General Orientation

Do I need to attend SLO Days and/or WOW?

How do I sign up for SLO Day and/or WOW?

What do my SLO Days and WOW registration fees cover?

Is there a deadline to sign up for SLO Days and WOW?

What happens if I do not attend SLO days and/or WOW?

Do Transfer students need to attend SLO days and/or WOW?

Do Readmitted students need to attend SLO days and/or WOW?

I have questions about Housing at Cal Poly.

I have questions about Dining and meal plans at Cal Poly.

I’m a parent/supporter, what resources are available to me?

 

SLO Days FAQs

Do parents/supporters need to attend SLO Days?

What if I cannot attend SLO Days?

What do overnight accommodations look like for students at SLO Days?

What do overnight accommodations look like for parents/supporters at SLO Days?

I cannot attend any of the sessions or the session I wish to attend is full, what can I do?

I’ve already confirmed myself for SLO Days but now I want to add a parent/supporter, how do I add a parent or supporter to my SLO Days session?

How do I change my SLO Days session date?

How do I register for orientation? I cannot find it in my portal.

What is the itinerary for SLO Days? When does SLO Days start and end?

How do I go about getting a refund for myself or a parent/supporter?

One or more of my supporters can no longer attend, what do I do?

What meals are included at SLO Days?

Does the included meal have dietary restriction options?

Can I bring siblings or more than 2 guests?

Do I qualify for a SLO Days fee reduction?

My payment is not going through, what do I do?

 

WOW FAQs

When is WOW 2020?

I went to SLO Days. Why should I do WOW too?

How much does WOW cost?

I want to go to the Out-Of-State & International SLO Days, will I miss some of WOW?

Can I participate in CCE if I don’t identify with an underrepresented minority community on the Cal Poly campus?

Can I switch into CCE if I have already registered for WOW?

How is CCE different than a traditional WOW Group experience?

Do Transfer Students have to attend WOW?

As a Transfer Student will I be placed in a group with Freshman?

 

General Orientation

Do I need to attend SLO Days and/or WOW?

• Orientation (attendance at SLO Days and WOW) is mandatory for all new students at Cal Poly. Nationally recognized programming and award-winning leadership will give you the tools for a successful transition to life at Cal Poly.

• SLO Days is a summer orientation program mandatory for all new students. New students will get their first on campus experience as new Mustangs. Make connections with new students, leaders, and your college and explore campus and the San Luis Obispo community in this two-day, overnight event. Dates between July and mid-August. Space in each session is limited and not guaranteed until reception of payment upon registration.

• Week of Welcome, known simply as “WOW”, is a 60+ year-old tradition at Cal Poly taking place in September leading up to and around your first days of class. Start off your career as a Mustang as you and your new classmates move-in, kick off the year with the Big Fall Welcome, explore the central coast, learn about your role as part of the Mustang Nation, start on your Journey to Academic Success, and make life-long connections. WOW is mandatory for all new students and takes place starting September 12 through September 20.

How do I sign up for SLO Day and/or WOW?

• In March, beginning approximately 24 hours after a student has accepted their offer to Cal Poly, they will be able to view the “Orientation Events” tab on their MyCalPoly Portal. Follow the links to complete your registration for both programs including adding any parents/supporters for SLO Days.
• Click here to view our Orientation Registration Policies.

What do my SLO Days and WOW registration fees cover?

• SLO Days - Student: Access to workshops and presentations to prepare for advising, advising materials, day-of schedule, parking, meals (Day 1: lunch, dinner; Day 2: cont’l breakfast), one night of housing in residence halls, and program staffing.
• SLO Days - Parent/Supporter: Supporter workshops and materials, schedule and presentations, meals (Day 1: lunch, dinner), and program staffing. No housing is included.
• WOW - Student: Access to workshops and presentations to prepare for advising, advising materials, schedule, program staffing, and students are encouraged to bring with them a minimum of $25 cash for extracurricular activities and meals. Note: Supporters do not attend WOW.

Is there a deadline to sign up for SLO Days and WOW?

• The deadline for early bird registration is June 1. After June 1, students may complete regular registration. 

What happens if I do not attend SLO days and/or WOW?

• Attendance at both SLO Days and WOW is mandatory for all new students. For early bird registration, sign up by June 1.
• In extreme circumstances, students may be granted an exemption from SLO Days and/or WOW. To file for an exemption, complete the Orientation Request Form.

Do Transfer students need to attend SLO days and/or WOW?

• Attendance at both SLO Days and WOW is mandatory for all new students. At both SLO Days and WOW, there is specific programming tailored to Transfer students. This is a chance to meet other new transfer students, connect with current students, and learn more about major and resources for academic advising to finish up. It's also a great opportunity to get involved in clubs and organizations on campus, and make new social connections that will last for years to come!
•  Click here for more information on Transfer student orientation and resources

Do Readmitted students need to attend SLO days and/or WOW?

• SLO Days: As a readmitted student to Cal Poly, attendance at SLO Days is optional.  In order to attend you must first receive approval from your College Advising Center. Please follow the steps here to register for SLO Days.
• WOW: Readmitted students are welcome to, but are not required to attend WOW. If you are a readmitted student and want to attend WOW, please call New Student & Transition Programs at 805-756-2400.
• For more information on readmitted student admissions, click here.

I have questions about Housing at Cal Poly.

• For a complete list of housing questions, click here.

I have questions about Dining and meal plans at Cal Poly.

• For a complete list of dining questions, click here.

I’m a parent/supporter, what resources are available to me?

• For a complete list of Parent and Family Programs questions, click here.

 

SLO Days FAQs

Do parents/supporters need to attend SLO Days?

• Parents/Supporters of Cal Poly students are strongly encouraged to attend SLO Days, but not required to attend. SLO Days is a great opportunity for Parents/Supporters to learn about how to support their student while at Cal Poly as well as learn more about the resources available to Cal Poly Parents and Supporters.
• To sign up, have your student add you to their SLO Days registration via the “Orientation Events” tab on their Cal Poly Portal.
• Note: A maximum of two supporters are allowed per student.

What if I cannot attend SLO Days?

• In extreme circumstances, students may be granted an exception from SLO Days. To file for an exception, complete the Orientation Request Form.

What do overnight accommodations look like for students at SLO Days?

• Freshmen students attending SLO Days stay on campus in the yakʔitʸutʸu residence halls between Day 1 and Day 2 of their session. For a full list of what to bring, click here.

What do overnight accommodations look like for parents/supporters at SLO Days?

• Overnight accommodations are not included in the registration fee and are not provided as part of SLO Days for Parents/Supporters. Parents and supporters have the opportunity to stay in Poly Canyon Village. Reservations for Poly Canyon Village can be made through Conference and Event Planning.
• The city of San Luis Obispo offers a wide range of lodging accommodations within a minute’s drive from campus including boutique inns, name-brand hotels and motels, and wine country B&Bs. Explore a list of more the 38 San Luis Obispo’s hotels and homestays and find your perfect place to stay. Don’t forget to visit SanLuisObispoVacations.com - the city’s official visitor website for things to do during your visit.
• Link to Hotels: sanluisobispovacations.com/find-a-hotel/
• Link to Homestays: sanluisobispovacations.com/find-a-homestay/

I cannot attend any of the sessions or the session I wish to attend is full, what can I do?

• SLO Days session fill up fast beginning in March. Sessions have limited capacity and space is not guaranteed until the registration fee have been received. There is no wait list for closed/locked sessions.  In extreme circumstances, students may be granted an exception to change SLO Days dates into a full session. To file for an exception, complete the Orientation Request Form.

I’ve already confirmed myself for SLO Days but now I want to add a parent/supporter, how do I add a parent or supporter to my SLO Days session?

• In order to add a parent/supporter to your SLO Days registration, you will need to complete our Orientation Request Form. To find the form, click here: Orientation Request Form.

How do I change my SLO Days session date?

• In order to change your SLO Days session date you will need to complete our Orientation Request Form. Please note our change of date fee will be applied. To find the form, click here: Orientation Request Form. 

How do I register for orientation? I cannot find it in my portal.

• First you would need to log into your Cal Poly Portal. On the right hand side of the page there is a tab that says "Orientation Events". Once you click on that it will bring you up to a page that says "Click here to sign up for Orientation 2020". That link should will direct you to the registration site.

What is the itinerary for SLO Days? When does SLO Days start and end?

• Your SLO Days schedule, arrival information, to-do lists - and more - all at your fingertips in the brand new "Cal Poly Now" mobile app, the official app of Cal Poly Student Affairs. Download now and search for the "Orientation 2020" guide (available May 2020) and start planning ahead for your upcoming session.

How do I go about getting a refund for myself or a parent/supporter?

• In order to receive a refund you will need to fill out our Orientation Request Form. Refunds are only granted in limited extreme circumstances. To request a refund, complete the Orientation Request Form. All merchandise and extra meals purchased during registration is non-refundable.

One or more of my supporters can no longer attend, what do I do?

• In order to receive a refund for a parent/supporter you will need to fill out our Orientation Request Form. Refunds are only granted in limited extreme circumstances. To request a refund, complete the Orientation Request Form and a staff member will contact you.

What meals are included at SLO Days?

• Students are provided lunch and dinner on Day 1 and a cont’l breakfast on Day 2.
• Parents/Supporters are provided lunch and dinner on Day 1.

Does the included meal have dietary restriction options?

• We are able to accommodate some dietary restrictions (dairy and gluten). Please indicate these restrictions during your reservation process for SLO Days. If you have other dietary needs it is recommended that you bring a personal meal for your time at SLO Days.

Can I bring siblings or more than 2 guests?

• Currently our capacity (set by our facilities maximum capacities) is limited to two guests per student. At this moment SLO Days does not have the ability to accommodate more individuals.

Do I qualify for a SLO Days fee reduction?

• Fee reductions are based on individual students need. The University and the New Student & Transition Programs has worked closely with Financial Aid to make sure we are able to cover the maximum number of students. Fee Reductions are assigned directly to the students reservation system and do not require any additional action on the students part for the reduction to be applied.

My payment is not going through, what do I do?

• Our system does not accept international credit cards at the moment. We suggest that if you have a credit card that is not an international one, to please proceed with the payment. In the case that you only have an international credit card, we will provide you with further instruction for us to receive your payment.

 

WOW FAQs

When is WOW 2020?

• September 12 - 20, click here for more information on WOW 2020.

I went to SLO Days. Why should I do WOW too?

• SLO days and WOW contain complementary programming. After attending SLO Days, students will have the base to get the most out of WOW and have a holistic and complete orientation experience. 

How much does WOW cost?

• The price for WOW is $175 at initial reservation, and we ask all students to bring $25 to the Week of Welcome for additional activities.

I want to go to the Out-Of-State & International SLO Days, will I miss some of WOW?

• No, you will not miss any parts of WOW by attending the September session of SLO Days. The September SLO Days session will fully conclude on September 12 with WOW officially beginning on September 13.

Can I participate in CCE if I don’t identify with an underrepresented minority community on the Cal Poly campus?

• Yes! While CCE seeks to form a community with those that identify with underrepresented minority populations it is open to anyone that wishes to have a more cultural orientation experience.

Can I switch into CCE if I have already registered for WOW?

• Yes! Just fill out the Orientation Request Form signifying that you would like to switch into CCE.

How is CCE different than a traditional WOW Group experience?

• Cross Cultural Experience groups will have intentional programming and events to engage with campus resources and faculty that serve underrepresented minorities at Cal Poly.

Do Transfer Students have to attend WOW?

• Yes! All incoming students are required to attend both SLO Days and WOW. If you have an extenuating circumstance please fill out the Orientation Request Form and request to be exempt from WOW. Please note that your submission is a request and will be reviewed by our Professional Staff before coming to a decision.

As a Transfer Student will I be placed in a group with Freshman?

• No, you will be put in a transfer specific group. You will be led by two WOW Leaders who have gone through additional training on how best to support transfer students during WOW.