Review of California State University-Dominguez Hills
from Long Beach, CA
Describe your college in three sentences.
Dominguez, home of the Toros, is a great environment for learning. CSUDH has a very diverse student body full of people who are serious about their studies and who know how to have fun. The university has great faculty, unique extracurricular activities, strong academics and a beautiful aesthetic.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Future Toros, get to know your campus - the University Advisement Center, the Career Center, your major adviser - and the people who live and work here. These are very valuable resources for you. Check out the Health Center, get involved in extracurriculars such as free exercise classes, nutrition counseling, tutoring, clubs and organizations; make study buddies and use the computer labs or Wi-Fi on campus. The librarians are especially helpful if you need to do some research, and forging connections with your professors will help you to succeed as you study here, as well as provide you with references when it's time to apply to graduate schools.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Classes at Dominguez are not like classes you will take anywhere else. Students here are engaged, excited about learning, and passionate about their future careers. Professors have high standards, and students meet them. The focus is not so much on all the knowledge that is out there, as it is on what really works: practical solutions for a world in need. You will be challenged to think critically and collaborate with your fellow students while remaining focused on the things that matter.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
There are no dorms, but fully-furnished apartments instead. I did not stay in campus housing, but I have visited and the apartments are really good-quality, mostly doubles and triples. There are tennis courts in the complex as well as other amenities and activities. All this is located up the hill a bit, so it is at least a 7-minute walk from the buildings where classes are held.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There is no cafeteria - but campus dining has a lot of variety. Popular food outlets such as Taco Bell, A&W, Jamba Juice, Johnny's Pizza, Subway are located in the food court in the Student Union, as well as Tully's Coffee. There is also a coffeeshop on the main floor of the library, a sports lounge, and two convenience stores located in different buildings spread throughout the campus, as well as vending machines that sell everything from hot coffee to water to snacks and soft drinks. The convenience stores are equipped with microwaves that students can use for free.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
ToroProductions always has something great cooking - whether it's dance lessons, movie screenings, sports tournaments, arts and crafts, noontime concerts, Music Mondays... they are very creative and keep things happening on campus. The Multicultural Center and Associated Students Inc (ASI) also sponsor club sales, organize cultural events and provide educational and fun activities.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
We all know that tuition costs have been rising in public schools. Still, earning a degree at Dominguez is worth the money you shell out for tuition and books (hint: get your books online unless absolutely necessary to buy them at the campus bookstore - that place is better for Toro gear), not to mention the great experience that you take from your time here.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Most students are not aware that we have a Japanese Garden on campus, which is actually located in the middle of a building, or that there are rotating art exhibits in the library. We also have a Veteran Students Services office, a game room downstairs in the Student Union, and the Multicultural Center is a place where any student can relax with friends in a peaceful environment. The Anthropology lab has some neat specimens and plenty of books on various socio-cultural topics spanning the ages.
There are some hidden places on campus, such as private study rooms in different departments (you have to ask a faculty member to use them) which are stocked with curated books and artifacts.
Have fun exploring the nooks and crannies of the different buildings - trust me, there are plenty!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
CSUDH is for serious students who are respectful of others and passionate about learning. It's also a great place for people who are coming back to school while working, commuters, people with children (there is a Child Development Center that offers childcare to adult students), and people looking for a solid education in the sciences, education field (teacher credentialing is one of our most famous programs), technology, and the humanities. We're pretty well-rounded and our students are, too.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is always something going on at CSUDH. Though we might have fewer clubs than other schools - apart from the Greeks - the associations and organizations we have are dedicated in service and special interests. Many of our extracurricular organizations are chapters of nationally-organized professional and academic organizations, trade associations, and community partners such as Jumpstart. We also have ROTC on campus.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
The Greeks are ever-present at Dominguez Hills, making themselves known by their stylish ways of dressing, matching neckties or T-shirts, campaigning for good causes, running bake sales and coordinating special events.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
We have one of the lowest crime rates of any CSU campus. There is a police station on-campus with University Police patrolling constantly, and an escort service is available after dark for students who take night classes.
Dominguez, home of the Toros, is a great environment for learning. CSUDH has a very diverse student body full of people who are serious about their studies and who know how to have fun. The university has great faculty, unique extracurricular activities, strong academics and a beautiful aesthetic.
Future Toros, get to know your campus - the University Advisement Center, the Career Center, your major adviser - and the people who live and work here. These are very valuable resources for you. Check out the Health Center, get involved in extracurriculars such as free exercise classes, nutrition counseling, tutoring, clubs and organizations; make study buddies and use the computer labs or Wi-Fi on campus. The librarians are especially helpful if you need to do some research, and forging connections with your professors will help you to succeed as you study here, as well as provide you with references when it's time to apply to graduate schools.
Classes at Dominguez are not like classes you will take anywhere else. Students here are engaged, excited about learning, and passionate about their future careers. Professors have high standards, and students meet them. The focus is not so much on all the knowledge that is out there, as it is on what really works: practical solutions for a world in need. You will be challenged to think critically and collaborate with your fellow students while remaining focused on the things that matter.
There are no dorms, but fully-furnished apartments instead. I did not stay in campus housing, but I have visited and the apartments are really good-quality, mostly doubles and triples. There are tennis courts in the complex as well as other amenities and activities. All this is located up the hill a bit, so it is at least a 7-minute walk from the buildings where classes are held.
There is no cafeteria - but campus dining has a lot of variety. Popular food outlets such as Taco Bell, A&W, Jamba Juice, Johnny's Pizza, Subway are located in the food court in the Student Union, as well as Tully's Coffee. There is also a coffeeshop on the main floor of the library, a sports lounge, and two convenience stores located in different buildings spread throughout the campus, as well as vending machines that sell everything from hot coffee to water to snacks and soft drinks. The convenience stores are equipped with microwaves that students can use for free.
ToroProductions always has something great cooking - whether it's dance lessons, movie screenings, sports tournaments, arts and crafts, noontime concerts, Music Mondays... they are very creative and keep things happening on campus. The Multicultural Center and Associated Students Inc (ASI) also sponsor club sales, organize cultural events and provide educational and fun activities.
We all know that tuition costs have been rising in public schools. Still, earning a degree at Dominguez is worth the money you shell out for tuition and books (hint: get your books online unless absolutely necessary to buy them at the campus bookstore - that place is better for Toro gear), not to mention the great experience that you take from your time here.
Most students are not aware that we have a Japanese Garden on campus, which is actually located in the middle of a building, or that there are rotating art exhibits in the library. We also have a Veteran Students Services office, a game room downstairs in the Student Union, and the Multicultural Center is a place where any student can relax with friends in a peaceful environment. The Anthropology lab has some neat specimens and plenty of books on various socio-cultural topics spanning the ages. There are some hidden places on campus, such as private study rooms in different departments (you have to ask a faculty member to use them) which are stocked with curated books and artifacts. Have fun exploring the nooks and crannies of the different buildings - trust me, there are plenty!
CSUDH is for serious students who are respectful of others and passionate about learning. It's also a great place for people who are coming back to school while working, commuters, people with children (there is a Child Development Center that offers childcare to adult students), and people looking for a solid education in the sciences, education field (teacher credentialing is one of our most famous programs), technology, and the humanities. We're pretty well-rounded and our students are, too.
There is always something going on at CSUDH. Though we might have fewer clubs than other schools - apart from the Greeks - the associations and organizations we have are dedicated in service and special interests. Many of our extracurricular organizations are chapters of nationally-organized professional and academic organizations, trade associations, and community partners such as Jumpstart. We also have ROTC on campus.
The Greeks are ever-present at Dominguez Hills, making themselves known by their stylish ways of dressing, matching neckties or T-shirts, campaigning for good causes, running bake sales and coordinating special events.
We have one of the lowest crime rates of any CSU campus. There is a police station on-campus with University Police patrolling constantly, and an escort service is available after dark for students who take night classes.