Cendana Dajani 1

Cendana, Emmanuel
Dajani, Haya
AVID 6
Mrs. Vanessa Jara
30 September 2016
California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo
Those who wish to have a hands-on learning experience on a beautiful nationally highranked campus should consider attending California Polytechnic State University of San Luis
Obispo, also commonly known as Cal Poly. Cal Poly is the home of the Mustangs, and their live
mascot Chase, the mustang. In 1894, Myron Angel led a group of San Luis Obispo citizens to
lobby for a state school within their city. Their efforts succeeded and Governor Gage signed the
legislation to establish the California Polytechnic School. On March 8, 1901. Two years later, on
May 9, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt praised the efforts of the citizens for turning the
precious vocational high school into a facility of higher education. The first classes began the
same year on October. From its humble beginnings as a vocational high school, Cal Poly is now
the countrys leading undergraduate university in the west (Timeline of Cal Polys History 1).
Cal Poly is established on the idea of academic achievement and improvement. Students who
attend Cal Poly are high achieving learners who believe in the learn-by-doing philosophy.
They learn in an enriching environment and gain the skills to build their own careers.
California Polytechnic State University of San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo,
as denoted in its name. The city of San Luis Obispo is a small college town centrally located in
California. It is the halfway mark between San Francisco and Los Angeles. From San Joaquin
Delta College in Stockton, California, Cal Poly is about a three to four hour drive south, with

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moderate traffic. One can reach the campus four ways: going east on Highland Drive, going
south on Mount Bishop Road until you make the turn onto Highland Drive, Northwest on Grand
Avenue which will lead to North Perimeter Street that surrounds the campus, and lastly going
North on California Boulevard which can take you to the stadium. Cal Poly is one of twentythree prestigious public schools in the California State University (CSU) system and offers its
students a chance to excel in various majors and minors within a beautiful, centrally located
campus.
Cal Poly offers sixty-two majors and seventy-eight minors within six different colleges of
specified majors. The six colleges are the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental
Sciences, the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, the Orfalea College of
Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts, and the College of Science and
Mathematics. The preliminary freshmen profile for the fall 2015 school year includes 14,386 out
of the 46,799 freshmen who applied, which equates to a 31% acceptance rate. The average
grade-point-average is between 3.87 and 4.13, the average ACT score is between twenty-eight
and thirty-two, and the average math and critical reading combined SAT score is between 1253
and 1419 (Cal Poly Quick Facts-VIP 3-4). The average accepted test scores and grade-point
averages are different for each college; however, applicants should receive the highest scores and
grades possible in order to compete in the impacted school. Extracurricular activities may also
help aspiring Cal Poly students to have a competitive edge against other applicants. The studentfaculty ratio is 19:1 and most classrooms hold twenty to forty-nine students. Larger classrooms
hold more than fifty students (How Does Cal Poly Rank 1). The professors are very helpful
within these small to medium size classrooms and are willing to answer questions and provide
students with the best possible learning opportunity. Cal Poly offers some distance learning

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courses for its Development and Teaching disciplines in which students can enroll in anytime
(Extended Education Cal Poly 1). This allows students to conveniently take classes and pursue a
teaching credential in the comforts of their homes.
Cal Poly, like many other public universities, is a large investment on ones future. Since
it is not a private school, it is not as expensive, but still this investment is pricey. In the 20152016 school year, the per-unit cost is $248 if the applicant is paying the nonresident tuition, but
for a professional or a resident of the state of California, the student must pay a discounted fee of
$169 per unit. A student on average will pay a total of 25,467 for California residents living
alone, 18,228 for California residents living with their parents, and 36,627 for international
students. The total cost includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board, transportation,
personal items, loan fees, and the additional $300 fee per term required to be paid by
international students (Cal Poly Quick Facts-VIP 3). With todays economy, the investment of
ones education seems impossible to make. Not many families can afford to pay for tuition and
course fees. To compensate, Cal poly offers many scholarships to help students pay for their
education. The First Generation or Overcoming Difficult Situation Scholarships are
scholarships designed for students that have parents who did not have a four-year degree or was
challenged with any personal, physical, or financial problems (Cal Poly Scholarships Available
1). Another scholarship offered by Cal Poly is the Michael Kehn Make a Difference
Scholarship, which was made in the memory and spirit of Michael Koehn. This scholarship was
designed for students that have good academic standing with demonstrated interest in using
business skills in non-traditional, non-corporate entities, such as cultural, environmental,
entrepreneurial or social justice organizations to help create positive social change. (Cal Poly
Scholarships Available 2). The last scholarship offered is the Ian McMillan Memorial

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Scholarship in Environmental Activism. This scholarship is awarded to students that

demonstrate a concern for Planet Earth through recognizable form of environmental or political
activism (Cal Poly Scholarships Available 3). These scholarships may supplement students in
funding their education.
California Polytechnic State University is a safe learning environment. For student and
faculty safety, Cal poly offers 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, 24-hour emergency telephones,
lighted pathways and sidewalks, student led patrols, and controlled dormitory access via key and
security cards (How Does Cal Poly Rank 1). According to the 2014 security report, there were
fourteen rape cases, one aggravated assault, two arson incidents, 195 larceny and theft cases,
eight vehicle thefts, sixty-five vandalism cases, fifty-three cases of possession of illegal drugs,
sixty-four public intoxication cases, one hate violence crime, and two CSU system-wide hate
crimes (Crime/Police Activity Logs 1). Theft and the use of drugs and alcohol are common at
Cal Poly, as one can expect from a highly populated public university. The larger the population,
the more likely there are more crimes and other offenses. Make sure to keep valuables hidden
and locked away from thieves, and avoid substance abusers to ensure the safety of oneself.
CSU Cal Poly offers a plethora of health services that are found at the Disability Center.
The Disability Center cultivates an accessible and inclusive community where students with
permanent and temporary disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of
campus life. We facilitate student learning and access through partnerships with students, faculty,
and staff (Disability Resource Center 1). Their office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and
provides services to students, such as, SensusAccess, which allows students to convert any file
into an alternative form of media free of charge, wheelchair rentals, test accommodations,
transcription services, and assistive technology. One additional service that Cal Poly provides is

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the Orfalea Family and ASI Childrens center. This center gives care to Cal Poly students
children and enlightens their education while also having a safe environment that also improves
family life through parent education. They offer five main programs: infant, transitional,
preschool, kindergarten, and poly trekkers, which all help childrens growth and cognitive
development. The childrens center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(ASI Cal Poly).
For many students, commuting is not an option because their home is hours away from
school. As a freshmen it is required to live on campus. To rent housing as a freshman, one must
of course accept the offer of admission into Cal Poly, apply with the applications, pay all the
required fees, including meal and dining plans, and complete, sign, and submit the Housing
License Agreement Page. Freshmen have required dining plans depending on the housing area,
which cost $5,147 for freshman living in Residence Hall and $4,103 for freshman living in Cerro
Vista or Poly Canyon Village. (Where Can I Live 1). Upper classmen who desire to continue
living on campus have several options for housing. The Cal Poly Canyon Village apartments are
surrounded by numerous stores and restaurants and have four floor plans for up to six people. It
is one of the more social housing option. The Cerro Vista Apartment is meant to suit a student
that prefers live a more independent lifestyle. It is perfect for studious students who want to live
on their own. (Where Can I Live 2). If the student applying would like to be more one with
nature, they can also be a part of the agricultural housing.Agricultural housing offers a
substantial opportunity for qualified and motivated students to gain practical experience and
work in a position of responsibility at the agricultural production units on campus. Agricultural
housing offers fifty-two students job opportunities within the housing (Where Can I Live 3). Not
only does this CSU have housing, but great dining hours. There about nineteen places to

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purchase food on campus, with some college specific stores, and other well-known food stops
such as Starbucks, Subway, Chick-Fil-A, and Jamba Juice. To purchase the food, students use
currency known as Campus Express and Plu$ Dollars, which will be put on a card known as the
PolyCard. Plu$ dollars are used mainly for freshman dining plans as points, while Campus
Express can be used for almost any purchase on campus (Cal Poly Campus Dining). Students
away from home will have an abundance of options to eat and a nice apartment or dorm room to
call home.
Numerous sports are offered here as well for both genders. Both can play basketball, golf,
soccer, cross country, swimming and diving, tennis, and track and field. Men can specifically
participate in wrestling and baseball, while women can participate in softball and volleyball (Cal
Poly Mustangs - Facilities). The most prominent and well-known of the college teams are the Cal
Poly Mustang football teams. According to their website, their campus has numerous
sports/fitness complexes such as Bagget Stadium and Bob Janssen for sports like baseball, the
mustang Strength Complex as a gym, Robert A. Mott Athletics Center for basketball, Alex G.
Spanos stadium for football, the Mustang Tennis Complex, Cal Poly Track and Field Complex,
and the Anderson Aquatic Center (Cal Poly Mustangs - Facilities).
There are many recreational activities at Cal Poly and throughout the city of San Luis
Obispo. On campus, Cal Poly offers its students the Julian A. McPhee University Union, the Cal
Poly Recreation Center, the Robert E. Kennedy Library, and the University Art Gallery. The
University Union provides many events for students to participate in and is the social hub of Cal
Poly. The University Union is open from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Monday through Thursday,
6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. on Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., and 8:00 a.m. to midnight (JULIAN A.
MCPHEE UNIVERSITY UNION). The University Union holds club meetings, provides the

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opportunity for students to build a rose float for the Pasadena Rose Parade, and contains all the
student government related activities and meetings year round. The Craft Center in the
University Union is open during the fall quarter and gives the opportunity for relaxation and
creativity for students. The recreation center opens from 6:00 a.m. to midnight on Monday
through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to midnight on the weekend. At the recreation center, members can
exercise in one of three state-of-the-art gymnasiums, swim in either the recreational pool or
leisure pool, partake in a game of sand volleyball in one of the sand volleyball courts, climb rock
walls at the Poly Escapes and Climbing Park, and participate in various sports games at the
Sports Complex. The Robert E. Kennedy Library opens 7:00 a.m. to midnight Monday through
Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, and 10:00 a.m.
to midnight on Sunday (Robert E. Kennedy Library). Within the library, there are designated
areas that are open twenty-four hours a day, regardless of the day of the week, just for studying.
The library offers a great selection of books, articles, and databases for research and a quiet
place for study. The library also contains Julians Cafe and Bistro and offers various events
throughout the library for relaxation, such as Watercolor Wednesdays. The University Art Gallery
is considered one of the finest galleries on the Central Coast and has showcased nationally and
internationally known artists, as well as, alumni and faculty works in the fields of studio art,
photography, and graphic design (Now Showing). The gallery is committed to creating an
environment for learning and discussion of ideas critical to art and society. The University Art
Gallery displays five shows each academic year and is open to the public free of charge. Off
campus, San Luis Obispo has an abundance of outdoor adventures waiting to be explored. There
are many hiking trails, beaches, and tourist attractions to explore, such as Mission San Luis
Obispo De Tolosa, and Bubblegum Alley (Things To Do). San Luis Obispo has many concert

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venues and many orchards and vineyards. It has five large museums and twenty art galleries.
Overall, whether at school or not, there is plenty to do and see at Cal Poly or San Luis Obispo.
California Polytechnic State University is not made for any individual. This university is
made for high-achieving students who want to learn by doing. Cal poly students enjoy hands-on
learning are excited by obtaining new life experiences, whether they be in class or off campus.
The university is designed to be a safe campus for all, and is nationally high-ranked in its
academic performance. Cal poly offers many programs and opportunities within its six colleges,
sixty-two majors, and seventy-eight minors. Applicants must be ready to face the challenges of
applying to this impacted school and have high grade-point-averages, SAT scores, and ACT
scores. Cal Poly, not only appeals to the academics, but also to the social factors. Socially, Cal
Poly offers many services, for both health and recreation, to satisfy all the needs of each student.
The city of San Luis Obispo offers many new exploratory opportunities for students on their free
time. California Polytechnic State University is the perfect place for students who want to
explore and see the world as they gain new skills.
Works Cited
ASI Children's Program. ASI Cal Poly, http://www.asi.calpoly.edu/childrens_center.
Cal Poly Quick Facts-VIP Page. Cal Poly Quick Facts-VIP Page.
Cal Poly Recreation Center. ASI Cal Poly, http://www.asi.calpoly.edu/recreation_center.
Cal Poly Scholarships Available.
http://financialaid.calpoly.edu/_finaid/types_aid/CalPolyScholarships_Available_WebFall1
6. pdf
Crime/Police Activity Logs. Activity Logs- University Police Department ,
https://afd.calpoly.edu/police/safety/reports/logs.

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Dining, Cal Poly Campus. Dining Programs. 1st Year Student,

https://www.calpolydining.com/diningprograms/freshmen/.
Disability Resource Center. Drc.calpoly.edu, http://drc.calpoly.edu/.
Extended Education Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Online Courses,
http://www.extended.calpoly.edu/professional/online.html.
How Does Cal Poly Rank Among America's Best Colleges? California Polytechnic State
University--San Luis Obispo, http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/bestcolleges/cal-poly-1143.
Now Showing. - University Art Gallery, http://artgallery.calpoly.edu/.
Robert E. Kennedy Library. Cal Poly Kennedy Library, http://lib.calpoly.edu/.
Students, Inc. Associated. JULIAN A. MCPHEE UNIVERSITY UNION. University Union,
http://www.asi.calpoly.edu/university_union.
Things To Do. San Luis Obispo Vacations, 2016, https://sanluisobispovacations.com/things-todo/.
Timeline of Cal Poly's History. Lib.calpoly.edu, http://lib.calpoly.edu/search-andfind/collections-and-archives/university-archives/timeline/
Where Can I Live as a Continuing Student? Continuing Students Where Can I Live?,
http://www.housing.calpoly.edu/content/student_housing_continuing.

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