Ever wanted an insight into what the perks of attending Cal Poly SLO are from real students? Whether you’re a current Cal Poly student, alumni or possible incoming freshman, here are 19 of the reasons we couldn’t imagine being anywhere but Cal Poly SLO:
1. The location
San Luis Obispo, located in central California, is the ideal college town. With a weekly farmer’s market, hipster coffee shops, and an adorable downtown, there’s always something to do. Cal Poly is surrounded by beautiful mountain and beach scenery, with hiking spots all around.
2. Cal Poly’s “Learn By Doing” motto
Instead of being stuck listening to lectures all day, we get the chance to do hands-on learning. Anyone up for a class trip to the pier?
3. Cal Poly’s reputation in future workplaces
Whether your degree is in Mechanical Engineering, Wine and Viticulture, Industrial Technology, Architecture or Graphic Communications, the name California Polytechnic State University holds a high reputation for its extreme hands-on approach to learning. With a degree from Cal Poly, your future employer KNOWS that you’re qualified.
4. The private school-like class sizes
Class sizes at Cal Poly are small enough where we can get the attention and help we need from our professors and peers.
5. The types of people you meet
It’s rare to find people as kind as the people of SLO. No matter where you are, whether it’s the long line at Starbucks in the UU or a table in the library, you’re bound to make a new friend on the daily, anytime and anywhere.
6. All of the SLO puns you can make
At Cal Poly there are SLO many puns to choose from. Whether you’re considering making Cal Poly your SLOme or you already go here, SLO puns will be a part of daily life.
7. The rec center
Don’t fear the idea of freshman 15. Cal Poly offers a state of the art, and brand new recreation center at your fingertips. Whether you’re the type to workout alone or in a class, Cal Poly offers it all.
8. The weather
You can’t beat the weather in SLO. On average, there are 287 sunny days of the year and only 33 days of rain. No wonder sunny SLO is one of the happiest cities in America.
9. Cal Poly chocolate
You go to a school that literally makes its own chocolate. What more do you want out of life?
10. It’s full of traditions
From throwing tortillas on the field at the UCSB Soccer game, to completing the tri-tip challenge, to the bar crawl when you turn 21, Cal Poly traditions are always something to look forward to.
11. Typical dorms aren’t your only living option
Some universities force freshmen into the “college experience” by requiring that they live in an on-campus dorm. At Cal Poly, while you still must live on campus your first year, you have the option to live in an apartment. If having a kitchen, living room, or office is something you can’t live without, or communal bathrooms just aren’t your thing, Cal Poly may be able to cater to your lavish living needs.
12. Dreamy sunsets and hiking spots
Cal Poly has so many great hiking spots to watch the sunset. From serenity swing to the beach, trust assured there’s always a great spot to watch the sunset.
13. Unique classes galore
Beekeeping, tractor-driving, bowling… we’ve got it all!
14. Cute goats and dogs by the library – basically just animals everywhere
Because Cal Poly has an excellent agriculture program, the likelihood of encountering an adorable baby animal on our way to class is ridiculously high.
15. San Luis Obispo Donut Company (SloDoCo)
At literally any hour or day you can go into this establishment and purchase a cinnamon roll INSIDE of a donut. Enough said.
16. All the Instagram-worthy spots
Whatever theme you have on your Instagram, there’s a location at Cal Poly that fulfills all your cute photo fantasies. Climb up to the Serenity Swings and grab a cute picture there, or head out to the abandoned barns behind Costco for some great outdoorsy shots.
17. This photo of Zac Efron
As one of the most beautiful beings alive, and featured singer of some of the catchiest songs know to man (we’re looking at you High School Musical soundtrack), this photo of Zac Efron wearing a Cal Poly shirt is a major reason to pick Cal Poly. If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for us.
18. Cal Poly calves
Cal Poly is a great campus because you can walk pretty much everywhere. In fact, ‘Cal Poly Calves’ has become a slogan because so many students choose to walk to their classes around campus.
19. The senior projects
If you’re a fan of Jamba Juice or Yerba Mate, you’re already a supporter of Cal Poly’s senior projects. All of Cal Poly’s hands on learning boils down to the senior project where you can let your creativity shine and create something awesome.
Although there is a never-ending list of reasons that we love it here, these top 19 are the tried and true reasons that San Luis Obispo, and Cal Poly too for that matter, really lives up to the name, “The Happiest City in America.”