Review of California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
from Thousand Oaks, CA
Describe your college in three sentences.
The natural beauty up here with the redwood forest is really unsurpassed. I feel the school is a good choice academically for those in the natural sciences (which is what I am doing and is a major reason I chose to go there). Finally, the community itself is lively, and there are almost always people on the plaza doing something or other.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
I would definitely suggest visiting the campus before deciding to come here. The school's website seems very enticing, but the area up here is simply not like the area where most students come from (big cities). It's remote and secluded among the redwood trees. Arcata is a relatively small city. The campus itself isn't huge (takes maybe 15 minutes from end to end), but the campus is built on a mountainsisde and so is also known as Hills and Stairs University. However, I strongly recommend a visit before coming here. There's a good percentage of people who come here for a semester or two and then don't come back. I like the area, but due to the seclusion and all it's definitely not for everyone. I recommend visiting during the Spring Preview each spring, although you can of course visit anytime you want to.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The focus of this school is on the natural sciences, and the offerings in this department shine. If you want to take a class in Forestry or in Botany, this is the place to do it. Not all of the teacher's I've had were equally academically rigorous, but I did feel that I learned something from all of my classes. I went to community college before transferring to Humboldt, and the academics here are certainly greater than at the community college level. However, I'm also sure that the academics aren't up to par to a school like UCLA or something like that. I'd say that the academics are probably comparable to all the other cal states, with the school's emphasis being on the natural sciences.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The people are friendly and the facilities are nice. Avoid the Hill unless you are a freshman. Upperclassmen usually gravitate towards the Campus Apartments or the College Creek Apartments. From my experience of living on campus for a year, there are few to no events put on for the dorm community itself, although there are various councils you can join if you so desire. The main thing with living on campus is the convenience of being close so close to classes, and that everyone who you live with is of course a student at the school.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There is one dining hall on campus, the J, which primarily serves the Canyon and Hill dorms. The food here isn't bad and is the cheapest place on campus to eat. In the middle of campus you'll find the Depot. While the food here is good and is generally busy, it is probably the most expensive place on campus to eat. At the bottom of campus there is the College Creek marketplace and there is another marketplace at the very far end of campus by the BSS building.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
A lot of people here complain that there is a lack of things to do, and given that Arcata is not a big city (smallish town with Victorian houses), that's somewhat true. But if you go out and look for things you'll find them. There are various clubs on campus, and you're sure to find one the piques your interest. Right behind campus is a 600 acre redwood forest, and Redwoods National Park is only about half an hour north of campus. The hub of activity is definitely on the Arcata plaza, which is reminiscent of the plaza from Back to the Future and is about a 15 minute walk from campus. On it are various stores, restaurants, bars, and the oldest operating movie theater in the United States. The nearest mall is the Bayshore Mall, which is a 15 minute drive to the next city south (Eureka). Every Saturday during the non-rainy season there is a farmer's market on the plaza. Given the area on the North Coast and the natural beauty available, it is a good place to do outdoor events. The school's rec department offers backpacking, kayaking, and other trips year round. I've gone to the local beaches for bonfires with friends, and also hiking with friends is fun to do. Also, there are various acts booked year round in the campus Van Duzer Theater.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
For me, who is an environmental science major, Humboldt State is a great campus and offers just what I need. The school has a strong focus on what I'm majoring in, and the natural environment up there is unbeatable.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Nothing really to say here, except that don't be surprised by a hippie vibe. There are handful of students (definitely not the majority) of people who dress up like hippies and may even walk around campus barefoot. Some people say that Arcata is a place that's like the 1960s just stopped in time. Arcata/Eureka is very secluded from pretty much everything, so there is certainly a niche community here. People here put an emphasis on being green, buying organic and local, and the farmer's market is a big deal.
I didn't know really where to put this, but be aware that it rains a LOT up here during the rainy season. Bring a nice umbrella or raincoat- you'll use it a lot. Also (due to the rainy weather) there are times when you don't see the sun for prolonged periods of time. When I was there the longest period of no sun was maybe a week or so. Some people who have been there longer then me say (non-jokingly) that drinking milk is important because the lack of sun makes people depressed. A few years ago in August the sun didn't show for nearly the entire month. Just be aware. The nicest weather is in the summer and fall when school starts, with the rainy season beginning I would say in mid to late November and going on through to April or so.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
The school's strength seems to be on the natural sciences. The school boasts the nation's only undergraduate research vessel (I went on it for my intro Oceanography class), and as well people know the school for it's forestry department. Apart from the natural sciences the school also apparently does well in the art department. However, I have nothing to do with the art department and so can't really comment on that.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are a lot of clubs on campus, but interestingly there is no club specific for my major (environmental science). There are however many clubs and intramural clubs on campus, and if you looked I'm sure you'd be able to find something that interested you. Club day is a few weeks after the start of each semester. If you don't see a club you like you can start your own. Also, if you live on campus you can participate in the living area councils and plan events/things to do for your living area.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Minimal on campus. Occasionally you'll see the Greeks tabling, but I think that the entire Greek population of the school numbers only a few dozen.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
During this past year at Humboldt there were a few incidents, and the campus police were on the scene almost immediately. While the surrounding community has a problem with homelessness (don't go walking by yourself at night with dollar bills sticking out of your pocket), I feel that the campus itself is pretty safe. But you still have to be careful, of course. I had my locked bike stolen from right in front of the library.
The natural beauty up here with the redwood forest is really unsurpassed. I feel the school is a good choice academically for those in the natural sciences (which is what I am doing and is a major reason I chose to go there). Finally, the community itself is lively, and there are almost always people on the plaza doing something or other.
I would definitely suggest visiting the campus before deciding to come here. The school's website seems very enticing, but the area up here is simply not like the area where most students come from (big cities). It's remote and secluded among the redwood trees. Arcata is a relatively small city. The campus itself isn't huge (takes maybe 15 minutes from end to end), but the campus is built on a mountainsisde and so is also known as Hills and Stairs University. However, I strongly recommend a visit before coming here. There's a good percentage of people who come here for a semester or two and then don't come back. I like the area, but due to the seclusion and all it's definitely not for everyone. I recommend visiting during the Spring Preview each spring, although you can of course visit anytime you want to.
The focus of this school is on the natural sciences, and the offerings in this department shine. If you want to take a class in Forestry or in Botany, this is the place to do it. Not all of the teacher's I've had were equally academically rigorous, but I did feel that I learned something from all of my classes. I went to community college before transferring to Humboldt, and the academics here are certainly greater than at the community college level. However, I'm also sure that the academics aren't up to par to a school like UCLA or something like that. I'd say that the academics are probably comparable to all the other cal states, with the school's emphasis being on the natural sciences.
The people are friendly and the facilities are nice. Avoid the Hill unless you are a freshman. Upperclassmen usually gravitate towards the Campus Apartments or the College Creek Apartments. From my experience of living on campus for a year, there are few to no events put on for the dorm community itself, although there are various councils you can join if you so desire. The main thing with living on campus is the convenience of being close so close to classes, and that everyone who you live with is of course a student at the school.
There is one dining hall on campus, the J, which primarily serves the Canyon and Hill dorms. The food here isn't bad and is the cheapest place on campus to eat. In the middle of campus you'll find the Depot. While the food here is good and is generally busy, it is probably the most expensive place on campus to eat. At the bottom of campus there is the College Creek marketplace and there is another marketplace at the very far end of campus by the BSS building.
A lot of people here complain that there is a lack of things to do, and given that Arcata is not a big city (smallish town with Victorian houses), that's somewhat true. But if you go out and look for things you'll find them. There are various clubs on campus, and you're sure to find one the piques your interest. Right behind campus is a 600 acre redwood forest, and Redwoods National Park is only about half an hour north of campus. The hub of activity is definitely on the Arcata plaza, which is reminiscent of the plaza from Back to the Future and is about a 15 minute walk from campus. On it are various stores, restaurants, bars, and the oldest operating movie theater in the United States. The nearest mall is the Bayshore Mall, which is a 15 minute drive to the next city south (Eureka). Every Saturday during the non-rainy season there is a farmer's market on the plaza. Given the area on the North Coast and the natural beauty available, it is a good place to do outdoor events. The school's rec department offers backpacking, kayaking, and other trips year round. I've gone to the local beaches for bonfires with friends, and also hiking with friends is fun to do. Also, there are various acts booked year round in the campus Van Duzer Theater.
For me, who is an environmental science major, Humboldt State is a great campus and offers just what I need. The school has a strong focus on what I'm majoring in, and the natural environment up there is unbeatable.
Nothing really to say here, except that don't be surprised by a hippie vibe. There are handful of students (definitely not the majority) of people who dress up like hippies and may even walk around campus barefoot. Some people say that Arcata is a place that's like the 1960s just stopped in time. Arcata/Eureka is very secluded from pretty much everything, so there is certainly a niche community here. People here put an emphasis on being green, buying organic and local, and the farmer's market is a big deal. I didn't know really where to put this, but be aware that it rains a LOT up here during the rainy season. Bring a nice umbrella or raincoat- you'll use it a lot. Also (due to the rainy weather) there are times when you don't see the sun for prolonged periods of time. When I was there the longest period of no sun was maybe a week or so. Some people who have been there longer then me say (non-jokingly) that drinking milk is important because the lack of sun makes people depressed. A few years ago in August the sun didn't show for nearly the entire month. Just be aware. The nicest weather is in the summer and fall when school starts, with the rainy season beginning I would say in mid to late November and going on through to April or so.
The school's strength seems to be on the natural sciences. The school boasts the nation's only undergraduate research vessel (I went on it for my intro Oceanography class), and as well people know the school for it's forestry department. Apart from the natural sciences the school also apparently does well in the art department. However, I have nothing to do with the art department and so can't really comment on that.
There are a lot of clubs on campus, but interestingly there is no club specific for my major (environmental science). There are however many clubs and intramural clubs on campus, and if you looked I'm sure you'd be able to find something that interested you. Club day is a few weeks after the start of each semester. If you don't see a club you like you can start your own. Also, if you live on campus you can participate in the living area councils and plan events/things to do for your living area.
Minimal on campus. Occasionally you'll see the Greeks tabling, but I think that the entire Greek population of the school numbers only a few dozen.
During this past year at Humboldt there were a few incidents, and the campus police were on the scene almost immediately. While the surrounding community has a problem with homelessness (don't go walking by yourself at night with dollar bills sticking out of your pocket), I feel that the campus itself is pretty safe. But you still have to be careful, of course. I had my locked bike stolen from right in front of the library.