Dominican University of California

This school is a mess. I started attending the art therapy graduate program in the fall of 2024, and after having a mental health crisis, and reaching out for help from staff, I was removed from the program with the requirement that if I wanted to return, I would have to provide private health records of my stability. I had disability accommodations, in which the current director of Accessibility and Disability Services in the Student Success Center failed to provide a timely accommodation letter that I could provide to my professors. I sought out every available resource possible on campus, from the Student Health center to their outsourced security, to my professors, the art therapy director, Student Affairs and their therapeutic services. Instead of compassion, I was met with disregard, which worsened my condition. I lived in the on-campus Fanjeaux Hall dorms because I had trouble finding affordable housing nearby, and their Housing staff tried to remove me from my room without even providing any new housing assistance. On top of all of this, the Registrar would not refund my tuition even though I was placed on a mandatory Leave of Absence in the middle of the fall semester. I am choosing to keep people in this educational institution accountable, because, at the end of the day, I was a student having a crisis, and was treated like a problem rather than a person.

The annual Italian film festival was here. The balcony seating is uncomfortable so this year I got seats on the main floor which was comfortable. The parking across the street on the campus is convenient. There is a ramp for wheelchairs users and those that find stairs difficult.

I recently attended a conference here, and I found the campus to be welcoming and truly enjoyable. The campus is full of well-tended gardens and pleasant walking paths. The buildings seemed relatively modern and equipped with new technology and furniture. I didn't get a taste for campus life, but I did get to try the campus dining, which was amazing! I really enjoyed my time here

Stunning campus with amazing landscaping. Worth a visit just to explore the grounds. As a graduate student there, I can also recommend their program.

The student body is very diverse—racially, culturally and age-wise. The professors are dedicated and caring. The campus and surrounding area is beautiful. The library is filled with interesting books—some very old. The cafeteria has tasty food.

I applied to the nursing program in 2021 and was not accepted- which was fine- but the call I received from the Admissions department is what really left a bad taste in my mouth about this school. The woman who called to tell me that I didn’t get in did so with the purpose of “selling” me another major. Her words: I don’t really see you getting into another nursing program in the state… your grades just aren’t high enough… but we do have other good bachelors programs. Outside of her statement being rude and unnecessary, it’s also untrue as I finished my master’s with a 4.0. Yes, I have a masters degree and this admissions person tried to sell me a BA in psychology or health admin. A degree that would be literally useless to me. I was more offended by the blatant attempt to make a quick buck than I was by her talking down to me in such a way. Needless to say I didn’t enroll here, but I did get into 2 other nursing programs in the Bay Area. I guess my grades were “high enough.”

We went to San Rafael to get our covid vaccines today. Afterwards we ordered food from Sol restaurant to pick up. My daughter had attended Dominican University about 18 years ago. They have beautiful lawns On campus, with picnic tables and trees and flowers over there, so we went and had our lunch there. It was beautiful as usual. Squirrels running up-and-down the trees and people walking their dogs and jogging.... The trees swaying back-and-forth with the breeze... And with me with great company, my husband and my Mom. And all now With our 1st covid vaccine under our belt! Yay !! A Beautiful day!

Great school. Good teachers, beautiful campus

I recently graduated from Dominican University of California with a B.S. degree in Biological Sciences and minors in Chemistry and Public Health. Choosing to attend DUC for undergrad was a great decision because it provided numerous resources to support student success, including tutoring services, a great library, office hours, small classroom sizes, and supportive professors and advisors. During my time at Dominican, I was on the Pre-Med track, which helped me complete all of my prerequisites for applying to graduate school. This school also offered multiple opportunities to enhance my resume, such as shadowing physicians at Kaiser Permanente, participating in scientific research, and engaging in volunteer work.

I graduated in 2020 with a B.S in Biology. During my time at Dominican, I received a lot of support. One of the values of Dominicans is study, which they did a fantastic job of ensuring that I had the support to succeed in all my classes. They provided one-on-one tutoring and group tutoring. Also, all my professors were easy to talk to and get help from for classes and mentorship. The way their science curriculum is set up is also impressive because you don't get research exposure as easily in other schools like you do at Dominican. Also, they write out all the classes you need for all four years, so you can adjust as you go on and know exactly what you need to take next. After graduating, I went abroad to medical school, where it was not for me. As I returned without a second plan, I contacted my advisors, who continued supporting me. They knew the situation and abilities as a student so that they could provide choices for me, and I am currently pursuing a Master's in PA. When Dominican mentioned that every student is part of their community even after graduating, they meant it.

I am torn. I wanted to take time to give careful consideration before writing a post. Dominican University is a beautiful campus nestled in the hills of San Rafael situated among regal affluent homes. But this school is just too damn expensive!!!! A major con - was price! This school is so damn expensive! Even after financial aid I still racked up thousands and this was just for course units!!! The financial aid and business office staff were disengaged, unepathetic, and lack luster. Which only got worst when my academic/FA advisor left. The new guy who took his place is terrible. I reached out to them regarding how to pay this down and he tells me to take out a loan -- and "95% of our students take out loans to pay to go to this school." I exhausted every thing they asked. Then they sent my account to collections! This school is not worth the headache and debt they try to bait you into. I encourage students if they are considering this school to be realistic about whether you can afford it or not. In my opinion the school is NOT transfer student friendly. That is if you plan to transfer in as a junior. I strongly advise ANY STUDENT considering this school to go in as a freshman. You will likely be accepted if you have a decent GPA, because it's a private school and they don't get funded unless it's your tuition. So coming in as a freshman and even living on campus you would likely be awarded MORE financial aid. Why? They get to "keep" you for 4 years vs a transfer which is only two. I have now transferred to a public 4 year UC to finish my degree and it's more affordable. Same education, just without the price tag.

I attended Dominican University from 2017 to 2021, receiving my bachelor's degree in 2021. Overall, my experience was incredible. I made lasting relationships with fellow students and professors. I took advantage of the Honors Program, which gave me a well-rounded and meaningful education and served me in my post-graduation endeavors. I took a unique path as I decided to create a major that combined natural sciences and humanities. I had clear goals entering Dominican to study both fields. I am so grateful for the enthusiastic support from both the Directors of the Sciences and Humanities departments. After receiving approval for my drafted major plan, I submitted it to the registrar to declare an interdisciplinary major. Though I walked away from DUC with many accomplishments and meaningful relationships, I have some criticisms. It is an expensive university, and the administration often fails to offer students significant support in times of crisis. As a young person from a disadvantaged background, I would not have been able to attend Dominican without the merit-based scholarships I received. The last two years of my education coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, and most courses then transitioned to an online format. During that difficult time, when students were navigating the uncertainty of a global pandemic, DUC raised tuition, offering little to no support to struggling students. In the future, I would love to see Dominican allocate resources for the benefit and wellness of students, especially during crises.

I just graduated with my B.S. in Biology from DUC and had a great experience. The science department here has great staff who are extremely supportive and can provide you with lots of support/ resources no matter what field you're interested in working in later down the line (but especially if you're on the pre-med track like many Bio students are here). Some of the other traits of Dominican which I loved most were the quiet/ peaceful campus, the beautiful scenery, and its emphasis on service within the community which gives you a lot of opportunity for gaining experience.

Dominican university is an amazing institution! I was very lucky to have found DUC! I attended DUC as a visiting student over the Summer 2023 because I needed to take a series of both lecture and laboratory in Ochem I and Ochem II to fulfill my science major, graduating requirements, and most importantly the pre-requisites for dental schools. When I was searching up for universities in the Bay Area to offer both Ochem I and II for that Summer 2023, I had a hard time because most schools only offered either Ochem I or II. Through emails with DUC administrating staff and professor T. Johnson, they were able to hear my situation and promptly made it happened for me and many students by offering both back-to-back 5 week series of Ochem I and II. The accelerated series were very rewarding! Professor Johnson and lab TA excelled at teaching and were always accessible by email, and in-person during class and office hours. With a small size class, the professors and students made each lesson fun, clear, interactive, and with ease which was surprising considering the alarming reputation that Organic Chemistry has for science majors. The professors and DUC value their students and continue to support them in any way to help achieve their goals....like providing a great letter of recommendation for me this Summer 2024! As for the campus, DUC is located in the beautiful safe Marin County. The campus is an awesome change from the tall university buildings in the city because of the incredible green meadows with many different flowers, trees, squirrels, and birds to start your day. I highly recommend college applicants to give DUC a serious consideration.

Dominican University of CA is filthy, and they have Ants in many of their Restrooms. Several Students have remarked that they reported these issues over the last 6 Months and they continue to be an issue. Why would anyone pay $50,000 a year and have to deal with these very fixable issues. I feel sorry Management does not respect the personal health of their Students!!

DUC has potential. The teachers in the Biology department are professional and care about ensuring you learn from their classes. The staff on the other hand, are unprofessional, rude and truly act like they hate their job. Specially the Business office. Don't waste your time and energy dealing with staff members who only getting money out of you. The education quality is not worth the money. Invest in a UC instead. I will advocate for many people like me to ensure they go to a different university that actually respects them. The buildings are old, there's no AC, and there's dog poop everywhere. The library has been closed for 7 months now and students don't have many options of locations to study or do homework. I was considering attending DUC in pursuit of higher education but this experience has taught me enough to know better and not come back.

Terrible, 40k per semester, the school rakes in more than 70 million dollars every year, but they don't even have air conditioning except for one building. They boast about their nursing program, but it's nothing special, features that most schools that actually use their funding aready have. The campus looks like it's composed of a bunch of rich people's houses that they bought out and refurbished with a few hundred bucks.

I applied to the nursing program in 2021 and was not accepted- which was fine- but the call I received from the Admissions department is what really left a bad taste in my mouth about this school. The woman (from the admin office) who called to tell me that I didn't get in did so with the purpose of "selling" me another major. Her words: I don't really see you getting into another nursing program in the state... your grades just aren't high enough... but we do have other good bachelors programs. Outside of her statement being rude and unnecessary, it's also untrue as I finished my masters with a 4.0. Yes, I have a masters degree and this admissions person tried to sell me a BA in psychology or health admin. A degree that would be literally useless to me. I was more offended by the blatant attempt to make a quick buck than I was by her talking down to me in such a way. Needless to say I didn't enroll here, but I did get into 2 other nursing programs in the Bay Area. I guess my grades were "high enough."

I transferred to Dominican as a sophomore science major. After I joined Dominican I observed an upward trajectory in my academia career! Dominican gave me the ultimate university education and experience as a student- athlete. The educators are passionate, thoughtful and caring about their students. They go above and beyond by holding open office hours or staying late after class to answer any questions. This is possible at Dominican because of the student to professor ratio, which is one of the reasons why I chose Dominican. You are not just a number here your professors know your name and even know a little bit about your story. This provides a more valuable education and experience. Their science department is well equipped with the tools you need to be successful once you graduate. They provide you with hands on lab experience in a research team setting, have a collaborative mentorship program with Kaiser doctors and so much more! If you're looking to have valuable experiences before graduating, Dominican is your place! The athletic department provides support, passion and guidance for student athletes. Because of the school size, you are not just a number and you do become friendly with everyone, even the staff! Dominican sports grew tremendously during my time there and I don't see a stop anytime soon! The growth of the department and performance of the the individual teams directly reflects the coaches, administrators and athletic training staff. Their dedication to each program, coach and athlete is like no other. I had questions about my years of eligibility and they took immediate action to provide answers. Better yet they were able to work with the NCAA and grant me additional years of eligibility due injuries and unforeseen circumstances. This is just a small gesture of how hard the athletic department works and their commitment to each student athlete! And I can't forget about the absolutely breath taking campus Dominican has. You are surrounded by beautiful trees, flowers and sometime during winter a flowing creek that goes right down the middle of campus! You will also see lots of squirrels, birds and even deers! Last I can't forget to mention the beautiful sunsets and the views of mount Tam!! GO PENGUINS!!

Hunting schools with many entitled, supremacist instructors and being ready for being harassed by their segregation-era professors. They will not support you if you are a minority at most. It's only for white rich kids who get 100% attention and support while you pay the same tuition. The very racist environment in the back doors especially in the science department. Nuns constantly monitor you and are ready to harass you with fake obligations. Big mistake to pay high tuition, hoping to earn support to enter grad school with great recommendation letters!! They have a huge professor turnover so you will not even find one professor after 4 years since they all leave the school within a short period. I had to find my professors in East Cost in different schools for letters of recommendation. Be careful with the Dominican University of California trap. I did not even have the option to leave when I figured the majority of their courses are not transferable after my first year so if you step in, you can not transfer as their courses are not transferable even to SFSU. Good luck with gimmicks in their adds.

I completed a 1.5-year post-baccalaureate program on Spring 2022, and I wouldn't have chosen another school if I had to do it again. From my advisor to all the professors I met, I was surrounded by a strong supportive system that helped me grow as a pre-medical student. The small student-to-faculty ratio allowed me to easily reach out to and communicate with my professors. I was also provided a lot of resources, research opportunities, and teaching internships that helped with my academic and professional development. Not to mention my program was very flexible with my timeline, class selection, and lecturing format (virtual/hybrid).

I am an alumni of Dominican University and I couldn't have been happier with my college experience. I got my BS in Biology in four years all while playing on the soccer team. Dominican was the perfect school for the kind of balanced education I wanted. Firstly, they feature small class sizes (some with as few as 6 students in them). This really encourages opportunities for students to connect with their professors and administrators on a personal level, providing students with a very rare support system during their entire college career (and after!) I really enjoyed these small class sizes especially when it came to balancing sports and school, I always got the extra support I needed and never felt like I couldn't ask for help. I also chose Dominican because of the extraordinary science programs it has. It is well known for it's nursing program, and for good reason as these students are always studying and working hard with very rigorous curriculum. For biology majors, we're required to start research with a professor our Freshman year and then write a senior thesis on our findings by Senior year. This type of structure had me graduating with a very full resume. I left Dominican with not only a BS in biology, but lifelong friendships with colleagues and administrators. The small school model is unbeatable and you will never find the kind of attention you receive here, anywhere else. Go pengs!

This is such a great school! I am a San Rafael native. During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown of spring 2020 I decided to return to school as a nontraditional pre-medical student. I seriously appreciated the opportunity to get world class education from my backyard. In contrast to the massive state school I received my undergraduate education, the small classroom environment was very nurturing and allowed me to engage with the material in a very rewarding way. My science professors were extremely supportive and always available. I found myself looking forward to my Organic Chemistry and Physics courses! As an alum I am grateful for the professors that have became my mentors. It is with their guidance that I am able to pursue my aspirations of becoming a Physician.

For my college experience, I spent all 4 years at Dominican university. I was a member of student government, the soccer team, the honors of the world program, and several honors societies. I majored in biology and did a pre-med advising route. With all of my involvement, I gained a great familiarity with Dominican. The school is on the smaller side, so if you are looking for a big school experience, Dominican is not your best bet. However, if you want small class sizes, personal connections, teachers who care about you and your success, and small school camaraderie, then Dominican is the place to go. Being an athlete, there were days I had to miss class, but with proper communication, my professors were flexible and helped me succeed. My advisors, both assigned and professors who worked as my mentors, always pushed me to be my best and provided me with many resources in order to do so. Everyone at Dominican wants you to thrive. The science programs offer one of the only guaranteed undergraduate research programs in the country, the business school has connections with many local and national business corporations to assist with internships, and the OT and nursing programs are renowned. At Dominican, I not only got great opportunities for education, I also made friends and family that will last a life time. My work at Dominican has set me up for a great future both academically, career wise, and with the new personal connections I have made.

Everybody needs to go through the Masters of Science: Counseling Psychology program. The world would be a better place.

The university is amazing but unfortunately the English school that has a partnership with them leaves a lot to be desired. There is a lady called Akiko Kong that gives people wrong instructions and orientations concealing information toward visa for international students. She literally scrutinized my personal life making all the process difficult ended up I spent more money than planned due to her PREJUDICE and CONCEALMENT. Definitely I don't recommend ESL English school to any person the lady mentioned is just looking for reach her commercial targets! I'm very disappointed!

Any school is what you make of it, but Dominican offers their students a specialized attention and a community built on mutual support. I was a biology major for four years and have nothing but good things to say about the faculty, the surrounding area, and the opportunities that Dominican afforded me to succeed. Here are a list of points as to why one would be interested in attending here, speaking from a STEM major point of view. Mandatory research experience is weaved into the undergraduate curriculum which is a boon for any graduate school application.There is no substitute for exposure to a real laboratory environment, every prospective employer and graduate program has asked me about this research during interviews. The small campus allowed me forge connections with my professors and fellow students. The instructors are almost always available and willing to help. The professors are also well connected and are constantly growing their programs, such as the birth of a premed society during my time here. Due to the small community, it is also easy to discover your interests and form tight bonds with similar minded students. Surrounding areas provide a wealth of work and volunteer opportunities, hospitals, businesses, biotech, and other universities are all within a short drive. Proximity to nature: there is a large hiking trail in the back of the school, among countless more preserves and national parks in the area. The air is clean and the routes are safe. If you are coming for what college life "advertises" in movies you will be dissapointed. If you are here to build a foundation for a future career, then Dominican is the place for you.

This university has offered so much in the time I was here. I came to DU in the Fall of 2018 as a transfer student and the transition from community college to 4-year was exceptionally smooth. I was a student in their Dept of Natural Health and Sciences as a Biology Major. A shining feature of this department and the university as a whole are the small class sizes. This allows one on one interaction with your professors and a more personal teaching style. Additionally, you are paired with a faculty advisor. Having this type of assistance when navigating your undergraduate education is a great deal of help. They go through with you what classes that are needed in order to graduate within four years as well as discuss career development and the steps to take in order to pursue your career goals. As a student under this department we were required to have an internship as well as undergraduate research. Gaining this experience so early on in my career has been advantageous post graduation. I highly encourage any biology/chemistry prospective students to consider DU as place to continue their education. The faculty at this departments care for each of their students and truly want you to succeed. I say this with confidence that private school education in fact does differ than public education and it all for the positives and the betterment of their students.

I tried to sign up for Teacher Continuing Education classes this summer. It was super convoluted because their website was not up to date and the course I was planning to take had the wrong course number and syllabus. As a result, I got approval for the wrong course number and I asked Dominican University if they could clarify in a brief letter that the course transitioned to the new course number. My district said they would accept that. I waited for three weeks and the " managers" have not responded. I have now looked into University of the Pacific, which offers similar courses. I do not recommend this University for Teacher continuing Education.

I am currently a Biological Science Major with a Chemistry and Mathematics minor and will be graduating May 2021. I initially came to Dominican University because of the high quality of education, close-knit community, and positive experience that I witnessed my 3 older cousins and older sister receive. I knew that if I attended Dominican, there will be no doubt I will leave Dominican with all the tools necessary to further reach my career aspirations. Dominican offers many clubs, honor societies, and unique opportunities that no other large UC or state school can provide. As a Biology major, I had the unique opportunity to do research on malaria, alongside 8 other students. In addition, Dominican offers a Kaiser Permanente Pre-Med Mentorship program which allowed me to shadow a physician one-on-one! Most recently, I am part of the Touro University/DU pre-pharmacy pathway program that allows me to get advice from a pharmacy graduate student. Lastly, I am a part Kapamilya (Filipino) Club where I continue to learn more about my culture and meet other students with different walks of life. Since Dominican has less than 2000 students, I can say that a small community is a pro. What I value most about going to a small school is the genuine and encouraging support and guidance from the all the professors and faculty. You are able to get to know your professor and have your professor get to know you. You can genuinely feel that the advisors and faculty really want the best for you and want you to succeed. They will guide you to keep you on track in reaching your personal and career goals. In addition, a small classroom size also means you get to have the same class with the same students in your cohort. I have grown personally and academically with my classmates of 3.5 years and I know I have developed life-long friendships with the people I met at Dominican. Being a part of all these organizations and opportunities really made my time at Dominican fly by fast and made it memorable. I don't think I would have experienced what I have experienced if I went to a bigger school. I am so grateful I decided to attend this university.

As a student for 4 years I had the opportunity to experience many different aspects of the campus. I played on the men's soccer team, I was a part of the occupational therapy department, I was a part of the health science department, and the university employed me as a tutor. These were just a few of the communities I came in contact with at the university. Dominican is the perfect environment for an individual who thrives in small communities. With small class sizes, the professors knew everyone by name and were very supportive in and outside the classroom. The connections you made in the classroom ensured that the professors would help keep you on track to achieve your goals and most professors provided you with contacts to further aid you in achieving your goals. Along with great academic opportunities, the university also offers many extra curricular activities appealing to all. The Rec sports department offers activities such as: group hikes, paddle boarding, weightlifting classes, yoga classes, sailing classes and even intermural sports. There is something for everyone and these activities provide great ways to meet new people and enhance your overall experience as a student. The university is located just north of San Francisco and is in a quiet neighborhood of San Rafael. The surrounding area offers an array of activities and beautiful scenery. If you love exploring the outdoors this is a great area to be in. You could hike up the fire trail just behind the school, mountain bike at the birthplace of mountain biking (Mt. Tam), and enjoy the beautiful view of San Francisco at Marin Headlands. There is so much more to see than just the campus, so if you do attend make sure to explore you surroundings like I did. If you are looking for a supportive community, opportunities to grow as a student and an individual, and a beautiful quaint campus Dominican is the place for you. No matter where you go, you have the power to make your own experience a great one. Take this time to explore every opportunity the university offers it will create what is known as the Dominican experience.

The professors in the science department are astounding. They are extremely supportive, and always available. They reinforced my decision to attend a smaller school with smaller and more intimate class sizes. From Into to Chem to Neuroscience and Biochem, every class is approached in a way that helps students to fully understand and enjoy learning the material. I am so grateful to have attended a University with such high quality professsors.

I graduated Dominican University of California with my BS degree in Chemistry & continued on to complete my MS in Biological Science studies. DUC really does embody it's values of study, community, reflection & service. The key factors that makes DUC unique compared to other institutions besides the beautiful campus include: 1. The small class sizes which allow you to build close relationships with your peers as well as professors. You are able to get individualized attention that contributes to effective learning. One thing I loved was the fact that all my professors knew who I was by face and name compared to larger institutions with large class sizes which makes it harder to get to know your professors and vice versa. 2. Community & Lifelong relationships: The close knit community that exists at DUC allowed me to experience some of my most memorable moments here and form meaningful relationships with peers and faculty. Till today, some of my most influential mentors are among the faculty at DUC. Koi's law states: "Depending on the fish tank or pond in which they're kept in, the koi grows to be a certain size. I can definitely say that the faculty, colleagues and experiences at DUC that made up the river that allowed me to fully grow & reach my potential. 3. Natural Science & Mathematics Department: For biology and chemistry majors, DUC is the perfect place for you. The faculty in the NSM department are there every step of the way to make sure you succeed. From the get go, you get to immerse yourself in research opportunities through the research methodology program, which is part of the curriculum. You also have many internship opportunities that help prepare you for professional careers in STEM. Dominican is the best place for quality education, building a strong foundation for a future career, forming meaningful lifelong relationships and some of your best memories.

Where to start.... I came to Dominican University of California (DUC) as a 1st generation college student not knowing what to expect. To my surprise it was a great fit, DUC is a small campus which classroom sizes were never above 25 students. For me this was incredibly important since it was easier to focus in class as well creating a connection with all the professors. Since the campus is small, your graduating class becomes a community that you will have all your four years. Every course I took, the professors were great. All the professors had a passion for teaching, but as well for mentoring students. To my surprise, DUC allowed me to become a better version of myself. Coming to DUC I can confidently say I changed but for the better. I felt pushed from the start of my freshman year to the end of my senior year. Pushed in a good way, the professor's push their students to show how much potential we all have. I am glad I was pushed to the point everything became a challenge, a challenge to become better. A great aspect of DUC is their research program for all undergraduate students, which is unheard of in most colleges. In most colleges you have to complete an application in order to be considered for the opportunity. This was the reason I decided to attend DUC. DUC is unique for this program, this gives students an advantage against other students when applying to other programs in order to become physicians or students applying to PhD programs. Overall, Dominican is a place where opportunities lie ahead. You will create relationships with your peers as well with your professors that will carry on. From my personal experience DUC is a great school it has helped me create a strong foundation to further apply myself to higher schooling. I would say if you are serious about your future career and want to become better once the four years are over DUC is the place to go. If you are unsure visit the campus and talk with faculty to see first hand how DUC is an amazing environment to learn. You won't regret it!

I have taken away so much from attending Dominican University of California. I first visited the campus in 2016 as a highschool student and instantly felt welcomed by the staff and students. In 2017 I attended as a Biology major and later transitioned into a Biochemistry major. The Department of Natural Health and Sciences made students comfortable reaching out to any staff/ professors with any questions or concerns. The small class sizes made it a great supportive learning environment where students could get to know each other and their professors. Faculty advisors are appointed to all students and offer so much support and guidance when it comes to creating a career plan, any transitions, and making sure you take the courses you need to graduate. One of the department's highlights is that they offer a course called research methodology that gives undergraduates a chance to participate in active research done by faculty. This class specifically has given me so much experience and has been helpful when it comes to opportunities post-graduation such as applying to graduate school. I highly recommend biology and chemistry students to consider attending DU in pursuing higher education due to the warm professors, small class sizes, and the numerous educational experiences.

I attended Dominican University of California (DUC) for my undergrad in Biological Sciences. What drew me to DUC of all places? 1. The campus is very beautiful - a great environment to learn. 2. The small class sizes - I was able to build strong student-teacher relationships where I got the individual attention needed to learn effectively. 3. The close knit sense of community you get from DUC is something I truly appreciate. It gives you the opportunity to create strong and meaningful relationships with all colleagues and I cherish all my alumni relationships from DUC. 4. For science majors: Their science department is a 5 out of 5 - great, involved, caring faculty. They actually want you to succeed and get the best education possible. They set you up for a successful future by encouraging internships and research opportunities.Their tutor system was especially helpful to get extra studying in. If you know your learning style, and you know your love for socializing ;) as much as your love for education then I'd really recommend going to a school like DUC so you can have the best of both worlds, focus on your studies and get the grades reflective of that :) If your planning to go to grad school, DUC is a great place to complete your undergraduate studies and get your prerequisites done. Final Note: I have no regrets in choosing Dominican University and I know my education is quality especially when I speak to other students and alumni from other colleges.

I am currently a Chemistry major with a Biology minor and will be graduating in May 2021. I have attended Dominican University of California (DUC) for my entire undergraduate education. I came to DUC for soccer but ultimately chose DUC over other schools because of the small class sizes, research methodology course, internship and study abroad opportunities. The small classes have given me everything I hoped for. Professors are very accessible and genuinely care about the success of each student. They are really dedicated to the learning outcomes of their students and you can feel that in the way they teach and work with students. My research methodology course experience has been one of my favorite at DUC over the past four years. Because classes are so small, I got a lot of hands on time in the lab that I probably wouldn't have gotten at a bigger school. Outside of STEM courses, I think DUC has unique and well-rounded GE courses that I have really enjoyed. DUC is a place where you can really take your path into your own hands. This can be very empowering but also stressful at times. That being said, when I asked for help, talked to the right people and sat down with them I was able to get everything done just fine. DUC has a very supportive environment, but if you aren't willing to ask for help or guidance it won't be handed to you. Academically and personally, I feel like DUC has prepared me well for grad school. The courses are rigorous, I've been intellectually challenged every semester, and I've learned how to work hard for what I want in and out of the classroom. I'm very happy with the education and experiences I have had a DUC.

Dominican is the perfect environment for those who work best in a small community. What I loved most is that I knew all of my professors and they knew me by name. I could actually have conversations with them and I felt that I could easily approach them for questions. The professors here genuinely want to help and it's not like at bigger schools where professors don't even know your name. I'm currently a senior biology major and I'm so happy with the biology department here because of their great opportunities. Dominican has a partnership with Kaiser Permanente San Rafael/Petaluma that allowed me to shadow a family physician and other specialty physicians for a whole school year that, which was one of the best experiences ever. As freshmen & sophomores, all biology and chemistry majors are given the opportunity to perform undergraduate research, which is not common in many schools. Because of the research methodology program, I was ultimately able to travel to Uganda for a whole summer to perform the same kind of malaria research that I learned during research methodology. All of these things made my time at Dominican fly by. I will truly miss its beautiful, quaint campus. I definitely recommend Dominican University of California to anyone who is ready to take advantage of the many opportunities presented and someone who is serious about getting their work done.

5 years ago today, on January 14, 2014, I was unexpectedly dismissed from Dominican University of California's MSOT program for questionable reasons. I had a 3.71 GPA, my level 1 fieldwork reviews were excellent, and I was the only student in my cohort who travelled out of state for level 1 fieldwork. I was the only black/ African American student in the cohort. My time in the program was highly stressful and unpleasant. I recall times when faculty would have all of their due dates on the same days, and most of us would be extremely stressed out and sleep deprived. Faculty (Kitsum Li) wrote commentary about me in my personal file that were subjective, false, and painted a negative portrayal of me as student. I had to fight just to get them to let me add documents to my file that advocated for myself. Their professional behavioral evaluation process is demoralizing and subjective. I sometimes struggled to be on time to classes (which, forgive me for not being 110% perfect, and a very out-of-balance, sleep deprived, first time graduate student). In addressing my punctuality issues, staff were less than understanding, and did not offer any practical and functional solutions for work/ life balance that might help me adapt to the reality of time management and being a grad student. Instead, I got in trouble and made to feel constantly afraid and stressed out; worried that if I was ever accidentally late I would get dismissed from the program. Sure enough, I was T-boned and in a rollover car crash on my way to school one morning. That should have been a concrete "third strike" on the tardy issue, but they chose to overlook it and dropped the tardy issue after the car crash. After emerging from this crash just prior to being C-spined and ambulanced to the ER, the three thoughts in my head were a) someone call my mom, b) someone call Dominican's OT department and tell them I'm going to be late, I'm f*cked, and c) someone get that huge textbook out of the passenger seat before they tow my car (Pedretti's OT). Are these really the kinds of thoughts that should go through a person's head after they've literally escaped death or permanent injury for life? No! But that just gives you an idea how much emotional manipulation this department and this program had on my life at the time. I STILL went to school that day with intense whiplash, for the record; because I was too afraid to ever miss a single day of school in Dominican's OT program When I was dismissed, the dismissal letter was already written, signed, and in an envelope before I even got a single word in to defend myself or cross-question the allegations. Reasons for dismissal included things like "student sends too many emails" (isn't it every American's right to communicate? Isn't communication a good thing?) and "student makes disparaging remarks about people with disabilities"-- I was born with cerebral palsy, people. They proclaimed that I would "not be suited for ANY OT clinical setting". If that's not permanently damaging to any future OT endeavors, I don't know what is. Dr. Ruth(less) Ramsey denied my request to appeal the dismissal. Lawyers suggested my dismissal was likely the result of unconscious racial bias. I recently discovered that DUC's Ot department dismissed ANOTHER student on questionable grounds, which you can read about here: https://www.marinij.com/2018/02/05/san-rafaels-dominican-university-under-federal-bias-probe/ Based on my traumatic personal experience attending this program's MSOT program, I advise everyone considering this program to use financial discernment, and search nationally to compare the costs of this program to others. Dominican University of California's OT program was painfully expensive back in 2012-2014 ($1000 per unit); and I have to imagine the tuition has since gone up. Never in my wildest dreams after being such a successful student for my entire life did I imagine that I would not finish this program. But then I didn't. Because if they don't like you, they might just dismiss you in this program. To this day, even though I have since completed a graduate degree elsewhere, I am still strapped with about $70K of student loan debt plus interest, which is from my traumatic and awful years at Dominican. Based on my personal experiences, this university deserves zero stars--especially the OT department. I feel morally obligated to caution students on attending and paying for this program when there are other programs out there with faculty who are probably a lot more compassionate, and which cost a fraction of the price. An OT is and OT is an OT at the end of the day. It doesn't matter where you go to grad school or how much money you spend. I suggest any program more supportive, and cheaper.

Before I begin this review, understand that this is an opinion, so I am going to acknowledge that I have biases towards certain aspects of the institution, and education as a whole. Therefor, I am going to keep this as general as I can. I will address some common pros and cons from people's experiences, and will provide some light commentary for each. Let's begin! Dominican is a small university nestled away in a hillside neighborhood in San Rafael, California. The student population is approximately 2,000, primarily made up of undergrads with a few master's programs sprinkled in. The campus is beautiful throughout the year, with a vast array of flora and trees that all seem to bloom in different seasons. In addition to being aesthetically delightful, the campus is small enough to have everything within short walking-distance. There are plenty of parking spots around the school, and most buildings are relatively easy to find. Now, I won't come outright and say that the school is academically-this, or socially-that, because those are quite subjective (as were some of the things I said above). However, there are some positives that students routinely bring up. First, class sizes are small, which allows for students to form intimate, meaningful connections with their faculty, who on the whole put significant time into helping students understand material and improve their habits. Second, the community environment creates ample opportunity for networking and mentorship, which is especially helpful in the business program, nursing, and the sciences. Third, the curricula tend to lean toward problem-solving and project-based learning (outside of pre-professional majors), which is vastly different from the examination model that you'll find at most larger schools. There are still challenging exams and papers, but student outcomes usually won't solely depend on those metrics. For the cons, it is important to keep in mind that many of us over-emphasize aspects of institutions that only relate to our experience. Thus, many of the negatives that students complain about can be personal qualms that don't speak to the true character of the school. At Dominican, this is no exception, but just be aware of that when analyzing these general negatives. First, students are usually frustrated with the social life at the school. With only 2,000 people, you aren't going to find the fraternity row of the UC's, or the football tailgates. There is a social scene at the school, but if you choose a small, private liberal arts university, don't expect a Chico party culture - you are likely looking in the wrong place. Second, students dislike the cost of the school, which is a consequence of it being a small, private liberal arts university. The school offers quite a bit of financial aid - especially if you are an incoming freshman - but be prepared to take out loans if your family isn't able to chip in. Third, students get upset about the cafeteria food because - unlike some larger schools - there aren't a plethora of food court restaurants to choose from. This varies from person-to-person, with some liking the food, some hating it, and some in the middle. The pros and cons above are just a few that I heard from students over the past four years, but I believe are worth being aware of. The cons appear longer because the commentary was a bit longer, but don't let this allude to me disliking the university. I absolutely loved my time at Dominican, and I can't put my experience into a simple yelp review. As a student-athlete and pre-med chemistry major, I was able to squeeze every ounce of education out of Dominican, all the while pursuing a collegiate athletic career. I hope this general review was helpful at bringing some positives and negatives to the table, and lets you walk away with some food for thought when applying to or researching the university.

I went on a tour yesterday. Beautiful campus. Wonderful Staff. VERY VERY friendly faculty. I mean, I was only hanging around with my camera and they called me over and spoke to me like I was an equal. I enjoyed that. My admissions counselor is wonderful. He is really informative, open minded, and student friendly. He even put together my financial aid packet while I was on tour of the campus. He graduated from DU a couple years a ago a Comms major and guess what I am? A Comms major. I happened to right my personal statement on Journalism... So, just to let you know what they like to see at least from So Cal.. wink wink Overall, its a great school. They are very generous with financial aid. Can't wait to go this fall!

Dominican University is a beautiful campus with an amazing set of faculty and staff. Class sizes are small, and being a biology major, this made engagement and support from professors more accessible than larger universities. This is a great school if you need extra support from professors and you are looking to graduate within four years. I highly recommend.

Dominican University is a wonderful campus. I chose to go to Dominican because of the small class size and the amount of opportunities that are accessible to the Biology students. Dominican provides hands-on research experience beginning freshman year, which no other school offers. The professors are also extremely patient, understanding and are willing to go out of their way to help you in order to ensure that their students will succeed. I highly recommend this school if you want to take vigorous courses with teachers who will show you endless support and help you succeed.

I decided to go to Dominican for the smaller class sizes, updated science building, beautiful campus, as well as the proximity to the city without being in it. I am graduating this spring in Biology and have been very happy with my experience here. As a freshman we were assigned advisers that we were required to meet with every semester to help us plan our class schedules. I found this very helpful because could make a tentative schedule but if you did not know what you wanted they helped you choose classes. I really liked getting to know my professors on a personal level. I feel it helped me be more accountable for everything that I did. Having a professor know who you are really helps in deciding if you should go to class or not, as in you should go or they will see you are missing. I have been able to have the privilege to have in depth conversations with professors that have really helped me in deciding how I want to go forward in the future. Some of the advise I disagreed with but it still helped me in knowing what I didn't like. Just like everything else in life nothing is perfect. I have had some difficulties just like any other students with registration, friends, and hard classes but looking back on the last four years I can say that I did really like my experience at this school.

I came to DUC after attending a couple of other colleges (CSU Chico, CSU Sacramento, and American River College) and then taking some time off. When reapplying to schools again I had decided I wanted to go private and DUC was recommended to me. I have to say, compared to the bigger state schools Dominican was exactly what I was always looking for. The class sizes and campus are small and so it is easy to connect with professors and class mates. I recently graduated with a Biology major and Chemistry minor and the science department was challenging but helpful and encouraging. The administration here was always quick to help and any issues I ever ran into were quickly resolved without any hiccups or problems (something that the states school fail at routinely). You are assigned faculty advisors that you are required to meet with before signing up for classes (at the state schools I went to the advisors were students who, not to their fault, had no idea what they were doing). The school also pushes their students by encouraging them to take their max amount of units (17 or more if in the honors program). The downside, its expensive, and believe it or not I do not come from money so the loans and repayments are on me. As an older student I also went through my 17 unit semesters while still working 30 hour weeks (but I would not say it is typical of the students on campus, but it is possible). However much it is though, I can easily say it was worth it. I am so happy I ended up at Dominican and would recommend it to anyone!

I really liked my experience at Dominican. I graduated with a Humanities degree from Pathways and highly recommend the program as an efficient, doable way to complete your degree while working full time. I found almost every one of my classes interesting and educational, the campus beautiful, the administration/bureaucratic aspect hot & cold, the professors willing to work hard with the students, and the cheap buffet lunch a great bonus when I had the time to swing by.

Like other reviews have said, Dominican is truly what you make of it. As a biology major, I enjoyed the great student to faculty ratio. Because of this, I was able to connect with my professors on a more meaningful level compared to if I had attended a larger university. The science faculty cared about their students and worked closely with them to ensure the students' success. As a student pursuing the medical field, they provided me with all the necessary resources and guided me on the right path to medical school; currently they are helping me with the application process. Another aspect of Dominican was that research experience was mandatory for all STEM students as a part of required curriculum. This experience was crucial for pursuing higher education and helped me find job opportunities as well. One thing I would like to see from Dominican's science faculty in the future is that they challenge their student's critical thinking more often. In a couple of my classes, I felt like I was regurgitating information I memorized rather than applying it. Dominican's service learning program allowed me to become more culturally aware. This opportunity gave me the opportunity to serve at local organizations and learn more about the community. I will always be thankful for the skills and values I gained from service learning. In regards to the area, Dominican is hard to match. Being located in beautiful Marin, the weather is always great. With San Francisco and multiple nation parks being less than 30 minutes away, there are endless recreational activities at a student's disposal. Dominican's low student population creates a tight knit community. This can be seen as a positive or a negative. I enjoyed that fact that I knew most of the students in my class and made close friendships, but I could understand how other prospective students would prefer a larger school. Students at Dominican are given all the necessary tools to succeed after graduation. If you are a driven student looking to put yourself in the best position to pursue your future career, then you should consider Dominican.

I was in the first class of Pathways. It is a program for adults to return to school and back then, Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6-10pm was full time. I loved the accelleration and having to read a book a week per class (a total of 4 books a week) to make up for the shorter class periods has served me well in the real world. Back then, we didn't have a real gym, we had a drafty old gym with only one locker room, harkening back to the days when it was girls only. Now they have a spectacular physical education facility and soccer field. The school has undergone changes since when I was there. And I have to say, all of them feel good. Part of me wishes I could go back now so that I didn't have to do cheerleading practice in the dorms on a concrete floor because the gym was being used by the basketball team. I recently walked through campus and it has kept its small school charm. And of course, the location! Admitedly, I'm a native Marinite so I have a heavy bias toward trees, eco friendly living, and culture. So if I'm such a fan, why'd they lose a star? Because I always wanted to be a FOOTBALL cheerleader and they don't have a football team. That actually lost them two stars, but they earned one back for my Art Class where we'd show up early, teacher included, and have wine and snackies in the garden before class. I always was better at art with a couple under my belt!

I picked Dominican because I went to a very small high school. I also wanted a small university feel as well. Checked out the school in a holiday so no one was around but I thought the campus was pretty and he way they described it sounded like the best for for me....wrong!!! They exaggerate so much about what they have and don't have it's ridiculous. I wanted to join student government and clubs but was unable to. Student government was so disorganized. Also there where only 4-5 clubs and I couldn't join half! That the social aspect but let's focus on academics. I had a 3.4 gpa by turning in papers I did when I was a sophomore in high school. Yeah that's great for my gpa but I knew I would get to the real world and work place with the experience of a high school student. They didn't push me and have horrid resources. I truly panic that I wouldn't get a job if I continued to go to this school. Dominican also focuses on science/health majors so if your a different major good luck. Study abroad is almost impossible to get into. I signed up at my current school 2 HOURS before the France student abroad closed and got it. My friend spent 2 years just to get where she wanted to go. People! Look elsewhere! Do not get stuck on what they say! Find out the facts first! I go to Usd and it cost the exact same as Dominican. Only difference I'm the number 1 private school in the us. This might be the school for you but look around first!

Dominican's a great place for those who want a laidback environment with small classes (VERY small, in some cases) and similarly small student body. Its campus is gorgeous, the students are mostly friendly, and the location is hard to beat. That said, there are some serious drawbacks about attending the school. One of my biggest issues is that the majors/minors are really limited. If you want to study something that's even slightly obscure, Dominican probably isn't the place for you. They do have some niche programs (sports broadcasting, for instance), but not many. For this reason, there aren't tons of classes to choose from. You'll find a limited range of options without much academic diversity. Speaking of diversity, one thing that is great about the school is its ethnic/cultural/racial diversity. The students come in all shapes, colors, and backgrounds. Many are first-gen college students. Most of them come from CA, which was kind of a bummer to me (I would've loved to have gotten to know some people from different parts of the country), but the multiculturalism is one facet of the school that I found very impressive and enjoyable. College should be a time to be exposed to all kinds of people, and in that regard, Dominican is awesome. Unfortunately, the teaching staff is far less diverse, and many of the professors display a certain kind of boneheaded insensitivity when it comes to racial/ethnic/cultural matters. Some of the professors have been accused of racism. Not only are the course options limited, the course descriptions are often VERY misleading. Trust me--I had to figure this one out the hard way. I've taken a lot of courses that were drastically different from how they were described and it really bugged me. When I say the classes diverged from the descriptions, I mean it seriously--some of them were 100% different than what the school claimed. Many of the classes I would not have signed up for had they been honest in the description. BE CAREFUL OF THIS. I recommend asking students who've taken the classes you're interested in what they thought of the experience and whether they'd recommend it. You can find out much more honest info that way. On the topic of classes, most of them were very easy. Some weren't. Public speaking (which used to be a requirement but is being phased out right now) is notoriously difficult but I didn't find it so bad. Dominican's one of those schools where the professors make or break the classes. If I could give a piece of advice, it would be this: STAY AWAY from Cynthia Taylor, the history teacher. She's awful. By far the worst teacher I had at Dominican. The rest of the teachers I had were mostly fine, though some of them were surprisingly stupid (Cynthia Taylor is an example). You have to ask yourself, "If you know more than your professor, why are you paying for them to teach you?" I asked myself that question more often than I would've liked. Still, some of the other professors were great, especially the English and Communications teachers. The ones who are bad are REALLY bad, though. Dominican students love to complain about the food and the dorms. I lived off-campus so I can't really comment on either, but I personally enjoyed the café the few times I tried it. Speaking of the students, they're a mixed bag. They are almost all VERY friendly and nice, which I liked a lot, but they're also not the brightest. Some are super smart, don't get me wrong... but the smart ones are few and far between. Most of them range from "how the hell did you get into college?!" to "passable student but utterly unremarkable." If you're a highly intelligent person looking to make like-minded friends, this may not be the place. It's also probably not the place for highly intelligent students looking to be challenged. The nursing program, pre-med program, and sports broadcasting programs have a good reputation if that's your thing. I've also been very impressed by the dance program here--the dancers are amazing! So, there are specialized programs that may work well for people with certain interests. But be sure to look at their majors/minors beforehand and verify that they do, in fact, have a program that aligns with your interests--otherwise, there's not much of a reason to attend Dominican, academically speaking. So, TL;DR: Beautiful campus, friendly (but often stupid) students, limited majors and minors, horribly inaccurate course descriptions, professors are a mixed bag and often know much less than you would expect/hope from a professor (AVOID CYNTHIA TAYLOR AT ALL COSTS, SHE IS AWFUL!). Should you attend Dominican? It really depends on your goals, interests, and personality. I know for me personally, I wouldn't have attended Dominican if I'd known what I know now, but I did have some good experiences and I think the school has a lot to offer for a particular type of student. If you're that student, then by all means, dive in.

Dominican University is, without a doubt, the place to go. I originally enrolled at Dominican to earn a teaching credential and was so impressed by the quality program and faculty that I decided to continue and pursue my Masters in Education. With a fully equipped campus situated on 80 (serene) acres, it was easy to escape from the daily grind and be able to focus with other serious students and complete my engaging coursework. I highly recommend Dominican University.

I graduated DUC with a bachelors in organismal biology with a minor and chemistry and I cannot speak highly enough about my experience there. If you are considering a science major, DUC should be at the top of the list. It is a small school which creates an intimate and personal class experience, where you can really get to know and work with your professors closely. They offer a research rotation where you will get school credit and work on a research team, where you can possibly contribute to actual published research. You are offered so many helpful resource and experiences that will benefit career prospects as well as personal growth. The campus is absolutely beautiful and is walking distance to many great restaurants, coffee shops, etc. I feel so lucky to have attended and graduated form such an amazing institution that left me well prepared for grad school and future careers.

I came to Dominican University as a transfer biology student. I was interested in Dominican University because of the opportunities for the pre-medical students. When I first toured Dominican, what initially stood out what the campus. It's small but very beautiful. Marin is a great city with a lot to do: outdoors activities, close to San Francisco, fun events and restaurants. There is a lot of living options as far as on-campus and off campus housing. The population at Dominican is small. In all of my classes, I don't think any class exceeded over 20 students, which I very much liked. I was able to focus better in classes and learn more in depth. I felt more confident to ask questions and engage in class more. I also felt that I grew a greater relationship with my peers and professors because of the smaller class sizes. Out of all my professors (I was a biology major), I didn't have one professor that I felt was uncaring or disconnected from their class or students. I felt that all my professors were very passionate about what they were teaching and are very knowledgeable, even experts in their field and topic of teaching. Another thing that I loved about Dominican is their research program for undergraduate students. Being a biology major and pre-med student, this is what was the deciding factor of coming to Dominican. At other big UC/CSU schools, it is very hard to get into a professor's research lab. It can be very competitive and require a lot of extra work to even be a possible candidate for the lab. However, at Dominican University, it is required that every biology/chemistry major be a part of a research lab. This is a wonderful opportunity for students that are looking to go further and become physicians or get their pHD because it is definitely needed for high schooling. There is also great opportunities, such as scholastic clubs, travel abroad options, and even classes abroad (I traveled to Thailand for a week for a biology elective. It was amazing). I think Dominican is a wonderful school and I am glad I decided to go there. It has really helped me set myself up for my future and has helped me apply myself for higher schooling. I highly encourage anyone to apply, visit the campus, and talk with faculty if interested in going to DU!

Transferred to this school after my brother attended. I was in their nursing program. Extremely supportive staff and listens to students in comparisons to public universities. Campus is quiet but lovely just like most of Marin county. Prepared me well for my career, can't ask for more.

What is special about Dominican is the experience you have here. If you're the type of person that wants to be actively involved and influential with the school community, the student body and faculty will be welcoming and value your input. If you're the type to show up, get what you need done, and go home, this place is also just right for you. Or maybe you're a mix of both (kind of like myself). Either way, you have the opportunity to be engaged how and where you want to be, while still being able to focus on your education and career goals. A great perk is the small classroom sizes and the teacher-student ratio. All your professors will know you. And many go above & beyond to aid you throughout your time here, wether it be with on-campus opportunities (such as research), putting you in touch with outside contacts, and keeping you on track to achieve your education goals. You may think all this extra attention and guidance is unneeded (and there may be times you are correct), but there will be numerous times where this care & guidance will help you more than you ever realized. In addition, this allows you to create great friendships with your cohorts. The peer-support thought my college experience has been one I greatly valued. Greatest perk of all... I know of so many people who have gotten derailed from their four-year plan at other big schools, including both academics and resume-building opportunities. But with your own dedication and that of your teachers, that will not happen at Dominican. Not only will I be graduating on time with a Biology degree, but I also have hours of work experience and volunteering I can use on a resume and CV when applying to graduate schools. Some of the opportunities I have been able to be involved with here at Dominican or through Dominican connections include: Kaiser-Dominican pre-medical internship program, founding member of AED on campus, on-campus research (on breast cancer & the effects of lipoic acid), volunteering with the OKIZU pediatric oncology organization, volunteering with UCSF Dep. of Peds research, immersion and outreach volunteering in Mexico, and more. I plan on attending medical school and opportunities like those above have not only helped to build my resume, but also my character and future career aspirations. It was the extra guidance and encouragement of professors that helped shaped my experience here at Dominican and my future.

Dominican is a school that was not my first choice to go to. However, due to the scholarship I received, I chose to go here. Also, my brother had attended this school and made it convenient to attend since I would be commuting from SF. Being a biology/pre-med major, I have looked to the faculty here at Dominican to help me get through these past 4 years of my life. Since the classes are small, it's very easy to meet with the professor regarding questions and concerns about the classes. Also, the faculty want to help you to get where you are. However, there was one professor that puts down those that want to go to medical school, but all the other professors want to help us get to where we want in the future. Some of the general education classes were busy work and seemed unnecessary, but were required. All of people tend to say that the core classes for natural sciences majors are not hard, but I completely disagree. I would stay up until 2-3 in the morning to do assignments and to study for tests after extensively studying for them all day. They are both challenging and awarding. The social aspect of the school is different for me seeing as how I had never lived on campus or close to campus. Even though I felt as if this wasn't the right place for me after my first year, I learned that I had to go out into the community and become apart of it. I have become involved in campus ministry trips, and becoming an orientation leader and mentor for first year students. But over the past four years, I have made some of the most memorable moments with the most memorable people here at Dominican. And I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. Lastly, after deciding to go here I am grateful to have had the opportunity.

This school has been an astounding home for the last 4 years! So every school has its problems Dominican makes a real effort to try and iron out the situations that come up. Each department and set of staff is unique but ALL want you to graduate and succeed in 4 years or less. Tremendous beautiful campus rounds out an enriching college experience.