Academics
One of the members of California’s noted state university system, Stanislaus “provides affordable education” that focuses on helping students prepare for their careers with a “professional, yet laid-back demeanor.” This is “a great environment to be a part of,” and the school “wants you to succeed, and they give you the info you need to succeed.” Many of the students here live nearby, and the in-state tuition offers “rigorous” academics and “a great place to meet mentors and learn different approaches to life.” Professors get mixed but mainly positive reviews; “some are excellent...go above and beyond,” and are “wonderful at helping the students as much as they can,” but others are just “fair,” and “some should not be teaching.” Registration could use some rejiggering; students say that the registration priority needs to change each semester, and the more popular departments could use “more of the same classes offered every semester, with multiple sections.” Still, for higher-level classes, “small class sizes where you are able to get a lot of help from professors” are a huge boon. Nursing and business are some of “the strongest subjects that come out of here,” and it is “very inexpensive for a fully accredited business degree” relative to many other schools. In developing well-prepared students, Stanislaus personnel are “attentive” on all fronts. “Very rarely are any of your classes taught by a graduate student or someone without a PhD,” says a student. The accessibility of departments and staff is “always very easy,” and “they are very informative with upcoming changes or events.” Job placement is a huge end goal for Stanislaus State, and “helping students (especially veterans) during these rough economic times is a priority at CSU Stanislaus.”
Student Body
Perhaps due to the focus on future careers here, students are “motivated and excited to be at school.” “I think we all know that with every class session we are that much closer to graduation,” says one. Because the campus is so small, “a big portion of the student life is also Greek.” Diversity is “rich” here, and there are “many different ethnicities and culture from all over.” Though everyone is friendly and “easygoing,” “typical students keep to themselves but does not hesitant to help another student if he or she asks for it,” but even those who want to “can fit in almost anywhere, as most groups found around campus are very accepting.”
Campus Life
Though Stan State offers “scenery as beautiful and varied as the students” and “awesome” weather, popular complaints are that “buildings need updating” and “there are too many geese on the grounds.” The university’s efforts to provide “a ton of organizations on campus” give the commuter students “a college experience like that of any other student living on campus.” “It’s nice that the school recognizes that we need a break sometimes and promote being a healthy individual, both mind and body,” says one student. Events are regularly held in the quad, “student-run shows [such] as dance-offs or karaoke,” and “music concerts are regularly held throughout the semesters, usually featuring guest artists or students.” Turlock is “not the biggest town,” but there is “easy access to the freeway,” and local events and great places “keep everyone occupied.” On campus, “there are lounges that you can play pool, darts, video games, etc.,” and “Greek life is well supported.” The many commuter students mean that resident community on campus is “small and tightly knit”; there are a fair number of nontraditional students here as well, and they have no problems getting by. “I am an older student, and life on campus is great; everybody accepts me as just another student working toward my degree,” one says.
Save School
