FOLLOW YOUR YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO POLYCULTURAL WEEKEND 2025 (APRIL 4 - 6, 2025).
Mission Statement
PolyCultural Weekend aims to connect admitted students with the cultural community on campus. Our goal is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment where students are able to find their home away from home.
During the weekend, prospective students will explore academic, cultural, and social resources. The weekend experience will help students establish a sense of community, cultivate a feeling of belonging, and gain the confidence to succeed at Cal Poly.
If you have any questions about our program, please contact us at polycultural@calpoly.edu for more information!
Registration for PolyCultural Weekend 2025 is NOW CLOSED!
By March 2025, if you have been conditionally admitted to Cal Poly SLO, and live in CA or attend other partner high schools, you may receive an email invite for PolyCultural Weekend via your Admissions acceptance email to attend!
There will be limited spots for this program so it's imperative that you register (sign up) the moment you receive the invitation and complete any necessary forms attached to the invite, if you want to attend. However, we will have a wait list so should someone sign up and then decide they can no longer attend, the next person on the wait list will be contacted directly to register. We aim to do this by April 1st 2025 if there are open slots.
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Minors (Under 18 as of April 4, 2025): If you will be under 18 on this date, you must complete and submit specific forms before the program begins as per the invitation. Instructions will be provided within the invitation. If you are 18, please still fill out the forms and notate "I am 18+ - N/A" on any forms that are meant for minors.
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Student Hosts & Safety Measures: Each attendee will be matched with a current Cal Poly student Host and stay with them on-campus in their Residence Hall. Our Hosts are carefully recruited, interviewed, selected, and trained. Additionally, they undergo background checks/LiveScans to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, especially minors.
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Transportation for Attendees from Los Angeles & San Francisco (only):
- If you reside in the Los Angeles or San Francisco area, you will see the option to use our free transportation service provided by SLO Safe Ride within your PCW registration form.
- If you choose this option, you are expected to arrive and depart using this same mode of transportation, unless a parent or guardian picks you up (with prior notice and approval). It is very hard to manage folks opting in and out of this transportation so please sign up for this option only if you know you will ride to and from using SLO Safe Ride.
- Only those registered for this option will receive the bus itineraries and information by April 1st 2025.
- Your safety and experience are our top priorities!
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Transportation for Attendees from Other Areas:
- Attendees outside the designated LA and SF areas may have family, guardians, or supporters drop them off at Cal Poly at the start of the program and pick them up at the end of the program. If you attend any of our partner High School locations, you may also receive information from your school about provided transportation. Please follow those instructions and contact your High School office to get more details.
- To ensure a smooth check-in process and manage foot traffic, supporters will not be permitted inside the programming building spaces and are expected to drop their students off and depart once their student is fully checked-in to the program.
- Please use the designated drop-off/pick-up zone when bringing attendees to campus on Friday April 4th, 2025. This zone will be located in front of the Performing Arts Center (PAC) also known as the "PAC Loop" and there will be signage.
- Directions: 1 Grand Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407 - at arrival to campus, keep driving until you are at a light/cross-walk called "Pacheco Way" where you will make a LEFT (or right depending on which direction you arrive from). You will see the PAC immediately on your right side. See map.
Join us for the Poly Cultural Weekend Parent and Supporter Breakfast, hosted by Parent and Family Programs from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. in the 1901 Pavilion. Connect with campus leadership, enjoy a delicious breakfast provided by University Catering, and play to win some exclusive Cal Poly swag! Please email calpolyparent@calpoly.edu for more information!
We look forward to welcoming you to Poly Cultural Weekend!
Meet the 2025 PCW Student Coordinators!
Sutharsana Karthikeyan (She/hers)
Operations Coordinator
Hello! I am a second year Civil Engineering major, and I am very excited to be a part of this amazing weekend experience. As someone who was very worried about coming to a predominantly white institution (PWI), PolyCultural Weekend (PCW) has shown me that there is so much to be celebrated when it comes to my identities and my place here on campus. There will always be spaces and people on this campus that welcome and appreciate you fully as you are, and I hope to help people feel that during PCW 2025!
Cassandra F. Miranda (She/Hers) 
CONNECTIONS Coordinator
Hi Everyone! I am a second year Child Development major and from a small town in the Central Valley called Lemoore! I am so excited to continue to be part of Poly Cultural Weekend (PCW) as this year's Connections Coordinator. As someone who once felt quite nervous about attending Cal Poly SLO, PCW was one of the main reasons that helped me choose this campus because of the amazing diverse community of students I met and made me feel at home. I can't wait to help make PCW a memorable experience for you!. See you soon!
Celina Aaliyah James (She/Hers)
entertainment Coordinator
Hi! I am a second year Biology major and I attended PCW as a Hostee! I was hesitant in accepting Cal Poly SLO, however PCW gave me the opportunity to explore and enjoy the campus and meet students, staff and faculty who hold salient identities that helped me see I belonged here. I am so glad I attended this program! I think this weekend will be a great opportunity for YOU to experience what Cal Poly SLO has to offer.
Mabel Xu (She/Hers)
Hospitality Coordinator
Hello everyone! I am a fourth year Business Administration major concentrating in Information Systems. I started my involvement with PolyCultural Weekend (PCW) as a host and have been part of the program ever since. As a host, it was amazing being able to see my own hostee’s impact at Cal Poly SLO after committing and the impact of PCW overall on us. I am thrilled to continue my PCW journey as this year’s Hospitality Coordinator! PCW is a great opportunity to find your future home away from home, and we can’t wait to have you :)
