California Polytechnic State University / Cal Poly - SLO
Founded in 1901, California Polytechnic State University is located in San Luis Obispo, halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Affectionately known as Cal Poly SLO, the university is set in a classic college town with a lively downtown filled with restaurants, shops, breweries, and entertainment, many of which are within walking or biking distance of campus. Covering nearly 10,000 acres, Cal Poly has one of the largest campus footprints in the country. It’s a short drive to the coast, and there are many hiking trails close by. Students take advantage of the easy access and engage in outdoor activities such as surfing, hiking and mountain biking.
Over 20,000 undergraduates attend Cal Poly, a prestigious, public university. 80-90% of students come from California. On average, 30% of applicants are admitted and approximately 90% of enrolled first-year students had a high school GPA of 4.0 or higher. Applicants are required to declare majors when they apply. The school reviews applications and admits students based on students’ intended majors. High school coursework, grades and extracurricular activities are among the most important criteria considered. Cal Poly is a test-blind school; admissions officers do not consider test scores when reviewing applications.
Cal Poly has six colleges: Agriculture, Food & Environmental Science, Architecture & Environmental Design, Engineering, Liberal Arts, Science & Mathematics and Business. The most popular majors are agriculture, architecture, business and engineering. There is a thriving performing arts program within the School of Liberal Arts. Cal Poly’s motto is “Learn by Doing”. The university prioritizes hands-on learning and encourages undergraduate students to take advantage of research opportunities. The student to faculty ratio is 19:1, and the average class size is 35.
First-year students are required to live on campus. They each live in one of Cal Poly’s Residential Learning Communities (RLC) with peers who have a shared major or identity for their first year. RLCs primarily offer triple and quadruple rooms. There is a two-year housing requirement for some majors and certain groups of students, including athletes and Cal Poly Scholars. Older students can lease apartments off campus and still be nearby.
Students spend their weekends both on and off campus. Known for their active, outdoorsy lifestyle, many take advantage of the nearby beaches and mountains by surfing, hiking, mountain biking, and enjoying other outdoor recreation. On campus, students can choose from more than 400 clubs and organizations, and about 20% of undergraduates participate in Greek life through one of the university's 38 fraternities and sororities.The Cal Poly Mustangs compete in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference and have won close to fifty conference championships. Their biggest rivalry is with the UCSB Gauchos: Blue vs. Green. There are also many club and intramural sports for students of all abilities to choose from, including a Rodeo Program that has earned over 40 national titles since 1956. It’s open to newcomers who take the Beginning Rodeo class.
Traditions are important at Cal Poly. A 24 x 40 foot concrete “P” on a hill overlooking campus has been maintained by students for almost 100 years. It’s often decorated by Cal Poly students and used to spell longer messages. Orientation is called “WOW” or Week of Welcome and takes place in August just before classes start. The Serenity Swing atop Poly Canyon has the best view of campus and the surrounding area, and students like to hike up to the point to unwind. There’s a statue of Einstein sitting on a bench outside the science and math center which provides a great opportunity for a selfie and a bit of luck when touched on the way to an exam.
Who would thrive here?
Cal Poly attracts mostly Californians who are outdoorsy and academic. There is something for everyone, whether you like hands-on learning, performing arts, business or STEM. The Greek system is strong without dominating the social scene, and students can join extracurricular organizations of all kinds.
The College Spy asked a current Mustang:
What is the best kept “secret” on campus?
Study in the Frost building!
Describe a “typical” student at your school in under 10 words:
Hard-working and surprisingly smart
What do most students do on weekends to have fun?
Go to Pismo beach, hiking, Big Sur, or hang out with friends at off-campus housing
Notable Alumni:
John Madden - Super Bowl-winning NFL coach of the Oakland Raiders, sports commentator, and namesake for the Madden NFL video game franchise
“Weird Al” Yankovic - Grammy Award-winning comedian known for his parody songs and accordion playing, portrayed by Daniel Radcliffe in a biopic
Victor J. Glover Jr. - Navy pilot and NASA astronaut, pilot for the 2026 Artemis II moon mission, first Black American in deep space
Jay Asher - Author, best known for his debut YA novel Thirteen Reasons Why, adapted for TV by Netflix in 2017
Ozzie Smith - World Series winner and 15-time MLB All-Star baseball player, known for his pre-game backflips
Stephanie Brown Trafton - Gold Medal-winning Olympian for Team USA in Discus in 2008’s Beijing Games
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