It’s been a long road, but coming to CSUDH was worth the drive.
I remember the first time I was told about CSUDH. It was four years ago—I was a senior sitting in the counselor’s office at my high school in Jurupa Valley, about 54 miles east of the university.
My plan was to attend a local community college, but my counselor advised me that CSUDH would be the better fit for what I wanted to do, which at the time was sports management. She said the school had a good business program, and I’d benefit from all the things a smaller Cal State had to offer: lower cost, smaller class sizes, and an easier transition from high school to college.
Truth be told, my counselor gave me some of the best advice I’ve ever received.
I had always dreamed of attending a Division I university in California, but coming to Dominguez Hills proved to be the right choice for me. I am grateful for the experience I’ve had over the past four years.
Everything my counselor said about this place was right. I’m not saying it’s perfect, but I’ve benefited from all the qualities that make this campus special.
The transition to CSUDH was pretty easy. For an 18-year-old kid from a rural town like Jurupa Valley, going to a university in Carson was a big change and a big step in my life. CSUDH welcomed me with open arms, and everyone I encountered on campus wanted the best for me and offered help in any way they could.
Being a first-generation college student, I didn’t have guidance or advice on attending college. It was always a dream of mine and I wanted to break the barrier for my family.
For that barrier to be broken at CSUDH, even though it wasn’t my initial plan, feels like the best possible outcome. It’s a perfect university for students like me, and I speak very highly of the university to all my peers and family.
Growing up, I remember seeing movies and TV shows of people going to big-time colleges, surrounded by thousands of other students. It looked like college was its own city, and I always wondered if that would be my experience.
At CSUDH, enrollment is quite a bit smaller than at most Division I universities. With fewer students, it becomes easier to build relationships and network. I’ve developed some great relationships over my time here and will continue to.
The university does a great job communicating and providing resources for its students. I’ve always known what’s going on on campus, whether it’s events, networking opportunities, resource help, or important dates. Counseling has been amazing in my experience here, as staff and faculty have always given me their best for my success.
Tuition was the biggest concern and question on my mind when I began looking at where I wanted to go to college. Knowing I came from a lower-income background, community college was my first choice, as I knew I could still receive a college education at an affordable price.
This is where my counselor came in and opened me up to better options that were still cost-efficient.
Besides the fact that CSUDH was a perfect fit for me career wise, it also fit into my budget. Being one of the more affordable universities in the entire CSU system, and receiving Cal Grants for my four years, allowed me not to stress about future student debt. It’s even more comforting now, entering the job market, to know I won’t have that massive burden of student debt on my shoulders.
CSUDH has been going through a lot recently. With ongoing budget cuts, the resignation of the university president, and many undergraduate programs in jeopardy, the road ahead looks steep.
But behind the chaos, there is still a lot of good in this university and its future.
The foundation of CSUDH is still strong, even as the university faces serious budget challenges. The people who make this campus what it is—its students, staff, faculty, and community—continue to show up with commitment and resilience. They are the heart and grit of this place, and that doesn’t disappear in difficult times.
At the end of the day, CSUDH has given me an incredible college experience—one I will forever cherish and be grateful for. I grew here both as a person and a student, and the experiences and lessons I’ve learned will always stay with me.
Is it tough right now for CSUDH? Yes, it is, but I would still encourage anyone to come here, become a Toro, and experience the benefits of a smaller Cal State.