Laid back environment

Introduction
Cal Poly has one of the most laid back atmospheres of any University. This has a good and a bad side to it. Poly students are fairly apathetic when it comes to politics and current events. No one seems to have a solid opinion on anything and the lack of conflict actually makes it somewhat boring. However this laid back environment allows everyone to be themselves without feeling like they are being judged and it's easy to feel welcome at Poly.

Campus Life and Social Life
Partying is both big and small at Poly. People tend to be very social but the police in the last few years have had almost an authoritarian rule over the city. This has lead to a more discrete party scene where things seem to be invite only and underground. Expect to see alot of tickets and arrests if you decide to go out and paint the town red. But when did the police stop anyone. Advertisement
Academics
Academics hit you hard and fast at Poly. Thanks to the quarter system, a student will cover more in a year in their respective major than at most Universities. However, the fast pace does not leave alot of room to explore whatever classes your currently in and can hinder a students enthusiasm and creativity. Cal Poly's motto is "learn by doing" and this is displayed in every course a student takes here. From art to engineering every class will require the student to go outside of the classroom and participate in projects that illustrate academics on a practical level. This has a huge advantage, especially for Poly engineers, who have a reputation of hitting the ground running when they enter the corporate world.

Student Body
Weekends tend to be laid back. Poly students like to enjoy the outdoors. San Luis Obispo is a very scenic area, so anyone who enjoys hiking, going to the beach, or exploring the outdoors will enjoy it here. At night just about everyone goes to a party. Cal Poly parties have tend to display every fascit of what highschool students imagine a college party to be like.

In Closing...
I've enjoyed my three years here so far. I have had one of the best educational experiences that I think any college could offer to an engineering major. Cal Poly students are far too apathetic though. I tend to hit up UCSB every month to enjoy some more turbulance. Overall, SLO is a great area and the people are nice. I'd recommend the experience to anyone.