Reviews

I had a great orientation group my freshman year which taught me all the ins and outs of this place. The teachers here seem to have a real passion for their subject area. They're always available during their office hours and attempt to make their material as interesting as possible (I hated political science until I took Goldstein's class-brilliant!). Programs such as Learning Alliance and the Writers Resource Center (tutoring/advising centers) aid me with homework material and study advice.

I enjoy CSULB. The students are all pretty chill (for lack of better terms) and there are many diverse food venues. Every Wednesday at noon bands play near the Union Center. There are movie screenings every two weeks and a Student Rec. and Wellness Center will be finished in fall 2010 (rock climbing wall, beach vollyball courts, yoga/fitness classes, pool, indoor track, workout machines, juice bar... yata yata). Plus its close to the beach and downtown Long Beach where there is always something going on.

YES! despite the economic status and budget cuts AND rise in tuition everywhere, it is still one of the least expensive universities in California. The campus is still running many programs which have a big outreach for students (psychological services, scholarship center, career development center, student support service program, student life and development, women's resource center intramural sports and wellness and associated students inc.) Plus they offer book rentals which make accessing GE books cheep and easy.

This really is a commuter campus, so the parking sucks. Get dropped off, or take public transportation (city bus free with student ID!) the first week of class. If you live on campus, there's a dandy shuttle system which makes it easy to get around campus. Prospective high school seniors: Apply to the Learning Alliance program- personal councilor for classes, support program and their own lounge. They have helped me through my college course planning and are extremely knowledgeable about the campus staff and classes.

So Cal residents who want to save money by living at home but still want to go to an awesome university, out of state students who loath where they live (b/c of weather and/or location) and want to experience living in sunny Orange County/LA County.

Most of the professors I have had are genuinely interested in seeing you succeed and pass their class while enjoying it! The more professors interact with classes and strive to make it bearable through lectures, the more you'll find yourself listening AND learning! You will surprise yourself with your ability to listen and understand and maybe even enjoy :)

About 90% of the students at CSULB are commuters which means they all live in LB or within driving distance. Coming from a town 10 hours away means that connecting and adapting is a lot harder because no one else is really on the same page as you. They have their lives, homes, families, friends, and childhood memories. They don't feel the need to connect or make friends like someone who has nothing or no one within a days drive

Having a car is a really great thing unless your in the dorms. Living off campus is a lot more fun, but VERY ridiculously expensive! You will need a room mate AND a steady pay check! You wont want to ride your bike or walk really that much at all during summer because you will be dripping with sweat by the time you get to class. Some winters it rains like crazy so think about transport or wardrobes! If you are into a laid back beach town and a fun VERY social campus then its a great University!

Extroverts, Surfers, Artsy- people, Partiers, and Socialites.

You will not believe what you will learn inside and outside of the classroom. From the college learning you will find out a lot about yourself.

It is such a friendly environment. If you are coming to this school and leaving many friends behind you will make a ton of friends quickly. If you are coming to this school with your high school friends, then get ready to mack more friends as well. The school population is so diverse you are sure to find a friend. There are plenty of organizations and clubs to join that help enrich and support your learning.

There is an economic dilemma in California but CSULB, or The Beach as we call it, is still the most affordable CSU in the system. Going to school as a commuter student is extremely affordable. If you live in the dorms as an in state or out of state student you will have to pay more but all of my friends that face this situation say that it is well worth it. Also, with our school being the most affordable in the CSU system we have an assortment of academic and personal support systems

Understand your work habits. If you need time to do your work do not heavily pack your schedule. Remember you can take summer school to get your units if you want to still try and graduate in four to five years. Also, make sure that you pay attention to how you schedule your classes so that you do not have to travel from one side of campus to the other side in fifteen minutes. It is not possible because of how big the campus is.

Long Beach State is perfect for those who: love to go to the beach, are looking for a home away from home, improve their cultural awareness, who enjoy a social environment.

California State University has provided me with the appropriate skills to pursue my graduate studies in Europe. This excellent university holds a large number of influential educators that have supported me throughout my undergraduate studies. Personally, I feel fortunate to have graduated from this university with the best of memories.

For future students who are planning to attend California State University Long Beach I advice them to think twice about what they are planning to study. It took me approximately two semesters to realize that Journalism was not the right major for me. If students come to this University not knowing exactly what they want to study, I would say to not worry and take time in figuring it out. Attend lectures that you think might be interesting; take courses that you would never imagine taking, talk to advisers from different departments about their programs, etc. Do not be afraid to take risks.
Make lasting relationships with professors is another significant tip that I would give future students. During my first year at California State University Long Beach I attended lectures but never made conversation with the professors. During the last three years I noticed that being not only a student in the professors classroom but being a friend benefited me immensely. I have received wonderful recognition letters, recommendation letters and advice from professors because of the lasting friendships. I would advice students to not be afraid to talk to the professor and attend their office hours, ask questions, ask for advice, and even strike up a random conversation.

It is not a surprise that, California State University Long Beach, one of the best Universities in southern California asks for nothing but the best from the students attending and applying. The university highly values educational opportunity, excellence, diversity, integrity, and service. Noted as one of the nations 50 Best Value public universities by the Princeton Review, it become evident that one can attend the university and receive a highly valued degree. I give my university five golden starts for their excellent work in educating students for more than fifty years.

Although I never lived in the dorms at my University, the housing and residential life is an excellent way to meet people and explore the sunny city of Long Beach. Equipped with 18 residence hall buildings that can house more that 2,000 students, it provides students with the opportunity to be close to campus and the chance to feel at home. During the four years that I was attending California State University Long Beach, I lived outside of campus at an apartment with two roommates. I was given the chance to apply and live in the dorms but registered after the submission date. It is important to consider the prices and registration dates to live in the dorms before the semester begins; living in the dorms is popular in the University, especially among first years, and is crucial to learn more about living in a dorm before registering. I give the dorm life at my university four stars for the excellent safety precautions that they follow to keep all students safe.

The food and dining services at California State University Long Beach provide students with an excellent variety of places to eat at. The Nugget Grill and Pub, located near the Bookstore, is an excellent restaurant that offers popular sport games on a big screen television for all students, it has the best turkey burger and provides students with the perfect social ambiance. During the 2010 FIFA world cup, student flocked The Nugget to watch Spain and Netherlands fight for the gold cup. Then there is The Outpost, a delicious restaurant to attend if you need to grab a quick bite before class. Located near the Engineering and Journalism buildings, it provides students with affordable fast food such as pizza, sandwiches and salad. Adjacent to the Outpost is a small convenient store that has all the necessities a student needs such as food, refreshments, scantrons, pencils, pens, paper, etc.

A favorite coffee shop among all students is Starbucks, which is located in the library. Known as one of the best coffee shops around the world, it serves all the students at my university who need a quick wake up before class or even after a long day of studying. Affordable coffee for coffee lover and addicts, it is definitely one of the best places to grab a delicious coffee on campus. I give my university five stars because of the affordable prices, delicious food, and excellent services.

There is always something entertaining to do at California State University Long Beach. If it is a hot day, students can go swimming at the Student Union's pool, can go for a quick run on campus, or even cool off at the Student Union's bowling alley. The beautiful Art Museum is available all semester for the students to go and observe, the Recreation Center is the perfect place for students to work out and catch up with friends, and, a personal favorite, upper campus in the Central Quad where students lay on the grass and absorb some sun. My university is known as a commuter school but is heavily equipped with student events such as movie nights, concerts, benefits, fairs, etc. for all students to enjoy throughout the school year.

The value of education is priceless. Having the opportunity to study at an excellent University, I noted that the price was not cheap. However, considering the value of my degree, the cost that I spent to attend the school is insignificant. The university has provided me with skills that I can take with me for the rest of my life; skills that I can apply to anything that I want to pursue. The tuition, if a student is registered for more than 7 units, is a total of $2,985.00 per semester. If a student is attending the university for a graduate program the cost is a bit higher. Clearly, the prices are rising but so is the demand for educated people all around the globe. Knowledge is priceless; one cannot put value on education and should not avoid school because of the cost. Clearly, all schools, no matter the cost to attend, will help any student in need. I give my university four stars because although the cost is increasing every year, it continues to assist all students wanting to attend but are having issues paying.

Located upper campus next to the Hall of Science is the famous 4.0 hill. All students in desperate need of straight A's are told to barrel down the hill in the beginning of the semester to actually achieve such an accomplishment. A tradition that many claim is true, it is a popular event that occurs at the beginning of every semester among many students at California State University Long Beach.

The Learning Assistance Center, located in the Horn Center, is a wonderful place to get tutored and/or be a tutor. This tutoring center provides students with assistance such as individual tutoring, group tutoring and even learning skills workshops. Subjects such as Spanish, Philosophy, English, Math, Science, etc are available for all students struggling in such classes. ESL students who need to pass English proficiency exams are also welcomed in the center and are given the chance to request an individual tutor for the whole semester at no cost. This center is perfect for any student that wants to improve in their class or to receive assistance in English.

The Spanish club held by the Spanish department is a wonderful club that meets the first Friday of every month for an hour in the afternoon. Discussing literature, authors, politics, etc., they form a tight community of students studying the beautiful romance language. Students of any major are welcomed to attend the meetings and become part of the club; students do not even have to speak the language to become part of the club. The club hosts movie nights that show classic Spanish films from Latin America and Europe, they support local artists and host theater acts for the students on campus. Last week, the Spanish club hosted a play about Frida Kahlo's life.

Clubs at the university are diverse and continue to grow every year. Students are eager to form their own small community and constantly advertise their club for all students to attend. California State University Long Beach holds a large number of clubs that will continue to represent the university as an excellent school. I give clubs and activities at my university four stars for their excellent effort in representing the diverse students at the university.

The Greek life at California State University Long Beach is significantly diverse and is constantly flourishing. Although I have no personal experience in a sorority and have never affiliated myself in a sorority, I have great friends that are in one and love it. Similar to living in the dorms, you meet people that you will consider family. Students in sororities or fraternities attend educational events, host events of their own, focus on a specific cause, etc. Students in sororities or fraternities are acknowledged for their academics, leadership, and community service.

Campus safety is excellent on campus, which is why I give the school five stars. Campus police is constantly concerned about the students safety day and night. Emergency alarms are set up all around campus for students to use if they are ever in danger. If an event occurs, all students are immediately emailed about the event; text messages are also used by the campus to inform all students of an event. During the late hours, campus police offers students with rides to the parking lots. Since the parking structures are far from the major buildings, the campus police takes the students to their cars and makes sure that they make it safely to their car. On a Friday night during finals week I stayed at the library late; I was nervous of walking alone at night so I called campus police to have someone walk me to my car. Campus safety at my university is excellent and it continues to improve throughout the year.

This college not only offers a variety of classes, it is a great place to know what your strengths and weaknesses are. The professors are very friendly, helpful, and intellectual. The campus offers many places to study, and has a variety of computer labs and tutoring services. Every professor teaches in their own way which allows students to have a diverse learning environment.

This campus is popular for its school pride and spirit. There are hundreds of clubs and extracurricular activities to join allowing you to make friends and feel comfortable. There are also many honor societies and fraternities that allows students to become more involved in volunteer work. CSULB is a great place for community service and education internships.

The only negative thing about this campus is its rediculously high tuition costs and textbook prices. The economy is really suffering, but the students in college are suffering more. It is expensive to go to any cal state, but Long Beach is really worth the cost. You get to enjoy the great classroom benefits, school activities and service learning.

For future students, I recommend you take few units because too many may overwhelm you. Join clubs and get involved because it looks great on your resume. Also, do great academically and study hard because the school honors high achieving students. Don't worry too much about the size of the school, but try to learn your shortcuts because it does get crowded.

Long Beach State is great for students that take education seriously because there are many opportunities to get ahead. It is wonderful for those that like getting involved and spending their time with other students. Everybody is really nice and welcoming which is good for those people that need to break free from their shyness. Long Beach is a great school and is good for anybody.

If you ever need additional help/questions, the professors are always there during their office hours

There are numerous clubs & organizations you can join where everyone is friendly (I LOVE CSULB PAC). If you don't live relatively close in the area, living in the dorms for the first couple of years makes it easier to meet people. It is also very convenient and very fun because you create close bonds.

Try to register for classes as early as possible; they are known to fill up quickly
During the last few weeks for finals, the library is open for 24 hours and the USU is open later.
At the beginning of fall semester, you should attend Week of Welcome to check out all of the clubs and Greek organizations.

Laid-back, chill, social, interactive, friendly

CSULB is the top Cal State, and for good reason too. The environment has none of that hectic vibe you might experience elsewhere. That's the beauty of CSULB, that you still have cool, challenging, rigorous classes and programs, but none of the stressful drama!

Always ask for help: never was I made fun of as a freshman for asking where things were, or how to get to them. Cal State Long Beach has a great sense of community, the feeling of we're all in this together. So ask for help, whether you're just looking around, trying to get a feel, or if you're on your way to your PoliSci 103 class. You'll get far at LB with a little help from one another.

Classes are accurate to how high they are in their division. For example 100 class is going to be a breeze compared to a 472 level class, so take that into consideration when picking classes. Professors are understanding at Long Beach, they get it that you have a million things to do, so they cut slack on assignments, but are absolutely fantastic at delivering material that is essential and accessible during lectures and discussions. They expect the best out of you, without overwhelming you too much.

CSULB can the unique ability to accommodate to the needs of Introverts and Extroverts alike. Depending on where you live on campus, it has the best of both worlds. If you want to have an ensured quiet place to study, make friends in the quiet dorms. Or if you're ready to take a break, go hangout with your pals at the not-so quiet dorms. You can also get involved within the Housing Senates, and get to know RAs really well, who set up activities and games to always keep things lively. After exams, of course!

The dining halls are all really new, and offer a variety of meals, so you're never really stuck eating the same thing all the time. I tried a Vietnamese soup called Pho for the first time at the dorms, and on a cold rainy day at school, it was so welcoming. They also provide different meal plans, like 10 meal a week plan (the cheapest) which is convenient for the people who go home on weekends. There's the block meal plan, for those who might have visitors over, and the 3 meals a day meal plan, which is the 19 meals a week plan. Those are best for people coming from hometowns that are far away.
The only problem is that the dining hall opens late on the weekends, which for me, and early-bird, was a little bit annoying, but nothing sleeping in couldn't fix!

The best part, I think, about CSULB, is the free public transportation. For those who aren't going to have cars their first year of college (like me) this is a great way to explore Long Beach. You basically have all of Long Beach at your disposal, a free bus ride away. No paying for gas! I recommend you get some friends, and take a bus to Shoreline Village to play in the arcade there, and win stuff! But that's only one of the many cool things in Long Beach. There are First Fridays, where in Downtown and the Shoreline, every first Friday of the month, one can go and enjoy free local music, arts and crafts, and free food samples! Allow me to emphasize that your transportation there is free!

CSULB was ranked #10 in the nation for how cheap it is, without depriving students of a quality education. The financial aid office is always ready for any questions, and there are lots of workshops to attend if you still have questions. Need I say more?

CSULB is also home to a Japanese Garden. If one is ever stressed and wants to go chill, you don't have to go far. One can visit the Japanese Garden and feed the koi fish there, while taking in the beautiful and relaxing scenery. There's also the University Art Museum, which has a different exhibition every semester, so you're always surprised if you go. Did I mention that these things are free?

CSULB is dynamic in that it offers excellence in its variety of programs. It has an outstanding art program, as well as a superb engineering programs. What I'm trying to say is that it has a little something extra for everyone. CSULB is that flexible for you, and that good. All one might have to do is ask, and do a little research on what they want out of their college experience.

There's a bunch of clubs on campus for people to get involved in, sports clubs, organizations for community service and the like! All you've got to do is go to Week of Welcome, which you'll know more info about if you attend. At Week of Welcome, all of the clubs are parked on the upper part of campus where they are all at your disposal to answer questions, and give you free goodies in the process!

I'm not part of Greek Life, but those of my friends who are, having nothing but good things to say about their Frats and Sororities. They speak highly of their brothers and sisters and ravish about the opportunities it gives them.

According to my tour guide during my Freshman Seminar, CSULB is the 7th safest campus in the nation. The nation. All of the US. Seventh. It's a pretty safe campus with lots of polls with buttons that call directly to campus police if you might feel unsafe, which would be rare. There is also a CSU Escort service to take you to your dorm if, say, you have a night class, and would feel safer if you're accompanied.

Not only you learn in class, but you'll learn things about life and social skills. College isn't only for the book smart but for the street smart too.

You have almost every group for every interest on campus.

It's better than the UC because we pay 1/4 of what they pay for a whole year. But you still have to find way to get a bargain for the books.

If you have a car and have to park at school, parking is usually a distance walk from all the classes in south campus, unless you have class in Engineering, Dance, Business building. If you're going to dorm here pick Residence or Los Cerritos dorm, they're the closest to the classes. Parkside is the furthest. I tell you the distances of these places because some professors are time sensitive about their class. Some wouldn't allow you to enter or turn in your work if you're late. I scootered my way from the parking lot to south campus and got there in 10 minutes. But do be warned of the slope division on north and south campus when trying to get to class.

Those who love to bike, to walk, to eat great food (there's lots of great places around and in school), to go the beach (only a few blocks from the beach), to be outdoors, and like smaller class enivornment (classes are max about 200 and min about <20)

This school requires a good amount of studying and focus, plus you'll be walking quite a bit from class to class. It has a laid back atmosphere, and the teachers are helpful. It's a very good value for the price.

Make sure to get your books used to save money.

You'll want to set aside a good amount of study time per day. The library is pretty quiet, so carve out a space there.

The dorms are a little bit small, but everyone is friendly.

They have a very good selection of different cuisines on campus.

Greek life is fun on campus. Make sure to at least join a club to complete your college experience.

You really do get a complete experience here. The school is enormous and there is so much to do in terms of sports and recreation.

This school is great for those that like a spread out school with a hugely diverse student populace.

Check out the business clubs.

The parties are intense and fun, but you might need a liver transplant afterwards.

Campus police are always around.

I have good professors who are organized and for the most part keep to their schedule. The professors will offer their free time out of class to willing make sure that you are learning the course material correctly. Most professors are understanding to the fact that you are freshmen and are adjusting to college life and the work load that comes with it. Some courses may be challenging, but you still learn a lot out of it.

I personally really like being at Cal State Long Beach. For the most part, people are really friendly. At the beginning of the semester, people will come sit at your table at breakfast, lunch, or dinner and begin to have a conversation with you. It's really not that hard making friends here. I love my group of friends and living on campus is definitely a plus. My closest groups of friends live on campus and we are always in each others' rooms doing homework or just hanging out. The campus is really large, but it's also really pretty with lots of trees. There's a beach about ten minutes away with a bus that can take you there. If you're worried about transportation, the city buses are free for all Cal State students. The Rec Center(the gym) is amazing and there's tons of different machines to use and work out on. They even have a rock climbing wall. They offer different free exercise classes for students to take.

The amount of money you spend for dorm and tuition is definitely worth it. The experiences you gain from attending Long Beach State makes it all worth while. The education you receive is worth the price of tuition. The memories you make and the friends you make definitely make it worth everything.

Make sure you look at the map before you enroll in your classes. The campus is large and you might get two classes right after the other that are no where close to one another. Some teachers are understanding, but others do get peeved when you come in late or if you leave class early. This is mostly a commuter school, so if you don't live anywhere close to the university be positive that you are okay by not going home for months at a time.

If you like a laid back environment then Long Beach State would be great for you. If you like the beach, then it's definitely great for you seeing as the beach is ten minutes away. Also if you like nice warm weather for the most part then this university would be great for you.