Cal Poly FAQs

What if I don't like my roommate?

Coming to college is a huge transition, and Cal Poly wants to ensure that every student feels safe and supported. If you find yourself in a living situation that you are uncomfortable with, we highly encourage you to seek out the resources that University Housing provides for you. There are Resident Advisors in every building, and they are trained to help you mediate any issues you may have with your roommates. If things do not get better however, and you would feel more comfortable living somewhere else, you can submit a room change request to University Housing.

Any advice about picking housing communities?

When it comes to housing communities, we recommend choosing the one that you are most interested in! That being said, there are still limited amounts of space in each community. Wherever you end up, the experience will be what you make of it. Each residence hall has something incredible to offer, and there really is no wrong choice!

Should I pick my roommate or go random? Any advice?

Deciding whether to room with somebody you know or to go random is a personal decision. Rooming with somebody you know can be nice as you know what to expect, but rooming with somebody random is helpful for meeting new people as well as if you want to have personal space to go back to at the end of the day.

What is it like living on campus?

Living on campus is extremely convenient, as you are close to everything you need. It is also a great way too meet new people.

How is the campus food? Are there good vegetation/vegan options?

Cal Poly has 27 dining venues available on campus, with over 1,000 menu options! They are also in the process of opening up the new Vista Grande dining complex, which will only add to that list. That being said, there is something for everyone! All of Campus Dining’s venues offer a variety of options for every lifestyle preference. Because most items are offered and served a la carte, you are able to customize your meal the way you want. Want an item sans cheese? Ask for it. All venues have a variety of beans, tofu, grains, vegetables, fruits, and condiments. To help identify the vegan and vegetarian options, look for their special identifiers on all Campus Dining menus.

How hard is it to switch majors? 

Changing majors depends on a number of factors. The department will evaluate basic criteria to determine your eligibility to enter into an Individualized Change of Major Agreement (ICMA). To determine your eligibility to enter into an ICMA, departments may consider: Your admissions criteria (would you have been admitted into that major when you applied to Cal Poly?)

Is it possible to switch majors and still graduate on time?

Yes! It is very doable, but in order to ensure you remain on track, we highly recommend making an appointment with either the Mustang Success Center or your college specific advisor. They will help you map out the classes you have left to take and answer any other academic questions you may have!

What is the quarter system like?

The quarter system is fast paced, but very doable! The weeks can move very quickly, and  it is important to stay on top of all of your coursework. The quarter system is broken up into 10 weeks of classes, and then one week of finals at the very end. While this may seem daunting, the quarter system also has a lot of benefits! Most universities are in a semester system, and therefore students take one set of classes in the fall and another in the spring. Since Cal Poly is on the quarter system, we get new classes in the Fall, Winter, and  Spring. This way, if you are in a class you don't particularly like, you'll only be in it for 10 weeks instead of 15!

Is it hard to register for the classes you want?

Cal Poly offers a wide variety of classes, and only a certain amount of students are able to enroll in them. That being said, for your first year of college at Cal Poly you are blocked  into the majority of your classes! For Fall Quarter, you do not have to worry about registration at all, unless you see an issue with the classes you were blocked into. For Winter and Spring, you are blocked into the majority (if not all) of the units you need for those quarters, but often it varies depending on major. If you have specific questions regarding registration and how to complete it, the Mustang Success Center offers quarterly Registration Workshops that you can attend!

What is Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" philosophy?

Cal Poly's Learn by Doing philosophy means that learning in a classroom is only part of the Cal Poly experience. Throughout students' courses, they might learn how to: weld, take apart an engine, synthesize molecules, and more!

Cal Poly also fosters Learn by Doing through internship requirements in many majors. Students are also require to complete a Senior Project which is a culmination of everything they've learned during their time at Cal Poly!

What are office hours like with professors? Are they helpful?

Office hours differ by professor, but typically office hours offer a space in which the professor is available to talk to students within their classes. Office hours tend to be an unstructured space for students to ask questions about course content. They can be very helpful for gaining a better understanding of content, preparing for exams, or just getting to know your professor better!

Are SLO Days and Week of Welcome (WOW) still happening this year?

As of now, SLO Days and Week of Welcome are still happening as planned. That being said, we are constantly monitoring the current situation. Keep an eye out for any emails, as this will be our primary form of communication!

When are SLO Days and WOW?

SLO Days sessions occur throughout the summer. Week of Welcome will begin with check-in on September 11-12 at the designated locations, and then the week will officially kick off on Sunday, September 13 and will end on Saturday, September 19.

If first year students can't have cars, what are some other ways they can get home?

There are many different modes of transportation that first year students can use to get home. Amtrak is just a short drive away, and there are trains that depart daily. Cal Poly also offers a service called Mustang Express, which is a bus that leaves from Cal Poly and returns to campus before and after Thanksgiving and Winter break! They have a Sacramento, Northern California, and Southern California route. Another popular mode of transportation for students is to utilize ride share. There is a Cal Poly ride share page on Facebook that students can request to join, and there they can find students who are offering rides to specific locations. The San Luis Obispo Regional Airport is also a short drive away from campus for those who need to fly home!

Can you get around SLO without a car?

There are many different things a student can do without a car on campus. For starters, Resident Advisors in each residence hall are in charge of putting on weekly events for students to attend. This can be anything from pancake nights in the study lounge, to karaoke and game nights! Another great thing about attending school at Cal Poly is that the local bus is free with your Cal Poly ID! All you need to do is swipe it when you get on, and you can go wherever the several routes will bring you. One favorite destination is SLO's downtown. Here you can get a meal with a friend, go to the movie theater, shop, and so much more!

There is also the option to sign up for a Zip Car service if you would like to have access to a car. You have to be 18 to sign up, but once you are a member you can reserve a car for a day or you can pay per hour! There are several Zip Cars that are parked on campus, and this is a great way to go to the beach, pick up some groceries, or anything else that might require a car.

Should I bring a bike? What is the public transit system like?

Bringing a bike is helpful for classes that are across class for one another and for navigating San Luis Obispo. The SLO Transit system is also very helpful for getting around SLO. Student's can use their PolyCard on SLO Transit Bus for free. You can view the bus routes through the SLO Transit app.

How can I get a job on campus?

You can individually reach out to the programs that are hiring, or you can search and apply through MustangJobs, the Cal Poly job site. On MustangJobs, you can filter jobs to show on campus opportunities only!

Is there anywhere to go hiking on or near campus?

Yes! Behind campus is Poly Canyon which has a variety of hiking trails, and is only a short walk from the dorms. On campus there is also "The P" which is a short hike up to the large P that sits above Cal Poly's campus.

How do I join clubs

This varies between clubs, but it's usually as easy as emailing a club representative or showing up to a meeting! There is a large club showcase during Week of Welcome where you can learn more about different clubs on campus and learn how to join!

Where are the best study spots on campus?

Cal Poly offers a wide variety of places to study. Kennedy Library is the largest capacity study location on campus, and has 5 floors with different study environments throughout. Kennedy Library offers collaborative spaces as well as silent areas to study, reservable fishbowls and rooms, and a 24-hour area with computers to utliize. Other popular study spots on campus include the University Union, Waren J. Baker Science Center, and a variety of other smaller nooks around campus.

As a parent/supporter, we recognize that this is not only a transition for your student, but for you as well! We'd recommend discussing your communication plan with your student prior to their arrival at Cal Poly. It may take a bit of time, but everyone finds a system that works best for them and their student!

Will my student have enough money for food? Should I give my student additional money for dining? 

Cal Poly offers three dining plans for first year students to choose from. There is the Flex Max, which equates to $1,656 per quarter, or around $150 per week. The Flex Prime is $1,503 per quarter, or $136 per week. The Flex Basic is $1,383 per quarter, or about $125 per week. If you find your plan is not the best fit for you, Campus Dining allow students to change their meal plan at the end of Fall quarter.

If your student has a remaining balance at the end of the quarter, it will roll over to the next quarter (Note: Funds left at the end of Spring quarter will not roll over to the following year). If your student runs out of funds before the quarter ends, there is the option to add more money into their Campus Express account, which they can then use at any dining venue.