Ahmad AlbawayahSan Jose State UniversityMajor: Aviation
After graduation from Hillsdale High School, I decided to attend CSM to finish my general education as soon as possible and at the lowest cost. With the support of the CSM staff and Transfer Services, I earned an associate degree in social science and was able to transfer to San Jose State University as a junior. CSM motivated me to work hard to accomplish my dreams and helped to shape the person that I aspire to be in the future. Throughout the two years that I spent at CSM, I have come closer to attaining my goal of getting a college education which is the perfect and most valuable gift for my family and me; it will be the key to an extraordinary life.
Luis Carlos AlvarezStanford UniversityMajor: Astrophysics
Luis Carlos initially attended CSM as a Middle College student in his junior year of high school because he needed more academic stimulation than regular high schools offered. By graduating, he became the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. He decided that his best course of action would be to continue to attend CSM as a college student with the goal of transferring. As an astrophysics major, he needed great resources like the Math Resource Center, the Integrated Science Center, and the Learning Center on campus to aid him in his studies. With so much aid, wonderful professors, and a supportive administration, CSM became the place he grew academically, intellectually, and personally. Thanks to his astronomy professors at CSM, who are collaborators in the San Mateo Arctic Research Telescope (SMART) Project, he received an internship in the Arctic Circle with the Haughton-Mars Project and NASA through CSM. This experience helped me establish a firm foundation for my studies at CSM and eventually Stanford University. He recommends that prospective students take advantage of the tremendous resources offered at CSM, such as the transfer services, financial aid, admissions, counseling, and the host of centers for studying; all have been pivotal to his success and satisfaction at CSM. At Stanford University, Luis will engage in physics, math, astronomy, and computer programming classes that will increase his understanding of astrophysics; he hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in the area and lead research concerning extra-solar planets -- planets outside our solar system. Luis says that, "CSM laid the foundation for my success; if you work hard, study hard and thrive here, I guarantee it can do the same for you."
Luis Carlos initially attended CSM as a Middle College student in his junior year of high school because he needed more academic stimulation than regular high schools offered. By graduating, he became the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. He decided that his best course of action would be to continue to attend CSM as a college student with the goal of transferring. As an astrophysics major, he needed great resources like the Math Resource Center, the Integrated Science Center, and the Learning Center on campus to aid him in his studies. With so much aid, wonderful professors, and a supportive administration, CSM became the place he grew academically, intellectually, and personally. Thanks to his astronomy professors at CSM, who are collaborators in the San Mateo Arctic Research Telescope (SMART) Project, he received an internship in the Arctic Circle with the Haughton-Mars Project and NASA through CSM. This experience helped me establish a firm foundation for my studies at CSM and eventually Stanford University. He recommends that prospective students take advantage of the tremendous resources offered at CSM, such as the transfer services, financial aid, admissions, counseling, and the host of centers for studying; all have been pivotal to his success and satisfaction at CSM. At Stanford University, Luis will engage in physics, math, astronomy, and computer programming classes that will increase his understanding of astrophysics; he hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in the area and lead research concerning extra-solar planets -- planets outside our solar system. Luis says that, "CSM laid the foundation for my success; if you work hard, study hard and thrive here, I guarantee it can do the same for you."
Victoria AndersonU.C. Davis
Communications Major
Victoria Anderson fulfilled her goal of attending a university after high school graduation. However, the path to college for the Notre Dame High School graduate wasn't as straight forward as planned. After a year at a State university campus, and despite doing well in her classes, Victoria realized that she wasn't ready to make that big step as a college freshman. She decided to return home and attend CSM for her sophomore year. In doing so, Victoria became one of a growing number of reverse transfer students – students who begin their college education at universities and transfer to community colleges. "Although some people criticized my decision, I enrolled at CSM with a positive attitude and the mindset that I would work hard and earn the grades I needed to get into the UC campus of my choice. I also needed some time to figure out a major and where I wanted to transfer," says Victoria.
"CSM opened doors for me to succeed. I benefited greatly from the college's counseling services. I met regularly with my counselor to make sure I was on the right path to transfer by the end of my sophomore year." Victoria also tapped into the resources offered by Transfer Services by attending workshops about transfer agreements and the application process, meeting with university representatives and attending the college’s transfer events. "I also met with my professors to make sure I understood the material presented in class. Classes were not university-size which gave me the chance to interact with my professors. These resources definitely made me a better student."
During her year at CSM, Victoria felt that the college gave her the opportunity to grow as an individual and prepare her for the next step. "For the first time in my life, I looked forward to going to school. My professors were amazing – they had passion for their subjects and they truly wanted their students to succeed. One particular class where I learned valuable life lessons was 'Introduction to Ethnic Studies' taught by Rudy Ramirez. The material he presented was very meaningful because I learned so much about myself. Rudy's class has had a lasting impact on me."
Victoria discovered that another advantage of attending CSM was the ability to develop bonds with professors and classmates, an experience that she didn’t find at the university level. She also learned that by going to CSM and completing all lower division transfer requirements, she had a broader selection of universities to choose from than she did right out of high school. Following a very successful year at CSM, Victoria transferred to U.C. Davis in fall 2012 as a communications major. "I'm so glad I came home and attended CSM because it helped me in so many ways. Most importantly CSM helped me to reevaluate my life, decide on a major that better suited my strengths, and select a university that is a good fit for me. I'm definitely ready for the next step in my education."
Gizem BasarUC DavisMajor: International Relations
I chose to attend CSM because my parents and I decided that attending a community college for my general education was the best decision for me financially. I also did not mind staying home for a couple more years to truly learn more about myself before I moved out. At first it was difficult to get used to the idea of still being home when most people I knew were going away to college. When I look back, I know I made the right decision by attending a community college. My goal was to figure out what I wanted to study. I started CSM as a biology major and now I am transferring as an international relations major; and I changed my major many times in between. Because I was at a community college, I had the luxury of learning about different subjects and careers until I found what was right for me. I also joined the Transfer Club and Alpha Gamma Sigma to meet other students like myself. I have gained a lot at CSM and am thankful to have had three great years with the most amazing professors on campus.
I chose to attend CSM because my parents and I decided that attending a community college for my general education was the best decision for me financially. I also did not mind staying home for a couple more years to truly learn more about myself before I moved out. At first it was difficult to get used to the idea of still being home when most people I knew were going away to college. When I look back, I know I made the right decision by attending a community college. My goal was to figure out what I wanted to study. I started CSM as a biology major and now I am transferring as an international relations major; and I changed my major many times in between. Because I was at a community college, I had the luxury of learning about different subjects and careers until I found what was right for me. I also joined the Transfer Club and Alpha Gamma Sigma to meet other students like myself. I have gained a lot at CSM and am thankful to have had three great years with the most amazing professors on campus.
Jamielyn GamboaUniversity of San FranciscoMajor: Nursing
The experiences and memories made as a student here at CSM were priceless! I am equipped, excited, and educated because of the countless resources made available to ALL students. Despite being nervous about attending college for the first time at age 38, I was quickly put at ease by fellow students and faculty. My longtime dream of getting into a nursing program has become a reality due to caring professors who believed in my vision to make a difference. Taking career classes prepared me for productive counseling sessions, and better planning in choosing classes. I plan to receive my BSN from USF and specialize in pediatric orthopaedics, which will prepare me to travel abroad for missions. CSM offers a convenient location, affordable cost, and a quality education. Every student can have their own success story at CSM—they just have to try!
The experiences and memories made as a student here at CSM were priceless! I am equipped, excited, and educated because of the countless resources made available to ALL students. Despite being nervous about attending college for the first time at age 38, I was quickly put at ease by fellow students and faculty. My longtime dream of getting into a nursing program has become a reality due to caring professors who believed in my vision to make a difference. Taking career classes prepared me for productive counseling sessions, and better planning in choosing classes. I plan to receive my BSN from USF and specialize in pediatric orthopaedics, which will prepare me to travel abroad for missions. CSM offers a convenient location, affordable cost, and a quality education. Every student can have their own success story at CSM—they just have to try!
Justin HoffmanUC BerkeleyMajor: Political Economy
My advice for being a successful transfer student at CSM can be summed up in two words: Mike Mitchell. He's the coordinator of Transfer Services and will be able to help you prepare to transfer to a university. Beyond that, meet with a counselor and prepare a Student Education Plan in order to get priority registration; attend UC/CSU application and personal statement workshops sponsored by Transfer Services. Within the first couple of semesters, decide two things: a major and your top university choices for your major. Join Student Government, honors societies (Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Gamma Sigma) and enroll in honor-level classes in order to surround yourself with a supportive, ambitious peer group and develop your leadership/communication skills. Don't rely on others to do everything for you—instead, learn how everything works as soon as possible, and take full responsibility for your actions/inactions. Meeting with the university representatives can open up vast opportunities. Be stubbornly proactive—and precise—about transferring to a university.
My advice for being a successful transfer student at CSM can be summed up in two words: Mike Mitchell. He's the coordinator of Transfer Services and will be able to help you prepare to transfer to a university. Beyond that, meet with a counselor and prepare a Student Education Plan in order to get priority registration; attend UC/CSU application and personal statement workshops sponsored by Transfer Services. Within the first couple of semesters, decide two things: a major and your top university choices for your major. Join Student Government, honors societies (Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Gamma Sigma) and enroll in honor-level classes in order to surround yourself with a supportive, ambitious peer group and develop your leadership/communication skills. Don't rely on others to do everything for you—instead, learn how everything works as soon as possible, and take full responsibility for your actions/inactions. Meeting with the university representatives can open up vast opportunities. Be stubbornly proactive—and precise—about transferring to a university.
Emmeline WongUC BerkeleyMajor: Business Administration
As a Chinese student who came to the United States after completing high school in Peru, I chose CSM because of its flexibility and efficiency in placing students into classes that fit them the best. It was, indeed, a wise decision: CSM has helped me transfer to my dream school, U.C. Berkeley's Haas School of Business. What makes CSM wonderful is its connection with local firms and professionals that makes it possible for enriching workshops, informational sessions, and career fairs to take place on campus. Also, as a member of the Associated Students of CSM, I learned a lot about politics and organizational skills. Similarly, as an active member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, I applied my knowledge to research-based projects and was able to attend international conventions with over 3,500 delegates from around the world. All of these experiences contributed to being admitted to my first choice university and receiving scholarships. Most importantly, CSM's caring staff members and counselors ALWAYS put their heart out there for students. CSM is my home, and I am blessed for being part of this family.
As a Chinese student who came to the United States after completing high school in Peru, I chose CSM because of its flexibility and efficiency in placing students into classes that fit them the best. It was, indeed, a wise decision: CSM has helped me transfer to my dream school, U.C. Berkeley's Haas School of Business. What makes CSM wonderful is its connection with local firms and professionals that makes it possible for enriching workshops, informational sessions, and career fairs to take place on campus. Also, as a member of the Associated Students of CSM, I learned a lot about politics and organizational skills. Similarly, as an active member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, I applied my knowledge to research-based projects and was able to attend international conventions with over 3,500 delegates from around the world. All of these experiences contributed to being admitted to my first choice university and receiving scholarships. Most importantly, CSM's caring staff members and counselors ALWAYS put their heart out there for students. CSM is my home, and I am blessed for being part of this family.
