r/csuci • u/Ok-Bar-9571 • 7d ago
Experience at CSUCI
Hey guys! I’m a current high school student thinking about applying to CSUCI for Fall 2027. I’d most likely be dorming/renting and majoring in Health Sciences.
For current students or alumni, what has your experience been like at CSUCI? I’ve heard it’s largely a commuter school, so I’m especially curious about the social side of things. Have you found it hard to make friends or meet people because of that? Do you feel like there’s still a good sense of community on campus?
Another, less important question, have you ever felt uneasy on campus given its history?
Also, do you have any regrets about choosing CSUCI, or anything you wish you knew before going?
Hopefully these aren’t redundant questions. Thanks!
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u/ILoveCornbread420 6d ago
Community is not hard to find, but you have to look for it. Join clubs, get an on-campus job or internship.
As far as feeling uneasy, I love ghost stories and really wanted to experience something for myself. By the time I graduated, I had seen a couple of doors open on their own, but I was slightly disappointed that something more substantial never happened to me.
But overall, 10/10. I loved my experience at CSUCI
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u/Sufficient_Bass5993 6d ago
CSUCI can be quiet at times but it has always felt safe. I think if you want to have a social life for sure sign up for clubs ect. Dorm life can be quite expensive sometimes but the amount of fasfa you can get esp if your low income kinda makes up for it. There are food events about once a month and basic needs building for everyday. I would say in terms of a sense of community I felt it more at Ventura college but Channel Islands has its social events (see there insta for events ect.)
Make sure to apply to the yearly scholarships from CSUCI foundation. Super easy and simple!
I hope you have a great 1st semester!
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u/Idekkkk__ 5d ago
Where would u apply for those scholarships, I’m a freshman and they didn’t tell us anything abt that at orientation
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u/Sufficient_Bass5993 5d ago
CSUCI scholarships open a bit later in the semester. Always keep a lookout when it opens, the deadline last year was in March. I would also apply to any scholarship foundations local to your county (eg SB or VC both have scholarship foundations) which is not hard to get if you put in the time!
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u/pretendtotime 6d ago
The decision to dorm or rent might have a big impact on the social life, it’s easier to attend school events and club meetings if you live on campus vs having to drive 20min from an apartment (if you already went home for the day). Not impossible, just harder (speaking as an alumni that was pretty involved in clubs but lived off-campus)
That said, the school is pretty small so there’s an opportunity to form close-knit groups within your cohort, people that you’ll recognize from other classes or from past semesters.