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How Easy Is It to Register for Classes and Get the Classes You Want?
The student I spoke with describes registering for classes as a leisurely, simple process. Even with applying late, she was still able to get a great schedule. If you have any questions and are interested in assistance, academic counselors are available to help with all of the registration needs you have. However, it’s important to have your top classes chosen; because you’re still registering the day of, the process of picking classes is inevitably competitive.
What’s the Quality of Academic Advising? Are the Advisors full-time?
Our CSUMB student says hours can be tricky with the advisors. The advising system works through drop-in hours. The student explains how there are 2 hour slots a day and that makes dropping by difficult. It’s very helpful if you schedule your appointments ahead of time.
Connections Throughout College, Job Availability After Graduation, and Career Service Opportunities?
For certain programs, students may venture off to large corporations; one of the examples she listed was Google. She also mentioned that CSUMB offers research opportunities that can offer experiential learning, further knowledge regarding specific topics, and, in particular, opportunities to make connections and provide a sustainable plan for post grad.
Financial Accommodations?
64% of CSUMB’s students receive enough financial aid and scholarships to cover full tuition. After hearing about everything CSU Monterey Bay has to offer, the financial assistance definitely caught my eye. This CSU has the lowest on campus housing costs of the 23 CSU campuses - which also covers laundry, bus transportation, and school games. The opportunities don’t end there; CSUMB has various different programs designed to accommodate all different types of students. For instance, the student I spoke with is a part of the TRIO program. The TRIO program is available to first generation, low income, and proven disability students. The program gathers students a week before school starts and helps them find and get informed on the various resources available. Resources include textbook payments, laptop loans, counseling loans, etc! Through the TRIO program, the student emphasized how she made wonderful connections, helping her build a community.
Are the Majority of Classes Taught by Professors or Assistants?
The majority of classes are taught by Professors and the class sizes are 27:1. CSU Monterey Bay has a total of 7,500 students, offering small class sizes and a small community.
On Weekends, Are the Majority of Students On or Off Campus?
The student says it’s 50/50 between "suitcase students" and residential students. CSUMB offers endless community events and has many club opportunities. With campus being just 1 mile away from the beach, students often gather together and host bonfires.
Do You Feel Safe Both on Campus and at Night?
The student states, and I quote, “Raccoons are the biggest worry.” She goes on to talk about how she feels safe at all times; but if needed, campus security does night walks Monday through Friday until midnight.
Lastly, If You Could Change One Thing About Your University, What Would It Be?
The student would open up a wider variety of classes. She explains how she can’t get some of her pre-reqs done because CSUMB doesn’t offer the classes she needs. The student says she has to go off campus to fill these requirements.
Hopefully this student’s experience has introduced you to CSUMB and possibly gave you insight on why the school could be a fit for you. Whether you’re in the college process or know someone who is, make sure to hold these 8 essential questions in your back pocket!
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