California Polytechnic State University--San Luis Obispo

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Hallmarks and Quirks

Baseball, basketball and soccer. Not only am I a Division-I school, but I'm a triple threat—especially since both my baseball and basketball teams were recently crowned 2014 Big West Champions.
Engineering, architecture, and business. I've got some of the smartest and most innovative students around in these departments. National ranks, yo. 'Nuff said.
Balancing work and play. After an intense quarter, you gotta be able to reward yourself with some good times.

Fitness apparel (yoga pants, running shoes, etc). It's absolutely okay at any time of the day to look like you just worked out…even though you didn't.
Your own Internet modem…because of my so-called "secure" Mustang wireless.
A Cal Poly water bottle. The thirst is real.
A Cal Poly lanyard. You have to hold your keys somewhere, right?
PolyCard and/or Green Card. If either go missing: Freak. Out.

Your parents went here, so you are therefore destined to also come here.
You're into architecture or engineering. Seriously, my programs are awesome.
Agriculture is a big deal to you. I'm all about that crop field life.
Someone just happened to tell you about my infamous orientation program, WOW Week.
Is there really an alley covered in bubblegum? You bet there is.

Wandering around the outskirts of my campus, hitting up all the off-campus Greek parties. Seriously, I took three midterms this week. Let me have some fun…
If you're over 21, you're definitely hitting up the bar scene in downtown SLO. If you just became of legal age, you're probably wearing a Birthday Princess sash and doing a bar crawl.
Now, my on-campus non-partiers are most likely in their dorms hanging out with friends. Some of you may be bowling at Mustang Lanes, or even grabbing a frozen treat at Yogurt Creations.

The Julian A. McPhee University Union, a.k.a. "The UU." It's at the center of campus and has all kinds of great places to study, lounge, and grab some food.
The Recreation Center, where you can work out, hang around outside, and lounge around the pool and beach volleyball areas.
Dexter Lawn is a great place to take a break between classes. It's a huge grass area where you can sit back, relax, and soak up the sun.
SLO Donut Company. How else are you going to nourish yourself on a late night?
I have some great outdoor hangouts for all you adventurers out there. The Serenity Swing, The "P," Bishop Peak, Madonna Mountain, and even the so-called Architecture Graveyard. Every one of these locations has incredible views once you reach the top.
The Farmer's Market. It's a Thursday night tradition.

Napa may be several hours north, but California's Central Coast boasts its own Wine Country with more vineyards than you can shake a grape at. Forget bar crawls—wine tasting is definitely a thing around these parts.
Some people here are a bit touchy about the word "hella." It's a NorCal-ism that SoCal-ers hate for some reason. I try and stay out of it.
I make you claim your major right off the bat. Oh, you don't like it after all? You want to switch? Good luck, my friend. I'm not for the fickle-minded.
I have a "Learn by Doing" philosophy, which means you can jump right into your major courses the second you step onto campus.
You might want to think twice before studying at The Library.