Student Experience at College of San Mateo
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Student Experience


Michelle Pena
Michelle Pena UCLA, Psychobiology I came to the U.S during my last year of high school at the time of college applications. Unfortunately, my options were limited since I was not as prepared as other students (for example taken AP and IB classes). They had prepared for four-years to attend the college of their dreams and I wanted to have that option as well. Therefore, I decided to enroll at College of San Mateo with high hopes and with a new start for my educational path. Coming to CSM has been the correct choice because it has allowed me to find a major I love (I changed my major three times).
Casey Cheng
Casey Cheng Indiana University-Bloomington, Fashion Merchandising/Advertising When I was in high school I always speculated what I wanted to do after graduation, I never really put much thought into it. However, the time came where I needed to make a decision. I graduated during the peak months of covid, so the most reasonable choice I made for myself was to attend CSM. I didn’t want to move to an area I was unfamiliar with during a nationwide lockdown; so I planned to attend CSM for two years then transfer.
Alani Frias
Alani Frias San Diego State University, Graphic Design Emphasis, Applied Arts and Sciences Attending CSM has given me the opportunity to improve my academic and professional life. My goals to achieve at CSM was to find a major I was passionate about and become a competitive applicant to transfer to a four year institution. By using all of the resources offered I was able to develop my leadership skills, learn the transfer pathways, earn financial aid, and make lifelong connections.
Anna Diaz
Anna Diaz UC Berkeley, Legal Studies and Public Policy I decided to attend CSM after not establishing a distinct path to pursue after graduating high school. During this time, I felt I needed the opportunity and time to explore my interests and build academic skills. When I started at CSM, my goals were to get involved on campus, explore different fields, and work to find balance between my academic and work life. I was able to meet these goals by getting involved at Transfer Club as a member and the President, working as an Academic Tutor at the Learning Center, and taking classes from different majors I considered.
Jenna Heath
Jenna Heath UC Davis, Communications I decided to attend CSM because I could not afford to attend a four-year institution at the end of my senior year in high school. While at CSM, I utilized the Counseling Department and my job as a student ambassador, which both helped contribute to my success as a student. They each gave me resources, experiences working with incredible facilities, tips on how to apply for college, and gained so much during my time. What I was most surprised to experience was how much I would love CSM.
Anthony Frangos
Anthony Frangos UC Berkeley, Economics CSM was the best path I could have taken straight out of high school. I was very unfocused in high school, and wasn’t prepared for a university. CSM was a great place and opportunity to develop myself academically and professionally. I met with my counselor and utilized the Math Resource and Writing Centers, which helped me succeed in my coursework.
Nela Kusalo
Nela Kusalo USC, Business Administration Looking back, choosing CSM was the best decision I made. Being denied admission to my top school in high school, I thought my life was over. The extra two years at home while attending CSM, allowed me to mature and discover what I wanted to do with myself. My focus, determination, and CSM resources allowed me to transfer in exactly 2 years to USC.
Tara Ebrahimpour
Tara Ebrahimpour San Jose State University, Psychology Tara Ebrahimpour spent three years as a CSM student and graduated in May 2019 with an AA-T in psychology. While at CSM, Tara worked at the bookstore/coffee shop and was very involved on campus, including participating in many clubs.
Ashneel Pratap
Ashneel Pratap UC Berkeley, Economics When I first became a student at CSM I realized that I was lost - lost in terms of I didn’t really know what I wanted to study. I had random preferences/hankering for certain academic disciplines, but I genuinely had no idea.
Nancy Madriz
Nancy Madriz CSU Long Beach, Business Administration After dropping out of CSM and serving in the Marine Corps, I returned in pursuit of an education that I formerly believed I was not designed for. I developed a genuine curiosity about education that drove me to attain the kind of academic achievements I once doubted.
Richael Young
Richael Young University of Illinois, Environmental Engineering Richael Young never wanted to be an entrepreneur. Growing up, she saw firsthand the struggles her self-employed parents often faced. From swings in revenue to never being able to take a day off, running their business was challenging. Richael knew that her path would be different because she wanted more stability in her career. But things didn’t work out quite as she expected.
Divi Kumar
Divi Kumar UC Berkeley, Engineering “After I graduated from South San Francisco High School, I wanted to attend CSM so that I could sharpen my fundamentals and learn how to be a good student,” says Divi Kumar, a CSM alumnus. “I didn’t have the opportunity to attend a four-year university straight out of high school, so I decided that I would transfer instead.”
Stephen McReynolds
Stephen McReynolds Stanford University, Management Science and Engineering Stephen McReynolds was 12 years old when the United States was attacked on 9/11. “I grew up watching news coverage of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and I felt like I needed to do my part,” he says. Stephen enlisted in the United States Marine Corps a year after high school and began his service when he was 19. He served as an infantryman for six years, with tours of duty in Afghanistan and the Pacific.
Sally Zhao
Sally Zhao UC Davis, Computer Science I chose to attend CSM, after I didn’t receive admission into my university of choice. Once I got to CSM, I chose Computer Science, a major that I was interested in, thus straying from the medical career my parents encouraged me to follow. I knew I wanted to complete the required classes for my major within only two years, so I struggled as they were more challenging. I constantly sought for help, which was something I was reluctant to do in high school.
Niloufar Mansooralavi
Niloufar Mansooralavi UC Davis, Biology In my three years of attending CSM, I have met many talented and kind people. I initially wanted to go straight to a four-year university after high school, but, I wasn’t able to, due to financial need. However, I’m thankful for attending, and being able to depend on, CSM.
Neel Ajit Joshi
Neel Ajit Joshi UCLA, Business Economics When I first came to CSM, I was completely new to this country as I had just moved from India. I was scared, nervous and, most importantly, I wanted to fit in with my new surroundings. After my initial summer semester, I began to feel much more at ease, thanks to CSM’s diverse and welcoming culture.
Clibe Willkom
Clibe Willkom UC Davis, Economics I was reluctant to get involved with student life once I began to attend CSM; but, I soon realized that I wanted to network with and meet students whom shared interests with me. I joined the Business Club and the Transfer Club to learn more about majors I was interested in, such as Business and Economics.
James Howard
James Howard College of San Mateo, A.A., Social Science Veterans Outreach Specialist James Howard applies what he learned in classes at CSM to his work for the Department of Veterans Affairs on a daily basis. Equipped with a degree from CSM and major life experiences, James was able to fulfill his career goal of helping his fellow veterans. Soon after graduating from Aragon High School in 2001, James enrolled at Cañada College; however, within two weeks, his education was promptly disrupted by the events of 9-11. By October 2011, James enlisted in the U.S. Navy and began the first of two tours of duty which would take him to the Asian Pacific and the Persian Gulf. Following his honorable discharge, James decided to put his newly acquired veteran benefits to use and continue his education, this time at College of San Mateo.
Sarah Lowe
Sarah Lowe UC Davis, Biology I loved my experience at CSM,” says Sarah Lowe, who first stepped foot on CSM’s campus as a concurrently enrolled high school student. By the time she graduated from Mills High school, she had already earned eight units of college credit and completed several college requirements. Her decision to continue at CSM as a transfer student was easy. “CSM has a great atmosphere and the people are so nice! Because I was familiar with the college and understood what professors expected, I knew attending CSM and transferring to a university was the right path for me.
Gabriel Denham
Gabriel Denham Columbia University, Economics & Mathematics Gabriel Denham's journey to college was anything but traditional. After attending four different high schools, he came to the conclusion that school just wasn't for him. In his junior year, Gabriel left school, took the state proficiency exam and earned his GED. At age 17 and out of school, he never considered going to college. Instead, Gabriel spent 10 years in the workforce employed at various jobs and gaining life experience. After being sidelined from work due to illness, he reconsidered education.

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