Top 10 Tips to Guide Your Open House Experience

Open House | Photo by Cal Poly Corporation

You studied, you applied, and — woohoo! — you were admitted. Now it’s time to join family members, community members and returning alumni to explore all Cal Poly has to offer during Open House 2019, taking place April 11–13.

Before you head to the rolling green hills of San Luis Obispo, however, check out these helpful tips to make your first Mustang experience the best it can be.

1. RSVP
   First things first, make sure you register online to attend Open House. Grab your ticket on Eventbrite well in advance to avert any last minute crisis. Then, check out all the events you want to attend.
2. Take SLO Transit or RTA buses for free!
   Whether you’re staying in San Luis Obispo or anywhere throughout the county, you can ride for free. Riding a SLO Transit or RTA bus to and from campus is FREE with your Open House registration. All you have to do is show the driver your Open House ticket on your mobile device, or a printed copy, and you can ride for free both Friday and Saturday to avoid the chaos of parking.
3. Enter the Free Ride Friday Contest
   Feeling lucky? Like and comment on the Free Ride Friday contest on the Administration & Finance Facebook page to be entered for a chance to win Apple AirPods or a Starbucks gift card. Now is your chance to share your experience using alternative transportation during Open House. One lucky winner will be chosen Monday, April 15, at 3 p.m. and announced here.
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes
   You might have transportation figured out but strap on your Fitbit because you won’t believe your step count this weekend. When roaming around campus, notorious for its sharp inclining hills, be sure to cushion your feet with comfortable closed-toed shoes. And know that if nothing else, you’ll walk away from Cal Poly with wicked calf muscles.
5. Take a Tour
   What better way to get acquainted with the campus than walking with Cal Poly’s very own Poly Reps? These charismatic students offer tours every hour on Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with the last tour leaving at 2 p.m. each day. Tours will meet in the University Union on Friday and on Dexter Lawn on Saturday.
6. Stay Hydrated
   All the hustle and bustle of Open House can easily render anyone exhausted. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to beat the heat and stay energized all weekend long. Pro tip: Bring a reusable water bottle, and keep it filled constantly. Don’t have one? Head to the University Store!
7. Hit the Farmer’s Market
   Get a taste of San Luis Obispo community culture as well as delicious local foods at the world-famous Farmers’ Market on Thursday, April 11 from 6–9 p.m. This is the very first event of Open House, and a perfect opportunity to explore downtown SLO.
8. Check out the Club Fair
   At a glance, browsing over 200 clubs and organizations might seem intimidating. However, all the excited students manning those booths know exactly what it’s like to be in your shoes, and they’ve been waiting all year to tell you about what makes their club uniquely awesome. Don’t be afraid to start learning by doing on Saturday, April 13, and chat with some people who might just become your peers in the near future.
9. Wrap Up with the Poly Royal Celebration
   See a long-standing Cal Poly tradition in action Saturday, Apr. 13, celebrated by the entire Mustang community. Watch the Poly Royal Parade, complete with floats and performances from the Cal Poly band and Cal Poly cheer, stunt and dance teams. Don’t miss other premier special events including the truck and tractor pull, trust me you want to see this, and the Poly Royal Rodeo, the largest college rodeo in the world.
10. Follow the Cal Poly SLO Mustang Parent’s Page
    Want even more tips for this action-packed weekend and future events? Proud Cal Poly parents are constantly updating this page with tips and tricks regarding campus life, events, health, and services on this very active group page.