The Best Starts Here:
Open House, SOAR, and Week of Welcome

New Beginnings, Developing Leaders, Transition, and Fostering Growth are essential components of Cal Poly's Orientation Programs. We start with new students and their families as they begin their transition to Cal Poly by offering three distinct programs, each with its unique focus. Open House, Student Orientation, Advising & Registration (SOAR), and the Week of Welcome (WOW) are structured in a way that provides new students and their families with the information and support they may need at particular stages of their transition to the university.

We pride ourselves in the development of leaders and mentors that are skilled in program design and implementation, event planning, customer service, group dynamics and communication skills, campus knowledge and more. Orientation Programs conducts extensive leadership training to develop a core of model leaders.

Fostering growth of students, whether new to the Cal Poly environment or serving as a leader is essential in developing a successful Cal Poly student. Orientation Programs is committed to guiding the transition process for students from the beginning and throughout their Cal Poly career. We truly believe Cal Poly offers one of the best college experiences for our students, and with that, the best starts here.