Ashley

  • Cal State San Marcos
  • Pursued physics
  • Got a D in physics the first time
  • Switched to Computer Science
  • grades don’t define you
  • Starting PhD at UCSD
  • National leader in social mobility
  • Many different pathways at CSUSM
  • Easy to transition classes
  • Contact the chair of the department if interested
  • CSUSM financial aid

John

  • Was a delinquent in HS
  • Started Palomar right after high school
  • 2 associates from Palomar
  • Talked about versatility

Other info

  • Email opportunities
  • Contact the chair of the department if interested
  • Clubs are important!
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help
  • Summer Scholar’s program (research with an advisor (10 weeks))
  • Quantum Bridge program (4 week program about quantum physics)
  • More programs for chem and bio
  • Scholarship is privately funded
  • Grant is gvt funded
  • Loans (college debts)
    • 2 types
      • unsubsidized
        • Independently funded
        • Starts accruing interest on loan immediately
      • subsidized
        • partially funded by the gvt
        • Helps with interest rates
    • Be smart with loans
    • Apply for FAFSA
    • Community college is a lot cheaper
  • Master’s program is usually 2 years
    • If you have a job, you might get a raise for pursuing your master’s

Electronics Activity

  • After the lecture, the guest speakers brought out some electronic supplies consisting of the following
    • Button batteries
    • Vibration motors
    • Toothbrush heads
    • Electrical tape
  • We were supposed to make vibrating toothbrushes but some of the motors were the wrong kind and they just spun the bristle-haed
  • We had a lot of fun figuring out how to properly tape the ends of the wires to the battery to keep the motor on, and taping the toothbrush head onto the powered end of the motor

Photos

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Reflection

I had loads of fun at this guest speaker lecture. I met up with some friends who I hadn’t seen in a while along with learning about the ins and outs of the Comp Sci program at Cal State San Marcos, as well as other general college knowledge. There were some valuable life lessons thrown in there as well, which were also pretty beneficial. My favorite part was the electronics activity where we had to figure out how to make an electronically powered vibrating toothbrush. It was fun seeing my friends struggle with it, but just a super enjoyable experience in general (I also like physics so that was kind of my cup of tea). Overall, I’d say 9/10 experience for me.