<p>I know this board is quite empty, however, I'm a current Sonoma State student. I live and work on campus and I'm beginning my 2nd year. I'm a music education major.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer them as best I can.
=)</p>
<p>My daughter, husband and I took our first tour of the campus this summer - she LOVED it. We don’t have any questions currently, but I’m glad to see a current student frequenting these forums.</p>
<p>So, how is the music program? How many music majors? How selective is the SSU orchestra? Any affiliations with the Santa Rosa Symphony?</p>
<p>There are around 100 music majors.
The orchestra at SSU isn’t very big and isn’t the best. However, the wind ensemble is around 70 members and invites everyone to play with a chair audition only.
The Santa Rosa Symphony has signed a contract to play at SSU’s new Weill Hall. Weill hall is a brand new (grand open next month!) world class music hall. It seats around 1400 people.</p>
<p>Personally, I LOVE the music program. It is big enough to have a great music program but small enough that I never feel lost in the crowd. My adviser and department chair have always made sure I get the classes I need. They are always there is answer question I have. Every teacher in the music department knows me by name and knows my strengths and weaknesses. My classes are small (smallest is 1,4,7) and my largest are things like choir (around 100 people). The music department provides a tutor for music students in theory and ear training. The music teachers answer my questions even outside of office hours. Majoring in music education at Sonoma State was one the the BEST decisions I’ve ever made.</p>
<p>Does Sonoma State have a preview day in the fall for prospective students?</p>
<p>You can book a tour online to visit.
In the spring, Sonoma State has Seawolf Decision Day. Accepted students can come and preview the school before making a final commitment. Clubs and other organizations on campus set up tables. The departments have information. There are speakers, more in-depth tours, and tons of information about SSU.</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the equestrian team?</p>
<p>Honestly I have no idea.</p>
<p>Hi violentdelights,
My daughter is interested in the equestrian team as well. She is currently a junior in HS, so she hasn’t contacted the team leaders yet. But, we did find the the following information.
Facebook page
<a href=“Sonoma State Equestrian Team”>Sonoma State Equestrian Team;
Club page
<a href=“https://orgsync.com/21865/chapter[/url]”>https://orgsync.com/21865/chapter</a>
And, we found an article about it.
[Equestrian</a> club promotes passion of horseback riding - Sports - Sonoma State Star - Sonoma State University](<a href=“http://www.sonomastatestar.com/sports/equestrian-club-promotes-passion-of-horseback-riding-1.2158198#.UDJf4qllTDs]Equestrian”>http://www.sonomastatestar.com/sports/equestrian-club-promotes-passion-of-horseback-riding-1.2158198#.UDJf4qllTDs)
Their website was working a couple of months ago, but is current down.<br>
ssuequestrian.com</p>
<p>Please post back if you find anything out.</p>
<p>fluteloop, My D has been accepted to Sonoma State - Psychology major. We live in the East Bay and have not visited the campus yet. We plan to visit in about two weeks before deciding between Sonoma State, CSU Channel Islands, Whittier and Southern Oregon.</p>
<p>I would appreciate any advice regarding your school, psych major there, freshmen housing and any pointers for the visit. Thank you.</p>
<p>SmarteesDad:my D is a freshman there and loves it. Go to admitted students day to check it out. Any questions,let me know</p>
<p>Hello! I’m a music major so I’m not totally informed about the psych major, but I do know that it is impacted. This means it is more difficult to get those classes, but still possible. Freshman just often have to taken classes at the unwanted times, Fridays, mornings, etc…
As for freshman housing, this is on the west side of campus, upperclassman being on the east. When you turn into the school from the main entrance, freshman housing would be on the left. I would really take the time to walk around campus. It isn’t that large, which I see as an advantage. It is very quiet and peaceful. I would also pick up a copy of the SSU Star, our newspaper. It can give you a feel of what is going on around campus. They are located all over campus in most buildings.
I hope you enjoy your visit!</p>
<p>otc2010 and violentdelights - please let me know what your daughters decide on attending Sonoma State. I think with the East Bay thing and the riding thing, they might have something in common. I’ve been in contact with the faculty advisor. Who is going to Seawolf Decision Day? April 12th. </p>
<p>@fluteloop I heard Sonoma is in a college town but has residents there that don’t like college kids and it’s really commuter, is that true? It sounds like a pathetic question but I’ve been hearing that a lot. </p>
<p>Also, do you get to choose what students get to live with in Sonoma’s apartments/housing or is it random? </p>
<p>First the college isn’t really that close to Sonoma - Rhonert Park/Cotati are the neighboring towns.</p>
<p>It is an interesting campus - It is relatively small and it is the only CSU i know of that houses a good portion of Jr’s and Srs on campus. In that manner, it is very residential, unlike Sacramento where, 95% of students actually drive to school and park on campus. Unlike other residential campuses in N Cal (think Chico and Davis) though, there isn’t a college town feel to the community. The cities of Chico and Davis surround the campuses and virtually wouldn’t exist without the schools. Rhonert Park is a more of a bedroom community than college town. As a result, Sonoma feels more isolated than those other campuses. </p>
<p>The residential facilities on campus are really nice - as is the rest of the campus. It is unlike any other CSU in many ways. You kind of have to tour the place to really ‘get it’. SSU is a good school and has several really outstanding programs. </p>
<p>I am almost certain they will honor a room mate request. </p>
<p>I really recommend you take a campus tour when classes are in session. I think you will, quickly either love it - or feel like it’s not the right place for you.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>My D is a sophomore at Sonoma State. She lives in one of the communities there, and loves it.</p>
<p>Yes, it is not a college town, like Chico or others. It is a small school. Because she made friends her freshman year, she stays on campus most of the time. She came home more her freshman year. This year she is busy with classes and a job off campus. For her, though, college life is less about the college town feel and more about the friends she is making and her studies.</p>
<p>@NCalRent @crizello I didn’t notice these messages until today when I was browsing back through here, apologies for my late exposure, but thank you - seems interesting! 
I’ll ask some more questions when it comes to mind because I’m still heavily considering Sonoma State.</p>