Bad News for those Students thinking Cal State System Schools were your Safeties

[Shrinkrap]

Ms. Christman; do you know which cities/counties/high schools are considered within your service area?

[CSUEBadmissions]

Hi Shrinkrap - Cal State East Bay considers the entire state of California our service area. Of course, we spend most of our time advising students in our immediate area (Alameda and Contra Costa County), but in terms of which counties we will accept applications from for Fall 2010, I’m pleased to say all of them! Our admission requirements for California residents are the same regardless of where in the state you actually live. So, if you meet our admission requirements at How to Apply and submit your application through CSU Mentor – preferably by Nov. 30 – and send us all your required documents by the deadlines, you will be pleased to review your application for admission.

Hi bluebayou & a_mom - No doubt our name change has resulted in mixed feelings. Regardless of what it says at the end of our name, we are still proud to offer award winning programs, expert instruction, small classes, and a highly personalized learning environment!

Go Pioneers!

India Christman
Cal State East Bay – Office of Admission

[BfloGal]

Dear India,

Thanks for your post. I have several friends who got either bachelors or masters degrees from CSUEB (Hayward at the time), and I also personally know 2 people who teach there (very bright, quality people). Definitely worth reconsidering!

Thanks.
BfloGal

[MarinMom]

Has anyone taken a look at Dominican University of California? It's a very tiny college in San Rafael with some graduate programs as well. A number of local teachers have gotten their credential there, including a friend of mine who is finishing up his undergrad degree and then getting a credential and a masters. There are a number of older students there but mostly college-aged kids. It seems like a place where a kid wouldn't get lost or slip through the cracks.

[BfloGal]

How does one determine whether a college is a "commuter school"?

[ucsd_ucla_dad]

How does one determine whether a college is a "commuter school"?

One of the easiest/quickest ways is to see if the school has on-campus dorms which can be gleaned from the school's website. If they don't, it's likely mostly a commuter school. If the school has dorms then you can then check to see how many students stay in those dorms relative to the number of students in the first year to two years of college (depending) or at least how many students are housed there. To further check on it you'd need to get an idea of how many students live in nearby apartments either by themselves or with other students as these don't really qualify as 'commuter'.

As an example, even though both UCLA and UCSD have a fair number of commuter students they both also have a significant number of students staying in either on-campus dorms or nearby apartments that are basically like 'virtual dorms'. As another example there are some CSUs that service mostly the local area where the majority of students are commuting from home. But there are some CSUs that are less in the commuter category as well (like SDSU, CalPoly-SLO and others).

[2Leashes]

Vballmom, we visited University of the Pacific last month and I have to say, it was the most gorgeous campus of all we've visited. Definitely an "East coast feel". And, just the right size. We also felt very welcomed by the staff...not just a number. As we sat in the office waiting for our tour to begin, we had the nicest conversation with the woman behind the desk. She just raved about the area where I live (Santa Cruz), and of course, we told her our daughter wants something entirely different for her college experience. None of the "beachy campuses" for her. Trouble is, while she LOVED the campus and buildings, as well as the major she's interested in...she just can't bring herself to live in Stockton for four years. Granted, we really didn't see much of the city other than the immediate surrounding areas. I can understand her desire to live in a fun college town or thriving city.

But then there are those colleges who don't have the same aesthetic appeal to her...cement slab buildings, etc....BUT the surrounding town is fine! HELP!

[vballmom]

2Leashes my older son applied and was accepted to University of the Pacific. He also got a larger merit scholarship than he'd expected. We liked the school, nice campus, the town itself wasn't really a factor (plus or minus). I think he would have been happy there, but his first choice was Cal Poly which is where he is now and he's happy as a clam.

[2Leashes]

Oh yes, I remember reading that he had been accepted to his first choice. My daughter
will apply to Cal Poly, too. But she needs to focus less on the "pretty buildings" (UOP) and more on what I think would be a better match for her. Bottom line: Visit Cal Poly when school is in session and look beyond the high school campus that it originally was built for. I wonder if they have overnight visits with students. She knows a couple of older kids there, but doesn't really KNOW them, if you know what I mean. Kind of hard for a kid who isn't really assertive. I'm glad he likes CP! Who knows... maybe she'll end up there next year!

[vballmom]

The Chico State campus is very attractive - is that an option for your D?

[esobay]

In other bad news and other consideration of a 'safe' school.... Sacramento State
A boy in our area was beaten to death, presumably by his room-mate (who was then shot/injured by police) in his dorm room.

I don't blame the school, of course, but it gives one pause when filling out college apps

[2Leashes]

She is adamant about not applying there, even though it would be a good safety. In fact, Cal Poly is the only state school she wants to apply to. I recently chatted with a couple old classmates at my 40th reunion. They were UC Davis alums ('73). Both each have two daughters who ended up at Chico and loved it. These guys initially had hoped they would go to a UC, but Chico was a perfect match for them. One of the girls teaches math at the American School in Paris. She lives near the Eiffel Tower. They really LIKE visiting her! The other one is a Registered Dietician in San Francisco and lives right there in middle of the city. I'm not sure what the other guys' daughters are doing.

Anyway, I'm going to try and convince my daughter to at least apply to Chico. Even with her good stats, there isn't a guarantee she'll be accepted to the UCs or private schools she's interested in. OR that we can afford it.

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vballmom had posted:

The Chico State campus is very attractive - is that an option for your D?

[mitchwebb]

I Have been reading this thread with great intrest. D is also looking at Cal Poly, SDSU, SSU along with UCSC. Becaues of California cut backs she is also going to send applications to University of Idaho and University of Southern Oregon. We are still looking at other WUE schools to add to applications. Does anyone have any information on University of Idaho? The theater department is ok for a minor but really have not heard anything about the school.

[idad]

Looks like more classes to be available at the Cal States: California State University Will Add Classes to School Schedules for Winter/Spring Terms | CSU | Public Affairs

[lilmom]

mitchwebb, DS is looking at the same schools. I can't get him to look OOS, though. I think he should - going to northern CA is farther than AZ or NV!