors require a 1 or 2 quarter senior project, and some also require a Capstone course, both of which are project-based research courses. Professors often have projects they want students to help with. The opportunities are there, it’s up to you to take advantage of them.</p>
<p>[DigitalCommons@CalPoly</a> | California Polytechnic State University Research](<a href=“http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/]DigitalCommons@CalPoly”>http://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/)</p>
<p>If you go to the Open House in April you’ll get to see examples of what the students are building.</p>
<p>As a parent, I think the campus and surrounding town are wonderful. It’s a small enough area that it’s easy to get around, but big enough to offer lots of activities. There’s a vibrant downtown, places to hike, a nearby beach, a close-knit community, and a lot of college pride.</p>
<p>I agree with everything vballmom said. My daughter is a third year and it’s been a wonderful experience for her. And, now we’ll have to find another excuse to visit the area after she graduates! 
It won’t take much, believe me.</p>
<p>2Leashes - CalPoly is another example of college being wasted on the young!!! Dolphindiver - daughter is a freshman, bio with a Marine Bio concentration. She really loves it so far. Her courses have all been enjoyable and it has been easy to make friends and form study groups. She said, even though it seems to be a big school, the “colleges” system gives it a small school feel, all the faculty and staff have been wonderfully helpful and supportive. To really give yourself a good perspective, look at the FaceBook pages…they’ve been chalk full of info about navigating registration and housing and just about everything else. If you ask a question, you’ll get a dozen responses almost immediately.</p>
<p>True about Facebook. And, if you’re a parent, be sure to check out Cal Poly Parent Community group. It’s a branch of Cal Poly Parents. (<-----This is an organization of parents on campus who are there to help answer questions and offer support. You will meet them at Open House during the Parents’ Coffee.) The Parent Community group on FB is a great place to meet with others moms and dads of Cal Poly students…although sometimes it can be a bit bordering on " helicopter parenting". It’s still a wonderful place to network and share. Check 'em out!</p>
<p>I also concur with vballmom and many of the previous posts. My 2 daughters attend Cal Poly, and are enjoying themselves and doing well. They are both engineering majors, so studying is a big part of their lives, but they manage to make time to relax on the weekends - hang out with friends, go downtown, to the beach, attend a sports event. They also work out at the rec center when they can - it’s a great stress release! Cal Poly has the opportunities of a large campus, with smaller class sizes. My daughters’ classes have all been taught by professors, not TA’s. San Luis Obispo is a great college town, with a nice downtown that offers a variety of restaurants and shops, where young people and laid back older residents seem to peacefully coexist. My daughters will enjoy being home for the holidays in Colorado (and a white Christmas), but I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to returning to SLO in January!</p>
<p>Thanks for the info everyone! I really appreciate it.
I am majoring in Biochem and was just admitted Early Decision. </p>
<p>Which dorms do you guys recommend?</p>
<p>dolphindiver: There are several housing options at Cal Poly, it really depends on your personal preference. The traditional dorms are higher density and offer more opportunities for social interaction, study groups, etc. Some of them are specific to your school/major, e.g. Santa Lucia for Engineering. The apartment-style housing (Cerro Vista, Poly Canyon) offers more independent living, with private bedrooms, kitchen and living rooms. Both of my daughters chose Cerro Vista and love it, but I know others that prefer the dorms. There are also learning communities associated with different dorms that could influence where you’d like to live:</p>
<p>[Residential</a> Life and Education Assessment, University Housing, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo](<a href=“http://reslife.calpoly.edu/index.html]Residential”>http://reslife.calpoly.edu/index.html). </p>
<p>Congratulations and good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t attend Cal Poly, but I’ve lived in SLO my entire life, my brother attends, and I’ve been around the school for a good amount of time. </p>
<p>Politics are, from what I’ve seen, not a big deal at all. There are conservatives and liberals, but most don’t really care from what I’ve seen.
The atmosphere is very laid back, but students still care about academics. I’d say that students live a very balanced life, with studying and partying taking up a good deal of time. Many students drink, but if you’re not into that, there are definitely other options.
SLO is an awesome town if you like doing things outdoors. Mountain biking is world-class, hiking is amazing, beach is 15 minutes away. Snowboarding is a few hours away, and students frequently go on ski trips.
The campus is nice, very open and a bit spread out. It’s close to downtown, but the Cal Poly area is separate from the rest of the town. You won’t see a lot of old, gothic style buildings, but the campus is very nice and natural. The library is beautiful, with a courtyard inside. The rec center is one of the nicest gyms that I’ve ever seen, brand new. The outdoor pool gets used throughout the year with SLO’s perfect weather. </p>
<p>Overall, I have a very good impression of Cal Poly. Your degree will mean something, and you will find a job, but you will also have fun in college. The students are laid back and accepting, and you won’t have any trouble making friends. Let me know if you have any more questions.</p>
<p>Cal Poly is really fun. I recommend living in the dorms because you meet A LOT of new friends. It is a nice small town, and one of the best things there is that the people are really friendly. The college food gets old quick, but it’ll suffice. Workload is moderate, although depends on your major. I love it here, WAY better than my high school.</p>