California Maritime Academy

Date: Jun 29 2005
Major: Mechanical Engineering (This Major's Salary over time)
I like this school dispite the minor challenges I need to endure. The school has a really low percentage of females and as a result I tend to stand out. The campus is gorgeous, but it's because we are at a waterfront. One would have to try to make it look bad. The school has become a unique hybrid.

It's quasi-military and it's under the wing of the California State University system. Those who see the school as a semi-military school tend to be super conservative, and those who see it as a Cal State school tend to be radically librel. These two group tend to clash when a major chnge to the school takes place and unfortunately both parties are closedmindded about thier ideas, so one might find some intolerent students on campus.

As a Mechanical Engineer major, I usually take on 21 units. My major has the most required units in it's program. This leads to many other students in the mechanical engineering program to be somewhat arrogant and snooty, espcially toward majors like Business Administration and Global Studies.

The courseload is challenging and their are many who drop the program or are unable to graduate in four years. Failling one class can cause a student to graduate a whole year later than thier plan graduation time. For most students, there is really no competition. Most just want to survive in the four year program.

There are not many extracurricular activites, but there's always a spot for those who want to join one.

One of the best things about the school is that it holds a private school-like enviroment for a CSU price.