Join us for Cal Poly Open House: April 13–15, 2023!
We are so excited to welcome admitted students, prospective students, alumni, and parents and supporters of Cal Poly to Open House Weekend! Join us for a weekend of fun events, make new connections, and learn more about what Cal Poly has to offer.
Events by Day
Campus Preview Night at Farmers’ Market
Thursday, April 13, 2023
6:00 PM to 9:00 PM in Downtown San Luis Obispo
Campus Preview Night at Farmers Market is a small look into everything offered on campus. There will be multiple club booths and even some performances. Students and supporters get a preview of all we offer at Cal Poly, while enjoying one of the most popular things to do in San Luis Obispo — the downtown Farmers Market!
New Mustang Booth: Friday, April 14th – Saturday, April 15th
Friday, April 14th | 8 AM – 1 PM | Cal Poly’s New Mustang Booth | University Union Plaza
Satuday, April 15th | 10 AM – 3 PM | Cal Poly’s New Mustang Booth | Dexter Lawn
Come visit the New Mustang Booth to celebrate Cal Poly's Class of 2027/2028! At the booth, you can accept your admittance to Cal Poly at one of our laptops and take photos with props at our photo booth! There are also a few interactive activities to appreciate our new mustangs. All prospective students, current students, supporters, and members of the Cal Poly community are welcome!
At the info booth you can ask any and all questions about the weekend, and volunteers will be available to assist you!
Check-In: Friday, April 14th
8 AM – 12 PM | Open House Check-in | Locations TBD
8 AM – 10 AM | Alumni Family Coffee Hour | Location TBD
Kick-Off Open House weekend with a cup of coffee and connecting with other alumni.
University Welcomes
Friday, April 14th
At University Welcomes, you will be introduced to Cal Poly's President Jeffrey D. Armstrong and Vice President Keith Humphrey as well as the Co-Chairs of Open House 2023, Ariana Tirado and Mary Grace Mylod-Vargas! They will be giving you the warmest welcome to Cal Poly, provide a glimpse of our orientation series, and outline all Open House events and opportunities. There will also be performances from Cal Poly's Mustang Band, Dance Team, and a-cappella group That's the Key! You'll attend only one out of the two University Welcomes sessions, depending on which Academic College you applied for when you submitted your Cal Poly application, as depicted below.
University Welcome I, 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. | Rec Center Main Gym
Please attend University Welcomes I (Seating begins at 8:30 am) if you applied to any of the following:
- The College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences (CAFES)
- The Orfalea College of Business (OCOB)
- The College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED)
University Welcome II, 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. | Rec Center Main Gym
Please attend University Welcomes II (Seating begins at 10:00 am) if you applied to any of the following:
- The College of Engineering (CENG)
- The College of Liberal Arts (CLA)
- The College of Science and Mathematics (CSM)
Resource Fair
Friday, April 14th, 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
University Union Plaza (UU Plaza)
Resource Fair is an opportunity for students and supporters to engage with campus resources. Throughout mustang way and the UU plaza, the resources will set up booths and have representatives present to provide information, answer questions, and just be a friendly face. It’s a great time to find out all the possible resources this school has to offer!
The Transfer Experience
Friday, April 14th, Time TBD
The Transfer Experience will be a time for current and prospective transfer students to connect and start building their community here at Cal Poly. They will also be able to engage with resources that are relevant to the transfer experience and there will be a Q+A Panel where people will be able to ask any questions they may have.
Friday Nite Invite
Friday, April 14, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
University Union Plaza (UU Plaza)
An event on Friday Night of Open House that invites prospective students to meet each other, unwind, and make connections in an environment that simulates college life on a Friday night. There will be food such as pizza, salad, and candy. Activity options include dancing, games, bowling, and crafts. There will also be some other surprises throughout the night!
Coffee House
Friday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Chumash Auditorium
While students are enjoying Friday Nite Invite, parents and supporters are invited to Coffee House, where they can talk to current students from all six of Cal Poly's colleges while enjoying coffee and connection!
Honored Guests Reception
Time and Location TBD
A breakfast for our honored guests and a parade viewing!
Morning Cup with President Armstrong
Saturday, April 15, 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Bldg. 108, Sequoia Front Lawn
Join Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong for coffee and a light breakfast to learn about Cal Poly and get your questions answered. After the event, enjoy front row seats to the Poly Royal Parade!
Poly Royal Parade
Saturday, April 15, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
North Perimeter Road
The parade is an event that showcases our campus and community through various floats and performances. It is lots of fun and usually includes different clubs, teams, and community organizations!
Opening Ceremonies
Saturday, April 15, 11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Dexter Lawn
Opening Ceremonies introduces prospective students and supporters to all that Cal Poly and SLO has to offer. This event will feature speakers including President Armstrong, our ASI president, and others!
Campus Showcase
Saturday, April 15, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Dexter Lawn
Campus Showcase is a time for various clubs & organizations to showcase themselves to prospective students & their supporters! This is a great opportunity for guests to interact with on/off campus entities and see how they can get involved!
Dexter Stage
Saturday, April 15, 11:45 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Dexter Lawn
Dexter Stage is an opportunity to showcase Cal Poly and the SLO community's talent to prospective students and their supporters. It will consist of performances by different on-campus clubs and off-campus entities.
Perspective Project
Saturday, April 15th, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Bldg. 38, Room 148
Learn more about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Cal Poly! Our students have put together an extensive amount of information for our newest mustangs and their supporters to learn more about life at Cal Poly through the DEI lense.
Alumni Wine & Beer Garden
Saturday, April 15th, Time TBA
Location TBA
Calling all Cal Poly Alumni! Join us at the Wine & Beer Garden to catch up with old friends and make new alumni connections. This event is ticketed. Please reach out to Cal Poly Alumni (alumni@calpoly.edu) with questions.
Poly Royal Rodeo & Concert
Saturday, April 15th, 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Rodeo Center
This year's annual Poly Royal Rodeo at Cal Poly’s Alex G. Spanos Stadium will be held Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. Poly Royal Rodeo is the marquee event on campus during Cal Poly’s annual Open House.
Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull
Saturday, April 15th, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Field on the corner of Highland Dr. and Mt. Bishop Rd.
The Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull has been held at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo almost every April since 1972. It is one of the largest events at Open House, drawing nearly 4,000 spectators and over 50 competitors from the Western United States. The event is run by Cal Poly Tractor Pull Club and the proceeds from the event bolster a scholarship endowment that goes to hard-working students of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. In 2016, the scholarship fund gave out over $30,000 to students.
Cal Poly encourages inclusivity in all its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including (but not limited to) physical access or Deaf/Hard of Hearing services, please contact New Student & Transition Programs (orientation@calpoly.edu) in advance of your participation or visit.
