California State University, Monterey Bay

Looking for a college where students are seen, supported, and actually thrive? Look no further than California State University, Monterey Bay. CSUMB is the perfect blend of academic rigor, personal attention, and stunning location. Nestled near the coast, it offers a peaceful, focused environment without the chaos of an overcrowded UC campus. Faculty here are accessible and invested in your success. You’re not lost in a sea of 500+ students in a lecture hall — you’re guided, mentored, and actually taught. The culture at CSUMB encourages innovation, leadership, and personal development. The campus is modern, the community is inclusive, and the programs — especially in environmental science, marine biology, and business — are forward-thinking and practical. CSUMB may be quiet in branding, but it’s loud in results. Now, let’s talk about UC Davis. If you’re looking for the so-called “elite” college experience — and by that, I mean crushing debt, cold bureaucracy, and soul-crushing competition — then be my guest. But let’s be honest: UC Davis is Stupid People Heaven. It’s where overhyped students go to drown in red tape and inflated egos. It’s the Winner Graveyard — the place where bright kids go in with ambition and come out exhausted, jaded, and underwhelmed. Fairness? Forget it. Favoritism runs rampant. Support is minimal. If you don’t immediately “click” into the system, you’re on your own. It’s a system designed to reward mediocrity that fits the mold — not talent that challenges it. UC Davis thrives on mediocrity. If your dream is to be just another number in a prestige trap, fine. But if you value substance over status, growth over grind, and sanity over stress — CSU Monterey Bay wins. Easily.

The freshman dorms are nice and each dorm room has it's own bathroom with a shower. The upper level housing (North Quad, Promontory, and East Campus) is also very nice with many options. The classes are small and the teachers try to learn everyone's name. The campus itself is quiet and laid back with most students taking trips to nearby beaches or nature reserves. The nearby city of Monterey is also known for its festivals and the aquarium. It is still a work in progress, but the future looks bright for this campus.

I'm specifically leaving this review about Victor Torres in the transfer admissions office. I called to withdraw my application for next semester and I almost wish I didn't. He was extremely helpful, very kind, and overall a wonderful person to talk to. He clearly enjoys his job and wants to do everything he can even for prospective students closing their application. Thank you for making my day better Victor!

This vending machine in the building gave me the wrong item, then jammed. It’s got one job, and it's doing the opposite. On top of that, the only options were generic, that you can get absolutely anywhere. It would be nice to have some other, more diverse options to choose from in a vending machine.

Campus and area with a lot of growth potential. Great place to build a raft.

My money would have been better wasted on breast enhancement to improve the future of my opportunities than the meaningless piece of paper this institution of grift gave me in exchange for my “tuition” and unpaid labor. Lucky for them I signed away my right to demand a refund if I was unsatisfied with my alleged “education” as a condition of my acceptance. A curious contract of force. Indoctrination facilities advertise themselves as all sorts of institutions and facilities. What a strange and unfortunate system of oppression. This review is for the “VPA Department”, undergraduate 2010. Go otters?

Great campus!!! Awesome people. The Dean is the man!!!

this is such an awful school. I really wish I never agreed to go here. No diversity in faculty whatsoever. many international students who don't want to do anything and don't speak proper english. the two factor login is so overwhelming; everytime you log in you need to verify with your phone that it's you (because someone looking at your homework is so bad, apparently). Too many junk fees; even to graduate they overcharge for it even though your not even going to the event. ridiculous. no wonder the value of degree is going down. I hope this place goes out of business.

They are douchebags. I was supposed to be dropped because I told them before that I wasn't going to go because I didn't get a dorm room in time and there weren't any apartments in my budget. They claim that I didn't tell them anything and now they are charging me over 3,109.50 and they expect me to pay it in 30 days. Plus they are doing the same thing to my brother. Most colleges drop you if you don't show up for a certain amount of time and we never showed up. And for the orientation they weren't even helping much Fresno state is way better. They are like little leeches.

Campus is a dilapidated military barracks. Buildings are falling apart. Bobcats everywhere. Administration is awful. Lots of sexual violence. Weird, because there seems to be plenty (PLENTY) of cops hanging around. But the upper-division professors are fantastic.