California Polytechnic State University Reviews

The girls at Cal Poly are the...

The girls at Cal Poly are the hottest girls on any campus. They know how to take care of themselves, and the gym is always crowded with these girls. The guys are all over the board. We have redneck agriculture majors and geeky engineers, but almost all of the majors have some good looking guys.

The food is not recommended for...

The food is not recommended for human consumption.

The town atmosphere is unbeatable....

The town atmosphere is unbeatable. It feels like a sleepy little town, but it has big college town characteristics. The locals don't really like the students, but without the college they would have no infrastructure. In San Luis, the most fun things to do are free: There can utilize the hiking and walking trails, walk around downtown, and even drive to the many beaches that are just outside of town. There really aren't too many universities nearby. In fact, the closest to us is UCSB, which is about an hour or so away.

I think it depends on the circles...

I think it depends on the circles you hang out in. Almost everyone in the town smokes weed, and it isn't very hard to find. With all these engineers at the school, they need some sort of release. In my opinion, the second biggest drug is cocaine. There are also a lot of people in town that use cocaine. This is not as well known and is more on the down low. People do not advertise it widely, but sometimes at parties you'll get someone offering it to you, or you'll see a group of three or four people just wander off into another room. No, they are not going to the bathroom in the sense that a naive freshman thinks.

Campus police can be pretty strict...

Campus police can be pretty strict about things. For drinking in the dorms: The first offense is a written warning, and you have to write an essay about why underage drinking is bad. The second time, you will lose your housing and also lose a lot of money in the process. When it comes to drugs, there is a more strict policy. If you are caught with weed or anything else, you automatically lose your housing and could possibly be kicked out of the school. That doesn't mean that people don't do these things. Students are going to drink no matter what, and they are going to get high if they want to. It's all a matter of keeping it low-key.

The parking on campus is terrible....

The parking on campus is terrible. Make sure you have your parking pass because the campus police will not hesitate to give you a $15 or $30 ticket. Freshmen are allowed to bring cars, but around San Luis you don't really need one. The public transport is free with a student ID card and goes pretty much anywhere you want to go in town.

The campus is really safe.

The school is fantastic. It's...

The school is fantastic. It's located in a pretty little town that has great people within it.

The dorms are just your typical...

The dorms are just your typical dorm. The Red Bricks are nice because they allow you to live with people you'll have lots of classes with. It makes it easier to study. However, you have the chance of being stuck in a triple, which sucks because you'll have to deal with bunk beds. As for the gray buildings, they're a little farther out from campus, but they tend to be known as the party dorms. The Cerro Vista apartments are also an option. They're great because you get your own room and have a kitchen and a bathroom to share with only one roommate. The only problem is they're a bit far out from campus, and they're less social.

Public transportation is really...

Public transportation is really great. Buses run all day. They will pick you up in front of the gym and take you downtown or out to Madonna and everything in between. All you have to do is slide your Poly card, and you get on free.

It's sunny most of the time. It...

It's sunny most of the time. It gets a bit chilly in the morning and at night, but during the day it's pretty nice. Sometimes during the winter, there will be a cold day and maybe a few rainy days, but they don't last long. You should have an umbrella and warm clothing just in case. Most of the time, though, you'll be in summer clothing. The beach is only 10 to 15 minutes away.

Most of the people are white, but...

Most of the people are white, but there are some minorities. We have a multicultural center along with various fraternities and sororities for minorities. As for sexuality, there is a pride center, but the campus has a very small percentage of LGBT community.

The varsity and intramural sport...

The varsity and intramural sport teams are both really great. The games aren’t as big of a deal like some other schools, but the teams are still good. There are various levels for intramurals, which lets those who are super serious but not ready for the varsity commitment play, and then there's also a level for those just looking to have fun.

There are a lot of good looking...

There are a lot of good looking people. There are all different types of guys: your typical frat boys, good ol' country boys, and jocks. The girls are really pretty, but there are a bunch of the fake, blonde Barbie dolls in Greek letters walking around campus.

Cerro Vista apartments are really...

Cerro Vista apartments are really nice. If you want to be more social, they're not as convenient. If you don't choose those, I'd live in the dorm assigned to your major.

Off-campus housing can be tricky,...

Off-campus housing can be tricky, but this is a college town so you will find something. Try Poly Canyon, too.

It is a college town, so you are...

It is a college town, so you are not alone. It is so laid back that you will fit right in, whether you came from a small town or a big city.

I don't really know about the drug...

I don't really know about the drug scene, but I know that alcohol is more available.

There is awesome food downtown....

There is awesome food downtown. SLO is a college town, so there are places that are cheaper because they know the customers. Honestly, take the time to ride a bus downtown and get some real food every once in a while.

Computer labs are only in the...

Computer labs are only in the library, so bring a computer. The Internet hookup for the dorms can be annoying at times. Once the program is installed and running, you are good to go.

While underage drinking is not...

While underage drinking is not allowed, it happens off campus. If you want to party, you will hear about it. Don't worry.

Freshmen can bring a car, but they...

Freshmen can bring a car, but they have to park it nowhere close to their dorms.

Campus food is not that bad, but...

Campus food is not that bad, but it gets repetitive very quickly. Try and mix it up a little and try something new. If you are a vegetarian, you are sadly going to have a difficult time. If you can, try to go off campus on the weekend. Take the bus downtown because the only thing that is open on the weekend is pizza, and that gets old too.

The Rec Center is nice.

The teachers are friendly and get...

The teachers are friendly and get to know you. The workload depends on your major.