Here’s why one student thinks you should stop worrying and start doing.
By +Emperor’sCollege
How many times in life do you get to make a decision that pushes the envelope, challenges your comfort zone and changes your life for the better? If you’re like most people, probably not that often. But then again, you’re thinking about pursuing a career in natural medicine by going to one of the top acupuncture schools in California. So you’re a little different from the corporate-minded world around you. You dream big and want to make a profound difference in peoples’ lives. We love you for that and are here to encourage your passion.
But telling you to “just do it” seems a bit superficial. In fact, we actually want you to explore all the top acupuncture schools in California. Doing so will help you identify the type of Oriental medicine practitioner you want to be and select the academic environment you resonate with most. In the end, you’ll be a better practitioner for it.
Bottom line(s):
- Not all acupuncture schools are created equal.
- Many of the best acupuncture schools are in California.
Here’s one student’s journey through exploring the top acupuncture schools in California, how he made the decision to attend Emperor’s College and what has surprised him about his new life in Santa Monica (LA’s beachy, outdoorsy cousin).
Q: Daniel, tell us how you went about researching acupuncture schools and why you choose Emperor’s College.
A: Well, I began my school search online. When I narrowed down the schools I was most interested in, I started visiting them. I visited 4 schools in total. I’m from Colorado so I visited one school there and the rest were acupuncture schools in California. From school to school, I began to see the differences in emphasis of study, community and classroom environment. I felt that the culture at Emperor’s College would most meet my needs and the Santa Monica campus location resonated with my lifestyle. Deciding to go to acupuncture school is a big commitment, so I wanted to make sure I chose a school and a city that would support my quality of life.
Q: What was your experience finding housing? You have a dog too, right?
A: In my experience, finding housing in Los Angeles is really no big deal. Truly! It’s a dynamic city, there are always people coming and going, so there are plenty of places to be found.
I used craigslist (Westside of LA) and PadMapper almost exclusively when searching for housing. Other students have had positive results with Westside Rentals or by connecting with current students who are also looking for housemates.
Since I knew I was moving to the LA area and had some time, I checked out rent prices as if I was searching for airfare to get an idea of what a good deal looked like. I emailed people off of craigslist who had posted for housemates even if timing was an issue. Sometimes people are willing to wait for the right housemate, but almost always they will at least give up their thoughts on the neighborhood!
Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, I was able to secure a two bedroom, dog friendly condo split two ways for under $900 a month in West LA… Not bad! Prices may go up towards neighborhoods near Santa Monica or Venice, but if you can swing it, it will maximize your time to be closer to campus.
I would definitely say that finding good housing isn’t too tough. There’s everything from $500 a month with roommates, to one bedrooms or studios for around $1000.
My recommendation would be to try and live as close to the school as possible. Neighborhoods near campus are Brentwood, Venice, Mar Vista, Marina del Rey, Culver City, West LA, Brentwood, Palms and Westwood.
Q: Was there anything that you thought would be challenging about the move that turned out to be easy or rewarding?
A: Challenging? I’d like to say not so much… but driving the i80 through Nevada alone on a hot day with a dog, few gas stations, fewer people, and a highway that screams The Hills Have Eyes?… Kidding, what’s not to love about a good road trip?! Something ridiculous always happens, and it gives you the opportunity to breakdown and rebuild… every time. I’ve moved around a bunch, and every time I do I grow a little bit more, and that always starts on the drive for me. If you’re driving cross country like I did, embrace it and have a great journey! Stop and do things, sleep under the stars, and don’t feed the bears!
Q: What are your favorite things about life in Santa Monica and Los Angeles?
A: The road biking. My time away from school and work is almost completely spent in the mountains. I came here from Colorado, which (strangely) has developed my taste for riding a bicycle up high grade canyons. If you enjoy racing up mountains on a bike, then I can highly recommend the Santa Monica mountain range for it. I realize this is not everyone’s idea of fun, but what can I say… I came from Boulder. I was SURE I would lose this moving to the urban sprawl of Los Angeles. I was WAY wrong. The biking (particularly the climbing) dare I say it, is some of the most challenging I have found anywhere. If you’re into this kind of thing like me, between Santa Monica and Mount Baldy, ah you can really do some damage out here. The hiking is great too!
Think you’re ready to take that leap? (Or at least ready to peer over the edge?)
No matter what stage you are at in your journey, we are here to help. If you think Emperor’s College might be the place for you, contact an admissions representative for more information and let us know what we can do for you. If you’re ready to go, get started on your application today. And if you do come to town, come and visit us – we’d love to show you around.