Are fraternities worth it?

For some time now, I've been thinking about college and what extracurricular activities I should involve myself in.  In doing this, I came upon some particular interest groups, in which everyone knows as a fraternity.  Now from what I hear, being in a fraternity is fun and all but I also heard that it helps in the future, because the members of the fraternity, will help you find a job.  However, I'm not completely sure if I should make the effort to join a fraternity, because fraternities also have a history of hazing potential newcomers.  I even remember one of my teachers telling me not to join a fraternity, because they are stupid and silly.  So in that case, is joining a fraternity really worth the time and effort?  -LaVanton Gilmore

Teacher Recommendations

For a few months, I've been overhearing conversations about teacher recommendations. I know they are needed for some scholarships; however, people have been saying that they are needed to apply for colleges/universities. As it is, I'm already stressed out due to the deadline of college applications, so the news that I need teacher recommendations terrifies me. I noticed that the people that inquire about teacher recommendations are often applying to private universities. If I'm applying to UC's and Cal State's, do I need teacher recommendations in order to apply and meet the December 1st deadline? Also, does it depend on your major?

-Javen Pacion

As application season has started, I've started to wonder about housing. The decision of whether it is more sound to stay at home and go to college or stay in the dorm will ultimately determine which colleges I'll apply for. For example if I went to San Diego State I'd obviously be living in the dorms on campus; on the contrary, if I end up going to  Long Beach State, I'd be staying at home. I've already heard the basic talk about how staying at home is the most inexpensive way to go and how living at the dorms will give me a fuller and more independent college experience, but what are the other pros and cons to living at home or staying in the dorm?

-Maya Washington

Alternative Major

When applying to some universities, I was encountered with several schools that were highly impacted. The most impacted schools are those with good nursing and stem programs. The major I wanted for these schools was highly impacted and I had to choose and alternative major. The alternative major options didn't catch my attention and weren't anything I was interested in. Should I pick one that closer relates to the major I want? Should I try to choose one that stands out the most to me? Should I select"undecided" for my alternative major?

-Astrid Tadeo

Would it be a good idea to go to community college and then Cal State if the college is impacted?

Would it be a good idea to go to community college and then Cal State if the college is impacted?

I´m having the dilemma of wanting to go to Cal State Long Beach, this upcoming fall for their nursing program, with the fact that they are impacted and that specific major is the toughest to get into. I know that we, as Mayfair students, get priority into getting accepted since we live in the area but I'm worried that my grades are not up to par with their standards and that other applicants with higher GPA's will topple over me. If that option does not work I would want to take on community college. I know it is not a bad route to take but I was wondering if it would be a good idea to apply there to get my prerequisites and then transfer? Would I be wasting time? Would it cost more to go to community for a year or two and then transfer? All these questions have been bothering me while trying to apply to college.

The biggest concern I have mostly is that if they take lesser value in students who are transferring from a community college. If that is the case I was thinking if I should just take a shot at applying at CSLUB, see if I get in, or just apply to a different school all together such as Fullerton, Dominguez, etc. 

- Jainah Fajardo

I want to major in Nursing but the college I want to go to is still up for debate.  It kind of all depends on what school accepts me into the nursing program, so if a community college program accepts me I will go to that community college to get my associates.  But I honestly dont know what to do, should I apply to both a university and community and see which one accepts me? If I go straight to a university I'm thinking it would be better because I could just get my bachelors right away instead of transferring and having to work super hard at a CC to be eligible to transfer. But theres also this thought in the back of my mind that if I go to a community and get my associates I could start working and then go back to school to get my bachelors with knowledge and experience.  Does anyone have any tips on what I should do?

Desiree Reyes 

Major?

This time next year I hope to be at a Cal State University and studying as a business major.  I’m not sure what kind of career I want to pursue with it though.  I’ve always been into art and would like to pursue it but, realistically, it would be a lot harder to support myself with a degree in art.  I’ve decided to go in as a business major so I can have something to fall back on.  I’ve thought about double majoring or minoring in art but I’m not sure if I would be taking on too much pressure doing that.
-Halla Bachle