Cal Poly Orientation

Home

Open House

SLO Days

Week of Welcome

Contact Us

Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

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?

WOW FAQs

When is WOW 2017?

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?

 

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 10 through September 17th.

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

  • Starting March 15 through 24 hours after a student has accepted their offer to Cal Poly, they will be able to view the “Orientation” tab on their MyCalPoly Portal. Follow the links to complete your registration for both programs including adding any parents/supporters.
  • Note: SLO Days and WOW registration occur separately.

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 early bird deadline for both SLO Days and WOW is June 15. Registrations received after June 15 will be assessed a $75 late registration fee per registrant per program.
  • The final deadline to register for SLO Days is July 14. Failure to sign up for SLO Days by July 1 will result in your offer of admission being withdrawn.
  • The final deadline for student to register for SLO Days is July 14. Failure to sign up for SLO Days by July 14 will result in their offer of admission being withdrawn.
  • The final deadline for student to register for WOW is August 15. Failure to sign up for WOW by August 15 will result in their offer of admission being withdrawn.

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. To avoid paying late registration fees, sign up by June 15.
  • The final deadline for students to register for SLO Days is July 14. Failure to sign up for SLO Days by July 14 will result in their offer of admission being withdrawn.
  • The final deadline for student to register for WOW is August 15. Failure to sign up for WOW by August 15 will result in their offer of admission being withdrawn.
  • In extreme circumstances, students may be granted an exception from SLO Days and/or WOW. To file for an exception, 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?

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” tab on their my.calpoly.edu 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?

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 on March 15. 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?

  • Call the New Student & Transition Programs office at 805-756-2400 to have a staff member unlock the reservation. After the supporter portion of their reservation is reopened students can go back in and add a supporter.

How do I change my SLO Days session date?

  • In order to change your SLO Days session date you will need to complete out our Orientation Request Form. 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 MyCalPoly 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 2017". 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 "SLO Days" guide 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.

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 Student Life Orientation Days. If you have other dietary needs it is recommended that you bring a personal meal for your time at Student Life Orientation 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.
 

WOW FAQs

When is WOW 2017?

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.

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 9 with WOW beginning on September 10.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Related Content

Programs

Giving

giving widget image Support Learn by Doing

Admissions

admissions widget image

Link to the Admissions Website for information on selection criteria, application deadlines, creating your VIP page and more!

Parent & Family Programs

widget image