See California Lutheran University reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending California Lutheran University. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free California Lutheran University reviews, or contribute your own California Lutheran University review if you're a current student there.
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10 out of 10 people found this review useful.
Michael from San Fernando, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Tips for prospective students Students accepted to UCLA or UCSB pay the UC tuition rate. Apply early and you may know before Christmas.
Great for these types of students Students who want a well-rounded education taught by professors that know who you are. Classes are small, sometimes under 20.
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8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
Austin from El Cajon, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot How could you NOT learn here, there are so few students per class and the professors know you!!I was taking an easy class in my major and the professor found out I was bored, so he offered me a chance to audit an upper level class in something I was interested in!
Am enjoying being here The staff and helpful upperclassmen were so helpful from day 1. They act like they want YOU on campus, not just your money!! They provide lots of support for freshman so they don't fail. You get a student and academic adviser to help you through the first year!
Bang for the buck I got a great scholarship and financial aid. They accommodated my parent's sudden loss of income with lots of help with finances! They go out of their way to help you afford the school.
Tips for prospective students They like kids who are service-oriented (Boys Scouts, etc.) not just with high grades. Go to the interview, if you get invited, and share something great you have done to help your community.
Great for these types of students Somewhat conservative but creative! No drinking on campus by anyone, so don't come if you like to party with alcohol!! Great school for kids who like to travel abroad and who like mingling with their professors. Lots of just normal kids who are not there just to get ahead. Great school if you don't want to feel like a number! It has a very cohesive feel to it, like everyone enjoys being there.
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5 out of 5 people found this review useful.
Kasey from Long Beach, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot The professors work with the students and are more than happy to to find time outside of their office hours to help.
Am enjoying being here The campus is welcoming and safe. The school also puts on an event every Friday, called Club Lu, that is free to the students (includes a chuckee cheese night, black out socials, snowball fights, etc.).
Bang for the buck Although it is pricey, it is worth it! Would not transfer for any cost!
Tips for prospective students Don't let the cost of the school make you shy away! The school is amazing!
Great for these types of students Ideal for students that enjoy small classes, close relationships with their professors and don't want to be solely a number! Perfect for the all around students, there are many clubs and activities to get involved in!
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5 out of 6 people found this review useful.
Lauren from Thousand Oaks, CA
Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
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2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
Derick from Sherman Oaks, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot If you put the work in, you will be pushed to learn and grow to great heights. Professors here really care about your education and will get to know you on a personal level if you are willing. I have some of my professors numbers that are in my major and allow me to contact them if need be. The size of the classes are small with a ratio of about 17:1 (17 students to 1 professor).
Am enjoying being here The fact that Cal Lutheran is such a tight knit community allows for you to make some really close relationships pretty quickly. The students at Cal Lu are friendly, just remember to treat people how you would like to be treated and you will do fine. Also, although Thousand Oaks is small, there is plenty to do. the school puts on many events and different programs and if that is not enough La, the beach, or even Santa Barbra is right around the corner.
Bang for the buck California Lutheran can be expensive, but they are willing to help you. With numerous donors and out side sources I believe its over 85% of students that get some sort of financial aid. CLU already provides $19 million a year in financial aid to students, but in 2009-2010 it plans to increase the amount of scholarship money available to current students to help them meet educational expenses during the recession.
source: http://www.callutheran.edu/news/news_detail.php?story_id=5453Tips for prospective students What I would recommended for prospective students is to come out here and get a taste for yourself. Schedule a private or group tour or if you are interested in athletics you can contact the coaches and come for an overnight stay with an athlete. If Cal Lutheran is not in reach of a tour check out the website www.Callutheran.edu and find out everything you need to know.
Great for these types of students California Lutheran is great choice for those looking for: A degree in Sports Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, Business, Communication, etc.
Also DIII Athletics: Football, baseball, basketball, soccer, track and field, softball, etc. (many inter-mural sports teams and clubs)
And this college is good for students that want a small community with a very friendly atmosphere, Lutheran background, diversity, and great education.Login to rate or flag the reviews
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Amanda from Port Hueneme, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot I am learning a lot mainly because the class sizes are small. There are about 20-30 people in a class depending on the type of classroom. The professors are there to teach and to help. You are always taught be a professor and not a teacher assistant. There is free tutoring and a writing center where you can go to receive help on papers.
Am enjoying being here I enjoy the area that California Lutheran University is located at. It is in Thousand Oaks where the weather is great. There are nice places to hike and local places to go out to eat and hang out with friends. The campus is beautiful and the people are extremely nice.
Bang for the buck Although it is a private university, CLU does give out scholarships to make it affordable to attend. Although it can seem pricey, the school offers many ways to pay for school and offers a payment plan. Not only that but the school has on-campus events that are of no cost to the students.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Stephanie from Placentia, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Bang for the buck It is a beautiful campus and very well taken care of. The dorms are in good shape, the food is good, and the fitness center is absolutely gorgeous.
Tips for prospective students Visit the campus. Seeing where you could possibly be going in the future actually plays a big role in the decision process. Live in the dorms is you can too. It is a totally different experience and it forces you to get more involved in what is going on at school.
Great for these types of students If you love small class sizes with very friendly professors who actually get to know you as a person.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Jessica from Barstow, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot I love all of my classes. The curriculum is well organized and the professors are great. They are all very helpful.
Am enjoying being here I love the surrounding area. The weather is amazing down here and the people are friendly.
Bang for the buck We have a lot of benefits that are included in tuition.
Tips for prospective students This is a good choice for a school, especially if you are looking for a close knit atmosphere and small class sizes. Everyone here is very helpful and it is super easy to fit in and make friends.
Great for these types of students This school is great for any kind of students. There are many different types of personalities on campus that just add to the learning experience.
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Travis from Thousand Oaks, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences a School with great expectations, that looks for the best out of everyone that attends here!
Tips for prospective students Present yourself well and you will be taken that way!
Academic Rigor Study Study Study!
Dorm Life Enjoy it, get out and do things with the community and the students!
Food and Dining Cook on your own if you can it will help you save money!
What to do for fun Sports. Running , MMA, Staying active!
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Sarah from Aliso Viejo, AZ
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences Cal Lu is a great school.
Cal Lu's campus is very nice.
Cal Lu's on campus food is great.Tips for prospective students You need to keep in mind what 4500 students feels like. This is not 30,000 like a UCLA or even 10,000 like Santa Cruz. 4500 is about the size of my high school. I thought it would be to small at first, but now I love it!
Academic Rigor You have to apply yourself. Unless you are really smart, there won't be must coasting here.
Dorm Life I love my dorm. It is quite & comfortable, but I'm close to alot of activities.
Food and Dining I'm only a freshman, but I really like the food. Weekdays is better than the weekends though.
What to do for fun Sporting events @ school & the beach!!
Bang for the buck Expensive, but it is really nice & clean......and I should graduate in 4 years.
Great for these types of students Good students. Good students and good athletes that want to compete in college @ a high level.
Clubs and Activities Many clubs, but I am an athlete, so that's most of my free time.
Campus Safety No problems so far.
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Kari from Westlake Village, CA
Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences It's a beautiful campus. I like that it is not as impacted, so I feel confident that I can be done with school in a timely manner. They seem to offer lots of different activities and events and research information for their students.
Tips for prospective students Have the money to attend the school. Apply to other UC schools, because they will give you a lower cost of attendance when they see that you are accepted into other schools.
Dorm Life i have not lived here before
Food and Dining i have not tried their food yet
Clubs and Activities offer a lot of sports and activities for their students, including oversea programs.
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Meisha from Northridge, CA
Reviewer is A past student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences California Lutheran is an exceptional school! The clean, and safe campus provides for a wonderful learning experience. I would definitely recommend this school for others who are seeking a top education and plenty of student involvement activities.
Tips for prospective students There are so many opportunities to take part in the student activities; I suggest any new students to join in them. Not only is there a Student Leadership which plans fun and educational events, there are also plenty of clubs to join as well. The best way to meet others is to become more involved in the school.
Academic Rigor While the classes are intensive and do require participation, the teachers are well-qualified and provide a top-notch curriculum. Should a student fall behind, there are tutoring programs available. The course work is challenging, but is not impossible.
Dorm Life I was skeptical at the thought of living with three other girls whom I had never met, however I quickly learned that there was no reason to worry. Not everyone will like their roommates, but the best part about the dorms is that it is easy to go to other rooms and meet new people. I also noticed that there seem to more of a connection between students who lived on campus, rather than those who commuted.
Food and Dining Although there is nothing like a home-cooked meal, Cal Lutheran definitely provides a wide range of foods. The cafeteria has three computers that students can order food from during breakfast, lunch and dinner. There is also little restaurant, The Centrum, that provides even more varieties of food. Also exciting, is the newly opened Jamba Juice on campus.
Bang for the buck The school is a little pricey, but the money is definitely worth the experience.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus The freshman orientation is unlike anything I've ever experienced. Without spoiling too much, there are plenty of fun activities where you meet new people that may just become new friends. One of my favorite activities was climbing up Mount Clef, and painting the rocks that spell out CLU. This painting task always turns into a playful paint fight.
Great for these types of students Cal Lutheran is great for serious student seeking a higher level of education but also wants to make connections with others. Since it is such a small school, the students definitely have a better chance in becoming close to one another.
Clubs and Activities Every semester, every club and organization sets up a booth and advertises promotes their activities. There are plenty of clubs to join, including Poetry Slam, Black Students United, Gay/Straight Alliance. There is definitely something for everyone.
Greek Life Cal Lu is too small to have a Greek Life but the clubs and organizations make up for that.
Campus Safety Cal Lutheran is located in a safe community and there is also an on-campus security team. Even though there are security guards passing by, it does not feel like a prison. I always felt safe walking from class to my dorm in the evenings, however, anyone can call campus security if they would prefer that security walks with him.
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Taelor from Oak Park, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences The student population is very diverse, and everyone is very accepting of one another. Class sizes are small, and for the most part the teachers are very kind and caring. Each student also is aided by a mentor that they are assigned their freshman year.
Tips for prospective students The campus isn't very big, but there is a lot going on. Be sure to look around everywhere- where the flagpole is, lots of events take place and there are also lots of posters taped to the ground showing upcoming events as well.
Academic Rigor Like any college, CLU of course has challenging courses. It all depends on how much time and effort you as a student put into your education. Hard work and studying really does pay off, and the professors can tell who works hard. They take this into consideration when giving final grades.
Dorm Life I am a commuter, but I often hang out in the dorms with friends who do live in them. There are rules about when there are quiet hours and those sorts of things, but other than the basic rules, it's pretty relaxed. And it's co-ed.
Food and Dining There is a Jamba Juice right in the middle of all the action at CLU. There is also The Caf, where you pay a certain fee and then eat however much you want. You can also order certain things with a touch screen when you don't see anything that you really want that is already made. If you are in the mood for a little bit better food, there is always The Centrum, which has a much more limited menu, but the food is better quality. And there's this really cool drink dispenser that has a whole bunch of different flavors of drinks like Coke and Powerade. If you're in a real rush, you can always grab a quick bite at the SUB or Mogan Market, which offer premade food items, such as sandwiches and salads.
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Courtney from Northridge, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences California Lutheran University is a great school that provides a high quality education. The community is great and treats you like a family. It is a very safe campus and helps its student achieve highly in academics.
Tips for prospective students My tips for prospective students would be to make sure that they want to be at a small school and to remember to take into consideration that at a small school a lot more one on one attention is given from the teachers. It is a great atmosphere and I would recommend to live on campus.
What to do for fun For fun I go to a lot of the events on campus, such as improve and I am involved in clubs. I also go out to eat with my friend because there is a lot of good restaurants around.
Great for these types of students Any type!
Greek Life There is no Greek Life.
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Sara from Thousand Oaks, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences clu has a beautiful, but small campus. has many great academic opportunities, as well as a good support system. but it is a hands on collage that reminds me to much of a high school, then a place of higher education.
Academic Rigor good
Dorm Life quite, nice and clean dorms.
Food and Dining ok, but not much to choose from;
jamba juice, cafeteria, kiosk, cafe.Great for these types of students that like small, homework focused universities.
Clubs and Activities big variety in clubs and activities.
Greek Life no greek life.
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Crystal from Nevada
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences amazing school that is full of professors and counselors who truly want you to succeed in life. beautiful campus and dorms. makes you feel very comfortable and welcome.
Tips for prospective students get involved. there are many opportunities out there that students can take advantage from. expose yourself to other students like yourself. make sure to keep the competitive mindset open.
Academic Rigor classes can be tough, make sure to take thorough notes and most importantly go to class!
Dorm Life dorm life is very fun during the week, the dorms are full of students walking by, studying, or just hanging out. however on weekends many students go home and the campus can be a little lonely.
Food and Dining there is a variety of food options. we have the cafe for a more buffet style/ order through the machine. it is as much as you can eat. while on the other hand we have the centrum which is more restaurant style, very nice to turn on the fire pit and eat around it.
What to do for fun activities and programs put on by the school. there is always something to do. the key to avoiding boredom is seeing what events are going on.
Bang for the buck definitely worth every penny.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus welcome week is amazing for all freshmen who go through it!
Great for these types of students great for students who like to socialize in an academic setting.
Clubs and Activities opportunities to start new clubs and get involved. definitely a lot of fun!
Greek Life none.
Campus Safety the campus is extremely safe. campus security is always driving around, making sure everything is ok.
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Rachael from Palmdale, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences a small college, but that makes it all the better. everyone is so nice and the professors truly care about their students. cal lu has this alluring aspect to it that makes it easy to call this place home.
Tips for prospective students work hard and play hard. being well-rounded is something that is stressed here, and cal lu wants to find the people that are the best fit.
Academic Rigor challenging, but not too much if you put in the time and effort. every minute of studying counts.
Dorm Life very interactive. the ra's really try to get everyone involved, and there are many events they hold in order to bring the people in the dorms together.
Food and Dining there is a large assortment of food at the cafeteria, the centrum, and jamba juice, the food is pretty good, and everything is kept really clean.
What to do for fun a lot! you can run/hike/bike up to the cross or the clu sign at the top of the hill; you can take a trip with a couple friends to the local shave it shaved ice cream place; you can go on countless events that the school itself holds; and much much more!
Bang for the buck expensive... however, they are quick to give many scholarships and help you out with anything you need, so that is a huge plus!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus there are many traditions that are unusual here, but one i think is the greatest is the undie run. mid to late october, everyone strips to their undies, gives the clothes they had on to charity, and then goes on a run around campus. it's all about the charity! there's a lot of cool locations that are around the campus, you just have to find them!
Great for these types of students social, serious, nature-loving, small settings.
Clubs and Activities there are tons of clubs and activities to choose from!
Greek Life none.
Campus Safety campus safety or personnel is around all the time, so it's really comforting, especially during the night hours.
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Brandon from Oxnard, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot Various classes offer different levels of learning, which is ultimately based on the class and professor. Different classes have different difficulties, as expected, but some classes are difficult without offering students and opportunity to learn.
Am enjoying being here Thousand Oaks is Boring, however California Lutheran Student Council does a lot to ensure that the students are having fun on campus.
Bang for the buck Many professors from various universities come to California Lutheran to teach. It recently raised its tuition to keep up with other schools. Very Pricey.
Tips for prospective students Make sure to branch out and make as many friends as possible, it will ensure that you are never bored with Thousand Oaks. Find friends who will encourage you to do well in classes, but you enjoy hanging out with! Take advantage of the many interactive opportunities that CLU provides
Great for these types of students Students who prefer small class sizes and a moderately quite location.
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Alvina from Castaic, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot At this campus the class sizes are just right for a student to become noticed. When you are doing bad in a class, the teacher will approach you and figure out ways to help you do better in the course. The professors actually want to be here teaching you, they make sure everybody understands instead of just going through the lecture and not realizing the blank stares that they are receiving. Besides all the hard work in the class, there is a lot of hard work to be put forth outside of classes.
Am enjoying being here The community here is safe. I have never worried about walking alone to my dorm room at three in the morning. The campus is friendly and there are not that many people who are rude. We all get to know each other because the campus is small enough for everybody to know everybody. I have made the best of friends here and I did not expect any of that to happen.
Bang for the buck Being in a private institution is a bit expensive but I am paying for the class size because it is so small. Not a lot of people attend California Lutheran University therefore I have the benefit of the doubt and get to know my professors by just being in class instead of having to go to office hours constantly. In addition CLU offers the Four to Finish program which almost guarantees you finish your schooling in four years or the fifth year is on them because they want you to graduate.
Tips for prospective students You may want to look at class sizes and the area of the school. Just because it is a brand name school does not make it a great school. It takes a lot more effort to know your professors at a bigger school than at a small private institution. Being a Biology major has made me look deeper into those aspects of a campus versus just how good it sounds to say I go there.
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Laura from San Diego, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am enjoying being here The dorm life can be kind of silly and there is a lot of partying
Bang for the buck I feel like the education is ordinary, I learned just as much at my community college
Great for these types of students Great for partying students, or students who want an educations that midrange, not super hard and not super easy
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Emily from Santa Rosa Valley, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot Attending CLU will teach you more than what you will be expecting to learn in a classroom environment. Teachers motivate their students to come during office hours to further discuss topics taught during class. Take Advantage of This Oppotunity!! At CLU, you learn from community service and multicultural events.
Am enjoying being here So many different activites to particpate in or watch. From theater department shows, to football games, CLU really does take care of their students. Also, because it's a small school, you get the advantage of really knowing a lot of people from all class levels.
Bang for the buck CLU offers a lot of scholarships, but what I noticed to be very different in comparison to other colleges was that all events hosted by CLU are FREE! Club Lu hosts so many activities each month that you forgot you're at school. Trips to Chuck E. Cheese's (including all you can eat free pizza and soda), trips to Dodger Games, and Beach outings are just a few events that I can name off the top of my head. Every event that you attend literally gives out so much free food, especially multicultural events.
Tips for prospective students If you are serious about school and also want a great colleg community, CLU is the place for you. CLU prides itself at looking at the whole individual--simple test scores and AP results don't cover the whole picture. Of course, if you did well on these, then there is a very high chance of acceptance. But be warned, do not rely heavily on these. Almost everyone I have met has performed numerous hours of community service. Take an interview. Let CLU see your true personality. Email and/or call admissions to really show your interest.
To take advantage of all the opportunities CLU offers, you really need to get involved. It's not hard to do, in fact, you might even feel forced to go because of all the talk that goes around events advertised. Club Lu offers so many events and take advantage of them. They're part of the college experience, and honestly, they made me really like CLU. Even if there's something you want to start, notifiy the department and they are completely behind you--from funding to helping you organize your event.
Take a campus tour and see meet the people there yourself. You won't be dissapointed. :]Great for these types of students Students who are involved in their community and ambitious. CLU works well with students of all backgrounds.
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Veronica from Newbury Park, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot There is a large variety of subjects at the school. While participating in discussions new and interesting viewpoint on popular topics are introduced. The classes always challenge you to do better and learn new things
Am enjoying being here The atmosphere of the school is very calm and welcoming. It seems almost impossible but everyone is always happy and willing to help out anyone. They have a wide range of activities and never leave out commuters.
Bang for the buck There is a lot of financial aid available, and there is always incoming information about new opportunities.
Tips for prospective students Just be yourself and enjoy all the different types of people there. Take advantage of all the help offered because it is a very valuable source.
Great for these types of students This school is great for every kind of student ranging from shy, talkative, competitive, athletic, pretty much everything under the sun will fit in.
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Gabriella from Moorpark, CA
Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
Categories Rating Comments Tips for prospective students Look into Financial Aid early! Cal Lu has a bunch of opportunities to help students out with finances and their great financial aid department was one of the deciding factors for me to come to this school!
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