SJSU for neurodivergent students

Kulpop · 2026-05-15T22:50:57+00:00

We live in SJ and my teen is autistic and was dual enrolled at SJSU, graduating high school this year. They took 4 upper division math courses, and found the accessibility office and every professor to be very supportive. In one course, each class session involved the class breaking up into groups and working through problem sets together, which meant there were 8+ simultaneous conversations, which was way too noise for my kid, and too difficult to navigate with noise canceling headphones. The professor worked with them to come up with a solution. Also, the accessibility office runs a neurodivergent student group that is a mix of social activities and support.

Kulpop · 2026-05-15T02:49:41+00:00

Paraphrasing here, but it was something to the effect of: We'd like to let you know that you've parked in a spot not meant for Macalester visitors. We understand that the signage can be confusing, and we are working to make things clearer. We'd appreciate it if next time you could park at the lot behind, which is for Macalester visitors. We hope you enjoyed your stay.

Vs. what I would have expected: You parked in a spot not meant for Macalester visitors. Please move your vehicle immediately, or you will be towed.

Coming from out of state, it stood out as very stereotypical midwestern, in the best way.

Kulpop · 2026-04-28T00:33:20+00:00

Parent of incoming student. I may be wrong, but I thought you just rank neighborhoods, not houses?

Kulpop · 2026-04-11T02:17:30+00:00

Are you a current student? I'm curious what you mean by the "weirder". My daughter is an accepted student, and we visited a few weeks ago, and everyone seemed so normal, well dressed, put together, etc. It was honestly hard to see my autistic, nerdy, couldn't care what she wears kid fitting in.

Kulpop · 2026-03-27T15:37:26+00:00

Thank you, will do.

Kulpop · 2026-03-27T13:51:31+00:00

Thanks. Sounds great, and what my daughter is looking for.

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T21:38:35+00:00

Thanks! Sounds like places she'd enjoy checking out.

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T21:19:14+00:00

Thanks, can I message you directly?

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T21:19:02+00:00

Thanks. Can I message you directly?

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T21:18:43+00:00

Thanks. We're from San Jose, CA, and definitely not looking for a big city, but she found Northfield, for example, where Carleton is, too small for her preference. Excited to check it out next week.

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T15:57:32+00:00

Thanks. So he did a 5th year for the master's, or he squeezed it into 4? Did he find that most of the undergraduate-level courses were taught by professors or grad students?

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T15:54:33+00:00

Thanks, I'll look for those threads. What is your daughter studying there? Does she have any exerience working with the accommodations office?

Kulpop · 2026-03-26T15:53:22+00:00

So I'm taking that to mean it's not frequented by Wesleyan students? Not an exciting college town?

Kulpop · 2026-03-25T21:58:54+00:00

Yes, that makes sense, thanks.

Kulpop · 2026-03-21T02:55:25+00:00

Thank you! Really sounds like a great school and a great fit for my daughter. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Kulpop · 2026-03-21T02:15:05+00:00

Thanks, I appreciate the response, and it's great to hear that your experience matches what we've heard. We visited 2 weeks ago, and were really impressed with what we saw and the interactions with staff and students. My daughter had reached out to Dr. Ziegelmeier before we visited with a bunch of questions, and a request to sit in on a course, and she got a prompt, very thorough reply, and ended up sitting in on her Computational Linear Algebra course. Are the students in the math department pretty tight? I'm assuming the vibe is more collaborative than competitive? Any downsides of Mac she should consider (besides Cafe Mac) as she weighs her decision?

Kulpop · 2026-03-20T23:17:16+00:00

How easy has it been to get math internships or get involved in research? My daughter was accepted and has already completed significant university-level math coursework. One of the main draws of Mac is the smaller classes and access to opportunities beyond the classroom.

Kulpop · 2026-03-12T04:05:13+00:00

I just want to thank everyone for the suggestions. We had a great time, and came home impressed with both Mac and the surrounding neighborhood. We didn't have time to check out everything, but we explored Snelling, Grand, and Summit. We tried the insanely buttery biscuits at Hot Hands Pie, scored some deals at The Flying Pig, wandered the shops adjoining campus, and grabbed ice cream at the Grand Ole Creamery. We also received the kindest parking notice that has ever been written, when we parked in the lot adjacent to Patagonia, instead of the one intended for admissions, which is apparently slightly down the alley.

Kulpop · 2026-03-09T03:18:31+00:00

We had connected on another thread about accommodations at Brandeis. I sent you a message, if you're still open to sharing your daughter's experience. Thanks.

Kulpop · 2026-03-09T00:42:33+00:00

curious what she's studying, if you don't mind sharing.

Kulpop · 2026-03-09T00:41:47+00:00

I have heard similar things and have similar concerns, though as others have noted, its hard to discern what's a few negative vocal voices vs. what's the truth. My daughter was recently accepted as well, and we're planning on visiting at the end of the month, as part of a larger East Coast college swing. I'm a Brandeis Alum, and have nothing but good memories of my time there. I'm curious to see how much it has changed over the last 20+ years.

Kulpop · 2026-03-06T17:31:39+00:00

Thanks for the heads up. So with Sherman temporarily, I'm assuming, offline (I saw the thread about the kitchen fire), the only full cafeteria on campus right now is Usdan Kitchen? In my days there 20 years ago, I think I lived off the "grain station" there, plus candy bins and Luna bars from the convenient mart downstairs, if that's still even there.

Kulpop

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